University of Maryland Medicine Philanthropy Appoints Heather S. Culp, JD, as new Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer

January 9, 2023

The University of Maryland School of Medicine (UMSOM) and University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) announced today that senior advancement leader, Heather S. Culp, JD, has been named the new Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer for both institutions.

Culp brings more than 15 years of experience managing philanthropy teams and leading comprehensive fundraising campaigns for academic institutions. Most recently, she served as Executive Director of Development for The Fund for Johns Hopkins Medicine at Johns Hopkins University, leading all aspects of fundraising for the Department of Neurology and Brain Sciences. “Heather is highly accomplished and well respected in her field,” said Bert W. O'Malley, MD, President and CEO of UMMC. “Her proven ability to lead impactful campaigns and cultivate donor relationships across all levels of giving makes her the right person for this vital role. Every day, we see the power of philanthropy. I look forward to working with Heather to develop meaningful and lasting connections to our mission to advance discovery and patient-centered care.”

In her new leadership role, Culp will provide overarching strategic guidance and vision for the fundraising efforts of UMMC Downtown and Midtown campuses, UMSOM, and the University of Maryland Rehabilitation & Orthopaedic Institute, building on their shared commitment to accelerate the pace of discovery and improve the delivery of patient-centered care for communities across Baltimore, the state and the region. Culp also will become part of a team of experienced and dynamic development leaders who support philanthropic activity across the University of Maryland Medical System (UMMS) and its member organizations.

“We are very excited to welcome Heather to our senior management team,” said Mark T. Gladwin, MD, Vice President for Medical Affairs, University of Maryland, Baltimore and the John Z. and Akiko K. Bowers Distinguished Professor and Dean, University of Maryland School of Medicine. “She is a proven leader in academic medicine who can leverage the combined strengths of discovery-based medicine and patient-focused care, to attract the resources that will move our institution forward in new and significant ways. I am confident that her experience and expertise in working with faculty physicians and scientists, engaging with key stakeholders, and mobilizing a combined unit of advancement professionals will help take University of Maryland Medicine philanthropy to even greater heights.”

As Senior Vice President and Chief Philanthropy Officer, Culp will represent both UMMC and UMSOM philanthropy efforts, strengthening partnership and alignment across both organizations. In addition, she will oversee advancement teams at UMMC and UMSOM enabling them to work more seamlessly together to tailor opportunities for transformative giving and ensure full impact to education, patient care, research, and healthcare facilities.

“As a Marylander committed to UMMC and the UM School of Medicine’s public mission, I am grateful for the opportunity to join the team at this transformational moment in its history,” Culp said. “I am eager to partner with leaders, donors, board members and the community to advance medical education and enhance healthcare in Baltimore and beyond.”

Prior to her position at Johns Hopkins, Culp held previous fundraising roles at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law and at Washington College, developing a solid reputation of delivering success through strong senior leadership and alumni engagement. She also spent several years as an attorney in a private practice focused on commercial litigation, estate planning and administration. Culp’s experience partnering with alumni of both undergraduate and graduate institutions—along with her current work with grateful patients—gives her a unique perspective about the importance of listening to, understanding and articulating donor motivations.

Culp earned a juris doctorate from the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law and a bachelor's degree from Washington College in Chestertown, Md.