Exciting Developments Unfold at Erlanger with New Vice President and Chief Development Officer Emily Niespodziany

Exciting Changes Coming to Erlanger with New Leadership!

Chattanooga is buzzing with news as the Erlanger Foundation officially announces its union with Erlanger Health. This merger will see the foundation transforming into the system’s dedicated office of development. Talk about a significant shift! And to top it all off, they’ve just appointed a new vice president and chief development officer to lead the charge.

Welcome Aboard, Emily Niespodziany!

Walking into this pivotal role is Emily Niespodziany, who’s no stranger to the health scene around here. Born in Indiana and raised in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, Emily brings 20 years of experience in Chattanooga to the table, most recently serving as the executive director for the American Heart Association in the Greater Chattanooga and Georgia regions. That’s some solid local intel!

Christine Gordon, the director of marketing and communications for Erlanger, is thrilled with the appointment. She stated, “Emily’s deep-rooted experience in development and leadership here in the Chattanooga area, along with her established relationships in the community and with physicians, perfectly positions her to lead the fundraising efforts of the hospital.”

Emily’s Passion and Vision

In a recent conversation, Emily could hardly contain her excitement regarding her new role. “I would say excited, motivated, hopeful… overwhelmed with excitement,” she shared. And let’s be real, who wouldn’t be? Her extensive career with the American Heart Association has equipped her with invaluable expertise in board leadership and community partnerships.

“I’m really excited about knowing the community and the generous spirit that thrives here,” she expressed. It’s clear that she plans to utilize that knowledge to foster connections and build partnerships that will support Erlanger’s mission in impactful ways.

Why Erlanger?

So what drew Emily to Erlanger? “I’ve worked with Erlanger leadership and physicians for my entire career,” she said. “Learning about the merger and the opportunities it presents made me very excited.” And it’s easy to see why! Erlanger already has an impeccable reputation that stretches beyond Chattanooga.

What Does the Future Hold?

As Emily steps into her new office, she’s all about creating a collaborative environment. “I’m eager to explore innovative ways to enhance the legacy that’s been established here,” she remarked. With a focus on fostering relationships and empowering her team, Emily embodies the kind of leader who looks at the bigger picture.

One of her main goals? To “dive in with a talented team and foster meaningful partnerships and innovative fundraising strategies to support our mission.” That means the community can expect exciting initiatives ahead focused on enhancing patient care.

What’s Next for Erlanger?

The foundation’s merger with Erlanger Health is poised to create a streamlined approach to meet the needs of patients more effectively. Merging teams means more alignment, a shared mission, and greater potential to deliver top-notch healthcare services.

Emily admits there’s still much for her to learn. “I just want to get in there and learn from the leadership, the physicians, and the foundation team,” she said. It’s this strong commitment to collaboration that will likely lead to lasting, positive change for the Erlanger community.

Conclusion

With Emily at the helm of the development office, Erlanger is looking ahead with optimism and excitement. As she puts it, “The sky’s the limit!” Here’s to new beginnings and a strong commitment to enhancing healthcare in Chattanooga. The community can’t wait to see what she and the Erlanger team will accomplish together!