A physician with an extensive background in stem cell research, Dr. Mark J. Holterman engages with the University of Illinois College of Medicine at Peoria as attending pediatric surgeon and professor. Mark Holterman, MD, also guides the Alliance for the Advancement of Cellular Therapies as cofounder and seeks out strategies for advancing the field through dialogue with diverse constituencies including patients, scientists, elected officials, regulatory bodies, and health care organizations. Stem cell therapy has had a revolutionary role in advancing the treatment of various human diseases over the past three decades. In the 1980s, a landmark use of this type of therapy was employed in Mexico for the neurodegenerative condition Parkinson's disease (PD). Though outcomes were variable, the science has progressively advanced, with promising treatments for neurodegenerative diseases such as PD, Alzheimer’s disease, Huntington's disease, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis coming online. With neurodegenerative diseases involving the structural and functional loss, or death, of neurons, such conditions share a number of similarities. Unfortunately, currently accessible neurosurgical and pharmacological approaches do not halt the progression of underlying degenerative processes. This makes stem cell therapy a vital area of research in combatting them.
A professor of surgery and pediatrics at the University of Illinois College of Medicine, Mark Holterman, MD, has published numerous peer-reviewed articles and abstracts on various medical and surgical concepts. Dr. Mark Holterman also supports the International Pediatric Specialists Alliance for the Children of VietNam (IPSAC-VN), a nonprofit that enhances medical care for children in Vietnam through collaboration from clinical teams and support personnel. The organization also enables health care providers in Vietnam to further their education through the IPSAC-VN Scholar Program. Scholars accepted into the program receive funding and resources to pursue a medical education at a US medical school accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME). Scholarship recipients receive a $2,500 grant toward the cost of educational expenses, travel, and room and board for a period of one to two months, during which time they will observe US clinical practices and engage in translation research. The program is open to both licensed and in-training nurses, physicians, and allied medical personnel. Program applicants must possess a good grasp of the English language and the ability to converse. Additionally, applicants must submit a letter of recommendation from their home institution that confirms their commitment to enhancing the institution’s quality of care. The IPSAC-VN and the host medical institution will also grant scholars who finish the program a certificate of completion.
