UnityPoint Health – Meriter Foundation
It begins with our vision:
A healthy community for everyone.
Today, and every day, we live our mission:
Improve the health of the people and communities we serve through inspired giving.
Our vision and mission inspire us to meet the needs in our region that are often overlooked. We partner with donors to support access to high-quality healthcare for patients and neighbors who need us, and to provide a standard of excellence in healthcare quality, safety and service that would not be possible without you. Together, we care for our caregivers, patients and our community.
All funds raised through Meriter Foundation support the various innovative and community-based programs at UnityPoint Health – Meriter, Dane County's community health system. Meriter Foundation does not make direct grants to external organizations.
Who We Are
A not-for-profit, tax exempt 501(c)3 organization, UnityPoint Health – Meriter Foundation is the charitable arm of UnityPoint Health – Meriter, an integrated health system providing a full range of coordinated care to patients and families in Madison, Dane County and the surrounding communities across south-central Wisconsin.
In addition to raising money to support patient care, clinical excellence, medical research and education programs, the Foundation has an internal grant-making function. Meriter Foundation utilizes investment proceeds to benefit our patients, families, our providers and staff at Meriter entities. The Foundation holds funds classified according to the wishes of the donor. These include funds that are permanently restricted (endowments), temporarily restricted (to be used for a particular purpose or time frame) and unrestricted (to be used where there is the greatest need).
Fundraising operations include major gifts, annual giving, special events, grants, and planned giving programs. The Foundation considers its stewardship obligations to be the driving force for all operations. Good stewardship assures donors that their gifts are appreciated, being used as the donor intended, and are making a difference.
UnityPoint Health – Meriter Foundation Board of Directors
The UnityPoint Health – Meriter Foundation Board of Directors is composed of a diverse group of community leaders from a wide range of disciplines with a tremendous depth of expertise. These directors commit their time and talents to overseeing the philanthropic and operational activities of Meriter Foundation.
- Bobby Adamov, Chair
Vice President, Commercial Rare Disease Exact Sciences - Mary Cullen, Vice Chair
Asset Manager The Alexander Company - Diego Campoverde Cisneros, Secretary
Manager, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion UW Health - Matt Vanderloo, Treasurer and Finance Chair
CEO and Principal SVA Certified Public Accountants - James Arnett
President & CEO, UnityPoint Health – Meriter - Holly Berkenstadt, Immediate Past Vice Chair
Community Advocate - Tricia Braun
Director of Client Strategies JP Cullen - Sherry Casali, RN, MSN
Chief Nursing Executive & Vice President of Patient Care UnityPoint Health – Meriter - Rebecca Dopart
President, UnityPoint Health – Meriter Foundation - Gabe Javier
Associate Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs – Identity and Inclusion University of Wisconsin-Madison - Jeffrey Levy, Immediate Past Secretary & Treasurer)
Vice President Phillips Distributing Corporation - Chas Martin
Broker/Agent Sprinkman Real Estate - Matt Messinger
Executive Director Wisconsin Center for Education Products and Services - Tina Noel
Community Advocate - Katie Schmitt, MD
Medical Director, Child & Adolescent Psychiatry UnityPoint Health – Meriter - John Sims, Immediate Past Chair
Vice President, The Private Client Reserve U.S. Bank - Alia Stevenson
Chief Programs Officer, Black Women's Wellness - Tony Sullivan
Project Executive – Healthcare, J.H Findorff & Son Inc. - Mai Zong Vue
Board President, The Hmong Institute - Pam Wetzel, MD
Chief Medical Officer, UnityPoint Health – Meriter
UnityPoint Health – Meriter Foundation Team
Meriter Foundation History
More than a century ago, Meriter and its predecessor hospitals (Methodist Hospital and Madison General Hospital) were founded by a group of caring, committed philanthropists, dedicated to providing comprehensive and affordable health care to a growing community. Today, the passionate team at Meriter Foundation proudly carries on this important work.