Where Hope Lives
Inspiring stories of compassion, innovation, and transformation at Barrow Neurological Institute made possible by philanthropy.
Your Impact In Action
View real stories of how Barrow Neurological Foundation creates a lasting impact for patients and families.
Narratives of Help and Healing
Hear from the brave patients who have found hope and healing at Barrow while battling the most debilitating neurological conditions.
“I consider myself lucky. Lucky to have survived, lucky to have received amazing care, and lucky to have had such a transformative experience. The people at Barrow are truly special, and I know countless patients just like me are beyond thankful.”
-Eric Sredzinski, local pharmacist, devoted husband, and father of two. Neuro-Rehabilitation
“They’re a big part of why I am doing as well as I am today. Everyone needs someone, and I’m glad to have my family as my “someones” and Barrow, along with Dr. Robers and his whole team, by my side.”
–Lynne Brunetto, former RN. Multiple Sclerosis
“For a long time, I didn’t share my story because I was afraid that people would think less of me. But now, I want to show people that there is hope, and that you can live a full life after a brain injury,”
-Sarah Noonan (Neylon), from grateful patient to occupational therapist. Center for Transitional Neuro-Rehabilitation
Courageous Hearts
Life-Changers
Share Your Story
Every experience at Barrow is unique and powerful. Whether you’re a patient, family member, or donor, we invite you to share your story and inspire others on their journey.
For over 60 years, the Women’s Board has proudly supported the innovative work at @BarrowNeuro . One of the most meaningful ways they drive impact is through the annual Women’s Board Project. We are pleased to announce that the Women’s Board has selected the new #BarrowSleepCenter as its project for the 2027 Barrow Grand Ball!
Led by Joyce K. Lee-Iannotti, MD, FAAN, FAASM, the Sleep Center is pioneering research to understand how sleep disturbances contribute to the development of #NeurologicalDiseases and to identify potential opportunities for early intervention—years before symptoms appear.
Thank you to the Women’s Board for helping to support Dr. Lee-Iannotti and her team as they explore evidence-based sleep strategies to promote healthy aging for all people, everywhere! Learn more through the link in bio.
Behind every milestone we reached this year is a dedicated team member going above and beyond at Barrow Neurological Foundation! We’re thrilled to conclude a successful 2026 fiscal year having raised over $28M, thanks to our generous donors, and celebrate the incredible team that helped make it happen behind the scenes!
We had an amazing year, from supporting our community at the Cardinals Climb to helping bring new pilot projects to fruition at @BarrowNeuro, and everything in between. We could not have done this without the hard work and commitment of our team members day in and day out. Here’s to another year of making an impact together!
Many individuals experience significant non-motor symptoms, including sleep disorders, depression, anxiety, impulse-control disorders, hallucinations, fatigue, and more. These symptoms can have just as much impact on quality of life as motor symptoms.
Donations have helped provide early-stage funding for researchers investigating the underlying causes of non-motor symptoms in Parkinson’s, leading to larger grants to advance this work! Learn more through the link in bio.
Congratulations to our 2026 cohort of talented undergraduate interns for presenting their research projects at the capstone symposium! 🧠🔬
Thanks to our generous donors, undergraduates from different parts of the country and world have the unique opportunity to conduct hands-on research under the mentorship of renowned @barrowneuro physicians and scientists. Immersed in a 10-week program, these students delved into the world of neuroscience and presented their findings on glioblastoma, multiple sclerosis, virtual surgical practice, recreational therapy, cavernous malformations, and much more.
“From the moment I applied, I knew that being here would provide me with valuable tools, not only for the future but also to continue building an exemplary present, since learning from the best in neuroscience and research are experiences that define excellence.” -Nora Socorro Payan Gonzalez, Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua @uach_mx
Learn more about how your support can inspire the future neuroscience leaders through the link in bio.
We are thrilled to announce that through the support of our generous donors, we raised $28.7 million during fiscal year 2026. Through these efforts, the Foundation transferred $19.1 million to @barrowneuro to support community outreach, education, endowments, and research, including 23 new pilot projects testing innovative ideas.
“At Barrow Neurological Institute, our success is defined not only by the complexity of our cases, but also by our relentless pursuit of discoveries that will change the future of medicine. Support from Barrow Neurological Foundation and our community of donors enables us to tackle the most urgent challenges in neuroscience while pursuing our lofty vision of understanding the inner workings of the mind.”
