What is the purpose of the new UCI Medical Center project?
The new UCI Medical Center will be a vibrant centerpiece of the community. The medical center will bring premier-quality, leading-edge care to the coastal and southern regions of Orange County. It represents UCI’s commitment to high-quality, environmentally friendly healthcare, a source of pride for the region. UCI’s plan to expand and enhance its health network with a new medical center is a key objective for fulfilling its mission.
How will the new center benefit the community and improve healthcare in Orange County?
More people in Orange County, especially those in the southern and coastal areas, will have access to the types of health services found only at the world’s leading research and academic health institutions. The center will have life-enhancing therapies, advanced innovations, leading experts and complex procedures that are only offered though UCI Health, which is the only Orange County health system powered by the University of California.
What kind of health services will be available?
The future UCI Medical Center will offer unique services and centers, such as the UCI Health Center for Advanced Care, the Center for Children’s Health and a nationally designated cancer center, and provide an integrative, evidence-based approach to personalized patient care.
Why is this center necessary today and looking toward the future?
The COVID-19 pandemic has made UCI’s mission more critical than ever. Furthermore, over the next four decades, Orange County’s population is expected to increase at a double-digit pace. Projections show 30 percent growth in those over the age of 65, which is the population most in need of healthcare. The new medical center will allow the community to stay on top of the aging population and ahead of this demand.
What are some of the key details around the new North Campus?
North Campus is a 202-acre site on north part of campus. In addition to the future UCI Medical Center, it will include naturescapes, footpaths and trails along the San Joaquin Marsh Reserve. It provides a beautiful place for the community to gather and enjoy nature.
The property is designed to be a place for complete well-being – mind, body and soul. Grounds surrounding the medical center will include a healing garden and naturescapes and allow UCI researchers to actively study the environment and sustainability.
How is this project likely to impact Orange County’s community and economy?
UCI is dedicated to the cultural integrity of the property and the surrounding community. The university will work closely with the Native American community in all phases of this project. This includes consulting with leaders in the early planning stages. UCI is committed to using a collaborative plan focused on the utmost care and respect.
The future UCI Medical Center is expected to contribute to the health of the local economy by creating upward of 2,500 new construction, healthcare and staffing jobs. It will also bring out-of-area healthcare professionals and patients into Orange County and provide opportunities for new vendor contracts and partnerships for local businesses.
What does the future UCI Medical Center mean in terms of impact and infrastructure concerns for the neighborhood?
The UCI Medical Center/North Campus project will relieve traffic congestion for pedestrians, public transit, cars and alternative modes of transportation by improving mobility. The project includes the addition of two eastbound right-turn deceleration lanes on Jamboree Road at Birch Street and a westbound left-turn lane at the Jamboree Road and Birch Street intersection. The center will contribute to the safety of the surrounding neighborhood with new lights and utility connections.
How will this new project impact the environment?
UCI is proud of its status as a national leader in environmental research and education and takes sustainability efforts extremely seriously. This center draws on UCI’s internationally respected sustainability expertise and is pleased to tout the project as a model of sustainable design. UCI is nationally recognized for its environmental research and currently holds Sierra magazine’s No. 1 “Cool School” ranking. UCI is the only school to score in the top 10 for the past 11 consecutive years.
Will the center be sustainable, and how will this center address climate change in its design and operations?
Sustainability features at the medical center will include low-water-demand plantings and recycled water for irrigation, high-performance glazing and building insulation, high-efficiency lighting and air conditioning, recycled water for cooling towers, high-efficiency pumps and heat recovery chillers. Such features will result in overall energy efficiency that exceeds California Title 24 criteria by at least 20 percent. The heating and cooling system will be electric and served by UC green power, rather than by traditional fossil fuel combustion systems. Conservation of precious freshwater will be made possible by using recycled water in the central utility plant. The project will meet or exceed LEED Silver equivalency and the California Green Building Standards Code. Finally, all stages of project planning and construction will meet or exceed UC Sustainable Practices Policy goals. The project allows for the stewardship of the natural environment surrounding the complex.
How close are we to seeing the new center open?
The University of California Board of Regents has just granted approval of the project, and plans can now advance. Construction is set to begin late this year with the groundbreaking for the Center for Advanced Care, a multicare facility that will house the UCI Center for Children’s Health, medical offices and an urgent care operation.
What is the total cost of the project, and how will it be financed?
The total cost to complete the project will be more than $1 billion. This will be funded by philanthropic donations, revenue from UCI Health operations, and loans. The project already has received philanthropic funding and will continue to seek further investment from community partners.
