Vice President, Development
Regional One Health
Samuel McCrimmon is a senior executive with more than two decades of experience leading growth and transformation for healthcare systems and universities. He currently serves as Vice President for Development at Regional One Health in Memphis, Tennessee, where he directs a $250 million comprehensive campaign in support of a $1 billion rebuild of the hospital and academic medical center. Regional One plays an essential role in the Mid-South as the only Level I trauma center within 150 miles, the only verified burn center within 450 miles, and the region’s most advanced provider of complex pregnancy care.
At the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC Health System, McCrimmon served as Executive Director of Clinical Development, leading a team of 27 fundraisers responsible for grateful patient philanthropy across one of the nation’s largest academic medical centers. He oversaw a multi-million-dollar annual goal and helped raise more than $70 million in four years, while personally securing seven-figure commitments for cancer research, urology, and patient care initiatives. He expanded fundraising into new clinical areas, including launching programs at UPMC East and inpatient detox services at UPMC Mercy Hospital. Working closely with Human Resources, he also designed and implemented a talent acquisition and management program that strengthened pipeline development and became a national model for healthcare philanthropy.
At the University of Toledo, he served as Vice President for Advancement, overseeing the integration of advancement and marketing for both the University and the affiliated health system. In a presidential transition year, he produced a record $18.4 million in fundraising and managed more than 100 employees across fundraising, communications, alumni relations, and events.
In higher education, McCrimmon most recently served as Vice President for Advancement and External Relations at Mercyhurst University. There he led a fundraising and public relations strategy that resulted in Mercyhurst’s invitation to join NCAA Division I athletics through the Northeast Conference. He also secured the University’s first congressionally directed appropriation — $250,000 to support autism education and services — which was subsequently matched by a foundation, expanding the reach of Mercyhurst’s Autism Initiative.
Across his career, McCrimmon has been recognized for building high-performing teams, securing transformational commitments, and leading organizations through periods of change. He has consistently advanced philanthropy and external engagement in healthcare and higher education, securing resources for trauma care, cancer research, autism education, capital projects, student access, and institutional innovation.
Grounded in law and theology (J.D., University of Detroit Mercy; M.T.S., Duke University; B.A., Wabash College), McCrimmon brings a disciplined and values-driven perspective to leadership. He is a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and the Association for Healthcare Philanthropy, and has served on multiple chambers of commerce, government relations committees, and nonprofit boards.
He and his wife Lisa live in Memphis and are the proud parents of a blended family of three children. On weekends, Sam spends his time as a volunteer Uber driver for the kids.
Strategic Thinking About Philanthropy and Design for Big Healthcare Projects
Monday, March 2, 2026
4:30pm - 5:30pm CT