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

The Gorrie family, one of the most prominent names in Birmingham, has announced a landmark $10 million donation to UAB. This significant gift is dedicated to advancing the university's research and teaching initiatives focused on the treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease.

A Legacy of Support

Miller Gorrie, the founder of Brasfield & Gorrie—one of the nation’s largest privately held construction firms—has long been a cornerstone of support for UAB. In recognition of this latest contribution and the family's continued commitment to the institution, the University of Alabama System Board of Trustees has approved naming the school’s Alzheimer’s Disease center after Frances Gorrie. The center, originally established in 1991, remains a hub for patient care, education, community outreach, and research.

Combating a State Crisis

This donation arrives at a vital moment. With Alzheimer’s Disease affecting nearly 12 percent of Alabama’s seniors, the state currently holds the sixth-highest rate of Alzheimer’s-related deaths in the nation. For Miller Gorrie, the decision to donate is deeply personal. "Alzheimer’s disease has touched far too many families, including people I care deeply about," Gorrie said in a statement. "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."

Accelerating Innovation

According to UAB, the $10 million infusion of capital will serve as a catalyst for medical innovation. The university aims to use these funds to expand its pipeline of Alzheimer’s specialists, recruit globally recognized experts, improve regional patient care, and broaden access to resources across the state.

David Standaert, chair of UAB’s Department of Neurology, noted that the gift arrives at a "critical moment." He emphasized that while research is yielding new discoveries, the aging population ensures more families will face these challenges. "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," Standaert added.

Expanding Clinical Horizons

The impact of this gift will be felt immediately in the clinical space. UAB currently maintains between five and seven active Alzheimer’s-related clinical trials; the new funding will allow the school to offer a greater volume of trials. Additionally, the university plans to utilize the gift to create endowed faculty positions and expand fellowship opportunities to train the next generation of specialists.

Read the original report from 205focus.com.