Orland Bethel says the story behind his overwhelming generosity to the University of Pittsburgh, which now includes an $18.5 million gift to create a biobank, bears repeating.
Suffering from spinal stenosis nearly a decade ago, he sought surgical care from Joon Lee, an MD professor of orthopaedic surgery. About two years later, Lee operated on Bethel’s neck to relieve pain so severe it forced him to use a wheelchair. The procedures improved his life to a degree that prompted Bethel to “really do something that could make a difference.”
Through his foundation, he committed $25 million to the University last year, which Pitt matched, to create the Orland Bethel Family Musculoskeletal Research Center. He previously gave $2 million to endow the Orland Bethel Professorship in Spine Surgery that Lee holds. All told, he has pledged more than $45 million to Pitt through the Orland Bethel Family Foundation.
His most recent gift will be used to create one of the few comprehensive musculoskeletal biobanks outside of Europe.