Research at Henry Ford Health System

Researchers at Henry Ford Health System are engaged in more than 1500 current studies with annual funding exceeding $62 million from external and internal sources. Henry Ford’s research program ranks among the top six percent of all institutions receiving National Institutions of Health (NIH) funding from the federal government and is the largest, most well funded and successful of all health systems in Michigan.

The Department of Medicine’s Cardiology Division develops and tests model devices and new drugs for treating heart failure and had a $4 million in external funding in 2006. Also, the Department of Medicines Hypertension and Vascular Research Division examines the cause and consequences of high blood pressure, and has been funded since 1982 by a Program Project Grand awarded by the NIH. Overall this division received $4.8 million in external funding in 2006.

All residents in the Department of Internal Medicine are expected to participate in some aspect of research or scholarly activity. An Associate Program Director helps to coordinate resident projects and locate research mentors. Resident "focal points" help guide interns with little or no research experience to start and complete a major research project. Additionally, the Clinical Skills in Internal Medicine (CSIM) month re-emphasizes computer skills, biomedical statistics, research and evidence-based medicine. Many residents are engaged in research projects in collaboration with a senior faculty member. Others work on individual projects, including oral and poster presentations for the American College of Physicians (ACP). Many senior staff physicians within our department are actively engaged in basic and clinical research activities and are eager to serve as mentors for our residents in training. All residents are allowed up to three full months of research training during their Internal Medicine residency.

Many residents publish their research in peer-reviewed journals or present their projects at state and national meetings. When a resident presents at a local, state or national meeting, the Department of Internal Medicine will reimburse travel expenses incurred while away from the hospital (following hospital policy). Most residents find their research projects and scholarly activity both challenging and rewarding. The Department of Internal Medicine provides residents with the time and resources needed to support their research and scholarly activity.

2006 NIH Funding Awarded to Non-University Based
Health Care Systems in Michigan

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