Building on its generosity to the Brigham, the Flatley Foundation has made its largest commitment yet for two important efforts: research studies that will improve care for neurologic diseases and a program that supports women who are pregnant and facing housing insecurity.

A portion of the foundation’s gift fuels innovative studies to expand knowledge and develop treatments for multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Parkinson’s disease, and brain tumors—led by the Brigham’s Ann Romney Center for Neurologic Diseases within the Department of Neurology.

“The Flatley Foundation is an enormously important partner in our efforts,” says Howard L. Weiner, MD, the center’s co-director and the Kroc Professor of Neurology. “They’re giving us flexibility to use this funding for research with the greatest potential for treatments and cures.”

Weiner and his co-director, Dennis J. Selkoe, MD, the Coates Professor of Neurologic Diseases, guide teams of scientists creating promising new therapies. For example, clinical trials of a nasal vaccine produced by the center have shown improvements for patients with progressive multiple sclerosis, and now they are testing this therapy for Alzheimer’s disease and ALS.

“Support from the Flatley Foundation has impacted nearly every crucial experiment, program, and project we have underway,” Selkoe says.

With its latest philanthropic commitment, the foundation is also increasing support for the Bridges to Moms program. Led by Roseanna Means, MD, the program provides resources for women who are homeless or housing insecure and rely on the Brigham for obstetrics care during their pregnancies. An expert team of community health workers helps patients with housing, transportation to appointments, food security, personal safety, and community resources. The program collaborates with obstetricians, pediatricians, social workers, behavioral health clinicians, and primary care providers to improve the long-term health of participants and their babies.

“The Flatley Foundation has been a remarkable advocate for Bridges to Moms, helping to increase prenatal clinic attendance and improve birth outcomes,” says Means, an attending physician in the Division of Women’s Health. “What we’re doing to support women during pregnancy and the first year of their child’s life is making a difference, and we’re extremely grateful to the foundation for helping families in the Greater Boston community.”