Why I Give: Kim Stevenson
“Supporting pediatric research has become a passion for me.”
Kim Stevenson
Associate Department Administrator, Academic Operations, Department of Pediatrics
UW School of Medicine and Public Health
In the early days of her 17-year career with the UW Department of Pediatrics, Kim Stevenson worked in research administration helping faculty navigate the grant application process. Now, as Associate Department Administrator of Academic Operations, she oversees the department’s thriving research enterprise, faculty affairs, education program and development funds. Her deep-rooted connection with faculty and researchers over the years has made supporting pediatric research an easy decision.
“I've always had an interest in doing my part to make a difference and that's what I love about what I do,” Kim said. “I’m not cut out for patient care, but I know the work that I do ultimately impacts the care that our patients receive – whether that be through innovative clinical research or training the next generation of physicians.”
Kim has witnessed the impact of philanthropy firsthand. Generous gifts from donors help recruit new faculty, and she’s seen the department grow from around 90 to over 200 faculty. Philanthropy also funds new initiatives through pilot grants and faculty research start-up packages. It’s the investment needed to compete for large grants from the National Institutes of Health and other foundations.
“It’s exciting to see our faculty develop and grow. Having firsthand knowledge of what’s going on makes it exciting to wonder what a pilot grant of $5,000, $10,000 or $20,000 might lead to,” Kim said.
Kim is also a mother of two children–Dylan, 15, and Ava, 12. American Family Children’s Hospital’s annual Radiothon fundraiser offers a vivid reminder of the children and families that benefit from the research. “While listening to the stories on my car ride to work, I’d have tears running down my face. I think about how fortunate my family is and that my kids are healthy, but that can turn at any time,” Kim reflected.
Kim lost her father to cancer over twenty years ago when he was just 47 years old, an event that has and will continue to impact her. “After my dad’s 3+ year battle with cancer, my desire to make a difference grew—it’s been a focus of mine to do better, be better and make things better. With any luck, I won’t have to go through something like this with my own kids.”