University of Virginia Health System

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MORSBERGER TO LEAD HEALTH SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT EFFORTS

Mike Morsberger, a senior fund-raising professional from The Johns Hopkins University, has been named the new Associate Vice President for Health System Development at the University of Virginia.  Morsberger will oversee all fund-raising activities associated with U.Va.’s School of Medicine, School of Nursing, Medical Center and Claude Moore Health Sciences Library.

“Mike Morsberger is uniquely qualified to help the Health System fulfill its bold aspirations for research, patient care, and the preparation of doctors and nurses for the challenges of 21^st-century health care,” said Robert D. Sweeney, senior vice president for development and public affairs at the University. “I look forward to working with him as we marshal the resources necessary to realize these goals and to move the University toward new levels of excellence in clinical services, medical science and education.

For the past eight years, Morsberger has served as director of development for the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center at Johns Hopkins.  During this time, he oversaw the ground breaking and opening of several new clinical and research facilities at the cancer center and the completion of a $100 million buildings’ initiative.  In the fall of 2001, Morsberger helped Johns Hopkins secure the largest gift in its history, a $150 million pledge from philanthropist Sidney Kimmel for the cancer center, which has been named in the donor’s honor. The commitment was the lead gift in Johns Hopkins’ $2 billion comprehensive capital campaign.

“I am thrilled to be joining the University of Virginia Health System team and anxious to play a lead role in fostering expanded philanthropic partnerships with our alumni, faculty, staff, grateful patients and community at large,” says Morsberger.  “Building on our considerable existing strengths as a nationally recognized leader in medical research, education and patient care, I’m confident we can raise significant private support to recruit and retain top faculty, provide scholarships to deserving medical and nursing students, enhance our clinical and research programs, and update our facilities.”

Before joining Hopkins, Morsberger held development positions at the Mt. Washington Pediatric Hospital, Calvert Hall College Preparatory School, the National Aquarium in Baltimore and the Maryland Special Olympics.  In addition, he has served on numerous non-profit boards and has been a frequent speaker on the topic of philanthropy at national conferences. 

A Baltimore native, Morsberger received his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Radford University and his master’s degree in the study of philanthropy and development from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota.  He also holds an executive graduate certificate from The Johns Hopkins University Business of Medicine Program.  He was granted Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) status by the National Society of Fund Raising Executives in 1992.

Morsberger, who assumes his new position April 29, will move to Charlottesville with his wife and two daughters this spring.  He succeeds Jim Knight, who returned to the University of Virginia’s College at Wise in 2003 to become vice chancellor for development and college relations.

April 22, 2004