MARINA DEL REY, Calif., Jan. 19, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Richard Merkin, President and CEO, Heritage Provider Network and The Merkin Family Foundation, announces a generous gift to the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine to benefit the Department of Neurology.

The project, The Richard Merkin Initiative at the Johns Hopkins Brain Science Institute, will support further important drug discovery research in peripheral neuropathy being conducted by Dr. Ahmet Hoke. Dr. Hoke is a world-renowned expert in neurology and neuroscience.

"I am delighted to further the critical role this research plays in drug discoveries creating opportunities in nerve regeneration that will enable us to successfully learn more about the ability for the body to heal after injuries and other debilitating diseases," said Dr. Merkin. "This research can play an integral part in the progress of such tragic injuries like those suffered most recently by Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords regarding nerve response and recovery. We may even be able to unlock some of the mysteries surrounding Alzheimer's disease as well," continued Dr. Merkin.

"We are deeply grateful to Dr. Merkin for this transformational gift to the neuromuscular division. This gift will allow Dr. Hoke, a leading expert in nerve regeneration, to assemble an interdisciplinary team of scientists and clinicians from across the university to attack and overcome the barriers as to why nerves fail to recover and repair after injury. If successful in developing a new therapy, the initiative will be relevant for the millions of Americans with neuropathy caused by injury, diabetes, chemotherapy drugs, and aging," said Dr. Justin McArthur, Director of the Department of Neurology at Johns Hopkins Medicine.

ABOUT HPN:

Heritage Provider Network, Inc. (HPN) is on the cutting edge of the accountable care model of health care delivery: coordinated, patient-doctor centric, integrated health care systems that represent the future of health care in the United States. HPN develops programs and services that are responsive to the healthcare needs of today's patient. HPN designs its networks to offer patients a comprehensive range of medical care in convenient locations.  It organizes and manages medical groups and independent practice associations, integrating with hospitals and ancillary care providers. This system represents a workable, successful business model that has been duplicated with medical groups, IPAs and medical facilities throughout California.  HPN is dedicated to quality, affordable health care and putting patients' wellness first.

SOURCE Heritage Provider Network