UCI Health welcomes first patients to new Irvine cancer center

The Transportation Corridor Agencies (TCA), operator of The Toll Roads, spotlighted two of its conservation areas to the public for the highly anticipated annual Spring Tours series. Participants had a rare opportunity to explore the natural beauty of protected areas of Orange County on guided walks through the land set aside with the construction of the 73, 133, 241 and 261 Toll Roads. This year’s tours offered a behind-the-scenes experience at two sites: Upper Chiquita Canyon near Coto de Caza in Rancho Santa Margarita and Bonita Creek in Newport Beach. Upper Chiquita, like most of TCA’s other conservation areas, is usually closed to the public except during this once-a-year opportunity.

OCBC named Advocacy Champion by CalChamber

Mar182024 May 28, 2024 Orange County Business Council Vice President of Government Affairs Amanda Walsh, pictured center, accepts CalChamber’s 2024 Advocacy Champion Award on behalf of OCBC. Connections between the California Chamber of Commerce and local chambers of commerce were highlighted at the CalChamber Capitol Summit. The Summit brings together local chamber staff and volunteer leaders, CalChamber Board members, policy makers and advocates for an invaluable exchange of insights and strategies. At the Summit, the CalChamber named 12 local chambers of commerce as recipients of the 2024 President’s Circle Award, 13 as Advocacy Champions and nine as HR Champions. The President’s Circle Award celebrates top Local Chamber Partners from across California. Established in 2009, this accolade highlights chambers’ exceptional efforts in business advocacy and helping their members comply with complex California employment laws. Three of the chambers have received the President’s Circle Award all 16 years it has been presented. The 2024 recipients of the President’s Circle Award are as follows. An * marks the chambers that have received the award all 16 years: Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce: Janelle Capra, president/CEO; Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce: Bret Schanzenbach, president/CEO; Greater Conejo Valley Chamber of Commerce*: Danielle Borja, president/CEO; Corona Chamber of Commerce: Bobby Spiegel, president/CEO; Greater High Desert Chamber of Commerce: Mark Creffield, president/CEO; Lake Elsinore Valley Chamber of Commerce: Kim Cousins, president/CEO; Long Beach Area Chamber of Commerce*: Jeremy Harris, president/CEO; Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce*: Nick Adcock, president/CEO; Santa Maria Valley Chamber of Commerce: Glenn Morris, president/CEO (award accepted by Molly Schiff, director of advocacy and initiatives); Simi Valley Chamber of Commerce: Kathi Van Etten, president/CEO; Tulare Chamber of Commerce: Donnette Silva Carter, president/CEO (award accepted by Tiffany Brown, membership engagement coordinator); and West Ventura County Business Alliance: Nancy Lindholm, president/CEO (award accepted by Andy Conli, business development manager). President’s Circle Award recipients published vote records of their state legislators on key business issues, joined coalition efforts to let state elected officials know about community sentiment on issues of interest to members, voiced the local chamber’s position at legislative policy committee hearings, and participated in the CalChamber compliance product resale program at an exemplary level. This is the second year the Advocacy Champion Award has been given to recognize chambers for excellence in business advocacy. The 2024 awardees are incredible advocates for business-friendly policies and are leaders in driving impactful change in their regions. Recipients of the 2024 award are as follows: Chino Valley Chamber of Commerce; Fremont Chamber of Commerce; Laguna Niguel Chamber of Commerce; Lodi District Chamber of Commerce; Murrieta/Wildomar Chamber of Commerce; Orange County Business Council; Roseville Area Chamber of Commerce; San Jose Chamber of Commerce; San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce; Greater Stockton Chamber of Commerce; Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce; Walnut Creek Chamber of Commerce & Visitors’ Center; and Valley Industry & Commerce Association. Advocacy Champions published vote records of their state legislators on key business issues, joined coalition efforts to let state elected officials know about community sentiment on issues of interest to members, voiced the local chamber’s position at legislative policy committee hearings and met with state elected officials on important policy issues. The HR Champion Award was created in 2023 to recognize chambers that excel in helping their members comply with California employment laws. The 2024 recipients of the award are as follows: Fresno Chamber of Commerce; Gilroy Chamber of Commerce; Imperial Valley Regional Chamber of Commerce; Oakdale Chamber of Commerce; Paso Robles Chamber of Commerce; Porterville Chamber of Commerce; Rohnert Park Chamber of Commerce; Santa Fe Springs Chamber of Commerce; and Whittier Area Chamber of Commerce.

