Michael P. Fahy Named Senior Associate Vice President for URMC Advancement
Following a comprehensive and competitive nationwide search, Michael P. Fahy has been named senior associate vice president for University Advancement overseeing the philanthropy and engagement programs for the Medical Center. Fahy, an accomplished and dedicated philanthropy professional, has served as interim leader of the URMC teams within Advancement since August 2024. He began his career at Rochester in 2010 as the assistant director of community affairs for Golisano Children’s Hospital.
“Mike Fahy is that special leader who embodies our institutional values and brings a level of drive both strategically and on a day-to-day basis that can take an organization to the next level,” says Tom Farrell, senior vice president for University Advancement. “As we prepare for a new comprehensive campaign, Mike’s depth of experience, his thoughtful management approach, and his authentic connection to the URMC mission made it clear he was the right leader to continue to carry this work forward.”
David Linehan, URMC CEO and dean of the School of Medicine and Dentistry, says while Fahy’s longstanding dedication to the vital work of the Medical Center made him a leading candidate for the permanent role, his historically strong relationships with URMC faculty, clinicians, and donors really set him apart. “Mike is an exceptional leader with expert knowledge and insights in fundraising and engagement,” Linehan says. “He understands the challenges and opportunities of our institution well, and we are delighted Mike will be leading our advancement efforts.”
During Fahy’s 15-year career in URMC Advancement, he has held numerous roles, each one with increasing levels of responsibility. As associate director of advancement for GCH he developed the strategic plan for grateful patient and family giving. As director of advancement for the Wilmot Cancer Institute, he led the philanthropy champions program. In 2019, Fahy was promoted to assistant vice president for clinical, research, and hospital programs, leading a team that worked to double the average fundraising commitments generated in support of the departments.
“I am deeply honored to serve in this role at URMC, an institution that holds significant personal and professional meaning for me,” Fahy says. “Collaborating every day with respected institutional leaders, generous benefactors, and dedicated colleagues to support the transformative work of both the academic and clinical enterprise is so professionally and personally rewarding. I have appreciated the opportunity to serve as an interim leader and look forward to executing a plan to maximize our productivity in both the fundraising and engagement program areas.”
Prior to his career in philanthropy, Fahy held positions at Nazareth University and was an adjunct instructor at Rochester Institute of Technology. He completed his undergraduate studies at Slippery Rock University and received a master’s degree from West Virginia University. In 2009 he earned his EdD in educational leadership from the Warner School of Education and Human Development.