Hays-Downey Giving Story

Jane Hays and Dave Downey have been active members of the UIUC, Carle Health, and Champaign- Urbana communities their entire adult lives, serving as alumni, volunteers, donors, and adjunct faculty. So when former Chancellor Phyllis Wise unveiled her vision for an innovative engineering-based medical school, the couple was immediately on board. “We thought, this is absolutely a wonderful idea that’s going to make a huge difference,” Jane said.

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 contribution supports student wellness programming, student participation in professional meetings and associations, and
study and collaboration spaces. It also advances Carle Illinois toward its goal of raising $3.5 million as part of the Stephens Family Challenge, to go along with the $1.5 million contributed by Rick and Jeanene Stephens.

The Carle Illinois concept of marrying UIUC’s engineering expertise with hands-on medical training was a key factor that inspired Dave to support the college. “The university has one of the best public engineering colleges in the world. Carle Illinois leverages our faculty’s renowned engineering and technical skills and applies them to all aspects of medical training and innovation,” he said.

Jane, whose father was a longtime Carle physician, said she’s excited to see the student and
faculty research designed to improve patient care. “We want to empower and train physicians who are actually treating people and incorporating these innovations into their practices,” Jane said. As new physician innovators graduate and share their talents with the world, both Dave and Jane expect to see the college’s influence on healthcare grow regionally and nationally. “As Carle Illinois students bring their unique skills and training to institutions across Illinois and beyond, the college and Carle will benefit, much like Grainger does with their extensive network of talented alumni,” said Jane. Both Dave and Jane hope to influence other community members to get involved in supporting Carle Illinois. “People have lots of meaningful opportunities to commit funds, but this college is truly groundbreaking and has an enormously compelling vision,” said Jane. Her advice: “Carle Illinois will outlive all of us. I strongly encourage you to be on the train now, contributing at whatever level fits.”