After a national search, Kathryn “Kat” Carrico, an accomplished advancement professional with experience at several top academic medical centers, has been named vice president for USC Health Sciences Advancement, effective Jan. 1.

In this role, Carrico will lead efforts to generate support for the academic, research and clinical missions and priorities of the university’s medical enterprise, Keck Medicine of USC, and will oversee advancement activities for Keck Hospital of USC, USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, USC Verdugo Hills Hospital, and the 600-physician practice group known as USC Care Medical Group, Inc., as well as for the Keck School of Medicine of USC, including academic departments, research centers, institutes and programs.

She will work closely with USC’s president, provost, vice presidents, deans, directors, faculty and staff across the university. She will report jointly to the senior vice president for University Advancement, the dean of the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and the senior vice president and chief executive officer for USC Health.

“Kat Carrico has a passion for academic medicine that’s evident in her successful track record at several outstanding medical centers,” said Al Checcio, senior vice president for University Advancement. “We are excited about her vision for increasing philanthropic support for Keck Medicine and look forward to introducing her to our community in the new year.”

Carrico comes to USC from the University of California, Los Angeles, where she serves as associate vice chancellor for development, overseeing principal gifts for the university and areas including the UCLA Depression Grand Challenge, the UCLA Veterans Initiative, the schools of nursing, dentistry, public health, the UCLA Broad Stem Cell Research Center and the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA. She co-leads UCLA’s development team of 350 staff members who are supporting the university’s Centennial Campaign. UCLA surpassed its $4.2 billion goal in June 2018, 18 months ahead of schedule.

At UCLA, she previously served as assistant vice chancellor for health sciences development, where she oversaw fundraising for the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, UCLA Health — composed of four hospitals and 150 satellite clinics — and the UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“Kat clearly understands the appeal that teaching and research have for individuals interested in leveraging their contributions to advance medical research and education — ultimately resulting in premier health care locally and globally,” said Laura A. Mosqueda, MD, dean of the Keck School. “We are extremely pleased that our search yielded a professional whose skills, knowledge, leadership and energy will help us achieve our ambitious goals.”

“As USC’s medical enterprise continues to expand, Kat is the ideal person to help us optimize our advancement program and build even more meaningful relationships with our supporters,” said Tom Jackiewicz, MPH, senior vice president and chief executive officer for USC Health.

Carrico brings more than 20 years of advancement experience to USC. Prior to her service at UCLA, Carrico held positions in advancement at the Robert W. Woodruff Health Sciences Center at Emory University, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and the Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago.

“I am sincerely honored by this appointment,” Carrico said. “Keck Medicine of USC is an extraordinary place where dedicated faculty and staff are improving health for individuals and communities here in Los Angeles and around the world, and I see great potential for philanthropy to broaden Keck’s reach and bolster its achievements. I can’t wait to get started.”

Carrico earned a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Missouri-Columbia.