Advanced research in new methods of health care delivery in the pre-hospital setting.
Emergency medical treatment is a dynamic field and constant research is critical to sustain the very best quality of care. Contributions to the Foundation’s research funds support promising pilot projects that focus on emergency medical services, pre-hospital care and prevention of sudden cardiac death.
General Research Fund
The General Research Fund supports projects, primarily at the University of Washington and Harborview Medical Center, that demonstrate a direct relevance to the way emergency care and follow-up is provided in our community—and ultimately throughout the country and beyond. Foundation-funded research has led to:
- New techniques for performing CPR to improve patient outcomes.
- The use of new drugs in managing cardiac arrest.
- Prevention of sudden cardiac arrest.
- Brain protection after resuscitation from sudden cardiac death.
- The importance of CPR prior to defibrillation.
- The most effective use of drugs in dissolving clots that cause some forms of heart attacks.
Recent General Research Fund Grants:
- Erica A. Michiels, MD
“Long-term Outcome of Out-of-hospital Pediatric Cardiac Arrest Survivors: Assessment of and Predictors of Neurological Outcome” - Christopher Seymour, MC, MSC
“Tiered Regionalization of Critically Ill Patients During Out-of-hospital Care: An Impact Analysis Study”
General Research Fund Guidelines
W. Hunter Simpson Endowed Fund for Research and Development in Pre-hospital Emergency Care
Contributions to the W. Hunter Simpson Endowed Fund provide seed money for young researchers, primarily based at the University of Washington School of Medicine and Harborview Medical Center, to develop and study innovations related to the improvement of pre-hospital emergency care. The fund honors Hunter Simpson’s significant contributions to emergency cardiac care and his dedication to the advancement of science and technology in our region.
Inaugural Research Grant Could Improve Survival Rates from Traumatic Injury
The Medic One Foundation recently awarded its first grant from the W. Hunter Simpson Endowed Fund. The grant of $106,291 is supporting research in cellular oxygenation in cases of traumatic shock.
The research is being led by Kenneth A. Schenkman, M.D., Ph.D., Medical Director of Pediatric Critical Care Medicine at Seattle Children’s and Associate Professor at the University of Washington School of Medicine.
Dr. Schenkman explains, “Traumatic shock remains a major cause of death, despite significant advances in resuscitation, both in pre-hospital and hospital settings. This grant will allow us to study a new, non-invasive method to assess how well oxygen is getting into the cells of the body.”
The grant will focus on the development of a new monitor that uses ordinary light to assess cellular oxygenation, and that alerts clinicians when a person’s circulation is not providing enough oxygen to the cells in the body. “With earlier detection and more rapid and appropriate treatment of shock, survival rates from traumatic injuries should be greatly improved,” Dr. Schenkman adds.
W. Hunter Simpson Endowed Fund Guidelines
W. Hunter Simpson
As President and CEO of Physio-Control Corporation, the late Hunter Simpson played an instrumental role in changing the face of emergency medical care with the introduction of the portable battery-powered LIFEPAK defibrillator/monitor. The device helped to revolutionize emergency response, enabling trained paramedics to defibrillate patients in the field prior to transport to a hospital, saving thousands of lives worldwide.
Hunter was a strong advocate for research and understood its critical role in developing cutting edge technology and health care. He also understood that scientific and technologic innovation in our community prospers with the partnership and support of the private sector. Not only did he demonstrate his commitment to research through his own personal generosity, but he dedicated much of his time engaging others in the community to do the same.
Those who know and appreciate Hunter’s many contributions as a businessman, civic leader and philanthropist will be pleased to know that the Medic One Foundation and Physio-Control, with support from the Simpson Family, have established the W. Hunter Simpson Fund for Research and Development in Pre-hospital Emergency Care.
