SUMMARY
Jennifer R. Arthurs, APRN, is the clinical coordinator for the Regenerative Medicine Therapeutic Suites on Mayo Clinic's campus in Jacksonville, Florida. After spending 10 years in Mayo Clinic's Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplant Department, Jennifer helped launch the therapeutic suites in 2016.
Jennifer's research interests focus on patient education within the regenerative medicine field while exploring novel regenerative techniques for various medical conditions. Partnering with Shane A. Shapiro, M.D., Jennifer manages patient consultations within the Regenerative Medicine Consult Service, which provides patients with educational guidance and appropriate referrals to clinical practice areas, clinical research trials in stem cell therapies and other regenerative products. Examples include stem cell therapy for arthritis and tendinopathies, platelet-rich plasma injections for hair loss and facial rejuvenation, and autologous serum eye drops, as well as the use of living, cell-based biological applications for chronic nonhealing wounds.
Focus areas
As an advanced practice nurse in regenerative medicine, Jennifer collaborates with providers in multiple medical specialties. Such partnerships have resulted in the following U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved research projects using cell therapy:
- Knee and shoulder osteoarthritis
- Avascular necrosis of the hip
- Chronic dry eye syndrome
- Male- and female-pattern baldness
- Facial rejuvenation
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- Genitourinary syndrome of menopause
- Lichen sclerosis
- Erectile dysfunction
- Gastrointestinal fistulas
- Chronic wounds
Significance to patient care
Regenerative medicine therapies hold the potential to repair, replace or restore tissues and organs injured by trauma and disease. The discovery and translation of these strategies and techniques share a common thread in their ability to mobilize the body's ability to heal and repair tissue where previously it had failed to do so. These strategies form the foundation on which the future of cell-based therapies for unmet patient needs will be built.