Jan. 18, 2023— Throughout every stage of her career, in fields as varied as collegiate and professional sports, higher education and academic medicine, Kim Metzger has strived to connect the passions of donors with causes that matter.

Now, Metzger will bring her expertise to Gainesville as the new associate vice president for advancement for the UF College of Medicine, a position she begins Feb. 8.

In her new role, Metzger will oversee the College of Medicine’s fundraising programs and serve as a key member of the UF Health Advancement leadership teams. Along with overseeing high-level portfolios and principal gift prospects, she will collaborate with key partners relating to patients, finance, stewardship and communications.

“Kim will bring a wealth of experience and a foundation for building a robust and strategic grateful patient fundraising program to the UF College of Medicine,” said Colleen Koch, M.D., M.S., M.B.A., dean of the College of Medicine. “She will be an incredible asset to the UF team, and we look forward to seeing her build a gift pipeline and advance strategic initiatives on behalf of the college.”

Metzger joins UF from Johns Hopkins Medicine, where she served as the senior director of development & external relations for the departments of neurosurgery, physical medicine and rehabilitation. She worked with grateful patients worldwide to establish private philanthropic funding to advance research, improve patient care and support education. She was responsible for a division that raised $116 million for neurosurgical diseases as part of the $6 billion Rising to the Challenge Campaign for Johns Hopkins institutions. In 2012, she led the effort to secure a $75 million transformational gift to establish The Neurosurgery Pain Research Institute at Johns Hopkins. The first of its kind in the world, the institute employs over 100 scientists studying ways to control, prevent and eliminate chronic pain. In total, she raised over $220 million in her 14-year career with Johns Hopkins Medicine.

Metzger was appointed chair of the talent committee of the Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine Strategic Plan, became co-chair of the Pipeline Development Initiative and served as a member of The Johns Hopkins Medicine Neurosurgery Advisory Board.

“Kim’s extensive experience in grateful patient and principal gift fundraising make her the ideal candidate to build on the College of Medicine’s success during the recently completed Go Greater campaign,” said Joe Mandernach, J.D., chief advancement officer for UF Health and senior vice president for UF Advancement.

Throughout her career, Metzger has also held fundraising and marketing positions with the Harford Day School, the Epilepsy Association of Western and Central PA, The Pittsburgh Senior Golf Classic – Senior PGA Tour, and the University of Miami Hurricanes and the University of Pittsburgh Panthers Athletic Departments. She is also an independent fundraising and marketing consultant who shares her 30 years of experience with various organizations.

“It is a true privilege to be able to work with philanthropists with unique life stories and experiences who seek your guidance of, ‘How can I help, what can I do to help alleviate suffering for the next person?’” Metzger said. “What motivates me is the opportunity to be a supportive driving force for change in the field of medicine, to help be the conduit of matching a donor’s interest or deep passion with the mission of the institution.”

Metzger has spent the past 14 years at Johns Hopkins working with donors and grateful patients around the world and in the Palm Beach and Naples areas, which spawned her interest in UF and UF Health. She was drawn to UF Health because of its continued growth and the opportunity to build upon the success of the major gifts program throughout the state of Florida.

“I was thoroughly impressed with how the alumni and larger Gator Nation feel such a strong sense of pride and loyalty to the University of Florida, and I am excited to carry that enthusiasm into medicine,” Metzger said. “There are so many great stories to share about UF, and I want to help get the word out and expand the fundraising opportunities within the College of Medicine’s great clinical departments.”

Outside of work, Metzger serves as chair of the board of directors for U.S. Figure Skating’s D.C. EDGE Synchronized Skating Teams and spends time traveling the circuit with her daughter, who competes nationally with her team.

“I used to watch my daughter at 5 a.m. practices from the stands, and in my heart, I knew I could do more by volunteering my time,” Metzger said. “It has been an honor to help the organization develop a strategic plan and raise funds for scholarships and diversity, and to enable Team USA athletes to compete internationally. Serving in this role is a rewarding and meaningful way for me to give back.”