Each year, donors participate in unique opportunities that align with the annual giving society’s four pillars: education, advocacy, volunteering, and giving.

Baylor College of Medicine’s annual giving society, The Partnership, brings together deeply committed supporters who actively work to help power the future of health. In 2022, The Partnership recognized 1,206 individuals and organizations who gave $1,000 or more cumulatively to Baylor during the year.

Partnership contributions help further Baylor’s mission. Last year, the group’s generosity supported Baylor School of Medicine’s new regional campus in Temple, Texas, and supported COVID-19 research. Partnership support also advanced patient care-specific programs and research. Download The Partnership brochure.

President’s Circle Reception

Donors Support Baylor in Tackling One of Tomorrow’s Biggest Health Challenges

A global problem is looming on the horizon: the waning effectiveness of antibiotics, one of the greatest triumphs of modern medicine. The rise of drug-resistant bacteria and their potential to cause rampant infections are a real threat – and a challenge Baylor is committed to addressing.

Anthony Maresso, Ph.D., the Joseph L. Melnick Chair of Virology and associate professor in the Department of Molecular Virology and Microbiology at Baylor College of Medicine, shared his solution with over 30 members of the President’s Circle, the premier group within The Partnership, Baylor’s giving society. At a gathering at the home of Kimberly and David Dominy, Dr. Maresso indicated that by 2050, as many as 10 million people per year may die from multiple drug-resistant bacterial infections worldwide.

Dr. Maresso and his team in Baylor’s Tailored Antibacterials and Innovative Laboratories for phage Research (TAILФR) are harnessing the power of a unique class of viruses, known as bacteriophages, to combat the rise of drug-resistant bacteria and provide personalized treatments for infections. As a spinoff of this work, the new biotech venture PHIOGEN launched in 2023, a world-first technology platform that mobilizes the natural power of bacteriophages to tackle critical and life-threatening infections.

In attendance were Lawrence and Linda Levy, donor advisors of the Levy-Longenbaugh Fund, who are passionate about innovative research and directed a donation of $250,000 from the Fund to support Dr. Maresso’s TAILФR initiative. To learn more about this initiative, see Science + Start-ups = Better Health.

Partnership In Action

On The Frontline

Donors Inspired By Baylor’s Work to Treat Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s Diseases

Neurodegenerative disease is a daunting challenge for patients and their caregivers. Baylor’s Joshua M. Shulman, M.D., Ph.D., and Damian Young, Ph.D., are working to ease those challenges for people living with Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s diseases.

Baylor’s On The Frontline speaker series featured Dr. Shulman, director of the Baylor Center for Alzheimer’s and Neurodegenerative Diseases (CAND), and Dr. Young, associate director of the Center for Drug Discovery at Baylor, where they shared with over 170 Baylor donors and friends the challenges of progressive neurodegenerative diseases, the potential for personalized treatment with precision therapies and the importance of philanthropy in advancing this vital work. Guests also heard from two patient families who shared how Baylor’s research helped them better navigate these diseases. Hosted by Baylor President, CEO and Executive Dean Paul Klotman, M.D., the event was generously supported by The Partnership. Inspired by the work being accomplished at Baylor, the ZESS Fund generously pledged $100,000 to support the CAND.

Guests also heard from two patient families who shared how Baylor’s research helped them better navigate these diseases.

Hosted by Baylor President, CEO and Executive Dean Paul Klotman, M.D., the event was generously supported by The Partnership. Inspired by the work being accomplished at Baylor, the ZESS Fund generously pledged $100,000 to support the CAND. Hear two patient stories from On The Frontline or make a gift in support of this work.

We invite you to become part of this dedicated group of supporters and enjoy behind-the-scenes opportunities to learn from and engage with Baylor’s top minds. More importantly, your giving helps improve health for people locally and around the world.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Partnership and College leadership hosted President’s Circle donors at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as a special show of gratitude for their generous giving. Donors got to cheer on Baylor in the chuck wagon races and enjoy a night of food, fun and music from the award-winning country artist Luke Bryan.

Cookies and Conversation

In a virtual discussion with Partnership donors, Sharmila Anandasabapathy, M.D., professor of medicine in Gastroenterology and vice president of Global Health, shared how Baylor is developing innovative technologies to better diagnose and manage disease in underserved communities around the world. Conversation attendees received Tiff’s Treats cookies delivered directly to them to enjoy during the presentation.

Food for Finals

In December, volunteers with The Partnership hosted the fall Food for Finals to show appreciation and support for Baylor students. Amy Waldorf, Partnership volunteer chair, and others served more than 200 students pizza during the week of exams.

“The students were so gracious and kind to us and each other. It was truly an honor to be there,” Ms. Waldorf said. “Knowing we made their day just a little better makes it all worth it.”

Students shared their gratitude for the event, which helped them better focus on their studies and provided opportunity to reconnect with friends and peers.

“Food and socialization mean a lot at this stage,” one student commented. “It helps us out mental health-wise, so thank you for your kindness. It has a good impact.”