BETHESDA, Md., Aug 13, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) researchers Kevin Ward, MD, Robert Diegelmann, PhD, and Gary Bowlin, PhD, this week received the Award for Excellence in recognition of their outstanding contributions to combat casualty care from the US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, Combat Casualty Care Research Program. The three invented WoundStat(TM), a ground-breaking hemostatic agent for control of bleeding in high-pressure arterial wounds, which are a common combat injury. The award was given to the group "in recognition of their hemorrhage control research, and the resultant development of WoundStat, a product that will significantly increase survival of the combat wounded."
The award was given at the Advanced Technology Applications for Combat Casualty Care (ATACCC) 2008 Conference, and this is one of the few times the award has been given to someone who was not a member of the military.
"I'm gratified, and I'm proud of the award," said Dr. Ward. "Our team did great work in inventing WoundStat. It is rewarding knowing that your work can help save lives of warfighters and other trauma victims, and it is great to be recognized as well."