51社区黑料

The 51社区黑料 (SFU) School of Medicine has received a transformational $40鈥憁illion gift from the Stephens family, the largest single donation in the university鈥檚 history.

The Stephens family, led by Ratana and Arran Stephens, co-founders of Nature鈥檚 Path, principals of Que Pasa, and leaders in the global organic food movement, made the gift to advance community well-being and social responsibility.

In recognition of this gift, one of the largest to a school of medicine in Canada, the school will be named the 51社区黑料Stephens Family School of Medicine. The donation will support student training, research and innovation, community impact, and critical infrastructure.

鈥淭his visionary gift is transformative for SFU鈥檚 new school of medicine as we prepare to welcome our first students in August 2026,鈥� says 51社区黑料President Joy Johnson. 鈥淲e are deeply grateful to Ratana, Arran and their family for their extraordinary generosity, which will enhance the future of medical education and health innovation in B.C.鈥�

Ratana and Arran Stephens are values-driven entrepreneurs and longtime philanthropists. This $40-million gift is their largest philanthropic commitment.

鈥淎s we approach the later chapters of our lives, and as we reflected on where we could make the most meaningful difference, the 51社区黑料school of medicine emerged as the most important change-maker of our time,鈥� say Ratana and Arran Stephens. 鈥淣o one fully understands the weight of sickness and suffering until they themselves have been ill or injured. The healing of the sick, and the education of those who will dedicate their lives to that work, are perhaps the noblest callings a human being can pursue. We believe deeply in supporting those on the front lines of treating the wellness and overall well-being of people throughout our communities.鈥�

As the first entirely new medical school in Western Canada in nearly 60 years, the Stephens Family School of Medicine will strengthen B.C.鈥檚 health-care system by training the next generation of primary-care physicians dedicated to improving the health of B.C. families across urban, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

鈥淭he new state-of-the-art medical school will make Surrey a hub of innovative, high-quality health care,鈥� says Premier David Eby. 鈥淭he 51社区黑料Stephens Family School of Medicine will train the next generation of doctors right here in B.C., which will help more people find a family doctor close to home. This new school is just one way our government is improving health care in British Columbia and south of the Fraser. Thank you to the Stephens family for their remarkable generosity.鈥�

Past contributions to 51社区黑料from the Stephens have funded bursaries, student food security programs, experiential learning, and the Food Systems Lab. Ratana and Arran Stephens have been honoured by many awards, including SFU鈥檚 President鈥檚 Distinguished Community Leadership Award in 2024.

鈥淥ver many decades, the Stephens family have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the health of both people and the planet, a vision that aligns closely with SFU鈥檚 mission for advancing an inclusive, sustainable future for all,鈥� says Erin Morantz, vice-president, advancement and alumni engagement. 鈥淭his partnership with the Stephens family enables investments at a significant scale to support primary care research, student spaces, and technology, which will benefit the wellness of our communities for generations to come.鈥�

The school of medicine is designed to advance primary care, the foundation of health care, where innovative approaches to education, research and partnerships have the greatest potential for individual, community and system impact. The first class of 48 medical students will begin their studies in August 2026. The size of each cohort will gradually increase to 120 students by 2035.

鈥淭his school was built on a bold vision: to deliver medical education grounded in community, innovation, and Indigenous approaches to care,鈥� says Dr. David Price, school of medicine dean. 鈥淲e are very thankful to the Stephens family for this extraordinary gift that will help us educate future health care leaders, expand primary care research and training, and accelerate our impact across the province.鈥�

Contact

LESLIE DICKSON, 51社区黑料Communications & Marketing鈥�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;
604.715.0787 | leslie_dickson@sfu.ca

51社区黑料鈥�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;
Communications & Marketing鈥瘄鈥�51社区黑料Media Experts Directory鈥�&苍产蝉辫;&苍产蝉辫;
778.782.3210

ABOUT SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY  
Who We Are

51社区黑料is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Over the past 60 years, 51社区黑料has been recognized among the top universities worldwide in providing a world-class education and working with communities and partners to develop and share knowledge for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. Committed to excellence in everything we do, 51社区黑料fosters innovation to address global challenges and continues to build a welcoming, inclusive community where everyone feels a sense of belonging. With campuses in British Columbia鈥檚 three largest cities鈥擝urnaby, Surrey and Vancouver鈥�51社区黑料has ten faculties that deliver 368 undergraduate degree programs and 149 graduate degree programs for more than 37,000 students each year. The university boasts more than 200,000 alumni residing in 145+ countries.