UCLA alumnus Ronald A. Katz, an inventor and entrepreneur who for more than 50 years has helped advance UCLA’s mission through his wide-ranging philanthropic giving and volunteer service, was honored September 27, 2023, with the Fiat Lux Award, which recognizes distinguished or extraordinary service to the university. Katz, the driving force behind the founding of UCLA Health Operation Mend, received the award from UCLA Chancellor Gene D. Block during a private dinner at the chancellor’s residence.
“We thank Ron Katz, his late wife, Maddie, and their family for their visionary leadership, advocacy and generosity, not only to military medicine, including Operation Mend, but across the UCLA campus,” Chancellor Block said.
Ron and Madelyn “Maddie” Katz, both UCLA undergraduates, envisioned Operation Mend in 2006 after seeing a young Marine interviewed on the news who had been severely disfigured by an improvised explosive device while serving in Iraq. Maddie Katz thought UCLA Health had the expertise to help, and the couple brought UCLA and military leadership together to form a partnership.
The Katzes soon made a lead gift to UCLA to launch the program, which provides free specialty medical, surgical and psychological treatment, including transportation and accommodations, to post-9/11 veterans and service members injured in the line of duty.
“Quite simply, the generosity of Ron Katz through the creation of Operation Mend has made an indelible mark on UCLA Health and forever changed it for the better,” said Dr. John C. Mazziotta (RES ’81, FEL ’83), vice chancellor of UCLA Health Sciences and CEO of UCLA Health.
Dr. Mazziotta noted that the Katzes’ generosity has extended far and wide, with the Katz family having opened their homes to hundreds of veteran families and inspired other individuals and organizations to support UCLA.
Among Maddie and Ron Katz’s other contributions to UCLA was a gift for a reimagined surgical waiting room at Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center. “Maddie’s Room” provides a welcoming, warm and comfortable space for families hoping for good news about a loved one in surgery.
Following Maddie’s death from pancreatic cancer in 2009, Katz made a donation to establish the UCLA Maddie Katz Endowed Chair in Palliative Care Research and Education. Later, his lead gift helped launch the 3 Wishes Project at UCLA, which provides personalized, end-of-life comfort to patients and families.
Over the years, the Katzes have given to numerous programs and areas across campus, including the Herb Alpert School of Music to establish the Mickey Katz Endowed Chair in Jewish Music at UCLA in honor of Ron Katz’s late father, the master musician and performer.
After graduating from UCLA in 1958 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, Katz had a successful career as an inventor and entrepreneur.
“I am humbled to receive the Fiat Lux Award, joining the distinguished company of some of the very best people I know,” Katz said at the award reception. “Everyone in this room is someone special to me. I have had the joy of working with so many of you on projects across this great UCLA campus and have been blessed by the loving support of my family and friends in these endeavors.”
Katz is the fifth recipient of the Fiat Lux Award, following Renee and Meyer Luskin in 2012, Arline and Henry Gluck in 2021, Jane Semel in August 2023 and Laurie and Steven C. Gordon in September 2023.
Mary Goodstein is the senior creative director, principal gifts for UCLA Health Sciences Development.
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