The Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s has named Emily Borchers as director of innovation.
In this role, Borchers will establish and lead the onboarding team at the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness, guiding participants through registration, assessments, and orientation. Additionally, she will lead the education and support activities at the center, and lead the research and innovation process, working with partners throughout the Parkinson’s community to develop new strategies and programs to support the center’s mission.
Borchers received her doctorate in physical therapy from Ohio State University and is currently involved in a research study investigating outcomes in people with Parkinson’s disease participating in ongoing physical therapy and multilevel group exercise classes.
In her most recent role as rehabilitation and wellness manager at Banner Alzheimer’s Institute, Borchers established and provided integrated physical therapy and group exercise classes for people with Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, and dementia. As a faculty member for Parkinson Wellness Recovery, she teaches continuing education courses for physical and occupational therapists, instructing them on how to train people with Parkinson’s to improve functional mobility, balance, and independence.
“We are fortunate to have found someone with Emily’s years of experience in improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s to join our team as director of innovation,” says Steve Annear, CEO of the Kirk Gibson Foundation for Parkinson’s. “Emily’s passion and expertise will enhance the Center’s mission and help keep us at the forefront for movement-based programs.”
When the Kirk Gibson Center for Parkinson’s Wellness opens later this year, it will be the first of its kind in Michigan. The center, which will be located at 31440 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills, will be a world-class facility where those impacted by Parkinson’s can access a range of activity-based programs, completely free of charge with no insurance required.
For more information, visit KirkGibsonFoundation.org.
