Find tips and answers to your frequently asked questions on our brand below.
Enterprise Name
Q: Why did the name change from Weill Cornell Medical College to Weill Cornell Medicine?
A: Weill Cornell Medicine serves as the umbrella name for the entire institution, encompassing education, clinical care, and research. This branding aligns with peer institutions and clarifies our mission.
Q: What does the name "Weill Cornell Medicine" encompass?
A: The Weill Cornell Medicine name represents the full scope of the institution’s mission—patient care, research, and medical education.
Q: Do the Medical College and Graduate School still use their original names?
A: Weill Cornell Medical College and Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences remain the official names of our educational institutions. Cornell University remains the legal entity for the university. These names continue to be used in academic and legal contexts.
Q: Why do some documents still reference Weill Cornell Medical College?
A: While Weill Cornell Medicine is our brand identity, official payroll and legal documents continue to use the name Weill Cornell Medical College.
Q: How should I refer to the institution in academic presentations or conferences?
A: Use Weill Cornell Medicine branding in academic presentations, but academic titles should reference Weill Cornell Medical College.
Q: What should be my phone greeting?
A: State your name, title, and Weill Cornell Medicine in phone greetings and voicemails.
Q: When do I use the medical school name?
A: Use Weill Cornell Medical College when referring to education and academic titles.
Q: How to refer to the Graduate School?
A: Use Weill Cornell Graduate School of Medical Sciences for references related to graduate education.
Q: Is there an approved abbreviation for Weill Cornell Medicine?
A: Always use the full name, Weill Cornell Medicine, in all communications to reinforce our brand. If necessary, you may refer to “the institution” or “the organization” after the full name has been introduced.
Content Tips
Q: How do I refer to my department in patient communications?
A: In prose, use the formal department name. (e.g. Department of Anesthesiology; Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery).
For donor named departments, always use the full formal name (e.g. Weill Cornell Medicine Israel Englander Department of Dermatology).
Q: What are the photography and stock images guidelines for Weill Cornell Medicine?
A: Images should reflect Weill Cornell Medicine’s brand values, using natural lighting, authentic moments, and diverse representation. For detailed guidelines, refer to the Brand Center.
Q: What information should I use in my email signature.
A: Use the recommended format for email signatures as outlined in the Brand Guidelines. No additional text or images are permitted.
Q: Designer Tip: Tracking (Letter Spacing)
A: Tracking (letter spacing) should be set to zero.
Q: Designer Tip: Leading (Line Spacing)
A: Leading (line spacing) should be tight for headlines and standard for body text.
Q: Designer Tip: Align Left
A: Always align text to the left for a clean, professional look.
Q: General Tip: Font choice and style
A: The 1898 Sans font is available for all institutional uses and should be consistently applied.
Upper and lower case is prefered over all caps. Use bold and italics sparingly when needed for emphasis only.
Q: Image Tip: Gray
A: Cool Gray 6 and Cool Gray 8 can be used for print applications.
Q: What templates should I use for presenting at an academic conference?
A: Use Weill Cornell Medicine approved templates for presenttion posters and PowerPoint decks, available for download from the Brand Center.
https://brand.weill.cornell.edu/templates
Q: How often is the Brand Center updated?
A: Marketing updates the Brand Center at the beginning of each quarter.
Q: If I’m working with a graphic designer, what materials should I provide?
A: Graphic designers should be directed to the Brand Center for official materials.
Q: How do I edit the PowerPoint slide master?
A: Slide master elements are designed for brand consistency and should not be altered.
Q: How much color/text is too much?
A: Use colors sparingly to highlight content, and keep text minimal for readability.
Logo Use
Q: Image Tip: Logo
A: Use a full color logo whenever possible. Use the all-white logo on dark backgrounds; use the all-black logo on light backgrounds.
Q: Can I change the phrase 'Care. Discover. Teach'?
A: 'Care. Discover. Teach.' must always appear in this exact order, with consistent colors and no modifications. No alternative wording may be used.
Q: General Tip: Colors
A: Cornell University Red must appear in all communications; if only one color is used, it must be red (PMS 187).
Q: Can I create my own logo?
A: Marketing manages all logo creation. No new logos should be developed independently. Contact brand@med.cornell.edu for more information and make a request.
Q: Can I develop a visual to go along with my logo?
A: No additional visuals should be associated with the Weill Cornell Medicine logo.
Q: Can I add more information to my current logo?
A: Logos are to be consisent for brand recognition and should not include additional messaging.
Q: Does Weill Cornell Medicine branded merchandise need to be approved by marketing?
A: Weill Cornell Medicine branded merchandise must follow brand guidelines and be approved by External Affairs Marketing by either:
1 - Using an approved vendor who will submit proofs for approval through the Exemplar licensing platform.
2 - Sending proofs of branded merchandise for review via email to brand@med.cornell.edu
Guidelines for branded merchandise are on the Brand Center.
https://brand.weill.cornell.edu/brand-guidelines/promotional-materials