Simon Fraser University's new medical school has received the largest donation in the university's history as it prepares to welcome its first students this fall. The $40 million gift from Ratana and Arran Stephens, co-founders of Nature's Path organic foods, will help establish the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine in Surrey.
Transformative Impact on Medical Education
The donation will support student training, research and innovation, community impact, and critical infrastructure, according to SFU. The school, set to open in August 2026, will be the first entirely new medical school in Western Canada in nearly six decades.
"This visionary gift is transformative for SFU's new school of medicine as we prepare to welcome our first students in August 2026," said SFU President Joy Johnson. "We 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."
A Family's Commitment to Healing
Ratana and Arran Stephens, leaders in the global organic food movement, emphasized their motivation for the donation. "As we approach the later chapters of our lives, and as we reflected on where we could make the most meaningful difference, the SFU school of medicine emerged as the most important change-maker of our time," they said in a statement.
"No 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."
Community and Indigenous Focus
The Stephens Family School of Medicine aims to train the next generation of physicians to care for B.C. families across urban, rural, remote, and Indigenous communities. Premier David Eby thanked the family for their remarkable generosity, noting that the new state-of-the-art medical school will make Surrey a hub of innovative, high-quality health care.
Dr. David Price, dean of the school of medicine, highlighted the school's vision: "This school was built on a bold vision: to deliver medical education grounded in community, innovation and Indigenous approaches to care."
Support Beyond the Donation
The Stephens family has also contributed to bursaries, food security programs, and a food systems lab at SFU. Erin Morantz, SFU's vice-president for advancement and alumni engagement, said the partnership enables investments at a significant scale to support primary care research, student spaces, and technology.
The first class of 48 students will begin studies this August, with the cohort increasing gradually to 120 students by 2035.
