New structure to enhance CRS mission
Management of the Canby Robinson Society, Vanderbilt Medical Center's oldest donor society, has been transferred to the Medical Center Development and Alumni Relations office to provide additional assistance and resources to the organization.
“Support from this community for the mission of the Medical Center is crucial. The people who share in our passion for discovery and for our commitment to healing deserve our highest praise and deepest thanks,” said Jeff Balser, M.D., Ph.D., vice chancellor for Health Affairs and dean of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. “The Canby Robinson Society is a significant means of honoring them for their efforts and their contributions.”
The CRS office, previously located on the eighth floor of Medical Center North, is now housed in the 2525 West End Ave. building.
Robin Kumar, coordinator of the society, and Anna Hance, assistant, are continuing their service to the CRS, its board and executive committee. Missy Eason, CRS executive director, stepped down in June.
Eason, who led the CRS for 11 years, was responsible for building the society's outreach programs, including the Adopt-A-Scholar program, where CRS medical student scholars are matched with CRS board and executive committee members who serve as mentors.
She also launched organ recitals, lab demonstrations for CRS board members that focus on a particular organ system. She was instrumental in forming the Coalition for the Canby Robinson Society, launched with the goal of continuing the success of CRS. During her tenure, the CRS membership doubled.
“I'm sure I echo the board's sentiments by thanking Missy for her outstanding commitment and personal touch,” said Kitty Murfree, CRS president. “Her dedication has provided a tradition of service that has become a hallmark of Canby Robinson Society leadership. We look forward to continuing to work with Robin and Anna, who have done a phenomenal job over the last few years in building and serving our membership.”
CRS, its mission and purpose will remain the same. As part of the Office of Development and Alumni Relations, many of the stewardship and service activities will be incorporated into existing functions, which allows for service and communication that are more consistent across the Medical Center.
More importantly, this change will allow CRS resources to be more directly focused on membership and recruitment, maximizing the relationship between CRS, its members and the Medical Center.
“Anna and I are very excited to join the Development and Alumni Relations team in making the future of CRS a key priority. They will serve as a tremendous resource to our members and our mission,” Kumar said.
The CRS was created in 1978 to honor and encourage those who give financial support of $1,000 or more to any area of VMC. Charitable contributions from the more than 2,500 CRS members support research initiatives, patient programs and scholarships, among other Medical Center initiatives.