Fayetteville State University Partners with Newly Established Fort Bragg Research Institute

The announcement was made at a press conference in the Rudolph Jones Student Center on the FSU campus. Attendees included educators, Fort Bragg officers and soldiers, researchers, community leaders, and citizens. Community and military partners making comments included:

• Christine Michaels, President and CEO, Greater Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce
• Y. Sammy Choi, Director, Department of Research, Womack Army Medical Center
• Chancellor James Anderson, Fayetteville State University
• Elise Huszar, President, The Geneva Foundation
• John Melton, Commander, Womack Army Medical Center
• Scott Dorney, Director, NC Military Business Center
• Robert Van Geons, President and CEO, Fayetteville Cumberland County Economic Development Corporation

WAMC partnered with The Geneva Foundation (Geneva) to establish the FBRI.  The Geneva Foundation advances military medicine by delivering full spectrum scientific, technical, and program management expertise in the areas of federal grants, industry sponsored clinical trials, and federal contracts.

FBRI was championed by Dr. Choi at WAMC and originated from the recognized need to link the vast infrastructure of science and technology regionally available to WAMC with the growing needs of the operational readiness at Fort Bragg. One of the factors that led to the creation of FBRI was the Cape Fear Research Consortium (CFRC), a group of local institutions brought together to generate collaborative research activities. Members include: FSU, Methodist University, Campbell University, Fayetteville Technical Community College, Fayetteville Veteran's Administration Medical Center, North Carolina Military Business Center, Cape Fear Valley Health System, and the Southern Region Area Health Education Center.

FRBI's services include:

• Receipt of funds: FBRI seeks funding on behalf of Fort Bragg and WAMC from a variety of entities, including public/private businesses, non-profit/for profit organizations, and institutions/individuals.
• Grant proposals: FBRI works directly with WAMC and the CFRC, a research network of regional academic and healthcare institutions, to seek collaborative research grants.
• Research: FBRI employs full-time investigators who will be actively engaged in research, design, testing, and evaluation activities.
• Funding agency: FBRI provides research funds for WAMC, Fort Bragg, and CFRC. For CFRC partners, the research program must include one Fort Bragg co-investigator to be considered for funding.
• Collaborative network: FBRI works with the CFRC to develop a regionally-focused health outcomes research network to improve health disparities and serve the needs of southeastern North Carolina.

FSU Chancellor James A. Anderson said the partnership with FBRI will benefit the university and the military and civilian communities.

"The partnership with the Ft. Bragg Research Institute (FBRI) provides FSU with the opportunity to actualize its goal of a transformative impact on the behavioral and medical health of the military community, the regional community, and the local community in Fayetteville," he said. "As a state university we have a moral and ethical responsibility to facilitate the research efforts of the FBRI."

About the Geneva Foundation 

The Geneva Foundation is a non-profit organization that supports and advances innovative medical research and excellence in education within the U.S. military. With over 500 employees worldwide, the foundation builds enduring partnerships dedicated to the health and well-being of U.S. service members, their families, and the global community. Through these partnerships, Geneva connects military researchers to research and educational opportunities in a variety of therapeutic areas. The foundation strives to work hand-in-hand with its partners to shape the future of military medicine.

About FSU

Fayetteville State University is a constituent institution of The University of North Carolina and the second-oldest public institution of higher education in the state, having been founded in 1867. FSU offers degrees at the baccalaureate, master's, and doctoral levels. With more than 6,200 students, Fayetteville State University is among the most diverse institutions in the nation. Chancellor James A. Anderson is the 11th chief executive officer.

For more information, call (910) 672-1474 or email jwomble@uncfsu.edu.