VCU Health leads clinical trial for new treatment to help people with bowel control problems
The three-year study is a collaboration between clinical experts at VCU Health and researchers at Cellf Bio to provide more options for treating a health issue that impacts 1 in 3 adults in their lifetime.
A research team at VCU Health is leading a clinical trial to assess a novel treatment for fecal incontinence or sudden loss of control over bowel movements. The therapy involves implanting a bioengineered sphincter derived from the patient’s native cells to help them regain control of their bowels.
The implantation surgery for the clinical trial is being led by Jaime Bohl, M.D., an associate professor in the Department of Surgery and chief of the Division of Colon and Rectal Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University’s School of Medicine.
VCU Department of Surgery Joins New Academic Global Surgery Fellowship
VCU Health Systems, Department of Surgery, enters an exciting partnership with the American College of Surgeons, University of Utah, and Hawassa University
The American College of Surgeons Operation Giving Back (ACS OGB) program, together with the University of Utah Center for Global Surgery, the Program for Global Surgery at Virginia Commonwealth University, and Hawassa University College of Medicine and Health Sciences, will commit their distinctive capabilities to launch and support the fellowship program...
The Cottrell Surgical Innovation Suite Set to Open in October
Be a Part of History Going Forward
The Cottrell Innovation Suite will continue the VCU Department of Surgery’s long-standing tradition of excellence in research, innovation, surgical education, and surgical testing.
The location is Sanger Hall, 1101 East Marshall Street, 9th floor, the same location where Drs. Lower and Hume made history 50 years ago.
See VCU News: "50 years after Virginia’s first heart transplant, $1M gift breathes new life into historic lab."
This project is being funded by philanthropic dollars, and a gift of $10,000 which can be paid over five years will include you in this history and put your name on the donor wall.
To start giving today, please visit https://www.support.vcu.edu/give/
For more information, please contact Justin Jannuzzi at (804) 628-8905 or justin.jannuzzi@vcuhealth.org.
Video rendering of the Christine B. and David E. Cottrell Surgery Innovation Suite
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June 2026
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Timothy L. Riddell counts his time on the MCV Campus as influencing his career as a family medicine physician and, now, as COO of Ochsner Health.
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Six initiatives are selected in the Commercialization Fund’s latest round of funding that helps bring campus innovation to the marketplace.
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In recent decades, the risks have declined among cancer survivors, with notable exceptions in female lung cancer and male bladder cancer survivors, as well as among those first diagnosed with cancer at older ages.
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The 450,000-square-foot center will replace outdated facilities and accelerate VCU's groundbreaking research and cutting-edge health sciences programs.
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‘These facilities represent a shared strategic commitment to advancing Virginia's health and innovation economy,’ said VCU President Michael Rao.