A Career Close

Kristin Anderson retired as the executive director of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine—Alumni Relations in June 2022.

Anderson served as the executive director for nine years and had worked with alumni relations for the medical school since 2006. She previously worked as the director (2007–2013) and the associate director (2006–2007).

“Kristin magnified the job quite a bit,” said Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Dean Wayne Samuelson, MD ’80. “She took what was an association that might send out a newsletter and turned it into an active body. She contributed to fundraising and tying alumni to the university, and made us a much better school.”

Anderson tirelessly strove to increase alumni engagement with the medical school. When she joined the alumni relations team, the medical school awarded $600,000 in scholarships annually. Today, the school awards more than $2 million each year.

In 2007, Anderson created the Stethoscope Program, in which incoming students receive stethoscopes and personalized notes from Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine alumni as part of the White Coat Ceremony. Two years later, she helped launch Transitioning Into Practice, which has benefited residents.

Anderson was instrumental in building the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine endowment. She helped establish more than 20 endowed scholarships, awards, and chairs, and cultivated several planned gifts to the medical school. The Ballard Scholarship is a direct result of the creation of the Half Century Society, which recognizes the school’s more-senior alumni, and her relationship with Half Century Society members.

“We cannot overstate her passion, dedication, and accomplishments in support of student scholarships and alumni engagement over the past 16 years,” said University of Utah Health CEO Michael L. Good, MD. “Her efforts over the years helped create a best-in-class alumni association for our medical school.” 

“Kristin has done so much to increase alumni engagement and alleviate financial burdens for medical students,” said Marika Jones, chief philanthropy officer for U of U Health. “Her years of tireless work have made the support for medical education stronger, and at every step of the way, she credits the growth to the alumni and friends of the school—many of whom became engaged because of Kristin.”

Another scholarship initiative Anderson spearheaded was the Five for Five Scholarship (or Ten for Five Scholarship), in which the donor makes a $5,000 or $10,000 annual pledge for five years, which is awarded to one or two students as a scholarship over five years.

She was instrumental in launching the Dinner with a Doc program, which matches first and second-year medical students with practicing physicians in the Salt Lake City area. Bringing together current medical students and physicians in informal settings, along with their spouses/significant others, facilitated connections that allowed students to learn firsthand about both the practice of medicine and its influence on the family.

Anderson has helped connect medical students with alumni around the country through the Help Our Students Travel (HOST) program. Alumni welcomed students into their homes as they traveled to interview for residencies and fellowships. She worked to increase the size of the alumni association and has refined the role of its board of directors.

Anderson significantly expanded Illuminations, the alumni association’s flagship magazine, and played a leading role in transforming it into UtahMed, which has won multiple awards from the Council for Support and Advancement of Education.

Kristin was a natural at connecting people and building relationships, according to Teresa Ota, MD, past president of the Spencer Fox Eccles School of Medicine Alumni Association. “She is fun and positive, quick with her big laugh. She is energetic and dedicated, so a middle-of-the-night email was not unusual. The alumni board has grown in size, diversity and stature. Kristin’s enthusiasm for the work of the alumni association spreads to board members, so there is never a shortage of ideas, participation, or volunteers.”

Anderson’s impact extended beyond fundraising. She engaged alumni to lobby Utah legislators to increase class sizes to 125 students.

“It has been wonderful, though extremely busy,” Anderson said. “This job always had so much variety. I was always interested in how to increase our service to the school and our alumni. I’d like to thank Steve Warner for being an incredible colleague and mentor. I’d also like to thank all the alumni and School of Medicine and Advancement colleagues I have become friends with; it has been a joy to get to know you and work with everyone.”

In retirement, Anderson plans to move into a new house, spend time with her grandchildren, ride her bicycle a lot more, and travel—including a trip to Portugal and Spain this fall.

Pull quote to break up the article if needed (it’s all in caps in the magazine): “The alumni board has grown in size, diversity, and stature. Kristin’s enthusiasm for the work of the alumni association spreads to board members, so there is never a shortage of ideas, participation, or volunteers.”