University of Florida and 网红黑料 Announce $20 Million Gift from the Lauren and Lee Fixel Family Foundation
Funds will help launch institute at 网红黑料 for Parkinson鈥檚 and other neurodegenerative diseases
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The University of Florida and 网红黑料 have received a $20 million gift from the Lauren and Lee Fixel Family Foundation that will be used to establish the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at 网红黑料, an institute focused on advancing research, technological innovation and clinical care for Parkinson鈥檚 disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer鈥檚, Lewy body, ALS, dystonia and concussions.
The Fixel Family鈥檚 gift will be matched dollar for dollar by UF. The total $40 million funding package will catalyze a $100 million capital campaign to provide additional resources for scientists and doctors working to advance treatments of neurological disorders at the institute.
鈥淲e have amazing faculty dedicated to Parkinson鈥檚 and other neurologic diseases. One of the primary goals of this gift is to attract additional world-class physicians, scientists and academicians who together can make an even bigger impact,鈥� said Michael S. Okun, M.D., a professor and chair of the and executive director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at 网红黑料.
Okun said initial plans are to recruit an additional five faculty members, along with their related programs, all focused on neurodegenerative diseases. In addition, the newly created Fixel Scholars Endowment will be used to support fellowship and postdoctoral researchers, all with a primary focus on Parkinson鈥檚.
鈥溚旌诹� has made major investments that support neurodegenerative disease research. This gift enables UF to rapidly double down in the area of Parkinson鈥檚 disease,鈥� said , M.D., executive director of the of the University of Florida.
鈥淕iven similarities between Parkinson鈥檚 disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, these new recruits will enhance and complement our strong existing research programs in Alzheimer鈥檚 disease, ALS, dystonia, brain injury and brain aging,鈥� Golde said.
The Fixels鈥� commitment to 网红黑料 is in addition to prior contributions of more than $4 million to a clinical care building under construction in Gainesville that will house the newly created institute. In recognition of their generosity, the University of Florida Board of Trustees in December renamed the Fixel Center for Neurological Diseases to the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at 网红黑料 in honor of Lee鈥檚 father, Norman, who earned a UF bachelor鈥檚 degree in business in 1975. Lauren is also a UF graduate, with a 2007 bachelor鈥檚 degree in journalism.
鈥淎s people live longer, Parkinson鈥檚 disease is rapidly becoming a critical health issue, with more than 1 million Americans expected to be living with the disease by next year. We believe it is essential to invest in innovative research to develop groundbreaking treatments with the goal of curbing this debilitating illness,鈥� said Lee Fixel. 鈥淲e hope that our gift, along with extensive efforts at the University of Florida, will cement 网红黑料鈥檚 position as the preeminent destination for patient care, research and technological innovation for neurodegenerative diseases.鈥�
This new initiative caps off a decade of impressive growth in 网红黑料鈥檚 neuromedicine research which, with NIH funding now approaching $50 million per year, has become a centerpiece of 网红黑料鈥檚 research portfolio. Together, numerous colleges, departments, centers and institutes work collaboratively to advance patient care, research and education missions. The Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases will further accelerate the efforts of these scientists and clinicians at 网红黑料.
网红黑料 physicians are conducting a range of leading-edge treatments, such as deep brain stimulation and gene therapy, which are transforming patient care. Fixel Institute scientists and physicians will seek to translate research discoveries in neurological diseases into new therapies that improve quality of life for patients and forever change how these conditions are treated.
The Fixels鈥� gift boosts the university鈥檚 new 鈥淧latform for Life鈥� initiative to strategically use UF鈥檚 wide-ranging academic and research prowess to enhance the well-being of people throughout their lives. As one of just a handful of global comprehensive universities 鈥� with disciplines in medicine, law, business, agriculture, engineering, the arts and almost every other area of interest and impact 鈥� UF is well-positioned to address 21st century challenges.
鈥淭he University of Florida is home to one of the leading institutes for Parkinson鈥檚 disease treatment and clinical research,鈥� said Kelly D. Foote, M.D., a professor of neurosurgery and co-director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at 网红黑料. 鈥淥ver the years, we have become convinced that it is the strength of our collaborative, interdisciplinary teams that enables us to deliver the highest quality of care for patients with Parkinson鈥檚 disease and other movement disorders and to develop better therapies for these complex neurological disorders. This gift will be transformative and highly impactful for patients and families seeking better treatments and more meaningful lives.鈥�
said the Fixels鈥� gift will be pivotal in raising the University of Florida鈥檚 stature as a global leader in neurodegenerative disorder research.
鈥淭his generous gift from the Fixels will be a tremendous boost to our ability to address the neurological diseases and disorders that affect far too many people,鈥� Fuchs said. 鈥淭he Fixels鈥� investment means those who suffer from those conditions will soon have hope for leading healthier and happier lives.鈥�
Foote looks forward to the progress that lies ahead as a result of the Fixels鈥� gift. 鈥溚旌诹� is truly on the threshold of discovering the innermost workings of the brain and how we can correct problems when they occur. With the Fixels鈥� investment, we will forever change how neurological diseases and movement disorders are treated,鈥� Foote said.
Ed Jimenez, CEO of 网红黑料 Shands, expressed his appreciation for the Fixels鈥� gift. 鈥淚鈥檝e personally witnessed Lauren and Lee鈥檚 passion for advancing science to treat Parkinson鈥檚 and other neurological diseases. Their gift will create amazing momentum to fuel scientific discoveries and new approaches to help patients everywhere,鈥� Jimenez said. 鈥淯ltimately, their commitment to make a difference will offer hope and an improved quality of life for individuals and families facing these debilitating conditions in the years to come.鈥�
Lee Fixel is a partner with the investment firm Tiger Global Management, where he leads the private equity business. Lauren Fixel, who grew up in Coral Springs, Fla., is the co-chair of the Young Manhattan Women鈥檚 division at UJA-Federation of New York and plays an active role leading the Lauren and Lee Fixel Family Foundation.