In 2014, former Royal Orthoapedic Hospital (ROH) patient, Mr Michael Dubrowsky passed away and left a significant legacy gift to the ROH Charitable Fund following treatment he received at the Trust for chondrosarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer. This generous gift has enabled ROH to invest in a new state of the art regenerative medicine laboratory – The Dubrowsky Regenerative Medicine Laboratory. 

The laboratory was officially opened on Tuesday 17 December 2019 by Dame Yve Buckland, Chair of the ROH, in a ceremony which had representation from ROH colleagues, research partners, patients and well-wishers. Speakers included Professor Philip Begg, ROH Director of Strategy and Delivery; Mr Adrian Gardener, ROH Director of Research and Development & Consultant Surgeon; Dame Yve Buckland and Mr. Dubrowsky’s close friend, Anne Brookes.

Located close to theatres on the main ROH estate, the lab will have a focus on chondrosarcoma and cartilage research, and will enable ROH to continue to lead the scientific community in the development of understanding and treatments for this rare disease.

What does the launch of the Dubrowsky Regenerative Medicine Laboratory mean for ROH?

• Having its own fully equipped laboratory will give ROH a degree of impact within the Birmingham medical science community beyond anything it has had before.
• ROH clinical researchers and support staff will have brand new facilities that showcase the hospital as a serious research partner, increasing opportunities for researchers to engage with each other and to encourage new partnerships.
• The lab will give ROH an opportunity to foster international collaboration in the field of chondrosarcoma.

Professor Phil Begg, Executive Director of Strategy at ROH said: “This new laboratory will enable our Trust to conduct even more ground-breaking research into rare cancers and orthopaedic treatments. The legacy of Michael Dubrowsky is monumental and will have an impact for many years to come.”

Leaving the Charitable Fund a gift in your will is one of the most valuable and lasting ways you can support us. It costs nothing during your lifetime but will have a powerful impact for years to come. To find out more click here.

Watch the BBC Midlands Today piece about the launch of the laboratory here: https://www.bbc.co.uk/midlands-today17122019