Gifts of note
The Rett Syndrome Research Fund is giving $574,000 to support pediatric neurologist Daniel Tarquinio's research into Rett syndrome, one of the few neurological disorders for which dramatic symptom reversal has been demonstrated in the lab. Caused by mutations on the X chromosome on a gene called MECP2, Rett syndrome is recognized in infancy and almost always seen in girls. Tarquinio, an Emory assistant professor of pediatrics, began caring for patients with Rett syndrome in 2007 and is known for his development of Rett-specific growth charts and his specialization in epilepsy.
Florida-based Axiom Bank made a second $100,000 contribution to the Emory Neuromodulation and Technology Innovation Center (ENTICe), including Robert Gross, MBNA Bowman Chair and Emory professor of surgery, to support developing new treatments for neurological and psychiatric conditions such as epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, and depression. “Axiom Bank is proud to support noble causes,” says Axiom President and CEO Dan Davis. “We hope this donation to ENTICe enables Emory to continue its important work in the field of brain heath, and look forward to supporting this incredible organization in the future.” ENTICe is a collaborative effort among the Emory departments of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry and behavioral sciences, and Georgia Tech scientists and biomedical engineers.
The Rollins Foundation endowed a clinical scholarship in honor of trustee Henry B. Tippie, and Emory School of Medicine named Assistant Professor of Surgery Carla Haack the first Tippie Clinician Scholar. Haack is a rising young faculty leader who is co-principal investigator with Chris Larsen on a research project to integrate a structured discipline of self-care through meditation or yoga into the workplace and assess results among participating staff members. The Tippie Clinician Scholar designation acknowledges her exemplary contributions to patients and her field while supporting her growth as an academic researcher.
Wilton Looney and his daughter Sylvia Dick gave $200,000 to the Carlyle Fraser Heart Center at Emory University Hospital Midtown in memory of his wife Martha Looney (1918-2016), who helped establish the center and benefited from its care. The couple was married 74 years, and Martha Looney was praised as a quiet philanthropist who strove to make the world a better place for everyone. The heart center, named for Wilton Looney's mentor at Genuine Parts Company, is one of the country's leading cardiac treatment and research facilities.
John Brock, his wife, Mary, and their three children renewed their support of the John and Mary Brock Diagnostics and Discoveries Fund to Benefit Patients, which provides support for the work of Seavey Clinic director David Roberts. The Brocks also continued philanthropic support of the Brock Family Child and Adolescent Mood Disorders Program (CAMP) Fund, which allows treatment of uninsured patients who are unable to afford clinical services for their children. CAMP blends basic science, translational science, research, and a patient care clinic to facilitate the development of innovative clinical programs for child and adolescent depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorders.
The Klein family contributed $2.5 million to help Emory psychiatrists and behavioral scientists focus on mental disorders that produce physical symptoms, such as blindness, paralysis, and an inability to speak. The gift underwrites the upcoming Partners in Treatment Innovation for Functional Neurological Disorders conference at Emory's Brain Health Center, a forum for experts from around the world to share their latest breakthroughs. “A generous gift like this from the Kleins has such a powerful impact for our local communities of patients, families, and clinicians, and also the potential to help individuals nationally and globally,” says conference co-director Karen Rommelfanger, assistant professor, departments of Neurology and Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences.
The Simons Foundation Autism Research Initiative (SFARI) gave $446,158 to Emory Autism Center as part of the largest national autism study. The Simons Foundation Powering Autism Research for Knowledge (SPARK) connects individuals with a diagnosis of autism and their biological family members to research opportunities. The SPARK initiative is designed to better understand autism and accelerate the development of new treatments and supports.
To learn how you can make a major gift to the health sciences at Emory, call 404.712.4483. To make a gift online, please visit emory.edu/give.
