Join Us for the Next Development Board Meeting to Meet Our New

Chief Development Officer

Dear UTMB Development Board Member,

The University of Texas Medical Branch is pleased to announce that James D. Gallo has been hired as the university’s new vice president and chief development officer. His first day with UTMB will be July 8, 2024.

James brings with him a wealth of experience in dynamic fundraising operations. (Read more about James below.) He plans on attending the Development Board meeting on June 7, 2024, where you will have a chance to meet him and welcome him to the university. The annual meeting will be held from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm in our Health Education Center.

The meeting is also your chance to learn more about the exciting things happening at UTMB. It will include an update on our continued forward momentum from UTMB President Dr. Jochen Reiser, interactive sessions on patient simulation technologies, an insight into the university’s pioneering use of artificial intelligence and a report on progress being made throughout our research enterprise. Time is running out!

Click here today to secure your registration to this year’s mee ting.

Our New Vice President and Chief Development Officer James D. Gallo

James D. Gallo has been appointed Vice President and Chief Development Officer at UTMB Health. James is a visionary leader with extensive expertise and a proven history of fostering collaborative leadership and strategic direction for a comprehensive, university-wide advancement program.

As VP and CDO, James will lead the Development team as it grows and strengthens philanthropic support, alumni and community relationships and the university's reputation. In addition, he has executive responsibility over planning, implementation, and administration of a comprehensive fundraising program that aligns with university values and priorities to ensure a strong base of financial support for all missions--academic, research, clinical and innovation. James brings nearly two decades of development experience to UTMB. Most recently, he was Vice Chancellor for University Advancement at The City University of New York (CUNY), where he led efforts in developing new fundraising streams and forging relationships with corporate and philanthropic foundations and private donors.

Prior to CUNY, James worked at UCLA, Cornell, the University of Chicago and Dartmouth and has a demonstrated acumen for identifying and engaging potential donors and building innovative, efficient, effective fundraising strategies. He earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Dartmouth College. Welcome James!

UTMB's Latest Accomplishments

With Dr. Jochen Reiser’s arrival, UTMB is elevating activities across our four mission areas: providing the best patient care to our growing communities, educating the health care workforce of the future, advancing biomedical sciences, and promoting a culture of innovation. Below are some of the accomplishments in each of those areas.

UTMB Neurologist Receives Niekro Foundation Award

Dr. Hashem Shaltoni, a UTMB neurologist and professor, was among three local clinicians honored with a Patient's Choice Award during the 2024 Joe Niekro Foundation's 2024 Knuckle Ball Gala. He was nominated by Billy Plite, who credits Dr. Shaltoni with saving his life after an aneurysm.

Click here to read more.

UTMB Makes History with First Robotic Lobectomies

UTMB made a significant breakthrough in thoracic surgery when Dr. Roman Petrov, a Division of Cardiothoracic Surgery professor, successfully performed the first robotic lobectomies in the U.S. using a single surgical incision.

Click here to read more.

UTMB Medical Student Named All of Us Research Scholar

Hannah Luk, a UTMB John Sealy School of Medicine student, was named a student researcher for the All of Us Research Scholar Program. The program pairs early-career investigators with health research professionals and gives students access to data and training in programming using machine learning in research.

Click here to read more.

Giving News

The Baileys Create Lasting Legacy with Endowed Scholarship

Dr. and Mrs. Charles Bailey recently made a commitment to establish the Charles William Bailey, MD, JD Class of ’41 & Charles William Bailey, Jr., MD, JD Class of ’67 Presidential Scholarship in the John Sealy School of Medicine. The Bailey Presidential Scholarship will support students entering their fourth year of medical school with a preference for those who intend to practice family medicine. For the younger Dr. Bailey, born on the island while his father was in medical school, the gift is a reflection of his kinship—what he calls a spiritual connection—both to UTMB and to the Galveston community. As a member of the Development Board, Dr. Bailey sees his generosity as an engine of opportunity for tomorrow’s family medicine specialists.

For questions or assistance, please contact

Wendy O'Donohoe, Senior Director of Development, 409-747-8363 or email weodonoh@utmb.edu.