Local business leader and co-chair of Atrium Health’s Giving Hope campaign, Tom Finke, and his wife, Heather, have made a lead gift to Atrium Health Foundation to advance neurosciences in Charlotte. Their commitment will anchor an endowed chair for the president of the Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute, currently held by Dr. Anthony “Tony” A. Asher.
The Chair in Neuroscience Innovation will support a broad and essential range of research efforts that have significant potential to improve societal health and well-being.
The Finkes, who were named “Outstanding Philanthropists” by the Association of Fundraising Professionals in 2023, said: “Dr. Asher and the Neurosciences Institute are one of the best kept secrets in Charlotte, and it’s time to share that secret — loudly. For decades, we’ve used our brains to cure or significantly advance treatments for many of life’s most threatening diseases and conditions, yet we’ve invested far less in taking care of the brain itself.”
Dr. Asher, a renowned neurosurgeon and recent President of the American Association of Neurological Surgeons, believes Advocate Health (of which Atrium Health is a part) is uniquely positioned to address brain health with the same strategies and resources that have been used to advance cardiac care and cancer. As chair, Asher will lead the neurosciences team in Charlotte.
Center from left: Luke Kuechly, brain health advocate and retired Carolina Panthers linebacker; Dr. Tony Asher, president of Atrium Health Neurosciences Institute; and benefactor Tom Finke
“We pursue discovery in neuroscience for a simple reason: because enhancing knowledge is what makes us uniquely human,” said Asher. “As a health care system with a world class academic core, we are obligated to learn about human health and disease and use that knowledge to improve well-being and reduce disease burden to the greatest extent, and on the broadest scale possible.”
Neurological conditions are the world’s leading cause of disability-adjusted life years, and result in over 90 million deaths annually. The prevalence of these life-altering diseases— stroke, dementia, traumatic brain injury (TBI), mental health disorders, brain cancer, epilepsy, and many others — is rapidly increasing. This rise is due to various factors, including an aging population, untreated health determinants that influence brain development, and the pervasive impact of digital technologies on human neurophysiology.
“Despite the sweeping burden of these disorders, available prevention and treatment resources are insufficient, particularly in traditionally underserved communities,” said Asher. “Fortunately, we are witnessing an explosion of increasingly effective therapies, thanks to molecular medicine, robotics, neuro-pharmacology, and computer science.”
“Securing a leader like Dr. Asher is essential to the long-range goals associated with this program,” said the Finkes. “We look forward to the celebration of accomplishments, research findings, and new facilities that may be associated with growth and future philanthropic commitments.”
To learn more about the Giving Hope campaign or Neurosciences Institute, contact Ryan.Marshall@atriumhealth.org.