Solving the Brain’s Riddle

Bill Madar has a passion for helping people with neurological disorders. Some of his closest friends have struggled with multiple sclerosis (MS), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and Parkinson’s disease – conditions which slowly unravel the central nervous system and cause problems with coordination, balance and vision.

“A significant number of people I care for have been afflicted,” he says. "I want to support progress in our understanding of neurological diseases, our therapies and perhaps even help in finding a cure.”

'Higher Levels of Vision and Accomplishment’

As part of the establishment of a new Neurological Institute at Cleveland Clinic, Mr. Madar and his wife Amanda created the William P. and Amanda C. Madar Endowed Chair and Professorship. The Madars’ generous support will enable the future chairman of the institute to spearhead new studies and educate other physicians.

“I anticipate that a chairman with a vision to shape the institute’s goals will lead us to higher accomplishment,” Mr. Madar says.

Combined Perspectives Bolster Institute

The neurological institute will bring together physicians from related specialties to more effectively fi ght diseases affecting the nervous system. The Edward J. and Louise E. Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research will be an integral part of the new institute. Also upheld by the Madars’ generosity, the Mellen Center is one of the largest, most comprehensive MS care and research facility in the world.

Mr. Madar, the former president and CEO of industrial equipment manufacturer Nordson Corporation, compares the benefi ts of combined perspectives to the origins of chemical engineering.

“When the chemical industry found it needed the perspectives of both a chemist and a mechanical engineer, the job of a chemical engineer was born. This became integral to the chemical and electronics industry. I consider this an example for what can be achieved by combining various points of view,” he says.

“The institute, with its synergistic approach to the study of disease, will offer tremendous leverage in furthering our understanding of neurological diseases,” he adds.

Story originally featured in Catalyst, Winter 2006.