The treatment and research of sports-related injuries in the Buffalo community has received a boost. WBFO's Focus on Education Reporter Eileen Buckley says The Ralph C. Wilson Foundation has delivered a four million dollar gift to the University at Buffalo's Sports Medicine Department.
"First of all, it's just great to be in Buffalo on a sunny day," said Mary Wilson. The widow of the former Buffalo Bills Owner Ralph Wilson appeared at UB's Center of Excellent in downtown Buffalo Thursday afternoon to announce the funding.
UB will to create the Ralph C. Wilson Center of Excellence in Sports Medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
Wilson noted to reporters that her husband always emphasized the importance of UB sports physicians who have teamed with the Bills for years on the sidelines.
"It very emotional to be here also, I mean Ralph loved these doctors and knew how great they were and it is such a great part of our legacy giving to share Ralph's wealth," said Wilson.
UB leaders consider Wilson a 'long-time friend of UB's medical school'.
University President Satish Tripathi appeared at Thursday's announcement.
"In recent years, the Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation generosity has allowed UB to make tremendous advances in the area of orthopedics and sports medicine. Their gift has supported ground breaking achievements," stated Tripathi.
Tripathi said the Foundation funding has allowed UB to conduct 'groundbreaking research achievements' and enabled the University to make key equipment upgrades and instructional initiatives to benefit UB students.
With so much attention centered around sports concussions, Wilson says she believes UB's research and treatment is already gaining national attention with potential to recognized world-wide.
"Giving this gift that is going to make a big difference and it's going to do great things for their orthopedic department, which is already a great orthopedic department," said Wilson
