Following a national search, the Doernbecher Children’s Hospital Foundation and the Oregon Health & Science University Foundation have jointly appointed Mary K. Turina vice president for pediatric development and executive director of the Doernbecher Foundation.

Turina will replace Sue Nicol, who is retiring Sept. 30 after 12 years as Doernbecher Foundation leader. Turina begins her new role Aug. 2.

“This is my dream job,” Turina said. “OHSU Doernbecher is our region’s most important resource for children and families, and I am honored to support its mission.”

Turina brings to the Doernbecher Foundation — the nonprofit fundraising affiliate of OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital — more than 15 years of leadership experience in both nonprofit and corporate environments. She previously served as president and chief operating officer for the Children’s Cancer Association, a regional nonprofit serving seriously ill children and their families.

During her six-year tenure at CCA, Turina extended the reach of core services, advanced fundraising activities and forged productive relationships with new corporate partners.

“We are excited about the experience and perspective Mary will bring to the Doernbecher Foundation’s important work,” said Ron Brake, president of the Doernbecher Foundation board of directors. “Her success leading a nonprofit with a mission so closely allied to Doernbecher’s combined with her high-profile corporate experience means she will make an immediate contribution to our team.”

Before beginning her work on behalf of children, Turina was a corporate executive, holding several leadership positions during her 12-year tenure at Portland General Electric.

“Mary is an outstanding choice for Doernbecher,” said Allan Price, OHSU Foundation president. “She is well-known in Oregon’s philanthropic community with a clear record of success. Her commitment to advancing children’s health and well-being will be invaluable as the Doernbecher Foundation gears up its fundraising efforts on behalf of OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.”

“Mary’s expertise will help us ensure that OHSU Doernbecher has the faculty, staff and resources to improve the health and well-being of all children in our region through excellence in care, education, research and advocacy,” said H. Stacy Nicholson, M.D., M.P.H., physician-in-chief, OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital.

Sue Nicol’s retirement follows numerous achievements as Doernbecher Foundation leader, including endowment of key faculty positions advancing pediatric research and care; expansion of OHSU Doernbecher’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit and the Kenneth W. Ford Northwest Children’s Cancer Center; launch of the Papé Family Pediatric Research Institute; and creation of Doernbecher Freestyle, a signature fundraising partnership with Nike, Inc.

“Sue’s record of success and commitment to Doernbecher have been extraordinary,” said Brake. “She has expanded Doernbecher’s ties with its key philanthropic partners during a period of extensive growth. We thank her for her dedicated service on behalf of children in our region and far beyond.”

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