Dr. Rachel Nygaard, PhD, joined the Department of Surgery as Research Director and Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in 2012.
She completed her PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her focus was the pathogenesis of viral respiratory infections. Prior to her graduate education, she was a high school science teacher; this symbiosis merges her love for research and education in her departmental role. She built the research program in the department to focus on health disparities and traumatic injury.
Frostbite and Burn
Hennepin Healthcare Burn Center is renowned for its exceptional burn care and outcomes. As an American Burn Association Verified Burn Center, Hennepin Healthcare excels in providing comprehensive care for adults and children suffering from burn and frostbite injuries. The Burn Center team of clinicians and researchers are committed to cutting-edge research to improve patient-centered care.
Frostbite and Burn Research:
Hennepin Healthcare's internationally recognized frostbite and burn research initiatives play a crucial role in improving the care and outcomes of patients. The research efforts focus on understanding the mechanisms involved in the body's response to these specific types of injuries to develop more effective treatments and interventions to advance burn injury and frostbite care.
The main focus of their research is to improve survivors' quality of life. Through research, innovative approaches to burn injury and frostbite care are developed, leading to improved patient outcomes and enhanced quality of life for survivors. Researchers study the long-term effects of burn injuries and frostbite to identify strategies that minimize disability and improve long-term outcomes for patients. Additionally, these advancements in burn injury and frostbite care can help reduce the economic burden and social impact associated with these injuries by providing more efficient and effective treatments.
Impact of Research:
The research conducted at Hennepin Healthcare has resulted in significant advancements in burn injury and frostbite care. Through in-depth studies and clinical trials, researchers have gained insights into the pathophysiology of these injuries, leading to improved diagnostic tools, novel treatment approaches, and better management strategies. This research ensures that patients with burn injuries and frostbite receive the highest level of care, including state-of-the-art treatments available within the institution.
Dr. Rachel Nygaard, PhD, joined the Department of Surgery as Research Director and Associate Program Director of the General Surgery Residency at Hennepin County Medical Center in 2012.
She completed her PhD in Microbiology, Immunology, and Cancer Biology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. Her focus was the pathogenesis of viral respiratory infections. Prior to her graduate education, she was a high school science teacher; this symbiosis merges her love for research and education in her departmental role. She built the research program in the department to focus on health disparities and traumatic injury.