UC Davis receives $75M gift for new teaching hospital, and more

A $75 million gift to the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) Weill School of Veterinary Medicine was made by philanthropists Kathy Chiao and Kenneth Hao in support of the school’s new small animal hospital. Their gift will also fund animal-human translational medicine, scholarships, and programs for individuals unable to afford veterinary care, according to UC Davis.¹

“Some of the brightest chapters in our university’s history have come when we partner with those who share our vision for a better world,” Gary S. May, chancellor of the university, said in a news release.¹ “This generous gift from Kathy Chiao and Ken Hao will transform animal care and create new pathways to advance human health. I’m deeply grateful for their vision and philanthropy.”

The gift from Chiao and Hao is the second largest ever for the UC Davis veterinary program.¹ A $120 million donation to the university, announced in January 2026, was the world’s largest gift ever made to veterinary medicine. UC Davis formally renamed the veterinary school the Joan and Sanford I. Weill School of Veterinary Medicine in recognition of the philanthropists’ commitment to the program with their historic gift. Eighty million dollars of the Weills’ gift was earmarked for construction of the new hospital.^2,3

Scheduled to open in 2030, the new small animal teaching hospital will be named in recognition of Chiao and Hao, who are longtime supporters of academic hospitals, health sciences, and animal welfare, according to UC Davis. Hao serves as vice chair of the board of directors for the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), cochair of UCSF’s Health Executive Council, and chairman and managing partner of the Silver Lake global technology investment firm.¹

“This is a pivotal time to expand support for UC Davis and its extraordinary veterinarians—true everyday heroes,” Chiao and Hao said in a joint statement.¹ “We deeply value the advancement of health care for every type of animal. We also believe research in veterinary medicine and human life sciences will be increasingly interconnected and mutually reinforcing.”

The existing William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital annually cares for approximately 50,000 animals, while the new small animal teaching hospital is designed to care for up to 25,000 more animals in a range of specialties. The future facility will feature expanded spaces for veterinary clinicians, specialists, and training to help address veterinary workforce shortages. Additionally, the new hospital will offer artificial intelligence, precision medicine, and other new technologies.¹

“Every day, we see how veterinary care matters,” Mark D. Stetter, DVM, DACZM, dean of the Weill School of Veterinary Medicine, said in a news release.¹ “Our school’s mission is to improve health for animals, people, and our planet. Support such as this incredible gift from Kathy Chiao and Ken Hao goes a long way in helping the future of all species.”

The new teaching hospital is part of UC Davis’ $750 million planned expansion for the veterinary medicine complex.¹ In September 2025, UC Davis announced the opening of the All Species Imaging Center, offering advanced diagnostic imaging. Planned facilities for the complex expansion also include a veterinary education pavilion, an equine hospital, a cancer center, a spay-neuter clinic, and a raptor center.^2,4

In addition to helping to make veterinary medicine more available to pet owners, the gift from Chiao and Han will also make animal care more accessible to clients by supporting aid programs through UC Davis, which may include student-led clinics, compassionate care funds, and shelter medicine programs.¹

Additionally, the Chiao and Han gift makes education more accessible for veterinary students by expanding the school’s scholarship endowment. This endowment provides funds for students to pursue veterinary medicine as a career path and helps relieve debt burden after they graduate, according to UC Davis.¹

“This incredible gift from Kathy Chiao and Ken Hao enables our school to give the best care possible,” Stetter said.¹ “Thanks to them, our new hospital will serve even more animals, and our students will graduate with the freedom of choice in their paths and go on to help our world. Thanks to them, our school will continue to do what it does best—making advancements in veterinary health that has potential to help us all.”

References

1. UC Davis receives $75M historic gift in support of veterinary medicine. New release. University of California, Davis. April 23, 2026. [email]
2. Crossley KC. UC Davis receives historic donation. dvm360. January 28, 2026. Accessed April 27, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/uc-davis-receives-historic-donation
3. Tompkins C. UC Davis receives $120M gift, largest ever to veterinary medicine. News release. UC Davis. January 28,2026. Accessed April 27, 2026. https://www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu/news/uc-davis-receives-120m-gift-largest-ever-veterinary-medicine
4. Crossley KC. UC Davis unveils a new diagnostic imaging center. dvm360. September 20, 2025. Accessed April 27, 2026. https://www.dvm360.com/view/uc-davis-unveils-a-new-diagnostic-imaging-center