$2.65 million gift will enhance neurological intensive care at UC Health

A $2.65 million gift from the Farmer Family Foundation will help transform care for UC Health patients needing the most specialized neurological care. The neuro-ICU at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center provides advanced, around-the-clock care for critically ill neurological and neurosurgical patients.

The Farmer Family Foundation has a history of supporting the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute, previously giving $9 million to advance neurological care in our region. This generous donation from the Farmer Family Foundation completes a campaign launched by the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation in 2022 to complete a nearly $8 million upgrade of the neuroscience floor and the neuro-ICU. 

“Philanthropy and long-time supporters like the Farmer Family Foundation have been crucial to the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute regarding patient care and advances in research,” said Cory Shaw, president and CEO at UC Health. “This investment will impact our patients and our academic health system, allowing us to provide unsurpassed neurological care.”  

The inpatient care unit and neuro-ICU renovations began in June 2024 and will take two years to complete. The changes will address families’ challenges when a loved one is receiving neurocritical care and provide an ideal environment during a stressful time.

Highlights of the renovation include:

• Upgrading 52 patient rooms that provide around-the-clock care for critically ill neurological and neurosurgical patients.
• Transforming the lobby and family waiting areas, including a patient education area and two new conference rooms for family consultations.
• Creating comfortable accommodations that include bathrooms with showering and changing facilities so that families can stay close to their loved ones.
• Installing a circadian lighting system to promote natural sleep patterns and reduce the risk of depression, resulting in better patient outcomes up to a year after their stay.
• Designing nurse workstations outside patient rooms with a direct line of sight to the patient through windows, rather than being stationed in the middle of the floor.

“Our community is fortunate to have access to world-class critical care treatment,” said Mary Beth Martin, Executive Director of the Farmer Family Foundation. “The Farmer family is pleased to support this tremendous work and the assistance it provides patients and families.”

As the region’s first and only academic neuro-ICU, nurses, medical students, residents, fellows and nurse practitioners gain knowledge and expertise in neurocritical intensive care at UC Health. Nationwide, the team at UC Health is a model of outstanding care and research. Nationally and internationally, UC Health physicians study and teach the latest treatments for stroke, seizures, aneurysms and traumatic brain injuries. The neuro-ICU is home to more than 125 subspeciality-trained physicians and researchers.

“The health of our region has always been a priority for the Farmer family,” said Joseph Broderick, MD, Director of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and professor of neurology and rehabilitation at the UC College of Medicine. “Improving our neurocritical care services is essential to fulfilling the needs of our sickest patients, and the Farmer family’s generosity is making this possible.”

“Neuro-ICUs are one of the fastest-growing areas of health care, and we are one of the only hospitals in Ohio with the capabilities to care for severe stroke and traumatic brain injuries,” said Brett M. Kissela, MD, MS, executive vice dean and senior associate dean for clinical research, Albert Barnes Voorheis Endowed Chair and Professor of Neurology. “This state-of-the-art facility will expand and improve that care, as well as attract and retain the top experts in critical neurological care.”

Featured image at top: Rendering of a patient room.