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UCI-OC Alliance appoints new co-chair: Eloy Ortiz Oakley

Newsletter

April 29, 2024

UCI Health, the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine, has completed the acquisition of four hospitals and associated outpatient locations from Tenet Healthcare Corporation. Beginning today, the team members at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Los Alamitos Medical Center and Placentia-Linda Hospital are now part of UCI Health.
“This is a historic day for UC Irvine, California and beyond. We celebrate the transformation of UCI Health as a leader in the integration of academic and community-based health systems while promoting solutions to challenges facing healthcare,” said UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman. “This visionary leap forward will bridge gaps in regional care and advance the University of California’s mission to serve our communities through academic excellence, cutting-edge research and dedicated public service.”
As Orange County’s only academic health system, UCI Health plays a unique and critical role providing healthcare in the region. This acquisition builds on that commitment to improve health in communities by expanding unrestricted healthcare access for more people in Southern California.
“The people of Southern California and the patients across these local communities have something truly remarkable to celebrate today,” said Chad T. Lefteris, president and chief executive officer of UCI Health. “UCI Health has built a legacy as a nationally regarded academic health system that is fiercely dedicated to improving the health of our communities. We are investing in building a healthier future for people that harnesses the power of advanced medicine with the convenience of care available close to home.”
Lefteris said UCI Health recognizes a unique opportunity to build on the quality care already being delivered in the communities served by these hospitals. Patients of the former Tenet hospitals and outpatient offices can continue receiving care at their local facilities as they normally would from their trusted physicians and care teams.
“Our goal is to become the nation’s friendliest and most accessible academic health system,” he said.
The acquisition adds 858 inpatient beds that, when paired with the 459 licensed beds at UCI Medical Center in Orange, strengthens UC Irvine’s ability to meet the continually increasing demand for inpatient beds for a range of intensive and critical care needs.

“UCI Health is backed by the power of a world-class public research institution, reflected in the academic excellence of the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences,” said Steve A.N. Goldstein, MD, PhD, FAAP, Vice Chancellor of Health Affairs, UC Irvine. “This combination of top tier research, education of the next generation of providers, and commitment to the public health is advancing healthcare solutions and innovations in Southern California and beyond. Together, with providers in the new hospitals, UCI Health is building bridges for collaboration between academic and community-based healthcare and offering more people across California access to the highest caliber of healthcare.”
More patients will have access to advanced therapies in the region’s largest and most diverse portfolio of clinical trials, ranging from cancer to neurosciences, digestive diseases, orthopaedics and internal medicine specialties. UCI Health has consistently placed in the top 10 for quality and safety among the nation’s leading comprehensive academic health systems and received the top 10 Clinical Research Achievement Award from the Clinical Research Forum.

“We deeply appreciate the enthusiasm and support we have received since announcing this new chapter for healthcare in our region,” said Lefteris. “Now, we can begin strengthening the collaboration with local physicians and patients to expand healthcare services and provide unrestricted access for more people. Together, we will be an innovative, powerful team that will transform to meet the health needs of our communities.

OCBC Welcomes New Board Members

Press Releases

Brett Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Investments, Rancho Mission Viejo Sridhar Sundaram, Dean of the College of Business and Economics, California State University, Fullerton Ray Swartz, Senior Vice President, tk1sc, a member of WSP Heather Usiski, Industry Executive, Managing Director, J.P. Morgan Brett Lawrence, Sridhar Sundaram, Ray Swartz and Heather Usiski Join Orange County Business Council Board of Directors IRVINE, CA (May 10, 2024) — Orange County Business Council (OCBC) announced today that Brett Lawrence, Senior Vice President of Investments for Rancho Mission Viejo, Sridhar Sundaram, Dean of the College of Business and Economics at California State University, Fullerton (CSUF), Ray Swartz, Senior Vice President of tk1sc, a member of WSP, and Heather Usiski, Industry Executive and Managing Director of J.P. Morgan, have joined OCBC’s Board of Directors. “I am honored to have these community leaders join our board of directors,” said Jeffrey Ball, President and CEO of Orange County Business Council. “Their insights and talents will be invaluable for the Business Council as we continue to advance the economic development of the nation’s sixth most populous county with a focus on workforce, housing and infrastructure initiatives.” Overseeing all portfolio aspects such as cash equivalent, financial, real estate assets and more, Brett Lawrence is the Senior Vice President of Investments for Rancho Mission Viejo. Lawrence’s background in investment management includes leadership positions at WCM Investment Management and Carpenter & Company, where he began his career. Dean of the College of Business and Economics at CSUF, Sridhar Sundaram has a three-decade career in higher education, including two terms as dean at the University of South Florida. With research focused on finance, his current project examines the impact of the pandemic on minority-owned micro businesses. Ray Swartz, Senior Vice President of tk1sc, a member of WSP, oversees design operations and production activities while fostering sustainable innovations within a collaborative culture. He also acts as the District Business Line Leader for the Property & Buildings Business Line in California and the Pacific Mountain West Districts. Specializing in the municipal markets for counties, cities, schools and special districts, Heather Usiski is the Industry Executive and Managing Director at J.P. Morgan. With more than two decades of experience in finance and banking, Usiski also brings insights from her background as a financial advisor and small business owner. About Orange County Business CouncilFor over 25 years, Orange County Business Council (OCBC) has been representing and promoting the region’s business community together with government and academia to enhance the economic development of the nation’s sixth largest county. The Council’s core initiatives include advocating for adequate investment in regional and statewide infrastructure, education development that leads to a competitive workforce, advocating for a range of housing, and developing pro-business solutions that lead to sustainable economic growth. Members include businesses and local organizations representing a diverse cross section of industries including biomedical, construction, education, financial services, health care, manufacturing, municipalities, nonprofit, real estate, technology, tourism, transportation, real estate and utilities. For more information, visit ocbc.org. Media Contact:Lizz Mishreki, APRVice President of CommunicationsOrange County Business [email protected]