UKIAH, Calif. – Milestones are important – on the road, in business and in life.

No one knows this more than Dennis Thurston of the Thurston family of businesses.

Having recently returned to Ukiah after spending a few years in La Quinta, Dennis and his wife Carol are looking forward to crossing new milestones in Mendocino County.

Most recently, they helped Ukiah Valley Medical Center cross an important milestone in their capital campaign with a gift to expand the campus and put the campaign over $3 million towards its $4 million goal.

“My family and I are grateful to our extended family at Thurston Auto Plaza and Honda, whose hard work through this difficult economy made it possible for us to make this gift,” said Dennis.

Dennis’ son Tracey Thurston serves on the UVMC Capital Campaign Committee. “Our family is grateful to the employees, physicians and patients at UVMC for the support they’ve shown us over the years and this is a meaningful way for us to show our appreciation with a gift to the entire community.”

In addition to a new emergency department, helipad and intensive care unit, the campus expansion will include the Thurston Family Café and Courtyard.

“We are most grateful for the support that the Thurston Family has shown with their gift,” said campaign co-chair Don Coursey, M.D. “The Thurston Café and Courtyard will provide comfort and nutrition to the entire community for years to come.”

“This gift comes just as we are preparing to break ground on the campus expansion,” said CEO Gwen Matthews.

The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for Monday, Sept. 30, at 5:30 p.m.

To learn more about Ukiah Valley Medical Center’s campus expansion project, contact director of philanthropy, Allyne Brown at 707-463-7623 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .