$14 Million Gift to Transform UC Neuroscience Institute

CINCINNATI—The James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation has committed $14 million to the UC Neuroscience Institute that will help fund a new, state-of-the-art facility to enhance treatment and research efforts for chronic and progressive neurologic conditions and disorders like Parkinson’s disease.

The contribution is the second major gift to the UC Neuroscience Institute from the Gardner Family Foundation, and its announcement comes at the institute's 15th anniversary.

"I’m proud of the collaboration happening at the UC Neuroscience Institute and excited about what this gift means for the future of neurologic care and research in and beyond Cincinnati,” said University of Cincinnati President Santa J. Ono. "This gift will create a new home for UC Neuroscience Institute that will allow our medical students, faculty and staff to learn and teach in a cutting-edge environment. The Gardner family’s investment in UC is incredible, and I am deeply grateful for their generosity.”

UC Neuroscience Institute is a collaboration between UC’s College of Medicine and UC Health. Its new building, at a yet-to-be-determined central location, will be designed to foster a streamlined patient-centered experience, collaboration among clinicians and researchers and educational activities for neuroscience faculty, staff, patients and family members.

"The new headquarters will transform the patient experience beyond measure,” said Richard Lofgren, MD, MPH, president and CEO of UC Health. "UC Neuroscience Institute  is already a preeminent provider of patient care for neurologic disorders and mental conditions and a leader in neuroscience research. This gift will further elevate its efforts and improve the outlook for the millions affected by neurological disorders.”

Over the past five years, the institute has grown both in size and revenue. This year alone, it added 16 new physicians, and donors contributed more than $16 million in FY14 (July 1, 2013, through June 30, 2014.)

"The generosity of the Gardner Family Foundation will help us recruit and retain the best specialists and researchers and create patient resources not available in other hospital systems,” said Joe Broderick, MD, director of the UC Neuroscience Institute. "Our new home will speak to our goal of being a community partner committed to raising the level of patient care, research and education in the region.”

In 2007, the Gardner Family Foundation gave $5.5 million to create the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Center for Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders, one of 11 centers of excellence at UC Neuroscience Institute.

The gift was inspired by James Gardner’s wife, Joan, who suffers from Parkinson’s disease. The gift has since allowed the center to optimize the patient experience by creating a patient-centered culture.

"The Gardner family embodies what it means to pay it forward,” said Rodney Grabowski, UC Foundation president. "I am thankful for their philanthropic support at UC Neuroscience Institute , which is sure to set a precedent that inspires others to give as well. Their generosity will positively impact lives for years to come.” 

UC Neuroscience Institute was founded in 1998 by a handful of doctors who wanted to foster collaboration among physicians in order to provide better patient care. Since its inception, more than 25,000 donors, from community members to esteemed faculty and physicians, have contributed more than $60 million in support. Today, UC Neuroscience Institute  is the largest and best recognized provider of advanced specialty neuroscience care in the Greater Cincinnati region and its research efforts are nationally acclaimed.