Central OC Times

The University of California, Irvine has announced a $50 million donation from Southern California businessman Joe C. Wen and his family. This contribution will support the newly established School of Population & Public Health and enhance cardiovascular research and care at the university. This marks the largest gift to UC Irvine by a donor under age 50 and is the first naming gift of a University of California school after a Taiwanese American.

“This historic gift from Joe C. Wen and the Wen family is a testament to their remarkable dedication to advancing human health and well-being,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “Their donation enables UC Irvine to accelerate our efforts in education, research, and healthcare, ensuring our position at the forefront of innovative and impactful solutions to the challenges of our time.”

The UC Board of Regents approved a proposal today for transitioning the Program in Public Health into a school, which will be named the Joe C. Wen School of Population & Public Health in recognition of this generosity. Additionally, plans are underway to rename parts of UC Irvine’s medical facilities: The School of Medicine’s Division of Cardiology will become the Mary & Steve Wen Cardiovascular Division, honoring Joe C. Wen’s parents, while UCI Medical Center's cardiovascular center will be named Tsai Ya Au Heart & Vascular Pavilion in memory of his grandfather.

“This transformational gift will empower the distinctive One Health approach of UC Irvine Health Affairs, uniting health disciplines to amplify their combined strengths,” said Steve Goldstein, vice chancellor for health affairs. “With the support of Joe C. Wen and his family, we are fostering interdisciplinary collaboration to produce groundbreaking research, elevate public health education and improve healthcare outcomes for our community and beyond.”

Of the total donation, $42.5 million will create an endowment fund for priorities within the new public health school while $7.5 million is allocated towards advancing cardiological research within both UCI’s School of Medicine and its health system.

“Our family’s commitment to advancing healthcare and education has always been a core value,” Joe C. Wen said. “We are honored to support UC Irvine in its mission to improve healthcare and advance teaching and research, continuing a legacy of care and compassion for future generations.”

Joe C. Wen immigrated from Taiwan as a teenager; he worked through college at UCLA followed by an MBA from USC before founding Formosa Ltd., now a multinational conglomerate with diverse business interests including real estate development.

“I am grateful to my parents... Their example taught me that I should give back... Their inspiration made this gift possible,” said Wen.

In 2022, Wen's family donated $20 million establishing an outpatient clinical facility at UCI Health – Irvine complex.

Bernadette Boden-Albala expressed gratitude for elevating their program into one recognized nationally among schools: “The hard work... becoming a school are further being recognized through this transformative gift.”

Michael J Stamos noted how this generous contribution allows advancements in cardiovascular care: "Together with state-of-the-art facilities... setting new standards in cardiac care."

UCI Medical Center President Chad T Lefteris acknowledged that support furthers commitments providing comprehensive interventional/non-interventional complex care available across Southern California.

UC Irvine launched its Brilliant Future campaign aiming $2 billion philanthropic investment enhancing student success/health/wellness/research areas where such donations play vital roles contributing significantly toward these goals making strides educationally/economically regionally/nationally/internationally since founded year 1965 renowned producing Nobel laureates premier academic achievements innovative pursuits consistently ranked top ten nationwide public universities by US News World Report led currently Chancellor Howard Gillman serving large vibrant economically significant Orange County community