Dan Gilbert donates nearly $400M to fund neurofibromatosis facility in Detroit

Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert and his wife, Jennifer, announced on Wednesday a $375 million donation toward a physical medicine and rehabilitation facility as part of Henry Ford Health's campus expansion, in honor of their late son.

Dan Gilbert on Wednesday said it would bring a 72-bed physical medicine and rehabilitation facility to Detroit to honor Nick Gilbert, who died this year after suffering with neurofibromatosis, a genetic disorder that causes tumors to grow on nerve pathways anywhere in the body. Gilbert also announced the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute in partnership with Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences. Other partners include Chicago-based Shirley Ryan AbilityLab and Henry Ford Health.

"We believe Detroit deserves the very best," said Dan Gilbert at a news conference in the Book Tower downtown. "We also believe that every Detroiter should be able to access the best health care and benefit from the most promising medical research."

Construction and operation of the two initiatives will cost about $439 million over 10 years. The Gilberts' investment will cover construction costs of the medical equipment and operational costs. Dan Gilbert, who experienced a stroke in 2019, said he received care through Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago.

"It is an honor to be part of growing that commitment to support more families," Jennifer Gilbert said.

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Construction will cost $179 million, with $119 million coming from the Gilbert Family Foundation and $60 million from Henry Ford Health. The facility is expected to open in 2029. The Gilbert Family Foundation will also form a $10 million fund that will provide access to rehabilitation care for low-income Detroiters with limited or no insurance coverage.

"We know that this would not be happening, quite frankly, without them," Henry Ford Health President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Riney said of the Gilbert family.

The $10 million fund stems from Gilbert's experience through his treatment at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab, where he met several people without full health care coverage.

"Because of that experience, we wanted to ensure that we had this flexible funding that allows Shirley Ryan and Henry Ford Health to work together and increase access for Detroit residents," said Laura Grannemann, executive director of the Gilbert Family Foundation.

"We know the establishment of a $10 million fund to increase access to care for low-income Detroiters is going to be a game changer," Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison said at the news conference.

The facility will provide inpatient care for stroke recovery, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury and other conditions.

"For the past 70 years, Shirley Ryan AbilityLab has pioneered rehabilitation, clinical practice and research to care for these patients, totaling more than 50,000, that traveled to us from around the globe," said Peggy Kirk, president and chief executive officer. "Our singular focus in helping patients regain the ability through intensive rehabilitation that leverages the best tools and technology really enhances their ability to function, to move, to communicate, and participate in a meaningful life."

The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute will collaborate with researchers to "create novel disease models using organoid technology and other research methodologies," according to a news release. The organoids or “mini organs in a dish” allow researchers to test possible treatments and determine positive and negative impacts of those potential treatments on healthy and unhealthy tissue. The technology is expected to create more personalized health care for Henry Ford Health and neurofibromatosis patients.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield said at the news conference the investment will drive down health disparities in Detroit, citing a Wayne State study indicating that Detroiters 50-59 years old have a 122% higher death rate than the rest of Michigan.

“This really is personal to me. I lost my mother to an incurable rare form of brain cancer. So I know firsthand the importance and value of research to bring hope to the hopeless and make the impossible, possible," Sheffield said. "The financial commitment demonstrated by the Gilbert Family Foundation is truly commendable. ... They have reaffirmed their dedication to the betterment of our community and always striving to give the best to Detroiters."

Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact Dana: dafana@freepress.com or 313-635-3491. Follow her on Twitter: @DanaAfana

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Dan Gilbert donates $375M to neurofibromatosis facility in Detroit