On October 8, 2009, the U-M Burn Center celebrated 50 years of innovation, research, and exceptional patient care.

The event at the Towsley Center was well attended by current and former members of the U-M burn team, former patients, fire fighters, volunteers, donors, friends and other guests.

"The founders of the Burn Center 50 years ago were visionary," Wang said. "The original missions and values remain true and relevant: exceptional patient care, multidisciplinary teamwork, translational research, injury prevention and community outreach, and education."

The event honored the Center's five decades of commitment to these values and its transformation from a local burn unit to an internationally recognized leader in burn clinical care, education, research and injury prevention.