The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness Receives Grant from The Michigan Health Endowment Fund

Photo Courtesy of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

$320,000 grant will support The Center’s mission to improve access to Parkinson’s care.

(FARMINGTON HILLS, MI – January 2026) The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness (“the Center”), is proud to announce that they have received a grant from the Michigan Health Endowment (Health Fund) to support programs that improve access to Parkinson’s care through community outreach and personalized assessments. The $320,000 grant will fund efforts to ensure that those living with Parkinson’s and their care givers have access to the Center, a supportive community that offers a wide range of activity-based and educational programs, completely free of charge.

The Center opened in October in Farmington Hills,

and is the first standalone wellness center focused on Parkinson’s in the state of Michigan. The 32,000-square-foot center offers programs that focus on movement and cognitive therapy and houses the headquarters for the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s.

The Health Fund grant will improve access to Parkinson’s care to the estimated 8,000 people living with Parkinson’s in Wayne, Oakland, and Macomb counties. All programming focuses on exercise, learning, and social connection and underscores the Center’s mission, “Movement Matters”. The Center’s core programming is a series of activity-based programs that utilize the InMotion Approach^TM to provide an integrated, holistic system of wellness programs designed to counteract the symptoms of Parkinson’s and improve the quality of life of those living with the disease. Outreach efforts funded by the grant will enable the Center to connect with Metro Detroit residents living with Parkinson’s, invite them to join the Center’s community, and maximize the impact of programs and treatments through personalized assessments.

“The Kirk Gibson Center is deeply grateful to receive this new grant from the Health Fund,” said Steve Annear, CEO of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s. “With funds from the grant, we will be able to reach an even greater number of people living with Parkinson’s and fulfill Kirk Gibson’s vision for the Center as a place where members have access to resources while also building a culture and community of their own.”

The Michigan Health Endowment Fund,

works to improve the health and wellness of Michigan residents and reduce the cost of health care, with a special focus on children and older adults. You can find more information about the Health Fund at mihealthfund.org.

For more information about The Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, becoming a member or volunteer, or to support the mission, please visit: www.KirkGibsonCenter.org

About the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s:

The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s was formed by former professional baseball player and manager, Kirk Gibson, after his diagnosis with Parkinson’s disease in 2015. Gibson spent most of his career with the Tigers, but also played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates. Gibson now spends his time supporting his mission and vision of spreading awareness for Parkinson’s and providing inspiration and hope to others who are living with Parkinson’s. The foundation was originally created in 1996 to provide college scholarships to both athletes and non-athletes at Waterford Kettering and Clarkston High Schools, where Kirk’s parents, Robert and Barbara, taught for many years. After being diagnosed with Parkinson Disease in 2015, Gibson expanded the mission of the foundation to improve the quality of life for those living with Parkinson’s through the development and delivery of activity-based programs. Kirk’s vision is to provide inspiration, hope, and help to those living with Parkinson’s disease and their loved ones. Since that expansion, the foundation has raised more than $3 million towards research grants and programs to support the Parkinson’s community.

Additionally, the Foundation wants to create awareness and understanding about Parkinson’s disease. Too many individuals are in denial about the disease or fear a stigma associated with Parkinson’s and delay seeking medical help. Early diagnosis and treatment can provide years that are virtually symptom-free. It’s imperative to know that life expectancy is about the same as for people without the disease. While life will change with a Parkinson’s diagnosis, many symptoms can be managed with proper medication and movement therapies, and patients can still live an active and enjoyable life. The foundation will continue to fund and grow outreach programs as well as improve awareness through hosting special events and by increasing fundraising activities. For more information, please visit www.KirkGibsonFoundation.org