KU Medical Center Alumni Association unites with KU Alumni Association to create one organization

LAWRENCE —As part of a comprehensive, universitywide initiative to optimize resources and better serve the University of Kansas community, the KU Medical Center Alumni Association will integrate into the KU Alumni Association, creating a unified organization dedicated to serving all KU alumni. This will take effect Jan. 1, 2025. The KU Medical Center Alumni Association includes the KU Health Professions, KU Medical and KU Nurses alumni associations. 

“We couldn’t be more excited about uniting with the KU Alumni Association,” said Jordann Snow, director of alumni relations at KU Medical Center, whose office manages the KU Medical Center Alumni Association. "Serving the growing alumni community is our top priority, and being one organization enables us to best meet their needs now and in the future.” 

The decision to integrate follows a comprehensive review process that began in fall 2023 to evaluate both associations’ operating models and identify opportunities for collaboration to align with Chancellor Douglas A. Girod’s “One KU” initiative, which aims to unify leadership and operations across the university. While both associations have a rich history of operating independently, this separation has led to duplicate efforts and confusion regarding separate membership programs, events and initiatives. 

Girod, who led the KU Medical Center as executive vice chancellor from 2013 to 2017 and began his medical center career in 1994, strongly endorses the strategic integration of the alumni associations.

“This greater alignment and unity will better serve alumni, students, faculty, staff and all KU stakeholders,” Girod said. “I applaud the associations’ leaders and alumni volunteers for their initiative, vision and courage to think about how the organizations can collaborate more closely. This structural change is a powerful step toward amplifying our collective impact and significantly enhancing the alumni experience for KU Medical Center graduates and all Jayhawks.” 

Starting Jan. 1, 2025, the two associations will fully integrate and operate as the KU Alumni Association, the primary resource for the entire KU alumni community. As part of this transition, their membership programs were consolidated under the KU Alumni Association in August 2024. 

“We are absolutely thrilled to welcome the KU Medical Center Alumni Association team,” said Heath Peterson, president of the KU Alumni Association. “This powerful partnership marks a new era of connection and support for our community. Together, we will build a more vibrant and impactful alumni association for all Jayhawks.” 

For more information, please read the FAQs about the change.