Rush-Copley Announces New Vice President of Philanthropy and Chief  Development Officer

(July 15, 2010)  Rush-Copley Medical Center is pleased to announce a new Vice President of Philanthropy and Chief Development Officer.  Barbara A. Graham has held the position of Executive Director of Rush-Copley Foundation since 2006.  Graham brought an impressive background in fundraising and healthcare to the organization and has been promoted to the newly created position at Rush-Copley Medical Center.

In the past four and a half years she has demonstrated remarkable fundraising abilities and was able to generate nearly $10 million in philanthropic gifts of support, mostly from new donors and grantees. The beneficiaries of these philanthropic gifts include ongoing hospital operations, nursing education, the Neuroscience Institute, the Women's Health Institute, the Cancer Care Center. In addition, the residents in the community in need have also benefited from her work to secure support for programs through grant funds for diabetes education, cardiac health for women, nursing scholarships, and pediatric and adolescent mental health, and a new program in movement disorders. 

"We are extremely pleased to have Barbara's level of expertise and commitment at the senior leadership level of our organization. Her commitment to the healthcare philanthropy programs at Rush-Copley ensure that we will continue to be a regional leader in providing high quality medical care for the community," says Rush-Copley President and CEO Barry C. Finn.

According to Rush-Copley Foundation Chairman of the Board of Directors, James L. Eccher, "Barbara is a committed servant leader who has a keen understanding of how philanthropy can benefit Rush-Copley Medical Center and the community. She is to be commended for her already outstanding accomplishments, and I look forward to working with her in the coming years to add greater value to the hospital programs and the community," he said.

"It is my pleasure to work with donors and grantors who are interested in helping Rush-Copley enhance its healthcare services and programs to benefit our patients and residents in the community. It is work that really makes a difference for the hospital, our patients and their families, and the community, " said Graham.

Graham has a diverse background in organizational and business development that includes healthcare, insurance, government, technology, art, and wellness. She has worked in the public sector for the State of Illinois in the area of biotechnology. She also worked for the U.S. House of Representatives as the District Director for Congressman Harris W. Fawell (Ret), IL -13. Her previous non-profit experience includes The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens in Jacksonville, FL, and Wellness House, a cancer support organization in Hinsdale, IL. She supported the work of both organizations as the Director of Development and Marketing.

Graham holds a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Health Sciences from the University of Central Florida in Orlando, FL., and M.B.A. from Benedictine University, and she has participated in the Executive Program at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern University, Evanston, IL.

Graham is a member of the Associates in Healthcare Philanthropy and the Aurora Noon Rotary. She resides in Oswego.

###