Elizabeth McBride has been appointed director of development at the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute.

McBride brings to the position more than a decade of leadership experience in fundraising and an additional decade of experience in marketing communications for nonprofits. Most recently, she served as senior development manager for the Memorial Health Foundation in Savannah, Ga. In that role, she managed a $15.75-million capital campaign in support of a translational research facility, spearheaded a $500,000 campaign to build a support center for patients' families, and established fundraising programs in five key clinical areas.

In previous positions, McBride planned and implemented major gift development programs at the United Way of the Virginia Peninsula, coordinated special projects for Boy Scouts of America, and served as promotions director for the United Way of Metropolitan Atlanta.

In her new position, McBride has lead responsibility for planning and managing the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute's fundraising program.

"We're delighted to be able to welcome someone of Elizabeth's caliber to our team," said Cynda Ann Johnson, dean of the Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine. "Her leadership will be invaluable to our efforts to raise support not just for curriculum development, but also for scholarships, to ensure our graduates can choose medical careers based on their passion for service, not debt."

"Elizabeth brings tremendous talent, knowledge, and energy to her new role," said Michael Friedlander, executive director of the Virginia Tech Carilion Research Institute. "Her depth of experience and entrepreneurial instincts make her ideally suited to help translate our vision for research into philanthropic support. Her skills will be key to our success in fundraising to advance the institute's discovery of new diagnostics, treatments, and cures for disorders that affect children, the elderly, and our military and their families."

"The Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine and Research Institute is one of the most exciting and innovative health-care-related organizations in the country," said McBride. "I'm thrilled to be leading efforts to bring more resources to our medical and graduate students, our faculty, and the other scientists who play such a key role in our research. The work being done here will help revolutionize how disease is prevented, detected, and treated throughout the world."

A native of Georgia, Elizabeth received her bachelor's degree in public relations from the University of Georgia and an MBA from Georgia Southern University. 

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