Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills
Summary
- The soon-to-open Simon Fraser University (SFU) School of Medicine received a $40-million donation from the Stephens family, founders of Nature’s Path and Que Pasa
- In gratitude, SFU will name the new school the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine
- The donation will support student training, research and innovation, and critical infrastructure
- The Stephens Family School of Medicine will welcome its first cohort of future doctors in August 2026
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A historic donation from the Stephens family, founders of Nature’s Path, Love Crunch and Que Pasa Mexican Foods, will enable the new Simon Fraser University (SFU) School of Medicine to better support students training to become B.C.’s future doctors.
“The new state-of-the-art medical school will make Surrey a hub of innovative, high-quality health care,” said Premier David Eby. “The SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine will help train the next generation of doctors right here in B.C., which will mean more people can 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.”
The donation is the largest single donation that SFU has ever received. It is the latest donation the Stephens family has made in its decades-long history of donations to organizations that support health care, addictions care, wellness projects and environmental stewardship.
“Training more doctors is one of government’s top priorities, which is why this donation is so meaningful in the larger context of B.C.’s health-care system,” said Jessie Sunner, Minister of Post-Secondary Education and Future Skills. “Receiving a donation of this scale will meaningfully strengthen how SFU can deliver its medical education training. It means B.C.’s future doctors will be trained with cutting-edge equipment and enhanced academic support. This is a win for all British Columbians and especially for growing communities like Surrey and south of the Fraser.”
Official name for the school of medicine
In recognition of the donation, the school will be named the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine, a name that honours the Stephens’ legacy throughout B.C. as visionary entrepreneurs and philanthropists.
“Supporting the next generation of physicians is the best use of your and our resources, the investment with the greatest possible return for the good of society,” Ratana and Arran Stephens said in a joint statement. “Think of it this way: What if you or someone you love couldn’t find a doctor when you needed one most? That is the reality for far too many people in this province right now. By supporting students at the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine, you have the power to help change that. Our passion for this unique new medical school was also ignited by its holistic approach to wellness, including a greater focus on nutrition, Indigenous wisdom and functional medicine.”
Ratana and Arran Stephens, who co-founded Nature’s Path in Vancouver in 1985, were awarded the Order of British Columbia in 2021, the highest form of recognition the Province extends to its citizens. The family has donated more than $100 million throughout the Lower Mainland and globally.
More doctors for people in British Columbia
“This visionary gift is transformative for SFU’s new school of medicine as we prepare to welcome our first students in August 2026,” said Joy Johnson, president, SFU. “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.”
The school of medicine will welcome its first cohort of 48 students on Aug. 4, 2026. Their training will begin at an interim facility that has been renovated from existing building space at SFU’s Surrey campus and leased space nearby, supported by $33.7 million in provincial funding.
The school’s permanent location will be at Surrey Centre Block, next to Surrey Central SkyTrain station. Construction is on track to begin in fall 2026, supported by $496 million from the Province and $25 million from SFU. The permanent school is expected to be complete and ready for students by fall 2030.
Government has committed $41.1 million in operational funding for 2026-27.
Because investing in post-secondary education is investing in B.C.’s future, the B.C. government is working with SFU to train more doctors so everyone can get the care they need.
Quotes:
Josie Osborne, Minister of Health –
“People across the province will benefit from improved access to care as we continue to train more health-care professionals. The SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine opening its doors to its first cohort this summer is critical in our plan to ensure people in B.C. get the care they need in a timely manner, now and in the future. I look forward to witnessing the careers of tomorrow’s health-care professionals.”
Amna Shah, MLA for Surrey City Centre –
“This donation is a testament to the trust and confidence people have in the Surrey medical school, and it reflects the shared belief that investing in future physicians strengthens the health of our entire province. We are honoured by the Stephens family’s generosity and inspired by their commitment to ensuring that British Columbians can access the care they need close to home.”
Garry Begg, parliamentary secretary for Surrey infrastructure –
“This historic donation is more than a gift to SFU, it’s an investment in B.C.’s future. The Stephens Family School of Medicine will bring world-class medical training to Surrey, bringing more doctors, more innovation and better health care for people across B.C. in the years ahead.”
Learn More:
- To learn more about the Stephens Family School of Medicine, visit: https://www.sfu.ca/medicine/about.html
- To read SFU’s news release, visit: https://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/2026/06/historic--40m-gift-powers-sfu-s-new-school-of-medicine.html
- The School of Medicine was announced in July 2024: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2024PSFS0030-001072
- Applications opened in October 2025: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PREM0042-000997
- For information about the Look West Strategy’s skilled-trades training investment, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2025PSFS0052-001123
