Carle Illinois College of Medicine

Together, We Inspire

When the University of Illinois began exploring founding a radically new medical school, one that educated physician scientists by incorporating engineering principals from the very beginning and the first new college at the Urbana campus in nearly six decades, we knew we needed a partner. Carle Foundation Hospital saw the value in building this college in Champaign-Urbana and pledged $100 million dollars over ten years to support us as we established ourselves and began to grow into the world’s best engineering-based college of medicine.

Together, We Lead

Rick and Jeanene Stephens believe in the power of people working together for the greater good. That is why, early in 2021, the couple established the Rick & Jeanene Stephens Family Challenge, a $1.5 million donation to the Phyllis M. Wise Center for Student Excellence Fund, that challenges others to help reach an ambitious goal of $5 million. The endowment will support a wide range of crucial student-centered programs at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine and was inspired by the passion of former Chancellor Phyllis Wise, who championed the creation of Carle Illinois as a collaboration between the University of Illinois, the Champaign-Urbana community, and Carle Health.

Together, We Innovate

It’s no secret that perfect practice makes perfect. Simulation training is revolutionizing medical education, and financial technology firm Jump Trading’s $10 million gift has allowed us to build a state-of-the-art simulation center to allow our future physician innovators to practice their technical skills in a low-risk environment. The Jump Simulation Center in Everitt Laboratory combines a fully functional operating suite and clinical exam rooms with virtual reality, allowing students to enhance their technical skills in a low-risk environment. It’s as close to reality as possible without affecting a human’s health and safety while a student learns. Read more.

Together, We Give

Jane Hays and Dave Downey have been active members of the Illinois, Carle Health, and Champaign-Urbana communities their entire adult lives, so when former Chancellor Phyllis Wise unveiled her vision for an innovative engineering-based medical school, the couple was immediately on board. They were one of the first supporters, and when Rick and Jeanene Stephens challenged the community to raise an additional $3.5 million, Jane and Dave decided to help make the vision a reality with a $1 million donation to the Phyllis M. Wise Center for Student Excellence Fund. Their gift will support marrying engineering expertise with hands-on medical training, as well as help the college’s influence on healthcare grow regionally and nationally.

Together, We Fuel Success

The prospect of a different kind of medical school, one that married the strength of Illinois’ engineering program and innovative medical education, was what drew brothers Dale and Chris Smith to Carle Illinois College of Medicine. As long-time supporters of the University, they chose to direct a part of their overall $20 million gift to support Carle Illinois’ fourth-year Capstone Innovations, as well as other innovations related to sports medicine.