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NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center has announced a new leadership structure for the fundraising units in the Development Office. Patricia Gutter, Director of Major Gifts for NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, will be joined in the leadership role by Christine Meola, who has been appointed Director of Development. In this new structure, Ms. Gutter and Ms. Meola will work to ensure the overall success of the Medical Center's development efforts.

The breadth of the activities of Development and the importance of philanthropy in achieving our mission cannot be overstated. I am pleased to have two seasoned professionals co-leading the effort under the direction of Larry Schafer, said Dr. Antonio M. Gotto, the Stephen and Suzanne Weiss Dean of Weill Cornell Medical College.

These sentiments were echoed by Dr. Herbert Pardes, President and Chief Executive Officer of NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. The Hospital has had tremendous success breaking new ground on medical frontiers. That success was incumbent on our securing philanthropy from our friends, both old and new, said Dr. Pardes. Pat has already made significant contributions toward that effort, and I look forward to continuing to work with her and with Christine as we go forward.

Larry Schafer, Vice President and Vice Provost of Development, commented, The expansion of needs for the Hospital and the College makes this new structure incredibly sensible. I am gratified that I was able to draw on inside talent, as well as a qualified new recruit to lead the reorganization. During her five-year tenure here, Pat has been a strong fundraiser and manager of the major gifts team. There could be no more fitting candidate to lead major gift fundraising than she. Christine brings strong organizational and systems development skills, as well as a solid track record in fundraising. They will be a dynamic team.

Patricia Gutter

As Director of Major Gifts, Patricia Gutter will continue to oversee all major gift activities for the NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital downtown site and Weill Cornell Medical College. The Major Gifts team is responsible for identifying, cultivating, and stewarding prospects and donors of $100,000 and above, which account for approximately eighty percent of all funds raised by both the Medical College and the Hospital.

During her tenure at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell, Ms. Gutter has been the driving force behind many major initiatives, including The Jay Monahan Center for Gastrointestinal Health, the Roberts Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, and numerous endowments and multi-million dollar gifts. Previously, Ms. Gutter was an Associate Group Manager for United Way of New York City, and prior to that, a pension consultant for Mutual of America in New York City. She holds an M.S.W. from Fordham University Graduate School of Social Service and a B.A. from the College of Mount Saint Vincent. She is a member of Toastmasters International and the New York Road Runners Club. She is married with four children and lives in Leonia, New Jersey.

Christine Meola

As Director of Development, Christine Meola will oversee Corporate and Foundation Giving, Planned Giving, Communications, Special Events, and Fundraising Programs, which includes special gifts, annual giving, direct mail, cultivation and stewardship, and prospect development. In addition, she will also maintain a select portfolio of major gift prospects. Previously, Ms. Meola was Assistant Vice President for Development at Fordham University (Bronx, NY).

In her position at Fordham University, Ms. Meola directed university-wide fundraising initiatives, including major gifts, gift planning, corporate and foundation relations, and donor relations. Previously, she served as Director of Anniversary Class Giving and Director of Counseling Career Services at Manhattan College (Riverdale, NY), and she also volunteered as Director of Development at the Preeclampsia Foundation (Seattle, WA). Ms. Meola is also past president of the New York State Cooperative Experiential Education Association. She holds an M.A. in Sociology and a B.A. in Psychology from Fordham University, and is a member of several professional organizations, including the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). Ms. Meola resides in Manhattan and has one son.

Both Ms. Meola and Ms. Gutter will work closely with Hospital and College leadership as well as Jay Angeletti, Director of the Hospital campaign, and Mindy Miller, Director of the College campaign to solicit donors, develop strategies, and manage fundraising initiatives.

Medical College Capital Campaign

Launched in early 2002, Advancing the Clinical Mission has raised more than $470 million toward its goal, including a total of $150 million in gifts from Sanford and Joan Weill and Maurice and Corinne Greenberg. It is the second of three phases of Weill Cornell Medical College's capital campaign. Phase One, titled the Strategic Plan for Research, was successfully completed in 1999 and generated $316 million in gifts toward advancing Weill Cornell's research mission.

The Medical College's second phase of its Campaign comprises several key components, including new and enhanced clinical programs, recruitment of new faculty, endowment for funds for students and faculty, infrastructure upgrades, and renovated facilities. The Campaign seeks to fulfill its $750 million goal by December 2006.

Hospital Capital Campaign

The Hospital campaign focuses on both expansion of the Hospital's facilities and the recruitment of additional physicians. In addition to key inpatient services, major new ambulatory care programs on both campuses are a significant focus of expansion. Several key elements of the Campaign are the construction of ambulatory care facilities, operating rooms, new neuro-intensive care units, and a new MRI building to meet the growing demand for imaging technology. Other elements include a staff expansion of new service chiefs and additional physicians in key subspecialty areas. NewYork-Presbyterian aims to meet its goal of $1 billion by 2010.