Medical foundations are nonprofit legal entities to allow physicians or certain other health care providers a mechanism to perform

research Research is "creativity, creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge". It involves the collection, organization and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular att ...

or provide medical services. Medical

foundation Foundation may refer to: * Foundation (nonprofit), a type of charitable organization ** Foundation (United States law), a type of charitable organization in the U.S. ** Private foundation, a charitable organization that, while serving a good cause ...

s provide more flexibility for physicians and other providers. Foundations are often set up for charitable purposes, as a

memorial A memorial is an object or place which serves as a focus for the memory or the commemoration of something, usually an influential, deceased person or a historical, tragic event. Popular forms of memorials include landmark objects or works of a ...

or collective medical activity. Usually, they are organized as non-stock corporations and are eligible for federal tax exempt status.

Core principles

Medical foundations are independent organizations of scientists, physicians and support personnel to investigate key medical challenges and emerging health needs. They provide more flexibility than traditional clinics and hospitals, but more stability than many university-based research organizations. Most focus on stated research priorities and governed by a board of medical and scientific experts. Foundations often have the flexibility to transcend local barriers and collaborate internationally.

Types of foundations

While all medical foundations are non-profits focused on creating advances in medical knowledge, there are a variety of types of foundations, providing funding, research or clinical trials.

Funding foundations

Some medical foundations exist to fund focus donations from private and corporate funds into strategic research efforts. Examples include the Medical Research Foundation in London and Doris Duke Charitable Foundation.

Research foundations

A research foundation is focused on making laboratory breakthroughs that have a tangible impact on human health. They push the boundaries of biomedical science by performing basic and applied research into the causes of diseases and novel treatment therapies.

Clinical foundations

Clinical

foundations provide independent treatment centers with emerging treatments and drugs. Clinical foundations tend to be associated with a medical facility or medical university, which provides patients for whom traditional therapies have not been effective. These include the Duke

ALS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or Lou Gehrig's disease, is a neurodegenerative disease that results in the progressive loss of motor neurons that control voluntary muscles. ALS is the most com ...

clinic. Some provide social psychological therapies, such as the

Freedom from Torture Freedom from Torture (previously known as The Medical Foundation for the Care of Victims of Torture) is a British registered charity which provides therapeutic care for survivors of torture who seek protection in the UK. Since it was established ...

foundation in the UK, which provides treatment for victims of torture.

References

{{reflist Medical and health foundations Types of organization Medical associations Non-profit organizations Health charities