Weil Institute executive director named National Academy of Inventors fellow
Dr. Kevin Ward will be recognized for his contributions to innovations that have made a profound impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society.
Contact:
Katelyn Murphy,
Marketing Communications Specialist, Weil Institute
mukately@med.umich.edu
(Adapted from a press release originally published by the National Academy of Inventors)
ANN ARBOR, MI – The University of Michigan Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation announced today that Dr. Kevin Ward, executive director of the Weil Institute and Professor of Emergency Medicine and Biomedical Engineering, has been elected a fellow of the National Academy of Inventors (NAI)—the highest professional distinction awarded solely to inventors.
“We are incredibly proud and excited for Dr. Ward to receive this extraordinary recognition and wish him the heartiest of congratulations. Dr. Ward is an innovative researcher and clinician with a long track record of translating discoveries into new products to benefit patients.”
Kelly Sexton, Ph.D.
Associate Vice President for Research - Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact
University of Michigan
The NAI Fellows Program was established to celebrate academic inventors who have demonstrated a prolific spirit of innovation in creating or facilitating innovations that have made a tangible impact on quality of life, economic development and the welfare of society. To be inducted, a fellow must first be nominated by their peers. They must also be a named inventor on patent(s) issued by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and affiliated with a university, non-profit research institute or other academic entity to qualify. The nominations are finally reviewed by a committee who invite the nominee to join the next NAI Fellows class.
Dr. Ward was nominated for this esteemed fellowship by U-M Innovation Partnerships.
“We are incredibly proud and excited for Dr. Ward to receive this extraordinary recognition and wish him the heartiest of congratulations,” said Dr. Kelly Sexton, Associate Vice President for Research - Innovation Partnerships and Economic Impact. “Dr. Ward is an innovative researcher and clinician with a long track record of translating discoveries into new products to benefit patients. In addition to creating new innovations that have resulted in multiple FDA approved products, Dr. Ward founded U-M’s Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation, providing inventors in the critical care space with a platform to improve and transform clinical care through innovation, integration and entrepreneurship.”
Since 2013, thirteen University of Michigan faculty members have been named NAI Fellows. U-M President Dr. Santa Ono also received the honor through the University of British Columbia in 2013.
Alongside Dr. Ward, the 2023 Class is comprised of two Nobel Laureates, three National Inventors Hall of Fame inductees, 22 members of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, and various individuals holding other honors, distinctions and senior leadership representing 118 research universities, governmental and non-profit research institutions worldwide.
“This year’s class of NAI Fellows showcases the caliber of researchers that are found within the innovation ecosystem. Each of these individuals are making significant contributions to both science and society through their work,” said Dr. Paul R. Sanberg, FNAI, President of the NAI. “This new class, in conjunction with our existing Fellows, are creating innovations that are driving crucial advancements across a variety of disciplines and are stimulating the global and national economy in immeasurable ways as they move these technologies from lab to marketplace.”
Dr. Ward will be officially recognized as an NAI fellow during the Academy’s 13th Annual Meeting in June, where he will be presented with a medal from a senior official of the USPTO.
About the Weil Institute, formerly MCIRCC
The team at the Max Harry Weil Institute for Critical Care Research and Innovation (formerly the Michigan Center for Integrative Research in Critical Care) is dedicated to pushing the leading edge of research to develop new technologies and novel therapies for the most critically ill and injured patients. Through a unique formula of innovation, integration and entrepreneurship that was first imagined by Weil, their multi-disciplinary teams of health providers, basic scientists, engineers, data scientists, commercialization coaches, donors and industry partners are taking a boundless approach to re-imagining every aspect of critical care medicine. For more information, visit weilinstitute.med.umich.edu.