Virgin Galactic launches Iron Bird testing facility in Irvine

May 28, 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.

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

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.

Hoag announces $25 million gift

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.

Q&A with CalOptima Health–Part I

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.

UCI Health acquires four community hospitals

April 15, 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.

Orange County Music & Dance to expand campus

April 15, 2024 The City of Irvine has reached a milestone agreement with Orange County Music & Dance (OCMD), a non-profit community music and dance school in Irvine, that sets the stage for the organization to develop a state-of-the-art new home for its arts education and performance programs. The campus will expand from 21,000 square feet to 70,000 square feet, with greatly increased private teaching studios, classrooms, practice rooms, rehearsal and performance spaces with professionally designed acoustics, state-of-the-art technology and recording capacity. An expansive 450-seat theater will be shared with local community groups and ensembles. OCMD’s student body will more than double to over 500 per week and its rehearsal and performance spaces will serve tens of thousands more and be available for other performing arts organizations. “We are thrilled to reach this moment, which feels like the exciting seconds right before an orchestra begins a symphony and fills the concert hall with waves of music,” said Douglas Freeman, Executive Chair and CEO of Orange County Music & Dance. “Everything we do is to nurture, inspire and empower and with this expansion we will be able to serve not just Irvine and Orange County, but all Southern California. We thank the City for its investment in our children and the arts by approving the development of our new campus.” The approval came during the City’s March 26 meeting of the Great Park Board, which is made up of the Irvine City Council. The agreement lays out clear responsibilities for both OCMD and the City, including the development of site plans and permitting. Once those conditions are met, the City will then provide OCMD with a $1 per year ground lease for its site. The lease for land at Great Park’s Cultural Terrace will cover 50 years, with optional extensions totaling 75 years. The lease along with $91 million the City has invested in preparing the land and bringing in utilities signifies one of the largest gifts from a municipality in the U.S. Founded in 2017, OCMD offers education, training and performance opportunities for K-12 students and veterans, with an endowed scholarship program that ensures that children who want to attend can do so, regardless of their financial circumstances. OCMD is part of The Collaborative, a partnership among three nonprofits: OCMD, Pretend City Children’s Museum and the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum. Freeman helped bring the organizations together to create a pioneering project on a unified campus that maximizes sustainable building and landscapes, the trio will begin welcoming visitors in the summer of 2026. “Creativity is an essential part in all of us, nurturing our souls and helping us connect deeply with others,” Freeman added. “At Orange County Music & Dance we focus on inspiring our students and building a lifelong love of the arts. Expanding our facilities will enable all three of our organizations to extend the reach of our programs and increase our services to children and families who historically have not had equitable access to arts, cultural and educational programs.” At 1,300 acres, the Great Park will be one of the biggest municipal parks in the U.S. The Cultural Terrace is located on 35 acres adjacent to Great Park’s Sports Complex. Once completed, it will include 200,000 square feet of museum, educational and performing arts facilities. “The addition of two well-respected organizations at the Great Park will help continue the City’s commitment to fostering youth development and providing top-tier educational programs,” said City of Irvine Mayor Farrah N. Khan. “Further, these nonprofits will contribute to the City’s economic development and ensure the Great Park truly is a park for all.” Located near freeways as well as trains and public transit, the new homes for The Collaborative will meet the educational and developmental needs of families from across Southern California and serve several hundred thousand people annually through an unparalleled mix of engaging child development programs, exciting historical exhibits, inspirational performing arts training and career training. According to an economic study of the project by AECOM, cultural and artistic developments such as The Collaborative contribute to local economies in myriad ways, both directly through job creation and ongoing economic activity and as important amenities that enhance an area’s competitiveness. Construction is scheduled to begin in January 2025 and is expected to be completed in fall 2026.

Irvine Valley College sets new standard for community college transfer success

Orange County United Way marks 100 years of service this year. The recently launched “Journey to 100” campaign highlights its three main initiatives, United for Student Success, United for Financial Security and United to End Homelessness, as well as its key service, 2-1-1 Orange County, which connects residents to community-based programs