From Melissa Ceriale, Chair of the Development Committee, Montefiore Medicine Board of Trustees
Two years ago, the Montefiore School Health Program (MSHP) team identified a problem. Their founding vision of integrating comprehensive health services into every public school setting in the Bronx was well underway—but they were outgrowing their infrastructure. MSHP found a partner in the Jeffrey H. and Shari L. Aronson Family Foundation.
The Aronson Family Foundation provided funding for initiatives such as hiring qualified staff, expanding our school-based health clinic network, propelling enrollment rates, and guiding long-term sustainability. Today, Rosy Chhabra, Psy.D., is leading MSHP to become a model for school health nationwide.
Identifying and solving problems is a trend across Montefiore and Einstein. Harvey Karp, M.D. ’75, came up with an ingenious solution to reduce the rate of sudden infant death syndrome, fueled by the compassionate learning he experienced while at Einstein. My fellow trustee David B. Keidan partnered with Emad Eskandar, M.D., to support innovations in neurological surgery across Montefiore and Einstein. When you walk across our campuses, read our publications, and speak with our students, faculty, and clinicians, you will see such problems—and solutions!—at every corner.
As chair of the development committee within the Montefiore Medicine Board of Trustees, I hope to inspire problem-solving through philanthropy. From giving Einstein students opportunity through scholarships to fueling life-changing research to combating social issues in our community and around the world, every contribution—of dollars, of mentorship, of research, of clinical commitment—supports a solution. Montefiore and Einstein model what it means to be thoughtful stewards of such investment.
While we’ve accomplished a lot, there’s still so much we can do. I support Montefiore and Einstein through my time and philanthropy. What’s your solution?
With gratitude,
Melissa Ceriale
Melissa Ceriale, development committee chair, Montefiore Medicine Board of Trustees
Melissa Ceriale, development committee chair, Montefiore Medicine Board of Trustees 
