Mercy Medical Center Launches Specialized Orthopedic Innovation Hub

Located on the second floor of the hospital’s McAuley Plaza, the new center integrates a high-tech orthobiologic laboratory with a simulated operating environment. The facility is the brainchild of Dr. Lew C. Schon, a prominent figure in the field of foot and ankle reconstruction, who designed the layout to foster direct collaboration between surgeons, research fellows, and medical device developers.

The core of the facility, the Orthobiologic Lab, provides researchers with advanced tools for cell culture, molecular biology, and regenerative healing studies. By housing a dedicated tissue bank alongside anatomy suites that replicate real-world surgical theaters, the center creates a closed-loop system where tissue specimens can be processed, analyzed, and used to refine new implants or minimally invasive techniques.

Beyond research, the center serves as a critical training ground for the next generation of surgeons. Fellows, residents, and medical students will use the space to master advanced procedures while working alongside industry partners to test prototypes. This infrastructure is intended to accelerate the transition of new therapies from laboratory concepts into clinical practice, ultimately expanding the hospital's capacity for treating complex orthopedic conditions.