Prominent Birmingham family makes $10 million gift to UAB for Alzheimer’s research

The Gorrie family has made a monumental impact on the future of medical research in Birmingham, contributing a $10 million gift to UAB to bolster efforts in treating Alzheimer’s Disease. As longtime supporters of the university, the family—led by Miller Gorrie, founder of the prominent construction firm Brasfield & Gorrie—is making a significant investment in the fight against a condition that hits close to home for many Alabamians.

A Legacy of Care

In recognition of this substantial donation, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has officially approved renaming the university’s Alzheimer’s Disease center in honor of Frances Gorrie. Established in 1991, the center serves as a critical hub for patient care, education, community outreach, and groundbreaking research.

Reflecting on the motivation behind the gift, Miller Gorrie noted the personal toll the disease has taken on his community. "Alzheimer’s disease has touched far too many families, including people I care deeply about," Gorrie said. "Supporting UAB’s work is my way of honoring those journeys and helping move us closer to better treatments, more hope and, one day, a cure."

Addressing a Critical Need

The timing of the donation is vital. With Alzheimer’s afflicting nearly 12 percent of seniors across Alabama, the state currently holds the sixth-highest rate of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in the country. According to 205focus.com sources, the school plans to use these funds to catalyze medical innovation, attract world-class experts, and better connect Alabama communities with essential resources.

David Standaert, chair of the Department of Neurology at UAB, emphasized that the investment comes at a pivotal moment. "Research has brought us new discoveries and treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related conditions, and more are in the pipeline," Standaert stated. "This gift will accelerate the process of discovery, support the training of additional specialists, and help us to empower the Alabama community with knowledge and access to care."

Expanding Future Possibilities

This infusion of funding is set to transform UAB’s operational capacity in several key areas:

• Clinical Expansion: UAB intends to increase the number of available clinical trials, building upon their current capacity of five to seven simultaneous trials.
• Training and Recruitment: The gift will support the creation of new endowed faculty positions and broaden fellowship opportunities for the next generation of Alzheimer’s specialists.