KNOXVILLE , Tenn., Jan. 22, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- During the SEC "We Back Pat" Lady Vols basketball game officials of The Pat Summitt Foundation presented a check for $400,000 to representatives of The University of Tennessee Medical Center. The presentation, which took place on "The Summitt" court at Thompson-Boling Arena, marks fulfillment of the first year of the Foundation's grant support of the milestone initiative to establish The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic.
The Foundation presented their initial grant of $100,000 in January 2015 to The University of Tennessee Medical Center to launch this effort. The Foundation has made a commitment to raise $500,000 per year over the next five years - $2.5 million - to support the Clinic's operation and services.
"On behalf of so many who have been impacted by Alzheimer's disease, we are very grateful for our ongoing partnership with the Pat Summitt Foundation to form the Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic," said Joe Landsman, president and CEO of The University of Tennessee Medical Center. "We have completed the design and will begin construction later this year of a new facility to serve patients and their families through diagnosis, treatment, care giver support, and community education. We are thankful to everyone who has generously contributed to make this dream a reality."
The American Alzheimer's Association's 2014 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures report that more than 120,000 senior citizens in Tennessee faced Alzheimer's disease in 2010, a 20% increase from a decade prior. By the year 2025, more than 160,000 Tennesseans are expected to have Alzheimer's disease. UT Medical Center projects the need for Alzheimer's related services for patients and caregivers here in East Tennessee is expected to double from their current capacity of 3,000 to 6,000 in the next five years.
A key step in the launch of The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic, according to foundation and medical center representatives, is to recruit and retain a full-time medical director with national recognition for work in both treating and researching Alzheimer's disease. The search is currently underway for the medical director who will lead the development of the Clinic including recruitment of other clinicians and researchers to advance its scope and impact.
"Mom and I are excited and proud that the Foundation has fulfilled the first year of the five-year funding commitment to our strategic partner, The University of Tennessee Medical Center," said Tyler Summitt. "We are thrilled that the work to create The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic will begin this year. Through our partnership with the UT Medical Center, we will be able to provide care for many more East Tennessee patients and families and also expand clinical research trials focused on finding a cure."
Pat and the Foundation's leadership are committed to aggressively raise funds to fulfill her vision and support this milestone initiative. Pat is inviting individuals, corporations, and foundations to help with this battle by joining her team and making a contribution to The Pat Summitt Foundation. For more information visit www.patsummitt.org to learn about the many ways to give or get involved.
About The Pat Summitt Foundation
The Pat Summitt Foundation, a Fund of East Tennessee Foundation, was established by Pat Summitt in November 2011. Dedicated to winning the fight against Alzheimer's disease, its mission is to award grants to exemplary non-profit organizations that advance research for treatment and a cure, provide support for patients and caregivers, and educate the public on Alzheimer's disease.
In January 2015, The Pat Summitt Foundation formed a strategic partnership with the University of Tennessee Medical Center in Knoxville, TN to create The Pat Summitt Alzheimer's Clinic. The Foundation launched a 5-year, $2.5 million fundraising campaign to help establish the Clinic. To learn more please visit www.patsummitt.org, like us on Facebook.com/patsummittfoundation, and follow us on Twitter: @webackpat.
About University of Tennessee Medical Center
The mission of The University of Tennessee Medical Center, the region's only hospital to achieve status as a Magnet® recognized organization, is to serve through healing, education and discovery. UT Medical Center, a 609-bed, not-for-profit academic medical center, serves as a referral center for Eastern Tennessee, Southeast Kentucky and Western North Carolina. The medical center, the region's only Level I Trauma Center, is one of the largest employers in Knoxville. For more information about The University of Tennessee Medical Center, visit online at www.utmedicalcenter.org.
A photo accompanying this release is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=38591
