98.6 DEGREES O’NEILL People and programs ANNIE that keep the school healthy and vibrant One of Covert’s first goals for ITxM was to cre- ate a strategic plan, and a Covert helped start Pitt’s Vascular large part of that plan was Medicine Institute. research. He asked, Why not forge a relationship with a biomedical powerhouse right BOOSTER SHOT here in Pittsburgh? With Covert’s guidance, he first March of Dimes, in 1938, a relationship between was fundraising genius in its sim- ITxM and Pitt was solidi- Tplicity: Get as many people as possi- TYPE “O” fied; that effort focuses on research on blood ble to donate one dime for polio research A UNIVERSAL DONOR disorders and blood-related diseases and on and care, and you could generate a tidal serving people with those conditions. A joint wave of support for medicine. BY MAUREEN PASSMORE gift from ITxM’s Blood Science Foundation The national effort’s success helped n football, offensive linemen are the and ITxM’s subsidiary, the Hemophilia speed development of the killed-virus strength of the offense. They protect Center of Western Pennsylvania, allowed polio vaccine at Pitt, which was released Ithe quarterback and other teammates for the creation of the School of Medicine’s in 1955. (It also landed president running or catching the ball. Usually the Vascular Medicine Institute (VMI). The Franklin D. Roosevelt—who founded biggest men on the field, these players VMI is directed by Mark Gladwin, the Jack what later became the March of Dimes are known for strength, grit, and heart. D. Myers Professor of Internal Medicine, Foundation—a place on the 10 cent coin.) University of Pittsburgh grad James Covert Distinguished Professor, and chair of med- But medical advancements depend on played on the “O line” for three of his four icine. Covert calls the partnership a “win.” more than generous donations of cold, years on the Panthers team that went 31–5 “We committed the seed dollars, and once hard cash. Without large-scale field tri- in the early ’80s. (The quarterback he was Mark got started, boom!, he really took off. als, the polio vaccine never would have protecting then was his roommate, Dan He’s a dynamo,” Covert says. “That passion reached the market. Marino.) and energy is what has made VMI so suc- That’s why there’s the Pitt+Me Covert was a first-round draft pick of the cessful.” program of Pitt’s Clinical and Chicago Bears and a member of the 1985 Covert also credits another group of con- Translational Science Institute. Super Bowl XX championship team coached tributors. “People who give us the gift of their Pitt+Me is a network of people by Pitt and National Football League legend blood in order for us to treat patients are who are committed to improving Mike Ditka. Covert’s cocaptain on the Bears’ doing an altruistic act. The dollars we earn care in the community and worldwide. offense, Walter Payton, called him the “best that go into the Blood Science Foundation At this writing, 103,000 volunteers with offensive tackle in the NFL.” really come from the community, and I feel 291 different conditions, as well as healthy So, what does a lineman do when he strongly that the money needs to go back into volunteers, are taking part in 215 active retires from the game? He continues looking the community.” studies—from trials focusing on child out for others—just in a different way. When he was asked to join the Board of health to geriatric medicine and everything In 2007, after several years in health care Trustees at Pitt in 2014, Covert saw it as in between. If you’re in Pittsburgh, maybe sales, marketing, and acquisition initiatives another chance to help. “Pitt has given me you’ve seen the bus ads. If you’ve flown the with different companies, Covert joined the so much in my life. I came from a small steel coop since graduation, look around; pow- Institute for Transfusion Medicine (ITxM) mill town near Pittsburgh and grew up and erhouse academic medical centers across as president and chief executive officer. met my wife at Pitt,” he says. “As my career the country have similar programs. ITxM specializes in transfusion medicine since football has gone through changes, Pitt At pittplusme.org you can check and related services. With its two blood has prepared me for that. your—or your patients’—eligibility. centers, Central Blood Bank in Pittsburgh “You can’t say that about a lot of places.” (Follow @PittPlusMe to learn more.) and LifeSource in Chicago, it provides many The benefits abound, and you don’t have hundreds of thousands of units of blood Reprinted from the School of Medicine’s 2016 to spend a dime. —Micaela Fox Corn products annually. annual report, Adaptation. n SPRING 17 33.