UofL surgery professor Hiram C. Polk Jr., M.D., has been named chairman of the board of directors at the Foundation for Biomedical Research.

 

The foundation is the nation's oldest and largest organization devoted to educating the public about the essential role of humane animal research in the quest for medical advancements and cures for both humans and animals.

 

Polk served as chair of the Department of Surgery at UofL for 34 years and has trained over 230 general surgeons — more than any other surgery chair in America. During is tenure, the department became a national leader in medical research and clinical care. 

 

Polk also is well known for his landmark research into the use of perioperative antibiotics and the key role he played in developing many of the current protocols used in the treatment of malignant melanomas.

 

"I am honored to represent the Foundation for Biomedical Research as its chairman," said Polk, UofL's Ben A. Reid Sr. Professor of Surgery. "FBR has a unique and important goal: to educate the public about how research with animals is necessary for the future of human and animal health. I've been a surgeon for 40 years, so I know firsthand that the humane and responsible use of animal models in research is integral to the future of medical advancement and scientific discoveries."

 

Polk succeeds the late Michael E. DeBakey, M.D., who was chairman for nearly 25 years.