Van Andel Research Institute, an independent research and educational organization, and Spectrum Health, a nonprofit health system, have collaborated to bring cardiovascular researcher and cardiologist Stefan Jovinge M.D., Ph.D., to Grand Rapids, Mich.

Jovinge, of Sweden, will lead teams of researchers and clinicians at the Spectrum Health Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute and Van Andel Research Institute in an effort to stimulate regenerative medicine for heart disease. The joint effort is made possible by a significant donation from the Richard and Helen DeVos Foundation.

The DeVos Cardiovascular Research Program will have four areas of focus: cell engineering; multi-center patient treatment and clinical trials; cell source identification and scientific training; and development for future researchers including interns, fellows and graduate students. Jovinge will lead teams at both institutions to further collaborate on basic, translational and clinical research studies.

In addition to basic science research, Jovinge said he also sees opportunities for the program to participate in multi-center clinical trials, including a focus on the development and implementation of investigator-initiated trials in Grand Rapids. He also will work with physicians at the Frederik Meijer Heart & Vascular Institute to assist with their own development of clinical and translational research, including opportunities to publish and present on a national level.