An article written by University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation President and CEO, Michael Delzotti was recently selected as the winner of the 2016 Association of Hospital Philanthropy (AHP) Healthcare Philanthropy Journal Award.
The article, titled “Overcoming barriers to physician engagement: Five keys for developing an effective referral-based philanthropy system,” was published earlier this year in Healthcare Philanthropy, the AHP’s signature publication. Members of the AHP Journal Advisory Council chose the article from all other articles published in this past year in the quarterly periodical.
Delzotti, who was placed at the helm of the UK Markey Cancer Foundation in December, 2015, has been a member of the AHP for seven years. Before his tenure at Markey, he was the Senior Director of Philanthropic Resources for MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, Texas, where he focused on the cultivation of major donors with giving capacities between $5 million and $60 million. He also directed a $50 million campaign focused on discovering novel drug therapies for Alzheimer’s disease.
“Grateful Patient giving accounts for the bulk of the money raised by the Markey Cancer Foundation,” said Delzotti. “A patient expressing their gratitude by making a charitable gift can play an important role in their healing. These gifts improve care and advance research for individuals these donors many never meet. Doctors occupy such an important position in creating the gratitude that drives the incredible generosity of our patients and donors.”
Delzotti will be presented with the award, which is sponsored by Brakeley Briscoe, Inc., at the 2016 AHP International Conference in Chicago, Illinois this weekend.
The AHP is an international professional organization whose mission is focused on developing and supporting philanthropy professionals working within or on behalf of North America’s healthcare organizations through networking, education, information and research.
University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Center
The Markey Cancer Center was founded in 1983 and is a dedicated matrix cancer center established as an integral part of the University of Kentucky and the UK HealthCare enterprise.
In July 2013, Markey was designated by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) to receive research funding and many other opportunities available only to the nation’s best cancer centers. Markey is the only NCI-designated center in Kentucky and one of only 69 in the country. In 2017 the Center will formally apply for NCI designation as a comprehensive cancer center, which will offer more grant money and access to clinical trials to the facility and its patients.
University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation
The University of Kentucky Markey Cancer Foundation has been recognized as a forerunner in championing cancer research in Kentucky through direct support of the Markey Cancer Center. After contributing significantly to achieve the goal of earning the National Cancer Institute designation of the Markey Cancer Center in July, 2013, the Foundation’s support has expanded to fund innovative research, early detection and prevention initiatives. It is also fully committed to supporting the Center’s bid for comprehensive cancer center designation by the NCI in 2017. The Foundation works with researchers across a broad spectrum of cancer research fields to find and fund the best research and create better outcomes for patient treatments and care.