A Medical Device Daily

Smith & Nephew (S&N; London) reported that its Orthopaedics Reconstruction Division (Memphis, Tennessee) has entered into a grant administration agreement with the Orthopaedic Research and Education Foundation (OREF; Rosemont, Illinois).

Under the agreement, S&N's first with a third-party administrator of grants, OREF will assist the company in continuing its support of research and education in orthopedics.

According to the company, the multi-year agreement is unique among the major joint replacement makers, in that it covers graduate medical education, including fellowships and residency enhancement programs, as well as continuing medical education and research. This comprehensive approach gives Smith & Nephew a platform from which to support consistent education and innovation in orthopedics.

Under the agreement, which has been approved by S&N's government-appointed monitor, OREF will help S&N establish its annual research and education support goals, ensure the highest standards of professionalism and independence for distribution of those funds, and provide regular reports on the results of those donations, including a detailed annual summary of donation distribution.