- @michael_t_lawton , MD, President and CEO of Barrow Neurological Institute.
Read the full press release through the link in bio.
Today, August 17, is National Nonprofit Day, and what better way to celebrate than to meet the Barrow Neurological Foundation Team!
There’s so much that goes on behind the scenes to provide @barrowneuro with the resources to fulfill its mission of advancing #neuroscience and saving lives. Each one of our team members is integral in making this possible. Check out the programs we support through the link in bio.
#barrowneurologicalinstitute #nationalnonprofitday #philanthropymatters #neuroresearch
Receiving an Alzheimer`s diagnosis is life-changing, but it is not the end of the journey. The #AlzheimersandMemoryDisorders Program helps patients and families navigate the challenges that accompany memory disorders.
Outreach and support services in @BarrowNeuro Alzheimer`s and Memory Disorders Program are 100% funded by philanthropy, impacting over 2,000 patients and caregivers each year. Learn more by clicking the link in bio.
We are thrilled to announce that Ruchira Jha, MD, MSc, has been appointed the Atkinson Chair for Research. This chair honors Dr. Jha, division chief of Neurocritical Care and medical director of the Neurointensive Care Unit, who’s committed to performing translational research in neurotrauma and neurocritical care.
She is focused on developing individualized targets against secondary injuries to improve outcomes after #AcuteBrainInjury (ABI). Her lab focuses on multiple types of ABI seen in the #NeurocriticalCare unit, including severe brain trauma, bleeding caused by aneurysm rupture, and different types of stroke.
Congratulations, Dr. Jha, on this distinguished honor!
Plan today and protect tomorrow. This August is #NationalMakeAWillMonth, a nationwide movement to help everyone, regardless of wealth or age, create a plan for the future. Right now is a meaningful time to reflect on the people and causes that shape your life.
Through our partnership with @FreeWill , you can create or update your will in about 20 minutes and at no cost to you! Create a legacy that lasts for generations and ensure your wishes are respected. Learn more through the link in bio.
The @barrowneuro #NeuroRehabilitationCenter and the #CenterforTransitionalNeuroRehabilitation (CTN) are dedicated to helping patients regain function after complex neurological injuries.
Just like Eric’s #TraumaticBrainInjury (TBI) after being hit by a car on his bicycle. Leaving the hospital, Eric was alive, but it was the specialized therapy at Barrow Neuro-Rehabilitation Center that helped him truly start living again. Read his story by clicking the link in bio.
August is #NationalWellnessMonth and we want to shine a spotlight on the #LewisHeadacheCenter Wellness Program! Funded by philanthropy, the program offers physical therapy, yoga, mindfulness, psychology, nutrition guidance, and social work to help patients manage their headache pain.
The Center recently shared some tips on reframing stress with a growth mindset:
🧠 Acknowledge stress: Notice the physiological signs (fast heart rate, sweating) without judging them as negative.
🧠 Own it: Recognize that stress arises because you care about something.
🧠 Utilize it: Reframe the energy from stress as a tool to help you meet the challenge, rather than a symptom of breaking down.
🧠 Reflect on resilience: Write down how previous stressful events have resulted in beneficial changes or enhanced personal development.
What’s one way YOU practice wellness in your life?
Happy Throwback Thursday! Today, we’re looking back on one of Barrow’s success stories.
Meet Timothy Mathias. In 1989, Timothy was 10 years old when he was hit by a truck while riding a bicycle. This left him with a skull and spine detached from one another, a condition called occipitoatlantal dislocation. Plus, he had a golf-ball-sized blood clot pressing on his brainstem, which was considered fatal at the time. It was seemingly impossible to survive this combination of injuries.
Yet, now retired neurosurgeon Dr. Volker Sonntag, along with Dr. Robert Spetzler and Dr. Harold Rekate, were able to reattach Timothy’s skull to his spine, using a metal brace and bone marrow from his hip, and drain the life-threatening blood clot. Timothy defied the odds and made an almost complete recovery. He was able to physically walk out of the hospital.
Today, the Sonntag Spine Center continues this legacy of innovation and patient care, performing over 3,000 spine surgeries each year.
Consider making a donation to the support spine research, education, and care at the link in our bio ☝️
Share Your Story
Whether you’re a current of former patient, family member, staff member, or generous donor, we want to hear how Barrow has impacted your life. Your story will help inspire, education and provide hope to all.
