January 24, 2022

Linda and Les Vinney Scholar Program to Support New Treatments for Alzheimer’s Disease

Linda and Les Vinney committed $1.25 million to establish the Linda and Les Vinney Scholar Program at Harrington Discovery Institute's Center for Brain Health Medicine, which will support new treatments for patients living with Alzheimer's disease. The gift also creates the Linda and Les Vinney Acceleration Awards, which will assist the Vinney Scholars with their research. The program will be under the direction of Andrew A. Pieper, MD, PhD, Director of the Center for Brain Health Medicines, a Harrington Discovery Institute, University Hospitals and Morley-Mather Chair in Neuropsychiatry, UH Neurological Institute.

After more than 10 years of generously supporting genetics research and counseling at University Hospitals Seidman Cancer Center, Linda and Les Vinney will help fund research to cure another devastating condition: Alzheimer's disease. According to the Alzheimer's Association, more patients and families are affected by Alzheimer's disease than ever before, and the number is expected to grow as the global population ages.

"Harrington Discovery Institute's approach to funding medical research offers us the opportunity to support new ideas and approaches, which are so important in the fight against Alzheimer's disease." - Linda and Les Vinney

Making Strides for Future Discoveries

"We have a robust network of scientists working on promising discoveries with significant potential to change the treatment landscape for Alzheimer's disease," said Jonathan Stamler, MD, President, Harrington Discovery Institute at UH, Robert S. & Sylvia K. Reitman Family Foundation Distinguished Chair in Cardiovascular Innovation.

The Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) and Harrington Discovery Institute have partnered to form the ADDF-Harrington Scholar program. The program recognizes physicians or scientists across the US, Canada and the United Kingdom, who are doing research to develop drugs to prevent, treat and cure Alzheimer's disease. The establishment of the Linda and Les Vinney Scholar Program and the Vinney Acceleration Awards will both aid this program and help support the best science with the most promise to bring new treatments to patients with Alzheimer's disease.

"We believe Harrington Discovery Institute's unique way of providing resources and expertise to promising scientists offers an excellent chance of yielding important results in the search for effective drugs to treat Alzheimer's disease," - Linda and Les Vinney

"The Vinney's investment is an important step in our shared goal to cure Alzheimer's disease," said Dr. Stamler. "With guidance from Harrington Discovery's world-renowned industry experts, Vinney Scholars can advance their discoveries into clinical trials and the realm of commercial viability."

If you are interested in learning more about Harrington Discovery Institute or how you can support Dr. Pieper's Alzheimer's research, please contact Michelle Mulchin at Michelle.Mulchin@UHHospitals.org.