Champion of Philanthropy: Nikki Davis

Vice President, Revenue Cycle, MetroHealth

The MetroHealth Foundation is proud to recognize Nikki Davis as our very first Champion of Philanthropy, a new initiative honoring colleagues who go above and beyond to support MetroHealth’s mission through advocacy, generosity and meaningful connections.

For 23 years, Nikki has served in Revenue Cycle, where she and her team support patients through every step of their care from pre-authorizations and check-ins to billing and payment assistance. Her impact extends far beyond operations. When she learned she was being recognized, Nikki was “humbled and shocked.” She credits the power of connections, like her relationships with Experian and members of the Office of Strategic Philanthropy at The MetroHealth Foundation, for helping secure a generous gift to support MetroHealth’s School Health Program.

Nikki’s passion for MetroHealth is deeply personal. Her daughter, N’yah, now 22 and a junior at the University of Cincinnati studying to become a social worker, has faced complex health challenges. Through those experiences, Nikki saw MetroHealth’s mission in action as an employee and mother. “Giving back, to me, is an act of appreciation and a promise,” she said. “It’s a promise to help sustain the mission that helped sustain us.”

Q&A with Nikki Davis

1. What inspires you most about MetroHealth’s mission and how has that influenced your decision to give back?

What inspires me most is our unwavering commitment to caring for all and compassion. Over the past 23 years, I’ve had the unique perspective of seeing that mission as an employee, a patient and as a parent of a child with complex medical needs. Since 2020, my daughter, N’yah, has endured numerous health challenges, leading to multiple acute and rehab stays at MetroHealth. During some of our most difficult and vulnerable moments, I witnessed our mission come to life. It made me want to give back, not out of obligation, but out of deep gratitude. MetroHealth isn’t just where I work; it’s part of my family’s story. Giving back is my way of honoring that story and helping write a better chapter for someone else.

2. Among the many programs and services supported by the Office of Strategic Philanthropy at The MetroHealth Foundation, which one has made the most meaningful impression on you and why? 

Support for the Employee Hardship Fund makes it possible for MetroHealth employees to receive timely and compassionate assistance during personal crises. For the past two years, this fund has been selected as the recipient of the Employee Giving Campaign. It’s not something that gets a lot of spotlight, but behind the scenes, the Employee Hardship Fund provides comfort, resources and a sense of community. Whether it’s helping a colleague who’s lost a loved one, supporting someone through a medical emergency, or simply offering encouragement during tough times, the support is immediate, intentional and deeply sincere. I’ve seen this firsthand, especially during my daughter’s ongoing health journey. It’s the generosity of our employees that truly brings this support to life, empowering us to care for one another in moments of need.

3. How has your involvement with MetroHealth shaped your perspective on community impact and philanthropy?

Nurses, doctors, therapists and support staff have supported our entire family with dignity, patience and heart. That kind of care creates a ripple effect because when you feel seen, supported and valued in your hardest moments, it reshapes your understanding of what true impact looks like. That experience made me realize philanthropy isn’t just about writing a check or funding a program. It’s about belonging to something bigger than yourself. It’s about ensuring that others – families like mine – have access to the same extraordinary care, the same safety net, the same hope. Being part of our mission, both personally and professionally, is one of the greatest honors of my life.

4. What advice would you give to someone considering getting involved or giving to MetroHealth for the first time?

Start small, but most importantly, start from the heart. You don’t need to make a grand gesture or write a big check to make a meaningful difference. A kind word, a shared story or a modest donation can have a ripple effect that touches far more lives than you might ever realize. Giving back, in any form, is about more than generosity. It’s about gratitude. It’s about paying forward the compassion, expertise and care that someone once gave to you or your loved ones. Once you take that first step, you’ll quickly realize that you’re not just giving – you’re gaining. Your impact, no matter the size, matters more than you know.