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25th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
25th Anniversary Program (PDF) Wednesday, April 26, 2006
The Board of Directors and Staff of the Michigan Society for Medical Research presents the 25th Anniversary Celebration of dedication to the biomedical research community.
MISMR'S Formative Years...
The late 1970's were a period of much political activism by some of the leaders in Michigan animal welfare organizations. Unfortunately the tone of the rhetoric had shifted from an emphasis on animal welfare to one that reflected views normally associated with antivivisectionists. It was a time in which institutions and organizations in Michigan, with a biomedical research mission, found themselves somewhat isolated in responding to inquiries and arguments of these leaders in animal welfare organizations. It was increasingly apparent that a unified voice was needed in the State to respond effectively to the message that was being given to the media and public by persons opposed to biomedical research and particularly research and education programs requiring animal use. The clarion call for a unified effort to provide an effective counter to the claims of antivivisectionists came via a letter written August 23, 1979 by William N. Konde, D.V.M. who at the time was Director of Bioresources at Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI. He sent the letter to a number of prominent institutions in Michigan. The letter articulated the idea that by banding together institutions could stand as a unified voice on certain issues to respond to the claims and arguments being made by those who opposed animal research. This led to significant interaction and discussion between officials and individuals representing the key institutions and organizations in the state with a biomedical research mission. Resulting from this a meeting was held on January 29, 1981 at the University of Michigan, bringing together representatives from fourteen organizations, with the purpose of forming an organization to be a voice for biomedical research in Michigan. In attendance were representatives from:
Bennett J. Cohen, D.V.M., Ph.D. at the University of Michigan chaired the meeting and Raymond B. Kahn, Ph.D., Director of Research at Henry Ford Hospital played a key role in the discussions. A steering committee was formed at the initial meeting and also all attendees signed the constitution as presented at the meeting. It was agreed that the organization's name would be the Michigan Society for Medical Research. The steering committee then met on Tuesday, February 17, 1981 at the University of Michigan and an initial slate of officers and Board of Directors was selected. These members were later affirmed by ballot of the persons who signed the constitution for the organization in January. The first officers were:
PRESIDENT
Minutes from the steering committee meeting included a listing of programmatic objectives that are in line with how MISMR has evolved and has effectively served as a strong and respected voice for biomedical research in our State. Those objectives listed in the Steering Committee minutes were:
These objectives have guided our actions for the past 25 years. As our organizational collaborators and membership have grown, we have served as one of Michigan's primary sources of advocacy on the value and need for biomedical research. Over the years we have monitored legislative efforts which could have had a negative impact on the research community. We've made our services available to state and regional officials by educational briefings providing expert testimony in support and protection of animal research. Most recently, we worked with Michigan Senate members to sponsor and pass legislation to protect research laboratories from crimes of domestic terrorism. Other high priorities have been to provide annual Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) interactive workshops. These workshops provide research personnel the opportunity to learn the latest regulations involving the welfare of animals in research. Our annual meetings and educational symposiums have featured national and international researchers, opinion leaders, and journalists to foster dialogue and debate on current issues confronting Michigan's research community. Recognizing the inroads being made by the animal rights movements amongst our youth, fifteen years ago MISMR established annual junior and high school essay contests. The purpose of these competitions is to stimulate debate and critical thinking and to help students learn about the importance of biomedical research and its impact on the quality of human and animal life. Our educational materials, including an extensive resource guide distributed to more than 1800 libraries and our website www.mismr.org, make our point of view readily available to the public. As we celebrate and reflect on the past 25 years of MISMR's history and dedication to the biomedical research community, we can say "Well Done". Yet, in our reflection, we must also conclude that Dr. Bennett J. Cohen's words still ring through and are as relevant now as they were in 1981, "Animal research is under severe threat within Michigan and nationally". So as it was in 1981, MISMR's continuing challenge is to promote public understanding of biomedical research, its methods and accomplishments to achieve our goal of unwavering support for biomedical research. Submitted by: Merlin E. Ekstrom, D.V.M., M.S., DACVP Signer of Articles of Incorporation for MISMR First Secretary/Treasurer for MISMR Rebecca Ellish-Stengle, M.P.H. Executive Director PROGRAM Welcome Master of Ceremonies: Louis G. D'Alecy, D.M.D., Ph.D. History