BizPHILANTHROPY
Philanthropy Critical to the Mission Decreases in state funding for Arizona’s universities have presented real challenges to those in higher education leadership positions. Despite a stellar reputation in research and learning, the University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson has not been immune to budget cuts as the school’s leaders strive to support the best faculty, lead a superior level of research and give the best possible education to Arizona’s future medical professionals. Fortunately, the school has a loyal philanthropic following to help fill the gaps. Donors range from appreciative patients to those interested in advancing medical research to well-known local philanthropists who are giving back to the community they love. “The University of Arizona College of Medicine – Tucson was the first public medical school founded primarily on private funding, so philanthropy was always a critical component of our evolution and, no doubt, to our future,” said Dr. Charles B. Cairns, dean of the medical school. 184 BizTucson
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Fall 2017
“We’ve had remarkable success in obtaining federal grant funding. We rely upon philanthropy to attract the best faculty and promote new areas of discovery. In addition, we’ve done this despite dramatic reductions in state support. In the last 10 years, state support dropped 35 percent to the college.” As vice dean for innovation and development at the college and co-director of the UA Sarver Heart Center, Carol Gregorio has a hands-on approach to fundraising. Although she’s not a development officer, the center often connects her to potential donors who are interested in the university’s cutting-edge research programs, often in cardiac research. “Frequently, paired with a development officer, I have the opportunity to speak with potential donors to inform them about the exciting research that is occurring at the university with the ultimate goal of providing the best care for our patients now and into the future,” Gregorio said. With her credentials as director of the Molecular Cardiovascular Research
Program and head of the Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, she’s more than qualified to explain research studies being conducted at the school and provide tours of the facilities to get donors interested in contributing financial resources to the work going on at the college. A researcher herself, Gregorio is well aware of the importance of private funding. “The impact of community donations is immense. For example, donations provide essential state-of-the-art equipment, fellowships for trainees, and endowments essential for the future of the medical school,” she said. “They help us to recruit and retain top clinical and biomedical researchers, allow us to accomplish things not possible otherwise, be more creative in finding solutions, and contribute to raising the bar of excellence.” Cairns considers the benefits of philanthropy from an educational standpoint. continued on page 186 >>> www.BizTucson.com
IMAGE: BRENT G. MATHIS
By Christy Krueger