by Dr. James C. Willey
Note: this essay appeared in the April 8, 2020 edition of the Toledo Blade.
A recent article by Brooks Sutherland in The Blade provided a perfect example of the benefits a region receives when it supports NIH-funded health care research through strategic planning, funding, and public recognition.
The article reported that the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio Hospital, Pathology molecular diagnostics lab worked quickly and expertly to provide rapid coronavirus testing to the citizens of northwest Ohio. This was indeed uplifting news for our region, stressed by the worst pandemic in 100 years.
The key scientists at UTMC Pathology who drove development of the COVID-19 test, Jiyoun Yeo, PhD, and Heather Kvale, M.D., acquired their molecular genetic skills in NIH-funded laboratories on the Health Sciences Campus in South Toledo. Further, Dr. Thomas Blomquist, the pathologist who helped develop the molecular diagnostics lab and hired the key personnel, received his M.D./PhD in an NIH-funded lab on the health sciences campus.
At UTMC, for more than 50 years, the citizens of South Toledo have benefited from access to the high-quality care that only a teaching hospital provides. Moreover, funding from the National Institutes of Health to the University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, and UTMC on the Health Sciences campus has been a major source of support for high-tech jobs in our region.
Further, vibrant clinical and research activities in South Toledo is an important source of commercial activity that supports regional property values.
Unfortunately, in the 15 years since the merger between UT and the Medical College of Ohio, NIH-funding has declined nearly by half and UTMC is facing financial insolvency.
In the face of this decline, one can only conclude that key political, financial, and health-care leaders in Toledo have failed to recognize the important role NIH funding plays in the generation of high-tech jobs as well as the overall health and welfare of a region.
The affiliation agreement signed between COMLS and ProMedica five years ago promised to change things for the better. It was stated explicitly in the agreement that a goal was to increase the ranking of COMLS among U.S. medical schools. After nearly five years it is fair to ask: Where is the plan agreed to by both ProMedica and the COMLS that provides a clear pathway to achieving either of these goals?
Dr. Cooper, dean of COMLS and one of the signers of the affiliation agreement, was and clearly is, genuine in his belief that the affiliation will lead to a significantly increased NIH funding, and that this will be a key element in improved ranking.
To his credit, Dr. Cooper has directed as much money as possible to hire talented faculty capable of submitting grant applications worthy of NIH funding. In contrast, while ProMedica has many strengths, including a well-regarded and well-executed business plan, high-quality medical care delivery, and commitment to the education of health-care learners, it has no track record for supporting NIH-funded research. In this context, five years after signing the agreement, ProMedica and the COLMS have been unable to agree to a master research agreement that will facilitate NIH-funded research in ProMedica clinical facilities, including ProMedica Toledo and Flower hospitals.
Thus, a sufficient amount of time has passed, and there is abundant direct experience to conclude that UT and South Toledo must seek additional support, independent of the COMLS-ProMedica Affiliation, to sustain and grow UTMC as a regional research hospital, and COMLS as a strong NIH-funded academic medical center.
Recently, strong potential source of support for NIH-funded research in the COMLS and UTMC on the health sciences campus is developing. This opportunity comes in the form of the Toledo Clinic, an independent physician group. There is a cadre of physicians at Toledo Clinic with well-established commitment to the role of research in advancement of health care in Toledo. As one example, when Dr. John Nemunaitis brought his expertise as an investigational oncologist to the Dana Cancer Center on the health sciences campus, nearly all of the patients who entered his Phase 1 and 2 clinical trials of cutting-edge cancer medicines were referred by Toledo Clinic physicians, including Drs. Rex Mowat and Richard Phinney. Importantly, this TTC commitment is now recognized by UT leadership. Specifically, UT is now working closely with Toledo Clinic to develop closer relationships in the areas of research, education, and clinical activity at the Dana Cancer Center and UTMC.
An affiliation between UT and Toledo Clinic could introduce our region to an academic physician practice successfully implemented at Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Brown Physicians Inc. is a community-based, not-for-profit, multispecialty practice group. Members in BPI populate the teaching and research faculty at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. BPI members have a choice in the amount of effort they commit to teaching, research, and clinical practice. In addition, BPI members provide clinical service at a wide variety of hospitals in the Providence region. This level of physician autonomy leads to a vibrant, healthy, and innovative health-care environment.
An affiliation between the UT and Toledo Clinic will be synergistic with the COMLS-ProMedica affiliation. This step will optimize education of COMLS learners at all hospitals in Toledo, support NIH-funded research, and ensure a high level of clinical activity at UTMC and the Dana Cancer Center on the UT health sciences campus. Furthermore, it will enhance the ability of UT COMLS and ProMedica to recruit top faculty to our region who can compete for NIH grants, conduct clinical trials, and increase the ranking of our UT academic medical center. All of these activities will bring new job opportunities and advance health care in our region.
Dr. Willey, M.D., professor of medicine, George Isaac Endowed Chair for Cancer Research, UTMC, is a member of Save the UTMC Citizens Group, with former Toledo Mayor Carty Finkbeiner, state Sen. Theresa Fedor, and Randy Desposito, president of AFSCME Local 2415. Dr. Willey’s views do not necessarily reflect those of the University of Toledo.