From left: Leonard Girardi (M.D. ’96), Barry Fried and Dr. Richard Devereux
Barry Fried’s decision to make a generous planned gift to endow student scholarships at Weill Cornell Medicine grew from a simple realization: The doctors who saved his life are also busy training tomorrow’s heart specialists.
Mr. Fried’s $10.2 million bequest will support scholarships for medical students pursuing careers in cardiology. The gift was made in honor of his medical heroes: Dr. Richard Devereux, director of the Adult Echocardiography Laboratory and professor of medicine at Weill Cornell Medicine; and Leonard Girardi (M.D. ’96), chair of the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, the O. Wayne Isom Professor of Cardiothoracic Surgery and cardiothoracic surgeon-in-chief at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center.
“I can’t say enough about the care I received at Weill Cornell Medicine,” says Mr. Fried, a retired financial and business analyst. “Dr. Devereux, Dr. Girardi and the entire staff were exceptional from start to finish. They feel like family to me. And I like to help family whenever I can.”
Mr. Fried’s health saga actually began more than 25 years ago, when he sought care from Dr. Devereux for suspected Marfan syndrome, a connective tissue disorder, often inherited, that can damage the cardiovascular system. Dr. Devereux, a Marfan expert, told him he did not have the condition but suffered from other issues, including a leaky heart valve.
In 2024, routine monitoring revealed that Mr. Fried’s condition had reached a critical point. The valve problem had worsened, and additional problems were discovered. Through Dr. Devereux’s guidance, Mr. Fried was referred to renowned cardiac surgeon Dr. Girardi.
Within days, the doctors had a clear plan. Mr. Fried would undergo open-heart surgery addressing four serious conditions at once: a valve replacement, a coronary bypass for a 70-percent blockage, treatment for arrhythmia and repair of an aortic aneurysm.
“Dr. Girardi had my heart in his hands,” says Mr. Fried.
After the lengthy surgery followed by days in intensive care, Mr. Fried remembers not only the medical expertise, but also the extraordinary teamwork he witnessed among the physicians, residents and staff.
One moment has stayed with him. As Mr. Fried regained consciousness after surgery, he saw Dr. Girardi walking in the corridor, near his bed. “We exchanged glances,” he recalls. “He had a huge smile on his face and gave me a thumbs-up.”
That quiet gesture carried enormous meaning.
“It demonstrated the compassion and kindness of Dr. Girardi,” Mr. Fried says. “Dr. Devereux is the same way. They exemplify what distinguishes Weill Cornell Medicine.”
His recovery, much of it at home, took several months, supported by physical therapy and the encouragement of friends. But before leaving the hospital, Mr. Fried found a small way to thank the doctors and staff. “I brought boxes of Belgian chocolates for them all,” he says with a laugh. “They were sweet people, so hopefully they enjoyed the sweets.”
After his discharge, his gratitude continued to grow. As someone who had spent a career analyzing investments, Mr. Fried considered how he could provide a lasting financial impact. The answer, he realized, was to make an enduring investment that will provide philanthropy for medical education.
“I wanted to invest in people, because people are our greatest strength,” Mr. Fried explains. “Drs. Girardi and Devereux are not only exceptional physicians, but they are also educators who instill both character and clinical excellence in their students.” In fact, Mr. Fried was impressed that Dr. Devereux had mentored and taught Dr. Girardi during his time as a student at Weill Cornell Medicine, further exemplifying a commitment to sharing medical knowledge, skill and values with the future physicians.
Mr. Fried chose to make a planned gift because it enabled him to make a meaningful future contribution to Weill Cornell Medicine while maintaining his financial security today. It works because the gift is typically structured to take effect upon a donor’s passing, allowing the donor to retain full access to their assets during their lifetime.
“Barry’s gift will help us prepare the next generation of innovative heart experts,” says Dr. Devereux. “Cardiology requires years of intensive and expensive training. I relied on scholarships when I was a student and will always be grateful to the donors, like Barry, who made my education possible.”
