The University of Florida and UF Health have received a $20 million gift from the Lauren and Lee Fixel Family Foundation. It will be designated for the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, an institute focused on advancing research, innovation and clinical care for Parkinson’s disease and other neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, ALS, dystonia and concussions, the university announced.
The Fixel family’s gift will be matched by UF, resulting in $40 million in funding. There is a $100 million capital campaign to provide additional resources for those working on neurological disorders at the institute.
Michael S. Okun, M.D., a professor and chairman of the Department of Neurology and executive director of the Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at UF Health, said there are plans to recruit an additional five faculty members, along with their related programs, all focused on neurodegenerative diseases.
The newly created Fixel Scholars Endowment will be used to support fellowship and postdoctoral researchers, all with a primary focus on Parkinson’s.
“UF Health has made major investments that support neurodegenerative disease research. This gift enables UF to rapidly double down in the area of Parkinson’s disease,” said Todd Golde, M.D., executive director of the Evelyn F. and William L. McKnight Brain Institute of the University of Florida.
