Ochsner Patient Gifts $700K to Neuroscience Institute for Ochsner Multiple Sclerosis Center

In the true spirit of the holiday season, Ochsner Health Foundation board member Desi Harrison has donated $700,000 to support the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute. Harrison’s gift will support programming and research for the Ochsner Multiple Sclerosis Center, ensuring that all Ochsner multiple sclerosis (MS) patients will continue to have access to the most innovative and cutting-edge treatment of this chronic disease. In recognition of her gift, the MS center will be named in her honor.

As an Ochsner patient currently being treated for MS, Harrison knows firsthand the challenges of living with MS and the central role that the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute plays in providing comprehensive and coordinated care. As president of the non-profit, MS Warriors for a Cause, Harrison works to provide aid, support, and education for MS patients. Her generous collaborations with Ochsner impact hundreds of patients each year by providing access to social workers and free yoga classes, as well as investing thousands of dollars and countless hours in Ochsner’s innovative research and philanthropic efforts.

“My heart is filled with gratitude for the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute and the Ochsner Multiple Sclerosis Center for helping me treat my progressive, debilitating disease,” said Harrison. “As a now retired banker, my energy has been redirected towards helping my fellow MS patients. It is my mission to give back, pay it forward and make a difference in the lives of those who suffer from MS. The compassion of my physician and her staff gives me the positive attitude I need to continue my work of supporting those who need it most.”

Harrison’s MS treatment is led by Bridget Bagert, MD, director, Ochsner Multiple Sclerosis Center, who knows firsthand how significant this donation will be to patients. “On behalf of the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute, I am so incredibly grateful to Desi for not only this monetary donation, but also for her volunteerism. She has committed so much of her time to helping other patients. Her warmth and compassion shines through as she navigates life with MS. Her gift will change and impact lives here at Ochsner and give our MS patients access to the most current treatment options and new research.”

The Ochsner Neuroscience Institute is a nationwide destination center for patients with a wide variety of neurological conditions. Our award-winning quality has earned us a national ranking of #31 of the top 50 Neurology & Neurosurgery programs by U.S. News & World Report. This year’s 2021-2022 rankings mark the 10^th consecutive year our program has been included among the nation’s best. Ochsner is the only hospital ranked in Louisiana and Mississippi. Thanks to the generosity of the donors like Harrison, the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute continues its transformational program, elevating our region, and leading the nation into a new era of advancement against brain and spine diseases.

To learn more about the Ochsner Multiple Sclerosis Center, please visit www.ochsner.org/ms. To further the cause and mission of the Ochsner Neuroscience Institute and to learn more about how you can make a difference in the lives of our patients, please visit www.ochsner.org/giving/donate.