Erlanger Foundation Merges With Erlanger To Create A Unified Vision

Emily Niespodziany Appointed Vice President, Chief Development Officer

  • Monday, December 2, 2024
Emily Niespodziany
Emily Niespodziany

The Erlanger Foundation announces its merger with Erlanger Health, uniting under the shared vision of "One Erlanger" to maximize its impact and strengthen its mission of supporting exceptional healthcare. As part of this merger, the Foundation will transition from operating as a separate 501(c)(3) with its own governing board to becoming the Office of Development within Erlanger. This decision reflects a commitment to aligning efforts and resources, ensuring a seamless and unified approach to advancing Erlanger’s vital mission, said officials. 

As part of this merger, Emily Niespodziany has been appointed vice president and chief development officer. With a history of development experience, Ms. Niespodziany most recently served as executive director of the American Heart Association for the Greater Chattanooga and Georgia regions.

“Emily’s expertise and passion for community engagement make her the ideal person to guide the newly unified Office of Development,” said Jim Coleman, CEO of Erlanger. “Her expertise will be instrumental in fostering deeper connections with donors and enhancing our ability to meet the growing needs of our community.”

The merger builds on a shared commitment to operational excellence and collaboration, aligning the Foundation’s fundraising efforts under Erlanger’s framework, said officials. 

Key benefits include:

Enhanced alignment between hospital leadership and philanthropic efforts to achieve shared goals.
Streamlined operations to focus more energy on advancing community engagement and donor relationships.
A unified approach to meeting the healthcare needs of the region with greater efficiency and impact.

“This merger is a significant milestone in our journey as One Erlanger,” said Sheila Boyington, board chair for Erlanger Health. “It strengthens our ability to align priorities, preserve the Foundation’s legacy, and focus on what matters most—supporting our patients and community.”

While the governance structure has shifted, the Foundation remains true to its mission, continuing to operate as the Erlanger Foundation within the larger framework of Erlanger Health.

“The merger of the Erlanger Foundation under Erlanger’s leadership simplifies our structure and ensures alignment and cohesiveness,” said Less Lee, chair of the Erlanger Foundation Advancement Council. “We look forward to leveraging Emily’s experience, knowledge, and contacts as we develop a blueprint for supporting the future growth and expansion of Erlanger’s network and services.”

The new Office of Development embodies the spirit of One Erlanger—united in purpose - enabling Erlanger to continue providing cutting-edge care and advancing healthcare excellence in our region.

To learn more about the Erlanger Foundation and ways to give, visit erlangerfoundation.org.

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