UC Riverside’s School of Medicine receives a transformative planned gift from The Fred and Barbara Havens Trust

Dr. Fred Z. Havens, Jr. devoted more than 50 years to the health of the Riverside community and served as a faculty member at UC Riverside. Now, through a generous gift from The Fred and Barbara Havens Trust, his commitment will continue to shape the future of health care in Inland Southern California.

The Havens Trust’s legacy gift, recently shared with the UC Riverside Department of Gift Planning by Dr. Havens’ son, Fred Z. Havens III, establishes lasting support for the School of Medicine Mission Award Fund. This fund provides scholarships to medical students who demonstrate both academic promise and financial need—making medical education more accessible. This gift from the Haven's Trust will advance UCR's commitment to social mobility and excellence, and uplift UCR Health's mission to expand health equity.

“May it help you to continue your important work and be a blessing to deserving medical students with financial need,” wrote Fred Z. Havens III.
 

A legacy rooted in care and community

Fred and Barbara Havens moved to Riverside in 1953. Dr. Havens was a founding partner at Riverside Medical Clinic and later joined UCR’s School of Medicine as an associate professor in 2000. Known for his clinical acumen and compassionate bedside manner, Dr. Havens taught future physicians to listen first, diagnose with intention, and never lose sight of the humanity behind every case.

Throughout his career, Dr. Havens:

  • Practiced internal medicine until the age of 86
  • Served on the Riverside Medical Clinic’s Board of Directors
  • Led as president of the Heart Association
  • Co-directed the Substance Abuse Treatment Center at Knollwood Hospital

He also served in the U.S. Navy during World War II and began his career at the Mayo Clinic, where he met his wife, Barbara. Though modest by nature, his legacy now stands as a shining example of what it means to heal, teach, and give back.

Carry the mission forward

This gift honors a lifetime of service and elevates the commitment from UCR's School of Medicine to bring healthcare home to Inland Southern California by training a diverse pipeline of physicians—many of whom will remain in the region to serve where they are most needed.

You can create your own legacy at UCR by including the university in your estate plan. Together, we can build a bold and brilliant future for our local and global communities.

Contact us to learn more about planned giving at UCR.

📞 (877) 249-0181
📧 planmygift@ucr.edu