of MISMR Presenter: Merlin E. Ekstrom, D.V.M. Presentation of Awards Annual Essay Contest Presenter: Gregory D. Fink, Ph.D. Recipients: Yanyao Fu (Student) Mary Z. Lindow (Teacher) Science Education Award History Presenter: Louis G. D'Alecy, D.M.D., Ph.D. Award Presenter: Noreen F. Rossi, M.D. Recipient: Joseph C. Dunbar, Ph.D. Bennett J. Cohen Educational Leadership Award History & Award Presenter: Louis G. D'Alecy, D.M.D., Ph.D. Recipient & Keynote Speaker: Robert H. Bartlett, M.D., FACS Wrap-up Louis G. D'Alecy, D.M.D., Ph.D. Cellist: Eric Pinkerhess PROGRAM COMMITTEE: Charlies B. Bisgaier, Ph.D. Alan P. Brown, Ph.D., D.A.B.T. Molly Greene Gary L. Hofing, D.V.M., Ph.D. Rebecca Ellish-Stengle, M.P.H. Support Staff: Terry Fracala & Robin Hite MISMR extends a special thanks to the following sponsors: Covance Research Products, Inc. Kolossos Printing, Inc. Pfizer, Inc. The University of Michigan, Office of the Vice President for Research Wayne State University Michigan Milestones & Discoveries The Michigan Milestones & Discoveries slide show is a selection of contributions that researchers tackled from academia, private industry and nonprofit organizations that are critical to advancing science and communicating research results to improve the quality of life for all people worldwide. In developing the slide show for the celebration we contacted all the MISMR institutions and organizations to provide a discovery, person, etc., that they thought was a major advance. From the list that was sent and others that we found we selected 40 to highlight. "Humanitarianism consists in never sacrificing a human being to a purpose." — Albert Schweitzer "Experience does not ever err; it is only your judgment that errs in promising itself results which are not caused by your experiments." — Leonardo da Vinci MICHIGAN SOCIETY FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH MISMR PRESIDENTS 1981 
Bennett J. Cohen, D.V.M., Ph.D. University of Michigan 1985  Richard L. Malvin, Ph.D. University of Michigan 1988  Christine S.F. Williams, B.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S. Michigan State University 1989 & 2000  Gary Hofing, D.V.M., Ph.D. Pfizer Global R & D 1992  Will Beierwaltes, Ph.D. Henry Ford Hospital 1995  Seymour Gordon, M.D. William Beaumont Hospital 1998  Robert Pittman, Ph.D. Michigan State University 2004  Louis G. D'Alecy, D.M.D., Ph.D. University of Michigan OUR MISSION... The Michigan Society for Medical Research is a nonprofit educational organization, which promotes the understanding of medical research including the appropriate use of animals. We direct our education efforts to demonstrate the relationship between animal research and the scientific progress while emphasizing that humane considerations guide the use of animals in research. 2006 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS Louis G. D'Alecy, D.M.D., Ph.D. PRESIDENT The University of Michigan Cindy M. Hoorn, D.V.M., Ph.D. VICE PRESIDENT Pfizer Global R&D ⁄ WWSS James W. Crissman, D.V.M., Ph.D. SECRETARY Dow Corning Corporation Richard L. Malvin, Ph.D. TREASURER Emeritus – The University of Michigan Rebecca Ellish–Stengle, M.P.H. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR MISMR BOARD MEMBERS Charles L. Bisgaier, Ph.D. Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Alan P. Brown, Ph.D., D.A.B.T. Pfizer Global R&D ⁄ Safety Science Basim A. Dubaybo, M.D. Veterans' Administration Medical Center Gregory D. Fink, Ph.D. Michigan State University Seymour Gordon, M.D. EX OFFICIO William Beaumont Hospital Molly Greene Consultant Gary L. Hofing, D.V.M., Ph.D. EX OFFICIO Consultant Karen L. Hudson Michigan State University Babette Krause Private Citizen Jane M. Lacher, D.V.M. Dow Chemical Company Edward P. Nagel Consultant Paul E. Newton, Ph.D., D.A.B.T. MPI Research Noreen F. Rossi, M.D., F.A.C.P. Wayne State University David M. Svinarich, Ph.D. Providence Hospital Gary V. Tucker, Esq. Covance Research Products, Inc. Kathryn Wiklanski, M.P.A., LATG The University of Michigan ⁄ UCUCA MISMR MEMBERS Institutional BioPort Corporation Dow Chemical Company Dow Corning Corporation Esperion Therapeutics, Inc. Michigan State University Pfizer Global Research & Development ⁄ Ann Arbor Site Pfizer Global Research & Development ⁄ Safety Science, Kalamazoo Site The University of Michigan Van Andel Research Institute Wayne State University Organizational American Association for Laboratory Animal Science (MI AALAS) American College of Cardiology (Michigan Chapter) American Heart Association (Michigan Affiliate) American Veterinary Medical Association (Michigan Chapter) Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan Covance Research Products, Inc. Harlan Sprague Dawley, Inc. Henry Ford Hospital Howard Hughes Medical Institute MPI Research Oakland University Providence Hospital R & R Research Society of Toxicology (Michigan Chapter) St. John Hospital The American Physiological Society Wayne County Community College Wayne County Veterinary Technology Program West Michigan Regional Laboratory Western Michigan University William Beaumont Hospital Special Program Sponsors Aerotek Corporation Charles River Laboratories Foundation Covance Research Products, Inc. DeRoy Testamentary Foundation Dow Chemical Company The Easter A. and Joseph Klingenstein Foundation MPI Research MSU Public Safety National Kidney Foundation of Michigan, Inc. Pď¬?zer Global Research & Development ⁄ Ann Arbor Site
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MISMR members strongly support humane animal study in research. We hope that likeminded citizens will join us in working for rational public policy that assures the continued appropriate use of animals in the course of good science. |