Randy Farmer
Farmer to direct VUMC development efforts
Vanderbilt University Medical Center's effort to attract the funds crucial to sustaining and growing its patient care, research and academic missions has a new leader.
Randy Farmer has been named executive associate vice chancellor for Medical Center Development.
He comes to VUMC from Washington University in St. Louis, where he was associate vice chancellor and director of Medical Alumni and Development.
Farmer brings a proven track record of development success to VUMC. During its last capital campaign (1995-2003) Washington University raised more than $1.5 billion — $637 million of which came from the medical school.
Farmer has been involved in Washington University's development efforts for 18 years — the last 14 with its school of medicine — rising steadily through the ranks to his most recent position.
“We are extremely excited to have Randy take over the Medical Center's development efforts,” said Harry Jacobson, M.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs. “His demonstrated fund-raising success and progression within Wash U's development department is an indicator of his strength as a program builder, manager and fund-raiser.
“We are very fortunate he has chosen to join us and assist in the goal of promoting our Medical Center and the quality work that is done here.”
VUMC's collaborative approach, both structurally and personally, is what drew Farmer away from Washington University after nearly two decades of helping the school grow and prosper.
“Leaving Washington University was a very difficult decision,” Farmer said. “But after multiple conversations with Dr. Jacobson, Provost Zeppos and Chancellor Gee, it became apparent that the University's commitment to building a top-tier development program is strong and genuine. And, after meeting colleagues in Development and Alumni Relations and elsewhere, the cultural fit seemed like a natural one.
“The integrated nature of the Medical Center is unique and it will enable us to leverage our resources to maximize our giving potential. Becoming a member of the Vanderbilt community is very exciting, and I'm looking forward to doing whatever I can to advance its charitable interests,” Farmer said.