Newly Renamed, Office of Institutional Advancement Announces Reorganization

While the offices of Public Affairs and Development have long shared office space and the common goal of promoting The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, the two have been integrated and now will be known as the Office of Institutional Advancement. The new unit will include Development, Communications, Marketing and Community Relations, and Media Relations.

The consolidation of the departments into one central operation is intended to optimize efforts to publicize the health science center and to garner philanthropic support for the institution.

“By renaming and formally joining the two offices, we are demonstrating our intent to create a collaborative, focused effort to advance our institution, by presenting a positive public face to the community, encouraging the flow of communication within our schools and attracting private sector support,” said James T. Willerson, M.D., president of the health science center. “The cooperation between the departments has always existed. Now, the various divisions within Public Affairs and Development will operate under central leadership to better coordinate strategic plans.”

Randa Safady, Ph.D., vice chancellor for external relations for The University of Texas System, explained that the reorganization comes at an ideal time, between the successful conclusion of one campaign and before the start of a new fundraising initiative.

“Following the extraordinary success of the New Frontiers Campaign, President Willerson requested that we pause and reassess the potential of two key offices – Development and Public Affairs – to support the next generation of the UT Health Science Center’s strategic initiatives,” Safady said. “Integrating the two offices and recruiting highly experienced professionals to staff it will allow UT Health Science Center to build the type of fundraising and communications capacity it needs to support the important philanthropic goals of each of the schools and the vision of President Willerson.”

As part of the restructuring, several staff additions, promotions and recruiting efforts have been announced. C. Gwin Morris, Ph.D., formerly vice president for Public Affairs, has been named interim vice president for the Office of Institutional Advancement.

“Friend-raising and fund-raising are two sides of the same coin. Our mission does not change,” Morris said. “The merger allows us to focus more intentionally on advancing the mission and vision of the health science center by increasing awareness about and support for the institution.”

Advancement Services

Though what was once known as Development Operations now will be referred to as Advancement Services, the function of this division will remain the same: gift processing, prospect research, donor database management and endowment compliance.

Lisa Christison

Lisa Christison, who has worked in Development at the UT Health Science Center since 2004, has a new title and expanded role as director of advancement services.

“I am excited about the growing role of Advancement Services,” Christison said. “Much of the lifespan of a gift occurs within Advancement Services, from identifying a prospective donor to processing the contribution to monitoring and reporting on the endowments.”

The division will undergo some reorganization, according to Christison, with planned staff additions in prospect research, gift processing and database management.

“Hiring more prospect researchers will allow us to ramp up our prospect identification efforts in support of the Advancement Office’s goal to raise more funds,” Christison added.

Medical School

At the Medical School, Shernaz Boga has been named Senior Executive Director of Development and Alumni Relations. “The Medical School is extremely fortunate to have Shernaz lead our development and alumni relations program,” said Interim Dean Jerry S. Wolinsky, M.D. “I have every confidence that our school’s fundraising efforts will reach new levels under her able leadership and that she will build a strong team of experienced development staff.”

Shernaz Boga

Boga has worked at the health science center since 2002 as Executive Director of Development within the central office.

“I’m delighted to accept this position and commit to providing the very best leadership for the Medical School’s development and alumni relations program that I possibly can,” said Boga, who has worked at the Medical School on an interim basis since February. “Our top goals include increasing funding for all those key areas and staffing the development and alumni relations offices, so that we can build a strong and experienced team of fundraisers.”

Boga’s plans also include eliciting support for endowed scholarships and faculty positions, the Dean’s Excellence Fund, as well as recruitment packages for the Replacement Research Facility and the Surgical and Clinical Skills Center.

Dental Branch

A new director of development, John Greer, was hired at the Dental Branch in October.

'“Recruiting an accomplished and experienced director of development was the last step needed to build the framework of our fundraising initiative,” said Dental Branch Dean Catherine M. Flaitz, D.D.S. “John will work closely with esteemed Houston endodontist, Dr. Stephen Schwartz, who has already been recruited to chair the initiative. Together, they will generate the support that will establish a worldclass dental school in the Texas Medical Center.”

John Greer

The Dental Branch recently drew much closer to its fundraising goals for a new building, thanks to $18 million in Permanent University Funds from the UT System and $60 million in tuition revenue bonds appropriated by the 79th Texas Legislature. New construction to replace the current six-story building, established in 1955, is estimated to cost $90 million.

“The search committee was pleased that John brought a broad range of experience to the table, including a background in sports broadcasting and athletic marketing and fundraising at Rice University,” Flaitz said. “John’s most recent position, as director of major gifts at St. Joseph Hospital Foundation in Houston, demonstrates his desire to use his talent for the advancement of health care. We are pleased that he will continue to do just that for the UT Dental Branch.”

According to Flaitz, Greer’s transition into the director’s role will be a smooth one with the help of Jerre Iversen, the newly named senior development advisor for the Dental Branch. Iversen has spent the past few months laying the groundwork for the future campaign, which has included meeting with key supporters of the school and drafting a comprehensive campaign plan. “

John Greer and Jerre Iversen have the drive and experience to be a winning team for the Dental Branch,” Flaitz added.

Other Changes

Several director of development position openings are posted and involve each of the schools of the health science center.

Another position, assistant vice president for fundraising and advancement programs, is being recruited for the Office of Institutional Advancement.

No restructuring has occurred in the departments of Communications, Media Relations, or Marketing and Community Relations. A campus-wide audit of all internal and external communications efforts and products is planned and should be completed sometime in early 2007. Recommendations of the audit then will be integrated into the restructuring strategy for these departments.

By Wendy K. Mohon, Institutional Advancement