Working ‘Doctor-Adjacent.’

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When Stephanie Mudd realized a career in medicine wasn’t for her, she found the next best thing.

Stephanie Mudd always thought she’d be a doctor. Instead, she found her calling in healthcare philanthropy — a role she refers to as “doctor-adjacent.”

“I wasn’t made to do surgery or research, but I can support all those needs,” said Mudd, who accepted a role as leadership annual fund manager for Novant Health Foundation in the summer of 2021. “I work with generous donors to support community healthcare needs through the foundation, and, in turn, show them how much they’re appreciated and how much of an impact their dollars make.”

A fateful choice

Mudd found her way to philanthropy by chance. As a student at Penn State University, she realized her tolerance for working on the inside of the human body wasn’t particularly high.

Upon graduation, she intended to pursue a graduate degree in psychology but decided to take a year off first. The choice proved fateful: She joined AmeriCorps VISTS and spent a year working in the development office of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.

“We did everything: relationship building, database management, stewardship, acknowledgment letters, grant writing,” Mudd said. “It was the best crash course in fundraising, and you saw the impact. Six months later, you saw the grant you applied for in action.”

At the end of that year, Mudd decided to shift course and pursue philanthropy full time.

Working ‘doctor-adjacent’   

When her time with AmeriCorps ended, she landed a position as an event coordinator at Johns Hopkins Medicine, where she stayed for more than eight years. She continued honing her skills in stewardship and donor relations and embraced the love of medicine she’d experienced as a child — only in a very different way. She wasn’t a doctor; she was “doctor-adjacent,” which allowed her to contribute to the work of physicians and other healthcare providers in a powerful way

“I love medicine. I love what they do,” Mudd said. “Supporting that work is a passion — one I was thrilled to reconnect with when the opportunity at Novant Health came to light.”

Her ‘pandemic epiphany’

Mudd and her family moved to Charlotte in 2015, and once she got settled, Mudd accepted a fundraising position at Blumenthal Performing Arts. In that role, she gained valuable experience working directly with donors and supporting an important mission. Then, the pandemic hit, and Mudd had what she calls her “pandemic epiphany.”

“Healthcare has always been important to me, but the pandemic made it even more important,” she said. “When this role opened at Novant Health, I was immediately drawn to it. In researching physicians for myself and my family when we first moved here, Novant Health always came up as the place to go for the best possible care. Now, this role allows me to support remarkable care, while also engaging the community in meaningful ways.”  

Mudd currently leads a team that engages with donors through their giving and stewardship, making each individual feel appreciated and inspired.

She believes in this work so much that she is a donor herself.

“I want to do my part to support the remarkable care that goes on not only within the walls of Novant Health but also in the communities we serve,” Mudd said.

Lifting up our healthcare heroes

In her time at Novant Health, Mudd has already seen how donor support can impact patient care. At the same time, financial contributions aren’t the only way to thank our healthcare heroes, who continue to find themselves on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic. Mudd offers four options when she talks with those looking for a way to show their gratitude and appreciation.

1. Get vaccinated and boosted if you are able.
Getting your COVID-19 vaccine or booster is an important step in helping our communities heal.

2. Say thank you.
Send a text, write a note or tell a healthcare hero in person how much you appreciate his or her commitment to quality care during this difficult time.

3. Provide philanthropic support.
Donate to an area you are passionate about within Novant Health or send lunch to the hospital staff. Every dollar makes an impact.

4. Give a shout out to doctors and nurses on social media.
When our healthcare heroes open their social channels and see their tireless work recognized by the community, they feel appreciated and reenergized to continue the remarkable work of saving lives.

“My job at Novant Health isn’t just to raise funds to support lifesaving work; it’s to build a community around our work,” Mudd said. “And the need for community has never been more important than it is now.”