NEOMED FOUNDATION
Toward an even brighter future
The NEOMED Foundation is a 501(c)(3) independent, not-for-profit, tax-exempt organization that supports NEOMED’s mission, including its research, educational and charitable purposes by encouraging and accepting philanthropic gifts to further University goals.
Founded in 1978 as the Medical Education Foundation, the foundation accomplishes its mission through advocacy, fundraising, community outreach, investment management and stewardship of resources. The foundation is led by a board of directors with experience in health care, community and business.
Foundation staff
Sophie Sureau
Vice President for Advancement
Lindsay Anderson
Executive Administrative Assistant and Board Liaison
330-325-6671
landerson1@neomed.edu
Nicole Hawk
Sr. Director of Principal Gifts
330-325-6899
nhawk@neomed.edu
Shirley Leonard
Sr. Director of Principal Gifts
330-325-6674
sleonard1@neomed.edu
Peggy Irwin
Sr. Director of Development for Corporate and Foundation Relations
330-325-6623
pirwin@neomed.edu
Craig Eynon
Director, Annual and Foundation Giving
330-325-6663
ceynon@neomed.edu
Advancement Services
Sarah Starr Zechman
Director of Advancement Services
330-325-6667
sstarrzechman@neomed.edu
Megan Tope
Assistant Director of Prospect Management, Research and Reporting
330-325-6683
mtope@neomed.edu
Christine Anderson
Advancement Services Coordinator
canderson1@neomed.edu
Alumni
Carrie Circosta
Sr. Director, Alumni Relations and Major Gifts
330-325-6664
ccircosta@neomed.edu
Laura De’Armond Szucs
Director, Alumni and Donor Engagement
330-325-6653
Ldearmondszucs@neomed.edu
Board of Directors
Fiscal Year 2026
PRESIDENT
Sophie Sureau
President, NEOMED Foundation
DIRECTORS
Virginia D. Banks, M.D.
E. Douglas Beach, Ph.D.
Spencer Crocker
Deborah L. Grinstein, J.D. | Chair, Committee on Directors
David J. Konik, CPA | Vice Chair & Treasurer, Chair Investment & Finance Comm.
Rajiv B. Lapasia, M.D., (’00) | Chair, Development Committee
Mark S. Lerner | Board Chair
Jeffrey Monteith, M.D. (’06)
Mark A. Mosley, J.D. | Immediate Past Chair
Rob Nestico, J.D.
Ian S. Oppenheim, Esq.
Kathleen S. Padgitt, M.D., FACP (’89) | Secretary
Rajiv Taneja, D.M.D.
Melissa Watson
Harold A. White, M.D. (’84)
Ex Officio (voting)
Matt Smith, M.S., Ph.D. (’14), President, NEOMED Alumni Board
Emeritus Members (non-voting)
Erwin A. Maseelall, M.D.
James L. Pazol, J.D.
Samuel Roth
More
Contact
NEOMED Advancement,
NEOMED Foundation
330.325.6662
philanthropy@neomed.edu