Medical Research Foundation records

Collection

Identifier: 2015-001

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The Medical Research Foundation records house the organizational records of this medical research funding foundation. This collection, which dates from 1956 to 2009, consists of Board of Trustees meeting minutes and communication, correspondence within the organization, research proposals and reports, and photographs portraying the students, researchers, trustees, board members and medical professionals associated with MRF, the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center (ORPRC, now the Oregon National Primate Research Center), and MRF's Discovery Awards occurring between 1979 and 1994. Additionally, there are two OHSU promotional videos that were donated with this collection. These materials are unique in that they contain very specific workings of a foundation that funds medical and scientific research. This collection details how an active Board of Trustees operates, how grant applications and funding proceed, and detail much of the work that was funded by the Medical Research Foundation, specifically the ORPRC in Beaverton, OR.

The “Board of Trustees” series includes detailed minutes and internal communication of the organization. The “Correspondence” series mainly contains communication from the presidents and vice presidents and some other staff regarding operations and inquires of the foundation. The “Publications and Research” series contains grant proposals, research reports, the organization's Bulletin newsletter, and promotional and report information about the primate center. The last series, “Media”, contains pictures and promotional videos from OHSU.

Dates

1956-2009
Majority of material found within 1956-1994

Creator

Medical Research Foundation of Oregon (Creator, Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

There are no restrictions on access. The collection is open to the public.

Conditions Governing Use

OHSU Historical Collections & Archives (HC&A) is the owner of the original materials and digitized images in our collections, however, the collection may contain materials for which copyright is not held. Patrons are responsible for determining the appropriate use or reuse of materials. Consult with HC&A to determine if we can provide permission for use.

Historical Note

The Medical Research Foundation of Oregon (MRF) was created by a group of physicians in the winter of 1942. Eugene W. Rockey, Warren C. Hunter, and Adalbert G. Bettman dreamed that the function of Oregon's MRF would be "to promote, encourage, and aid scientific investigation and research in the state". MRF would go on to provide decades of funding and development of biomedical research at the University of Oregon Medical School (which later became OHSU) and in other medical institutions within the state.

MRF became a parent organization for the Oregon Regional Primate Center in 1962 (now the Oregon National Primate Research Center), and continued to fund its expansion in the mid-1980s. In 1983, MRF established the annual Scholar Program and the Discovery Awards program to honor both Oregon students and scientists for their accomplishments. In 1994, MRF merged with the OHSU Foundation and became the Oregon Health Sciences Foundation (OHSF).

References: - Medical Research Foundation of Oregon. (1994). MRF Bulletin, Fall 1994. - Medical Research Foundation of Oregon. (1992). MRF 50, 1942-1992.

Extent

7.98 Linear Feet (18 doc boxes and one oversized)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection contains records from the Medical Research Foundation (MRF) from 1956 to 2009. Founded in 1942, MRF would go on to provide decades of funding and development for biomedical research at the University of Oregon Medical School (OHSU), the Oregon Regional Primate Research Center, and other medical institutions within the state until merging with OHSU's research foundation in 1994. This collection contains administrative records, correspondence, grant proposals, newsletters, media, and more.

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into five series: “Board of Trustees, 1956-1992”, “Correspondence, “1961-1963”, “Publications and Research, 1956-1994”, and “Media, 1960-2009”. Each series is arranged alphabetically by folder contents and then chronologically.