Structure of support

Michael W. Chapman, M.D., one of the founders of modern orthopedic trauma surgery, has Aggie Pride in his bones.

Chapman served for approximately 20 years as chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at the UC Davis Health System and now he and his wife, Betty, are a leading force in strengthening the UC Davis Health System’s infrastructure.

Since Mike's retirement in 2000, the Chapmans have helped raise more than $14 million in donations, including their own contributions, to UC Davis in support of the UC Davis Health System, the Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts and UC Davis as a whole.

During The Campaign for UC Davis, the Chapmans were integral to the building of the UC Davis Medical Center’s new Surgery and Emergency Services Pavilion — Northern California’s only Level I adult and pediatric trauma center. In honor of his role as a leader in orthopaedic trauma surgery, the pavilion’s emergency department and trauma center was named the Michael W. Chapman Emergency and Trauma Center; for their $1 million gift to the pavilion, the Emergency Department waiting room is named after Betty.

“As a university hospital, we are geared up to care for the most complex cases,” said Mike. “This kind of expertise is something that is not available to the vast majority of Californians. The need to keep our facilities and technology up to date is critical in delivering the complex care people in the region depend upon. That is why Betty and I are pleased to do our part to help.”