Since 1991, the mission of the Minnesota Colon and Rectal Foundation has been dedicated to improving colorectal health through education, outreach, research and specialized physician training.

Specialty Training
The Foundation supports the training of surgeons in the specialty of colorectal surgery in conjunction with the University of Minnesota Fellowship Program. Since 1950, more than 145 graduates have completed the one year of intensified training; a dozen of those trainees have spent an additional year involved in a research fellowship, expanding upon their work in the operating room and clinic to include the research laboratory. Many of these graduates have distinguished themselves through their research and pre-eminent patient care and continue the tradition of teaching in hospitals and universities throughout the United States and the world. The Fellowship, for its first 25 years, trained no more than three fellows per year. In 1976, that number grew to four and proudly, since 2002, five clinical fellows are being trained yearly.

Research
The Foundation supports the varied research efforts of the physicians of Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates. These physicians, besides the responsibility of a full schedule of surgeries and clinics and overseeing the teaching of the five colorectal fellows, continue to seek out research projects that will benefit their patients both in the immediate and through long-term studies. Collaboration with physicians at institutions like the Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkin University and M.D. Anderson and right here at the University of Minnesota, are looking at ways to improve the quality of life for those affected by cancer, incontinence, irritable bowel disease and much more.

Education
Education is the cornerstone of the MCRF tradition. The endeavor is to teach and reach the caregivers that will in turn provide support and education to the care seekers.
The Foundation supports the ongoing and critical continuing education of surgeons by supporting the Principles and Practice of Colorectal Surgery Course held each September in Minnesota. The annual offering attracts over 150 physicians to learn about cutting edge surgical techniques and progressive medicinal applications to improve patient quality of life from experts and leaders in the field of colorectal surgery.

Increasingly, the Foundation has taken on the role of educator to the general public. In 2000, an official face was given to what has been referred to as the cancer no one wants to talk about – Colorectal Cancer. A declaration from the President of the United States declared March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. In the months directly preceding this declaration and the many months that have followed, the Foundation has steadfastly sought out opportunities to educate the general public about this most preventable of cancers. We were honored to become a founding member of the Cancer Research and Prevention Foundation who is coordinating the nationwide effort to improve colorectal cancer screening rates. The Foundation is also a founding member of the Minnesota Colorectal Cancer Consortium. This volunteer group of health care professionals donate their time throughout the year with one aim in mind: inform and educate the public about colorectal cancer to thereby increase the screening rate and decrease the mortality rate from this disease. These efforts now culminate in an annual Summit that draws on the expertise of those involved with healthcare to help create a blueprint to meet this mission. The Foundation continues to seek out educational opportunities not only for our leaders and supporters, but through ongoing collaboration, to reach out statewide to improve colorectal care for all citizens in the state of Minnesota.

Funding
Initial funding for the Foundation came primarily from three resources. The largest area of funding came from the area hospitals that the physicians and MCRF serves. Together, four hospital systems accounted for nearly $750,000 in fellowship support. Nearly one half million dollars has been donated by the partners of Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates, Ltd. during the campaign to fund the Foundation. Since the formal completion of the fund drive in 1998, the physicians continue to give generously and to support the Foundation in its public and professional education efforts.

Alumni of the training program were first were approached to help fund the Foundation through the “Continue the Tradition” campaign. Over 40 alumni participated and gave over $165,000 in support. The alumni continue to show their enthusiastic support of the Foundation and its work through a number of other giving programs, including the Stanley M. Goldberg, M.D., Chair at the University of Minnesota - Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery; the Stanley M. Goldberg, M.D., Fellowship established at the Foundation to assist with fellowship training, the John G. Buls, M.D., Visiting Professorship, and an annual fund drive. To date, alumni of the fellowship program have contributed over $250,000 to the Foundation.
The patients of Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates have supported the Foundation for a number of years. Funds are collected through a number of mailings during the year and through the various special funds established by the Foundation. Donations are also accepted in memory of loved ones lost to colorectal disease. Additionally, special events conducted with the employees of the practice have raised significant dollars.

Medical vendors have supported the Foundation for several years to help fund the annual Colon and Rectal Surgery Principles and Practice Course and other special events. The Foundation continues to collaborate with these companies to help support additional educational efforts for our physicians, fellows and patients.