CINCINNATI – February 16, 2017 - A $500,000 commitment from the Oliver Family Foundation will enhance research and care for patients with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, stroke and other neurological disorders at the University of Cincinnati Gardner Neuroscience Institute. The Oliver Family Neurorecovery Lab Fund will cover gaps in funding between projects, facilitate research and provide for new, leading-edge equipment for the Laboratory for Neurorecovery.

“Stroke hits close to home for my family,” said Molly (Oliver) Vollmer, a trustee with the Oliver Family Foundation. “This gift will position the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and its neurorecovery lab at the front line of stroke recovery and research, and will help facilitate vital areas such as occupational, physical therapy and even treatments yet to be discovered. Ultimately, the Oliver Family Foundation hopes to improve lives of stroke patients and their families living in our community and beyond. I am optimistic that our gift will inspire others to join in our vision for the future of stroke recovery.”

Vollmer says she and her family were inspired by the long-term vision of two UC Health physicians – Brett Kissela, MD, and Joseph Broderick, MD. Broderick serves as director of the UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute and professor of neurology at UC. Kissela is a stroke recovery expert who serves as chair of UC’s Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine and as professor of neurology at UC.

“We strive to be the institute others look to for answers and the standard by which they measure themselves,” Broderick said. “Through this gift, the Oliver Family Foundation is boosting our research and care efforts as it pertains to stroke recovery and beyond. Our new facility promises to further enhance this area by bringing all of our capabilities under one roof, improving access and care for our patients. We are so grateful for the Oliver family’s steadfast support of our mission and vision.”

The UC Gardner Neuroscience Institute is a collaboration of UC Health and the UC College of Medicine, and is the region’s leading treatment, research and teaching center for complex neurologic and psychiatric conditions. The institute is in the middle of a $54.5 million fundraising campaign to help fund the creation of a new world-class outpatient facility and expand programming. More than $39 million already has been raised, including a $14 million pledge from the James J. and Joan A. Gardner Family Foundation.

The Oliver Family Foundation was founded in 1992 and supports numerous local civic and cultural organizations throughout Greater Cincinnati. The Oliver Family Foundation has generously supported The Beechwood Home, a not-for-profit, nursing facility specializing in the care of adults with neurological diseases and disabling conditions. The Oliver family of Cincinnati includes Mr. and Mrs. Richard Oliver; Mr. and Mrs. John Oliver and Mr. Chad Oliver; Mr. Richard Oliver II.; Mr. and Mrs.  John Jarnigo; and Mr. and Mrs. William Vollmer.