NORMAN – The University of Oklahoma has received a $1 million commitment from The Meinders Foundation to support research projects focused on curing diabetes and complications associated with the disease, announced OU President David L. Boren at the October meeting of the OU Board of Regents. The gift will establish The Meinders Foundation Research Enrichment Endowed Fund at Harold Hamm Diabetes Center in Oklahoma City.

The fund will be used to competitively award grants to researchers who concentrate on discovering remedies for diabetes. Breakthroughs can impact millions of people nationwide, including thousands of Oklahomans diagnosed with the disease. 

“This generous gift by The Meinders Foundation will help thousands of Oklahomans who suffer from diabetes who benefit from the research and care available at Harold Hamm Diabetes Center,” Boren said.

Boren also noted that in honor of the gift, he will recommend to the OU Board of Regents that the atrium at Harold Hamm Diabetes Center be named for Robert H. Meinders, a member of The Meinders Foundation Board of Directors. 

The Meinders Foundation gift of supporting researchers who focus on a cure fits squarely with the mission of Harold Hamm Diabetes Center — to be a world leader in research aimed at progress toward a cure, the education of health care professionals and families coping with diabetes, providing care for those who have diabetes and being advocates for the prevention of the disease.

The gift is just the latest example of The Meinders Foundation’s generous support of OU and its medical research efforts. The foundation and its members have donated previously to Harold Hamm Diabetes Center, and have supported research at the Stephenson Cancer Center and in the area of arrhythmia, or heart rhythm problems.