3 UBC alumni
named to the 2024
Order of BC

Lily Lee | BSN 1956

Reason for award

For her contributions in education, health care and housing. 

Category

Community Leadership 

Bio

Lily Lee established the Lily Lee Community Health Centre Hastings, an integrated community health unit at 58 West Hastings.  Lily’s dedication to the Downtown Eastside dates to her early career as a public health nurse where she administered vaccinations and provided care to the community. Her father, Dong Chong, an early immigrant from China, had the foresight to send her to the University of British Columbia from her hometown of Alert Bay to earn her nursing degree.  She reflects on her career with fondness saying:  “I’ve always had a passion for this area and it’s important to look after those who need help.” 

Together with her late husband, Robert H. Lee, Lily’s philanthropy has shaped Vancouver with contributions to the Robert and Lily Lee Family Community Health Centre, the Robert Lee YMCA, the Robert H. Lee Graduate School, the Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre and establishing the Lily Lee Scholarship in Nursing at the University of British Columbia. 

Lily’s commitment to education, healthcare and housing continues to benefit those in need.  Her enduring legacy of service and philanthropy exemplifies her unwavering dedication to improving the lives of others. 

William P.J. McCarthy | MA 1994

Reason for award

For his historic and transformative support of health care and community as one of B.C.’s most impactful philanthropists. 

Category

Community Leadership 

Bio

“Work hard, live well, give back.” These principles, taught by his grandfather John Jambor, have guided William McCarthy’s journey as one of B.C.’s most impactful philanthropists. William has leveraged his real estate expertise to support community and healthcare initiatives across B.C., particularly in his home city of Burnaby. 

His transformative contributions to the BC Cancer and Burnaby Hospital Foundations have revolutionized healthcare in the region. William’s historic $21.4 million Jambor-McCarthy Legacy, at the time the largest single-beneficiary bequest in B.C.’s history, alongside his personal donations and advocacy, have profoundly advanced cancer research and patient care throughout the entire province. In recognition of this and continued giving and support the new BC Cancer–Burnaby McCarthy Centre will bear his name, the first such honour for a donor. William’s community leadership has been pivotal, including most recently chairing a $60 million campaign in support of Burnaby Hospital’s redevelopment, amongst the countless other healthcare and community initiatives that he has led and continues to lead. 

A long standing supporter of First Nations art and culture, William empowers artists and fosters reconciliation through frequent commissions and gifting plans. A world renowened real estate expert and practitioner, William has continously strenghtened local communities through his work in real estate and philanthropy. From his recent $5 million gift establishing the BC Cancer-Burnaby McCarthy Centre to his tireless support of countless community initiatives both big and small, William’s unwavering commitment to giving back has improved countless lives, making B.C. a better place for generations to come. 

Gary Segal | BA 1974

Reason for award

For his philanthropic contributions to health care, transforming lives across borders and cultures. 

Category

Community Leadership 

Bio

Born and raised in Vancouver, Gary Segal is renowned for his expansive philanthropic endeavours that transcend geographical and cultural boundaries. Described as a catalyst for change, Gary’s commitment to humanitarian causes has left an indelible mark on communities near and far. Notably, as capital campaign chair for Ronald McDonald House BC and Yukon, Gary played a pivotal role in raising $32 million to establish a new, state-of-the-art facility at B.C. Children’s Hospital, vastly expanding support for over 2,000 families annually across B.C. and Yukon. His dedication extends globally through the Bring Back Hope initiative he founded following a transformative experience in Ethiopia, where he champions accessbility to life-saving surgeries for severely disadvantaged children in dire medical need. Gary’s efforts have garnered prestigious recognition, including the Order of Canada, Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal and appointments to significant boards such as the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC). 

At UBC, Gary’s impact is profound, particularly through his support for the Faculty of Medicine’s Branch for Global Surgical Care, where his contributions have funded ground breaking initiatives and the development of a pioneering Master of Global Surgical Care program. As Chair of the VGH & UBC Hospital Foundation, Gary continued to drive innovation in healthcare, ensuring sustainable and exemplary care. His unwavering dedication to philanthropy, coupled with his compassionate leadership, exemplifies his role as a transformative force in improving healthcare and quality of life globally.