The Norman Fixel Institute for Neurological Diseases at University of Florida Health has received a transformative $1 million gift from Nathan S. Collier, founder of The Collier Companies, and his wife, Ani, together with Ken and Linda McGurn, owners of McGurn Investment. This generous donation will support the development of an innovative artificial intelligence tool designed to disseminate cutting-edge treatments for advanced Parkinson’s disease to physicians worldwide.
Ken and Linda McGurn are renowned real estate developers and philanthropists known for their significant contributions to the redevelopment of downtown Gainesville, in various community projects and have supported numerous educational, innovative and environmental initiatives.
Ken McGurn, UF B.S. ’72, M.S. ’73, Ph.D. ’81, President of McGurn Investment Co., and Linda McGurn, UF BSBA ’73, JD ’78, were drawn to the Fixel Institute due to its reputation as one of the world’s premier Parkinson’s treatment centers. His support aims to advance the institute’s leading-edge research and attract further funding.
“The Norman Fixel Institute does tremendous work,” McGurn said. “We are delighted to help elevate their success to new heights.”
The funding will ensure that critical data and research findings from UF Health experts are widely shared, ultimately benefiting patients globally. Nathan S. Collier, a prominent real estate owner, developer and philanthropist, founded The Collier Companies, which owns over 13,000 apartment homes. His commitment to education, healthcare and journalism is reflected in his numerous contributions to the University of Florida and other institutions.
“Parkinson’s disease has long been a challenging and progressive condition,” said Nathan Collier, UF B.S. ’74, M.B.A. ’78, J.D. ’82. “Millions are affected, and many more will be. We are honored to support research that promises to improve lives both locally and globally.”
The AI-assisted program, supported by this gift, will enhance the reach and impact of the pioneering work conducted by Kelly Foote, M.D., co-director of the institute, and UF College of Medicine faculty members Coralie de Hemptinne, M.S., Ph.D. and Joshua Wong, M.D.
“This extraordinarily generous gift from the Collier and McGurn families will provide essential infrastructure for our team’s development of next-generation adaptive therapies,” Dr. Foote said.
“These therapies will not only improve the lives of many with Parkinson’s disease but also pave the way for groundbreaking treatments for other common neurological disorders. The UF research team is at the forefront of this field, and the potential of this rapidly advancing technology to transform lives is incredibly exciting.”
Article authors include members from UF Health Communications, UF Advancement, The Collier Company, and McGurn Investment Co.