Once again, this year Irvine ranks among the healthiest U.S. cities, according to separate studies by the Anthem Foundation, WalletHub and Niche.
All three found that convenient access to Irvine’s parks, bike trails and quality health care help make its residents fitter and happier.
And Irvine is not resting on its laurels.
Coming soon are nearly $4 billion in new health care facilities that will deliver world-class treatments and thousands of new, quality jobs.
“This elevates the city’s health care into a league with preeminent destinations like Boston and San Francisco,” says Jeffrey Ball, president and CEO of Orange County Business Council. “That’s virtually unheard of for a city the size of Irvine.”
Research by the American Hospital Association shows that every hospital job supports two additional jobs, and every dollar spent by a hospital supports roughly $2.30 of additional business activity.
That bodes well for the city – in terms of health and economics. Here’s a look at these significant investments in Irvine’s future.
UCI MEDICAL CENTER
• New hospital and cancer center
• New outpatient center
• $1.4 billion investment
The news: UCI Health, which serves millions each year at its Orange hospital and health facilities throughout the county, has broken ground on a new $1.4 billion medical complex on
Jamboree Road. It will include a 144-bed hospital, a $221 million advanced-care outpatient center and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Unique feature: It will have the world’s first all-electric powered utility plant powered by green energy generated right on campus. Healing gardens and trails complete the patient-care experience.
Quotable: “The $1.4 billion doesn’t include one new salary dollar. And we’re talking several thousand people to support this. So that’s transformative in and of itself.” – UCI Health CEO Chad Lefteris
CITY OF HOPE
• New cancer hospital
• New outpatient cancer center
• $1 billion investment
The news: City of Hope is building a $1 billion cancer research-and-treatment campus on 11 acres at Barranca and Alton parkways. The NCI-designated outpatient cancer center opens this year, providing access to world-renowned physicians, nearly 1,000 clinical trials and more. The hospital, which will be Orange County’s only cancer hospital, opens in 2025.
Unique feature: City of Hope’s more than 400 physicians and 1,000 researchers and scientists only focus on cancer. They offer breakthrough treatment options for each cancer type.
Quotable: “Our vision is to be a center for innovation where we work together to build a healthier community and a model for how health care is delivered in the 21st century.” – City of Hope Orange County President Annette Walker
HOAG HOSPITAL
• Doubling size of hospital
• Three new medical institutes
• $1 billion investment
The news: Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian is building new physician-led specialized institutes that will expand its model of world-class health care delivery. As the highest ranked hospital in Orange County by U.S. News & World Report, the Irvine campus will continue to grow Hoag’s reach and become a prominent comprehensive center for advanced medical treatment, research and innovation.
Unique feature: New institutes for women’s health, cancer care and digestive health will feature atriums and gardens for patients to enjoy the restorative powers of nature.
Quotable: “Hoag is elevating health care and wellness in Orange County by transforming our delivery of care to an integrated, specialized services-based model.” – Hoag President and CEO Robert T. Braithwaite
UCI HEALTH SCIENCES
• New health-sciences district
• New research facility
• $235 million investment
The news: UCI has begun construction on the Samueli College of Health Sciences complex, a landmark “health-sciences district” on 9 acres at California and Bison avenues. The project will unite UCI’s schools of medicine, nursing, pharmacy and population-health along with a new integrative health institute and medical research facility.
Unique feature: The project is the nation’s first to incorporate integrative-health research, teaching and patient care across its schools and programs. It includes a 150-seat amphitheater for community programs.
Quotable: “We’ll make discoveries in the research labs, teach these in the classroom and use them in our hospitals. It’s a virtuous cycle of continuous improvement.” – UCI Vice Chancellor for Health Affairs Dr. Steve Goldstein
