Children's health

Dennis worked as a pediatrician for 30 years and Nancy stayed home to raise their four children where she found her own training as a pediatric nurse came in handy.

Although Dennis retired from his practice in 1986 and the Markses children grew, the couple has continued their commitment to children’s health by donating their time and resources to the UC Davis Children’s Hospital. Their commitment to pediatric health reached an apogee when they befriended Dr. Anthony Philipps, former medical director of the UC Davis Children’s Hospital and chair of the Department of Pediatrics.

Wanting his legacy to continue, the Markses created the Dennis and Nancy Marks Endowed Chair in Pediatrics, which augmented efforts to recruit a chair who is building upon Dr. Philipps’ successes. The Markses also contributed to the expansion of the children’s hospital’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit/Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit.

“Once we became involved with the staff and saw the tremendous commitment they had, that’s what drew us there,” Nancy said of the pediatrics department. “The amazing quality of the people really gives us faith that all of their good work will continue.”

“It’s an honor to have our name associated with the new chair,” Dennis said.