Inova Health System Receives $5 Million to Support Liver, Obesity Research

Falls Church, VA – (September 13, 2010) – Inova Health System and the Center for Liver Diseases at Inova Fairfax Hospital have received a gift of $5 million to study liver disease, obesity and obesity-related liver diseases. Donated by Betty and Guy Beatty, the grant will fund research, staff, and infrastructure upgrades in the Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research located in the Claude Moore Building on the Inova Fairfax Hospital Campus.

“To date, this is the largest gift to our research in the history of Inova Health System,” said Zobair Younossi, MD, MPH, Vice President for Research, Inova Health System, and the executive director of the Center for Liver Diseases at Inova Fairfax Hospital. “We’re privileged to have this gift that not only advances science, but also improves care for the patients in our community.”

Nationwide, nearly one-third of the U.S. adult population is obese, making obesity a significant public health challenge. In addition, obesity-related liver disease is one of the most common forms of liver disease worldwide. For more than 15 years, Dr. Younossi and his research team have pioneered cutting-edge research related to obesity-related liver disease. Inova’s research in this area has gained international recognition for its contribution to the scientific community. Younossi will lead this newly created “Beatty-Younossi Liver and Obesity Research Program.”

Mr. and Mrs. Beatty initially provided funds to build the Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research, which opened in 2008. The center is designed as a unique research floor that integrates various components of research under one roof.

“Over the past two years, Betty and Guy Beatty Center for Integrated Research has provided us with a great opportunity to perform cutting-edge research in a number of chronic diseases, including obesity-related liver disease”, said Dr. Younossi.

“We believe this new research fund will have a profound impact on our scientific efforts in these important areas as well as accelerate our other research efforts throughout Inova Health System,” said John Fay, Vice President, Foundation, Inova Health System.

Inova Health System is a not-for-profit healthcare system based in Northern Virginia that consists of hospitals and other health services, including emergency- and urgent-care centers, home care, nursing homes, mental health and blood donor services, and wellness classes. Governed by a voluntary board of community members, Inova’s mission is to improve the health of the diverse community it serves through excellence in patient care, education and research. Inova provides a healthy environment for its patients, families, visitors, staff and physicians by prohibiting tobacco use on its campuses.

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