Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute

Pacific Northwest Research Institute
Formation1956; 69 years ago (1956)
TypeNonprofit organization
HeadquartersSeattle, Washington, U.S.
Websitepnri.org
Formerly called
Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute

The Pacific Northwest Research Institute (PNRI) is a private non-profit biomedical and clinical research institute in the northwest United States, located in Seattle, Washington.

Founded to investigate heart surgery, cancer, and endocrine diseases, its current focus is pioneering genetic research to find new solutions to improve human health.[1]

History

The first such institute in the Pacific Northwest, it was created in 1956 by William B. Hutchinson as the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation (PNRF). A second-generation physician, founder Hutchinson (1909–1997) was a surgeon and an older brother of Major League Baseball pitcher and manager Fred Hutchinson, who died of lung cancer at age 45 in 1964.[2][3][4]

In 1972, PNRF received federal funding under the National Cancer Act of 1971 with the help of U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson to create in Seattle one of the 15 new cancer centers called for under 1971 Act; the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center was founded in 1972 and its building opened 3 years later.[5][6][7][8]: 3, 5 

Name

The organization was founded in 1956 as the Pacific Northwest Research Foundation, whose name is still on the exterior of the building. In 1997 the organization changed its name to Pacific Northwest Research Institute. In 2008 the organization changed its name to Pacific Northwest Diabetes Research Institute.[9] In 2017, the organization returned to the name, Pacific Northwest Research Institute.

Staff

The institute has 85 employees in 6 investigative teams. The current president and CEO is John Wecker.[10]

Community involvement

Each year the institute hosts one of the Northwest's most successful wine events featuring one of the largest blind wine tasting games in the Puget Sound area. Boutique wineries from Washington State partner with the institute to make An Evening of Wine feature Washington State's latest varietals.

References

  1. ^ "About PNRI". Pacific NW Research Institute. Retrieved 2019-11-19.
  2. ^ Fleet, Louis (December 30, 2004). "Hutchinson, Dr. William B. (1909–1997)". HistoryLink: the free, online encyclopedia of Washington state history. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  3. ^ "Dr. William Hutchinson, founder of research centers, dies in Seattle". Spokesman-Review. Spokane, Washington. Associated Press. October 28, 1997. p. B6.
  4. ^ Chesley, Frank (November 12, 2007). "Hutchinson, Fred (1919–1964); Baseball legend". HistoryLink: the free, online encyclopedia of Washington state history. Retrieved December 4, 2015.
  5. ^ PMDRI PNDRI timeline Page accessed June 27, 2015
  6. ^ Jane Sanders for the University of Washington Libraries. 1987 Essay: A Legacy of Public Service
  7. ^ Melissa Allison for the Seattle Times. October 20, 2012 Obituary: E. Donnall Thomas, Nobel winner for bone-marrow transplant advances
  8. ^ US Government Accounting Office. March 17, 1976. Comprehensive Cancer Centers: Their Locations and Role
  9. ^ "PNDRI Timeline". pndri.org. Retrieved 21 September 2011.
  10. ^ "Leadership". Pacific NW Research Institute. Retrieved 2019-11-19.