Barrow Neurological Foundation concluded its 2025 fiscal year (July 2024–June 2025), raising $28.17 million in gifts from more than 3,000 generous donors. This includes a record-breaking $14.4 million raised by the Women’s Board of Barrow Neurological Foundation through the 60th Barrow Grand Ball. The Foundation also hosted the Barrow Open golf tournament, presented by PXG with special support from The Bob & Renee Parsons Foundation, which raised $1 million to establish the Sports Biomechanics Spine Lab. This state-of-the-art lab will enable physicians to develop science-backed guidelines to help golfers with back injuries safely return to their sport.
Through these efforts, the Foundation transferred $23.05 million to Barrow Neurological Institute to support community outreach, education and fellowships, endowments, and research, including 24 new projects selected through a competitive review process. These innovative projects ranged from using MRI to correlate verbal fluency deficits in Parkinson’s disease, to evaluating neurodegeneration markers after a traumatic brain injury, to a clinical trial using a resident-developed device that measures consciousness in coma patients.
“At Barrow Neurological Institute, we have an unwavering commitment to accept the most challenging cases, reject standard medical norms, and push the boundaries of neuroscience in pursuit of life-saving treatment for our patients. We are fortunate to have a community that recognizes the urgency of our work and a Foundation dedicated to funding the cutting-edge research and innovation that makes it possible,” said Michael T. Lawton, MD, President and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute.
Coinciding with the close of the fiscal year, Michele S. Gregory, MS, was appointed as the new President of Barrow Neurological Foundation and Chief Philanthropy Officer for Barrow Neurological Institute. Michele is an accomplished advancement executive with three decades of experience in healthcare, academic medicine, and higher education philanthropy. Before coming to Barrow, Michele was Interim Assistant Vice President of Medical Advancement at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center (WMC), overseeing its fundraising operations and strategic direction.
“I am honored to serve as President of Barrow Neurological Foundation and Chief Philanthropy Officer for Barrow Neurological Institute. It has been inspiring to see the dedication of our physicians, researchers, and staff in providing innovative solutions for patients with debilitating neurological conditions. I look forward to driving the Foundation to new heights as we advance cutting-edge research, patient care, and medical education. Of course, none of this would be possible without the support of our generous donors and dedicated volunteer leaders, who fuel our success in providing hope and changing lives,” said Mrs. Gregory.
The Foundation is also proud to announce the appointment of James R. Wentworth to its Board of Trustees. Mr. Wentworth is a seasoned entrepreneur and real estate expert with a career spanning more than three decades. He founded Wentworth Property Company in 2005 and has since established it as a leading real estate investment and development firm in the Sunbelt. Mr. Wentworth has also held leadership roles in many business and charitable organizations. Most recently, he served as Chairman of NAIOP Arizona, Chairman of ULI’s Industrial and Office Park Council, and Board Member of Thunderbird Charities.
Additionally, the Foundation would like to thank emeritus trustees Mitchell Pierce and Kent McClelland for their tremendous guidance and dedication to supporting Barrow Neurological Institute’s mission throughout their 10-year Board tenure.
“We are fortunate to have a group of trustees who bring remarkable expertise to our impactful work. Jim’s extensive entrepreneurial experience and strong business acumen will be instrumental in solidifying Barrow Neurological Institute’s role as a leader in medical innovation. Combined with Michele Gregory’s vision and leadership as President of Barrow Neurological Foundation, we are well-positioned to continue providing the Institute with the resources to carry out its strategic goals,” said Mitchel Sayare, PhD, Chairman of the Barrow Neurological Foundation Board of Trustees.
Following a successful 2025 fiscal year, the Foundation remains focused on advancing research that has the potential to transform neurological treatment, supporting training for future generations of neuroscience leaders, and ensuring that Barrow can continue providing hope to patients and families.