Capitol News

Researchers, community members, students, and officials marked a pivotal moment as work commenced on the 335,000-square-foot research facility in Detroit.

The Gilbert Family Foundation also celebrated the groundbreaking of the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute. The event featured collaboration and a visit from Michigan State University mascot, Sparty, as hundreds gathered to recognize the start of construction on the Henry Ford Health + Michigan State University Health Sciences Research Center in the New Center neighborhood.

Work on the $335 million research facility — a hallmark of the 30-year partnership between Henry Ford Health and Michigan State University (MSU) — officially began in late May. The health sciences research center is the first physical embodiment of this partnership and aims to further enable groundbreaking discoveries and translational research. A key focus is closing the gap in healthcare outcomes based on race, ethnicity, gender, and socioeconomic status. It is MSU’s largest research facility, designed to house more than 80 principal investigator teams.

“When Michigan State and Henry Ford first embarked on this partnership, we knew and believed in what was possible,” said Kevin M. Guskiewicz, Ph.D., president of MSU. “Now, our health sciences research is unified under the partnership; we have the top-funded women’s health research program in the nation, and our researchers have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make discoveries that will definitively improve lives.”

The research center is a foundational component of Future of Health: Detroit, a $3 billion development involving Henry Ford Health, MSU, Tom Gores, and the Detroit Pistons aimed at redefining health and well-being for Detroit's community. The development will include a major Henry Ford Hospital expansion alongside mixed-income housing and retail development by the Detroit Pistons.

“I am so energized not only by the life-changing research already happening within the partnership but also by what more we can accomplish together inside this cutting-edge research center,” said Bob Riney, president and CEO of Henry Ford Health. “We have a unique opportunity to impact the health of our diverse population through collective research while serving as a national model for university-healthcare collaboration.”

Located on Third Street across from the Henry Ford Detroit Pistons Performance Center, the new facility will:

- Include 335,000 square feet over seven stories of state-of-the-art laboratory space;

- Expand research in areas such as cancer, neuroscience, immunology, hypertension;

- Provide advanced technology to recruit top researchers nationwide.

The center will also house the Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI), devoted to researching neurofibromatosis (NF), a rare genetic disorder causing tumors along nerve pathways. NGNRI is named after Dan and Jennifer Gilbert's late son Nick Gilbert. Through their Gilbert Family Foundation and NF Forward nonprofit organization they have invested over $125 million into NF research.

“Nick fought this terrible disease his entire life,” said Dan Gilbert. “His optimistic spirit never wavered as he became an example for what we expect from this institute as it battles to find a cure for NF from right here in downtown Detroit.”

“Michigan has long been a hub for exciting life sciences and medical innovation,” said Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II. “This collaboration between Henry Ford Health and MSU is transformative and builds on our innovative heritage.” He added that Gov. Whitmer’s administration remains committed to building Michigan’s future through such partnerships.

Local leaders praised efforts to fight health disparities while improving access to healthcare services.

“Detroiters deserve world-class medical treatment starting with world-class research,” said Mayor Mike Duggan. “When it opens in 2027 this new facility will help close gaps in health outcomes based on race ethnicity income."

“Having served District 5 residents for over a decade I understand advancing initiatives that improve healthcare," said City Council President Mary Sheffield representing District 5."This partnership delivers world-class healthcare right here."