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What is the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center?

The Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center (BMRC) will enable the University of Pittsburgh to elevate its study of musculoskeletal disorders, including osteoporosis, degenerative arthritis, fragility fractures and spinal pathology. It will attract and retain top scientists and advance leading-edge research, making musculoskeletal medicine a major focus at the University of Pittsburgh Health Sciences alongside cancer and neuroscience.

The Orland Bethel Family Foundation’s gift, matched by the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, created the center. 

Orland Bethel, founder of Hillandale Farms, one of the United States’ largest egg producers, had suffered from debilitating back pain. He credits Joon Y. Lee, Orland Bethel Professor in Spine Surgery, (Division of Spinal Surgery) Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, School of Medicine, and UPMC with restoring his function and mobility through surgery and treatment.

“My family and I are pleased to offer our support to the spectacular work of Dr. Joon Lee and the other surgeons, physicians and researchers within the department led by Dr. MaCalus V. Hogan through the creation of the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center,” Bethel said. “I know how the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC changed my life and can only imagine how the lives of others—worse off than I was—will be improved thanks to the ongoing research at this new center.”