Philanthropy News
“Alzheimer’s disease is
extremely important because
of our aging population.
We know very little about it
and have no magic drug to
prevent or even alter it.”
— B. JOE WILDER, MD
When Gainesville native Dr. B. Joe Wilder decided to pursue
medical school in the early 1950s, the University of Florida
would have been his first choice — except the UF College of
Medicine did not open until 1956.
Instead, Wilder left his hometown to earn his medical degree
at Duke University, serve two years in the U.S. Army Medical
Corps and complete surgical residency training at the Coral
Gables Veterans Affairs Hospital.
But Wilder’s professional journey eventually led him back
to UF, where he returned in 1962 to begin his neurological
training and later joined the neurology faculty. Wilder, an
emeritus professor of neurology and neuroscience, retired in
1994 as chief of the neurology service.
More than 20 years later, he and his wife, Eve, remain
passionate about neurology research in areas like
neurophysiology, epilepsy and memory-related disorders.
Understanding the growing urgency for a breakthrough
in research for diseases like Alzheimer’s, which places
a heavy burden on patients and caretakers alike, the
couple established the B.J. and Eve Wilder Professorship in
Alzheimer’s Disease at the University of Florida.
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“Alzheimer’s disease is extremely important because of our
aging population,” Wilder said. “We know very little about it,
and we have no magic drug to prevent or even alter it.”
The UF College of Medicine professorship — the third to
be funded by the Wilders’ charitable organization, The B.J.
and Eve Wilder Family Foundation Inc. — reinforces the
Wilders’ desire for finding a cure for neurological diseases.
Previously, the couple formed The B.J. and Eve Wilder Center
for Excellence in Epilepsy Research at the McKnight Brain
Institute of UF.
The Wilders hope the latest professorship will spawn
innovative clinical and translational research in Alzheimer’s
and dementia, leading to future treatments, therapies and
ultimately — a cure.
“We’re looking forward to the future development of this
department. It has had such a wonderful history and has
really grown under Dr. Michael Okun (MD ’96),” Wilder said.
“We love the University of Florida, and it has been a wonderful
experience to be affiliated with the university since 1962.”
A winding path for a cure
BY LAUREN IRIZARRY
1
PHOTO BY MINDY C. MILLER
Dr. and Mrs. B. Joe Wilder continue to build a path for neurological research at the University of Florida.