In honor of Jerre and Mary Joy Stead, and their extraordinary commitment to children’s medicine at the University of Iowa, the University of Iowa requested that the Board of Regents, State of Iowa, approve the university’s proposal to rename UI Children’s Hospital the Stead Family University of Iowa Children’s Hospital. The Board of Regents unanimously approved the naming in its meeting Dec. 2. The new name will take effect in November 2016 with the dedication of the new UI Children’s Hospital building. (Editor's note: Since the original publication of this story, the name has been updated to "The University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.")
The Steads, natives of Maquoketa, Iowa, and residents of Scottsdale, Arizona, have committed $25 million to children’s medicine at the UI. The Steads’ support will help complete the new UI Children’s Hospital facility and spur advances in children’s medicine at Iowa by supporting faculty, staff, and researchers who are making new discoveries, improving education and patient treatments, and increasing understanding and awareness of pediatric diseases.
"Jerre and Mary Joy’s support throughout the years has benefited every aspect of the care our UI Children’s Hospital staff has provided, has bolstered our research and teaching, and is helping us to build our new, state-of-the art facility," says Jean Robillard, M.D., UI vice president for medical affairs. "I can think of no more fitting way to recognize Jerre and Mary Joy’s transformative giving—which allows us to continue providing the exceptional, high-quality care Iowans have come to expect—than with the naming of our children’s hospital."
The Steads’ giving is an extension of the couple’s long-held belief in the power of UI Health Care, says Mary Joy Stead. "Having spent so much of our lives involved with the university, we’ve always understood the quality of UI Health Care, and we were fortunate to see that firsthand when our sons were born at University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics," says Mary Joy Stead, who attended the UI and has served on the University of Iowa Foundation’s board of directors since 1999. "Jerre and I hope everyone in Iowa will join us in supporting our children’s hospital, particularly now, as we build a new facility that will serve many future generations of Iowans."
Jerre and Mary Joy Stead began giving to the University of Iowa more than 30 years ago, and their cumulative support totals $53.9 million. In 2013, the UI named the Stead Family Department of Pediatrics in honor of the couple’s generous gifts to children’s medicine. The Steads have supported other areas of the university as well. In 2003, the Steads committed $25 million to the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business—of which Jerre is a 1965 graduate—to support a variety of initiatives, including the Stead Technology Services Group, a full-service computer lab and technology consulting group.
"Mary Joy and I and our family—our sons, Jay and Joel, and our grandchildren—believe that philanthropy is the opportunity to help great people do great things," Jerre says. "And we believe the people of UI Health Care set Iowa apart in children’s medicine. With the new UI Children’s Hospital building, the doctors, nurses, staff, and researchers at UI Health Care will be able to continue to deliver the highest level of teaching, care, and research. Our family is honored to be a part of this hospital and this university."
The Steads serve as campaign co-chairs for UI Health Care in For Iowa. Forever More: The Campaign for the University of Iowa—the UI’s $1.7 billion comprehensive fundraising campaign. Among the priorities of the campaign, which runs through 2016, is ensuring a healthier and more sustainable world through discoveries in medicine and allied health fields.
Jerre Stead has had a long career leading high-tech and information companies. He currently serves as chairman and CEO of IHS Inc., the leading provider of critical information, insight, and analytics worldwide.
As part of her service on the UI Foundation board, Mary Joy Stead also is active on its development committee. Jerre Stead has served on the boards of many corporations and nonprofit organizations, including on the UI Henry B. Tippie College of Business Board of Visitors, and he has lectured in the UI Executive MBA Program for many years. He currently chairs the Alzheimer’s Research Institute in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the Garrett-Evangelical Seminary at Northwestern University. In 2013, he was appointed by Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper to oversee the state’s flood recovery efforts.
About the University of Iowa Foundation
The University of Iowa Foundation’s mission is to advance the University of Iowa and fulfill the aspirations of those it serves. The university’s dedicated contributors fund a broad array of needs, from student scholarships, breakthrough research, and life-changing health care to innovative facilities, community outreach, and global education.
The UI and UI Foundation are conducting a historic, comprehensive $1.7 billion fundraising campaign, For Iowa. Forever More: The Campaign for the University of Iowa, which will secure the UI’s status as a world-class institution for future generations.
The University of Iowa Foundation is the preferred channel for private contributions that benefit all areas of the University of Iowa. For more information about the foundation and the campaign, visit the foundation website.