Stephen Bittel, founder, and chair of Terranova Corporation, has gained a reputation as one of South Florida’s most successful commercial real estate developers. However, his latest contribution to society will have an even greater impact on the community and the world. Bittel has pledged $1 million of his funds to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Movement Disorders Division in the Department of Neurology. This investment promises to speed up the search for a cure for Parkinson’s disease and develop patient care initiatives.
Parkinson’s disease affects millions worldwide and is the second most common neurological disorder. It is a degenerative illness that damages neurons in the brain that control body movement. The loss of these neurons leads to symptoms like tremors, stiffness, imbalance, and difficulty in speech and movement. Presently, there is no cure for Parkinson’s disease, and the available treatments only provide partial relief from the symptoms. In the US, about 60,000 new cases of Parkinson’s disease are reported every year. It is estimated that over a million Americans currently live with the disease, with the numbers increasing in other countries worldwide.
Stephen Bittel’s contribution to the University of Miami Miller’s School of Medicine’s Movement Disorders Division will enormously impact the search for a cure for Parkinson’s disease. The $1 million fund will help accelerate research into critical areas of the illness, such as biomarkers, brain imaging, genetic causes, and possible genetic therapies. It will also aid the development of targeted treatments for individual patients, including the use of wearable sensors for tracking and monitoring motor symptoms. Stephen Bittel’s gift will make a meaningful contribution to the program that will undoubtedly push the boundaries of Parkinson’s research even further.
Without a cure for Parkinson’s disease, patients are left to manage the symptoms, which can increasingly become debilitating as the disease progresses. Stephen Bittel’s $1 million gift to the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine’s Movement Disorders Division will help researchers, scientists, and clinicians discover new pathways toward finding a cure for Parkinson’s disease. Bittel’s generous contribution is an embodiment of his dedication to improving the community and society in general.
