‘We Are Family’: Fourth Annual Family Campaign Reaches Goal

As the 2025 UT Health Science Center Family Campaign ends, campaign leaders say the effort is about far more than fundraising.

"Family Campaign is about unity, pride, and investing in the community and resources that make UT Health Science Center thrive," said Vice Chancellor for Advancement Brigitte Grant. "It takes all of us to advance our impact and strengthen our mission of 'Healthy Tennesseans. Thriving Communities.'"

This year's campaign had a goal of 800 donors. Current numbers stand at 802, with gifts still being processed.

"The Family Campaign gives everyone at UT Health Science Center the chance to show that we're all in," said Neil Hayes, MD, MPH, FASCO, Harriet S. Van Vleet Endowed Professor of Medical Oncology and director of the Center for Cancer Research. "When we're asking for outside support, which is critical to fund our research and training, we first need to demonstrate that we believe in our mission. High participation shows we have skin in the game and that we stand behind what we do every day."

That statement of shared commitment is one echoed by Claudette Jones Shephard, MD, MBA, associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology and associate dean in the College of Medicine. For her, the Family Campaign reflects what it means to be a true stakeholder in UT Health Science Center's success and mission.

"If we are not committed through philanthropy, we cannot expect others to be," Dr. Shephard said. "I believe it's important for us to 'buy in' in a tangible way that can be shared with outside partners and funders."

She also sees giving as a way to honor those who came before. "The term 'pay it forward' means a lot to me," she said. "I would not be here if it were not for those who supported me through medical school and early in my career. The Family Campaign supports everyone-faculty, staff, residents, students, and administrators-and reminds us that if we don't care about us, who will?"

Gifts of any size were directed to a college, department, program, scholarship, or existing fund. This year, the Family Campaign highlighted the Student Emergency Fund and its Campus Cupboard as examples of programs that receive money from its support.

While one-time donations were welcomed, the campaign emphasized payroll deduction as an easy, consistent way for faculty and staff to contribute and stay connected to the mission year-round. "We wanted to make it seamless and automatic," Dr. Hayes said. "It's a small step that makes a big statement." Under Dr. Hayes' leadership, the Division of Hematology and Oncology reached 100% participation, with more than 20 gifts coming to the Family Campaign.

For Tracy McClinton, DNP, AGACNP-BC, APRN, HGET-C, EBP-C, associate professor in the College of Nursing and Family Campaign team captain for the past several years, giving back is personal. A 2013 graduate of the College of Nursing and an engaged campus volunteer, she sees her support as both personal and professional.

Dr. McClinton and Dr. Shephard serve on the newly formed Advancement Council, whose efforts were vital to the Family Campaign's success. This group is made up of faculty and staff across UT Health Science Center who are liaisons to the Office of Advancement team.

"I'm investing in my colleagues, my students, my community and, honestly, my own future," Dr. McClinton said. "As an educator, I know that financial support, no matter the amount, is another way of planting seeds that will grow and multiply and yield countless returns."

Giving together has a cumulative effect, Grant said, because each donation builds on the previous one.

Dr. Shephard goes a step further. "It doesn't matter the amount of the donation; it matters that you donate," she said. "We play the same role toward the same goal.

"We're family."