Research must be nurtured at EVMS
Published: May 11, 2005
Section: Local, page B8
Type of story: LETTERS

© 2005- Landmark Communications Inc.
Your May 6 editorial, "EVMS enlists in war on AIDS," appropriately celebrates a grant from the U.S. Agency for International Development to the Contraceptive Research and Development Program (CONRAD) of the Jones Institute of Eastern Virginia Medical School. The $24 million grant, prominently reported last week, was the second extension of the original $28 million grant obtained in 1986 by Dr. Gary Hodgen, then president of the Foundation for the Jones Institute of EVMS, at a time when the scientific productivity and capability of the Jones Institute was world renowned.


While the breadth and depth of research at the Jones Institute has been reduced in the last three years by the "front office," the CONRAD program to assist developing nations to achieve population and disease control goals has had excellent scientific administration and performance, thereby maintaining eligibility for last week's renewal .

Research is important to all academic institutions, including EVMS. Research must be appreciated and nourished to create and maintain the environment to which the best scientists can be attracted and retained. If taken for granted, they will migrate.

In years past, EVMS has done research well in many departments. Excellence in research enhances the quality of teaching and patient care (and helps to pay for all three).

To continue the ability of Eastern Virginia Medical School, in all fields, to attract and retain excellent scientists, the "front office,'' the EVMS Board, and the community must be more knowledgeable and supportive of research than in the recent past.

EVMS is now in a position to do this and comply with the accreditation team and consultant recommendations. EVMS has appropriately and skillfully obtained more annual state funding, and has prospects of additional support from partners, and extension of its local fund drive.

The competition is worldwide, but our community has shown the skill and the will to excel when it seeks, analyzes objectively and uses the best information available.

Mason C. Andrews

Norfolk

Dr. Mason C. Andrews, former Norfolk mayor, was chairman of EVMS' department of obstetrics.