The soon-to-open Simon Fraser University (SFU) School of Medicine has secured a $40-million donation from Ratana and Arran Stephens, founders of Nature’s Path, Love Crunch, and Que Pasa Mexican Foods.

The gift marks the largest single donation in the university’s history and will support critical infrastructure, student training, research, and innovation. In recognition, the school will be named the SFU Stephens Family School of Medicine. In a joint statement, the family said they were drawn to the school’s holistic approach to health, which emphasizes nutrition, Indigenous knowledge, and functional medicine.

“Receiving a donation of this scale will meaningfully strengthen how SFU can deliver its medical education training,” said Jessie Sunner, minister of post-secondary education and future skills. “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.”

The school will welcome its first cohort of 48 students in August 2026. SFU has renovated existing space on its Surrey campus and leased additional space to create an interim facility, supported by $33.7 million in provincial funding. The university will locate the school permanently at Surrey Centre Block, next to Surrey Central SkyTrain Station.

The provincial government and SFU have committed $496 million and $25 million, respectively, to the project. Construction will begin in fall 2026. Full completion is on track for fall 2030.