LUGANO, Switzerland & ROSEMONT, Ill.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Medacta International, the privately held, family-owned global leader in the design of innovative joint replacement and spine surgery products, today announced an ongoing donation to the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF), that will match every resident gift dollar-for-dollar over the next five years. Medacta’s unwavering commitment to medical education and research as a way to enhance surgical proficiency, innovation, and patient outcomes aligns with OREF’s mission to fund clinical investigators pursuing new research in orthopaedics.
“Furthering surgical research and education has been a focus for Medacta since inception, and we believe it’s one of the most crucial ways to drive new solutions, improve patient safety and reduce the cost of orthopaedic care and recovery,” said Francesco Siccardi, executive vice president of Medacta International. “Medacta is pleased to support OREF and further grant opportunities that enhance resident and fellowship training and advance the newest frontiers of orthopaedic discovery.”
The partnership between Medacta International and OREF will double the impact of gifts made by residents in support of orthopaedic research. It will also help support OREF in offering unique opportunities and initiatives with potential to improve surgical outcomes and make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients. 
According to the U.S. Bone and Joint Initiative, musculoskeletal disorders are the most common causes of long-term pain and disability worldwide, and account for half of all chronic conditions in the elderly.
“The need for orthopaedic research and to engage more residents in research has never been greater. Our partnership with Medacta International is a wonderful opportunity for OREF to continue its mission of providing critical funding to investigators whose research has the potential to improve patient mobility and quality of life now and in the future,” stated Dr. John J. Callaghan, president of the OREF Board of Trustees.
Medacta was founded in 1999 with a vision of creating a better patient experience for people needing joint replacement. In support of this vision, Medacta has dedicated resources to promote surgeon learning initiatives. Medacta also operates its own training programs through its M.O.R.E. Institute and biennial M.O.R.E. Symposium. To date, the company has trained more than 2,200 surgeons worldwide at its learning centers with a goal of adding up to 500 in 2015, while its biennial M.O.R.E. International Symposium attracts hundreds of renowned surgeons from across the world.