Land gift's value sets record for UC Davis

The University of California, Davis Health System has just received the largest private donation in its history - 15 acres of undeveloped land valued at $8.17 million.River South Holding, LLC, whose major partners include five prominent local families, donated the property that is located at the northeast corner of Whitney Boulevard and Highway 65 in Rocklin.The land will be used for medical facilities to serve the health care needs of the fast-growing region of Northern California.River South Holdings, LLC includes local landowners Mark Friedman of Fulcrum Properties, Martin Harmon of Western Care Construction, the Tsakopoulos family, represented by Kyriakos Tsakopoulos of AKT Development, Brian Vail of River West Investments and John Sinadinos, an attorney and developer. Many of the partners have a history of philanthropic support for UC Davis."This generous donation has far-reaching benefits for UC Davis Health System and the many residents it serves throughout the region," said Larry Vanderhoef, chancellor of UC Davis. "By providing this gift, these philanthropists have demonstrated a commitment to the health of our community and to society as a whole. We are deeply grateful for their support."Claire Pomeroy, vice chancellor of human health sciences and the dean of the School of Medicine, said the South Placer area is undergoing significant growth and development and the need for health care services will increase."With the population of approximately 90,000 residents expected to increase by more than five percent through the year 2010 in this area, the need for health services is great," Pomeroy said. "Thanks to the generosity and vision of these donors, we can expand our presence in the growing Placer County region to better meet the health-care needs of patients."Health system officials plan to use the 15-acre piece of land to develop a health campus offering a range of outpatient services, including cancer care.The health system already has physician practices in Placer County and has submitted plans to the City of Rocklin Planning Commission for a new outpatient facility on a site adjacent to the gift parcel.The facility is set to include comprehensive imaging services and an infusion center for cancer patients.Health system officials expect that facility to be completed by the end of 2008.Kyriakos Tsakopoulos, whose family has led major growth and development in the region for the past two decades, said he saw an opportunity to enhance the quality of life for the region's residents."UC Davis Health System has an outstanding reputation for health care services, in particular for cancer treatment programs," Tsakopoulos said. "At the same time, there is a growing need for increased access to quality health care in south Placer County. This was an obvious opportunity to work with the community to enhance the quality of life for residents."In recognition of the gift, the UC Davis Health System will establish endowments to support faculty scientists at the MIND Institute, a unique center for the study of neurodevelopmental disorders. UC Davis Health System is an academic medical center that includes a top-ranked school of medicine, a 577-bed acute care hospital, a National Cancer Institute designated cancer center, a comprehensive children's hospital, a level one trauma center and outpatient clinics in communities throughout the Sacramento region. The Journal's Jenna Nielsen can be reached at jennan@goldcountrymedia.com.