Khouri-Hayde gifts support new UCI Health — Irvine medical campus, integrative health institute and patient care services

Longtime donors gift over $7 million to university’s health enterprise 

“UCI is a uniquely special place that is known for innovative and forward-thinking approaches to whole-person healthcare,” said Orange County philanthropist Laura Khouri, who with husband Michael K. Hayde, pictured at left, are giving more than $7 million to support UCI Health — Irvine, the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and patient care services.

Irvine, Calif. — UCI is pleased to announce a $7.25 million gift funded by spouses Laura Khouri and Michael K. Hayde to support the new UCI Health — Irvine medical campus and the university’s integrative health programs.

Laura Khouri and Michael K. Hayde are longtime supporters of the university, with previous donations directed towards UCI Medical Center in Orange and the UCI School of Medicine. Hayde has participated on the Cancer Campaign Committee, UCI Health CEO Advisory Board and the UCI Health Gala Committee. Khouri has been a member of the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute Board of Advisors since 2019.

“Michael and Laura are visionary community leaders who, through their generosity, are helping to secure the brilliant future of healthcare in our region that is only possible at an academic health center,” said Dr. Steve A.N. Goldstein, vice chancellor of UCI Health Affairs. “Their gift furthers our mission — Discover. Teach. Heal. — and will propel advancements in world-class treatments and care for the Orange County community.”

The gift supports the following programs:

• $4 million for the construction of the UCI Health — Irvine medical complex.
• $2.25 million for the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, including capital expenses and integrative health programming for clinical, educational or research programs.
• $1 million to create the “Laura Khouri and Michael K. Hayde CareConnect Endowment” to support the expansion of patient services at the UCI Health — Irvine medical campus.

In November 2021, UCI and the university’s clinical enterprise, UCI Health, officially broke ground on the Irvine medical campus, which will include a 144-bed acute care hospital with an emergency department, the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care center and the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care.

“UCI is a uniquely special place that is known for innovative and forward-thinking approaches to whole person healthcare,” said Khouri. “We are delighted to support the groundbreaking and life-changing work done at the Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute and UCI Health.”

The Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute was created in 2001 to transform healthcare through the practice of integrative health by conducting rigorous research, promoting evidence-based treatments, educating the public on well-being practices, providing individualized, patient-centered clinical care and providing services to the community that focus on obtaining optimal health.

The new UCI Health — Irvine medical campus will complement the UCI Medical Center in Orange and will be a key part to providing the region with the advanced care only available from a health system that is part of a leading, premier academic research institution. The hospital will include a 24-hour emergency department and focus on leading clinical programs including oncology, neurology, neurosurgery, orthopedics, and digestive health. The first patients are expected in 2023 at the Joe. C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care. The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Care and Ambulatory Care building and the hospital will begin serving patients in 2023 and 2025, respectively.

“UCI Health is a leader in research and knowledge-driven care,” said Hayde. “Laura and I are excited to contribute to bringing a new academic medical complex to South Orange County that will not only bring more health services to our community but will save more lives and drive innovation in our region.”

Michael K. Hayde is CEO of Western National Group (WNG), one of the larger privately held apartment owner/developer companies in the Western United States. He is a former trustee of the Urban Land Institute and the ULI Foundation, and a member of the board of the California Business Roundtable, as well as a member of the board of directors of United Way Worldwide.

Laura Khouri is president of Western National Property Management, which currently manages nearly 25,000 apartments throughout Southern California and Nevada. She is a past member of the board of directors of the California Apartment Association, having served as the president of the board in 2012 and 2013, and is an active member of the board of Laura’s House, a shelter for adults and children suffering from domestic abuse. She also is a member of the advisory board of the Susan Samueli Integrated Health Institute.

About UCI Health: UCI Health is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. Patients can access UCI Health at primary and specialty care offices across Orange County and at its main campus, UCI Medical Center in Orange, Calif. The 459-bed acute-care hospital, listed among America’s Best Hospitals by U.S. News & World Report for 22 consecutive years, provides tertiary and quaternary care, ambulatory and specialty medical clinics, as well as behavioral health and rehabilitation services. UCI Medical Center is home to Orange County’s only National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center and regional burn center. It is the primary teaching hospital for the UCI School of Medicine. UCI Health serves a region of nearly 4 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About the University of California, Irvine: Founded in 1965, UCI is the youngest member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and is ranked among the nation’s top 10 public universities by U.S. News & World Report. The campus has produced three Nobel laureates and is known for its academic achievement, premier research, innovation and anteater mascot. Led by Chancellor Howard Gillman, UCI has more than 36,000 students and offers 224 degree programs. It’s located in one of the world’s safest and most economically vibrant communities and is Orange County’s second-largest employer, contributing $7 billion annually to the local economy and $8 billion statewide. For more on UCI, visit www.uci.edu.

About UCI’s Brilliant Future campaign: Publicly launched on Oct. 4, 2019, the Brilliant Future campaign aims to raise awareness and support for UCI. By engaging 75,000 alumni and garnering $2 billion in philanthropic investment, UCI seeks to reach new heights of excellence in student success, health and wellness, research and more. Learn more by visiting brilliantfuture.uci.edu.