What motivates philanthropists to give? Throughout my decades-long career, those reasons—from the personal to the visionary and beyond—have always moved me. When I came to Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Health System at the end of 2020 as the new senior vice president of development and chief philanthropy officer, hearing from so many generous and passionate Einstein supporters confirmed what I had long known: Einstein is a special place, made more so by the people who hold it so close to their hearts.
This devotion is evident in the latest issue of Motivations. You will read about John Braver, M.D., from Einstein’s Class of 1970, who joined forces with fellow alumnus Gordon F. Tomaselli, M.D. ’82, the Marilyn and Stanley M. Katz Dean at Einstein and executive vice president and chief academic officer at Montefiore, to fund the renovation of the Education Center in the Forchheimer Building. You’ll learn how UJA-Federation of New York has partnered with Einstein to care for Holocaust survivors coping with the COVID-19 pandemic. And you’ll take a look inside the emerging Blood Cancer Institute, where researchers are gaining crucial knowledge about the causes of blood cancers and more-effective treatments for them.
In this issue we also pay tribute to one of the most inspiring humanitarians I’ve had the honor of knowing, however briefly: the late Roger W. Einiger. A committed chair of the Board of Trustees and notable thought leader, Mr. Einiger created a legacy for Einstein that will forever fill chapters of Einstein’s history—and indeed, our future.
The Einstein community is exceptional, composed of dynamic individuals motivated to make the world a better place. That mission binds us all through our vocations, volunteerism, and philanthropy.
As our namesake said, “Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile.” That philosophy guided Albert Einstein in his brilliant work and still guides many of us here today. With that, I’ll open up the conversation: What motivates you to give?
With gratitude,
Kathleen Kearns
Kathleen Kearns 
