Dedomenico New TOC Committee Chair
From TOConline.com ARCADIA, Calif. (May 28, 2011) -- Dr. Mark Dedomenico has been selected by the board of directors of the Thoroughbred Owners of California as the new Chairman of the Medication and Integrity Committee. Recently appointed to the TOC Board in February, Dr. Dedomenico has made immediate contributions to the organization.
“Dr. Mark is a true asset to the TOC board and its membership,” said TOC chairman, Jack Owens. “He not only brings us his extensive racing experience, but also a lifetime dedicated to the advancement of equine and human medical treatments.”
A cardiovascular surgeon and researcher, Dr. Dedomenico played a key role in the development of coronary bypass surgery and the Guided Flow Aortic Heart Valve and the Bionit Arterial Grafts that are used around the world to replace damaged or atherosclerotic arteries. Dr. Dedomenico is a founding member of Hope Heart Institute in Seattle, Wash. He owns and operates the 45,000-member PRO Sports Health Club where he has carried out extensive research in the field of metabolic disorders, like high cholesterol, hypertension and diabetes, the main cause of heart disease. He is also involved in the research and treatment of obesity.
At his Pegasus Thoroughbred Training and Rehabilitation center in Redmond, Washington, he and Dr. Wayne McIlwraith of Colorado State University are researching new treatments for equine middle and lower knee injuries as well as researching the use of Platelet Rich Plasma and Stem Cell Therapy. For an insightful perspective of Dr. Dedomenico, his Pegasus facility, and the major research projects being undertaken in collaboration with other equine-health experts, please click here for the full story published in The Seattle Times: “Part research hospital, part equine Club Med, the 100-acre compound is a state-of-the-art training and rehabilitation facility that combines Dedomenico’s two passions: medical research and Thoroughbreds.” “Owners and trainers from across the country – and as far away as Dubai – have sent horses to Pegasus to train or rehabilitate. One of the horses to spend time at Pegasus is Blind Luck....” (Excerpts from The Seattle Times, by Scott Hanson)
Following in the footsteps of his father, who raced multiple stakes winners on the west coast for many years, Dr. Dedomenico has more than 50 runners in training, including 2010 Eclipse Award champion three-year-old filly Blind Luck, co-owned with trainer Jerry Hollendorfer and partners John Carver and Peter Abruzzo. He also breeds a limited number of mares.
Dr. Dedomenico will preside over a committee comprised of Owner-Trainer directors Bob Baffert, Ron Ellis, and Ed Moger, and Owner directors Cal Fischer, Mike Pegram, and Pablo Suarez. “I am fortunate to work with such a dedicated group of horsemen whose primary concern is with the safety and welfare of the horse,” said Dr. Dedomenico. “And I look forward to representing the TOC at the International Race Day Medication Summit at Belmont Park next month.
Dr. Dedomenico replaces director Pablo Suarez in the role as chairman of the committee, which will allow Mr. Suarez to dedicate the time required as TOC’s representative on the board of directors of the National Thoroughbred Racing Association.
