Dr. Abraham Lieberman is retiring this month after three decades at Barrow Neurological Institute.

Dr. Lieberman was Muhammad Ali’s neurologist and encouraged him to become the face of the fight against Parkinson’s disease. Their bond led to the founding of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center at Barrow in 1997.

Dr. Lieberman treated more than 40,000 patients during his 50 years as a practicing neurologist and is regarded as one of the world’s foremost experts on Parkinson’s disease.

An AZCentral story reflected on Lieberman’s career, his relationship with the boxing legend, and the formation of the Muhammad Ali Parkinson Center.

Full story: How a Phoenix neurologist persuaded Muhammad Ali to become face of Parkinson’s disease