For more than 30 years, Jeri and Marc Shapiro have been deeply committed to Baylor College of Medicine, blending personal philanthropy with steadfast volunteer leadership to advance the Institution’s mission of excellence in research, education and patient care.
Mr. Shapiro’s journey with Baylor began in the late 1980s when he joined the Board of Trustees. As a Houstonian, he recognized Baylor as the foundation of the city’s intellectual and medical landscape.
“I felt that Baylor was a cornerstone institution for Houston,” he said. “Supporting Baylor was both a way to give back to my community and an opportunity to learn from a completely different part of the world than my own career.”
Over the years, his admiration for the Institution’s work only deepened. Baylor’s leadership in basic research, particularly in the Texas Medical Center, and its commitment to innovative medicine, convinced him that supporting Baylor was both impactful and essential.
“Giving to a great institution allows you to make a lasting impact while finding real satisfaction in supporting meaningful work.”
Some of the Shapiros’ earliest gifts supported Baylor’s clinical efforts, and that initial support marked the beginning of a lifelong commitment. Together, they have since made transformative gifts, including recent support for the new Lillie and Roy Cullen Tower, which will house the School of Medicine and the School of Health Professions.
“The critical nature of this new building was apparent to both of us,” Mr. Shapiro said. “We wanted to be at the forefront of supporting it and helping Baylor prepare the next generation of medical leaders.”
Beyond financial contributions, Mr. Shapiro has devoted countless hours to service, holding roles from Trustee, Board of Advisors, Board chair and now Life Trustee. Personal experience has also shaped his dedication and knowing that Baylor can recruit nationally recognized physicians provides reassurance to the Shapiros as they consider the future.
“Having access to such exceptional care, if needed, gives you confidence,” he said. “It makes supporting Baylor even more personal and compelling.”
Mrs. Shapiro agrees, noting that Baylor’s reach extends beyond its walls. “When you see the difference Baylor physicians and researchers make in people’s lives, it’s deeply moving,” she said. “Supporting that kind of excellence gives real purpose to our giving.”
Looking ahead, Mr. Shapiro is inspired by Baylor’s trajectory.
“This institution has led breakthroughs in heart surgery, cancer treatments, transplant medicine and genomics,” he said. “Building on this legacy of innovation, the next decades could be the most remarkable in Baylor’s history.”
For those considering their first gift, Mr. Shapiro offers a simple, yet powerful perspective.
“Giving to a great institution allows you to make a lasting impact while finding real satisfaction in supporting meaningful work.”
Serving Baylor over the years has been, for Mr. Shapiro, not just a responsibility but one of the most fulfilling parts of his life. His decades of leadership, coupled with his and Mrs. Shapiro’s advocacy and philanthropy, reflect both their personal dedication and their belief in Baylor’s power to transform medicine, science and education. It’s a legacy that continues to shape Baylor today and inspire those who will inevitably follow in their footsteps.
Reflecting on their shared journey, Mrs. Shapiro added, “We’ve grown alongside Baylor in so many ways. Supporting Baylor has given us immense pride and joy—it’s been a true privilege to play even a small part in something that touches so many lives.”
