About Columbus Research Foundation

The Columbus Research Foundation was formed in 1995 to provide increased focus on the advancement of clinical care in the Western Georgia-Eastern Alabama area.  Since there is no medical school in the area, the activity of this Foundation is intended to provide the development of advanced care concepts and modalities for the geographic area, and the introduction of non-promotional advanced educational concepts for health professionals in the area. 

The Foundation also sponsors charitable patient education and enrichment activities.  Through its support, the Foundation specifically sponsors a community-wide support group for parents of diabetic children, a non-profit program of patient education in various disease states, and participation in the national TrialNet Program of the National Institutes of Health for the long-term observation of the families of children with type 1 diabetes.

Through its efforts, the Foundation has been responsible for the development of bone density services, laboratory profiles for evaluating patients with high risk for cardiac disease, specific treatment for polycystic ovary syndrome, and the concept of the “insulin-resistant metabolic syndrome”. 

The Foundation has brought leading experts in various disease states to the Western Georgia area.  It is the goal of the Foundation to continue to expand the level of understanding and sophistication of advanced health care and its geographic area.  The Foundation employs five full-time staff members that consist of an Executive Director, administrator, clinical research coordinator, and two project managers.  The Foundation’s governing board consists of nine members from various professions in the community that includes: financial advisors, physicians, attorneys, and business health professionals.

Natasha Arora, a research assistant, is a newly added member to the Columbus Research Foundation. She recently graduated from Columbus State University with a Bachelor's degree in Biology. Having grown up in Columbus, Georgia, she has been an active member of the community throughout her high school and college career, participating in such programs as Help the Hooch and TennisWorks in the Park. In addition to being an avid participant in community programs, she has worked as a research assistant on projects with Dr. Anita Raj at Boston University School of Public Health.