2010 Excellence in Business Awards Recognize UCSF for Economic Development

Accepting the award for economic development on behalf of UCSF are, center from left, Barbara French, vice chancellor for Strategic Communications and University Relations; and Lori Yamauchi, assistant vice chancellor for Campus Planning. Kaiser Permanente Area Director for Public Affairs Randy Wittorp, right, and Steve Falk, chamber president and chief executive officer, look on at the 19th Annual Excellence in Business Awards.

Recognized for its significant boost to the San Francisco economy, UCSF was honored by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce with an award for economic development as part of the 19th Annual Excellence in Business Awards (“Ebbies”) event.

More than 1,000 business and community leaders attended the Ebbies awards gala held on Oct. 28 at the Nob Hill Masonic Center. The 2010 Ebbies also honored San Francisco’s centurion companies that have been in business 100 years or more and have helped shape the city’s unique character and robust economy.

“UCSF is honored to be recognized for its role in shaping and growing the city’s economy,” said Barbara J. French, vice chancellor for Strategic Communications and University Relations, who received the award for UCSF with Lori Yamauchi, assistant vice chancellor for Campus Planning. “It is fitting that UCSF was recognized for its economic contributions to the city in the same week we held the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new children’s, women’s and cancer hospitals at Mission Bay.”

Steve Falk, the chamber’s president and chief executive officer, said the Ebbies were created to recognize businesses for what they do well—create jobs, contribute to the local economy and give back to the community. “Our Ebbies winners and finalists exemplify the creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship that our city is known for.”

UCSF was honored with an award recognizing it as a $3.3 billion economic powerhouse. With 22,000 employees, UCSF is the second-largest employer in San Francisco and the fifth-largest employer in the nine-county Bay Area. UCSF is the birthplace of biotechnology—pioneering work in gene splicing and incubating more than 80 biotech firms, including industry giants, Genentech and Chiron.

UCSF’s leading role in stem cell research also has made San Francisco and its Mission Bay campus a magnet for large private sector firms, biotech start-ups and the coveted headquarters of the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine for stem cell research. On Oct. 26, UCSF celebrated the groundbreaking of the next major phase of development at Mission Bay – a $1.5 billion, 289-bed medical center complex that will contribute to the economy and generate jobs.

UCSF actually benefits the entire San Francisco Bay Area, generating more than 39,000 jobs and producing an estimated $6.2 billion economic impact when including operations, construction, salaries, and local purchases by employees, students and visitors, according to a 2010 economic impact report.

That report, by Economic & Planning Systems Inc. of Berkeley, states that UCSF contributes $720,000 to San Francisco’s financial coffers and credits UCSF as the source for starting about 90 biotech start-ups, generating about 95 percent of all University of California patents, and more than $400 million annually in National Institutes of Health grants.

The Ebbies were created in 1991 by the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce to honor San Francisco businesses for their vision and innovation and to celebrate their many contributions. Founded in 1850, the chamber’s mission is to attract, develop and retain business in San Francisco by representing companies and organizations that make San Francisco a preferred destination for businesses and visitors - a great place to live and work.

Related Links:

San Francisco Business News Release, San Francisco Chamber of Commerce
UCSF 2010 Economic Impact Report
UCSF Medical Center at Mission Bay