Groundbreaking ceremonies were held Wednesday, Dec. 10, for Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino, a new health care and educational initiative in downtown San Bernardino. The ceremonies took place in a large tent at 250 South G Street, where the center will be built between San Manuel Stadium and the 215 Freeway.
According to Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health, the project will help support the San Bernardino economy and promote health and wholeness in the community for years to come.
“Studies of the infrastructure of San Bernardino have found that there are two large unmet needs in this community,” Hart explained. “The first is a lack of skilled workers. The second is a lack of quality health care. Our new project will help address both of those sectors of the economy by providing career education and health care for area residents as well as creating employment opportunities.”
The project involves three distinct, yet related components. The first is an educational center to be known as San Manuel Gateway College. Funded in part by a generous gift of $10 million from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, it will provide a variety of six-to-12-month certificate training programs to prepare high school graduates for a number of rewarding career options in the health care field.
Ken Ramirez, tribal secretary, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, spoke movingly about how Loma Linda physicians and nurses cared for needy tribal members in the early 20th century, at low or no cost, when no one else would do so. He said members have long memories, and are grateful for the compassion shown to them. He added that now that they have the resources to make the valley community a better place, they are happy to help with their generous contribution.
The second element of the new facility will be an expanded multi-specialty medical clinic to be operated by Social Action Community Health System (SACHS), currently located at 1455 E. Third Street in San Bernardino.
The third is a vegetarian restaurant designed to showcase the longevity-enhancing benefits of a plant-based diet.
Bradley P. Gilbert, MD, CEO of Inland Empire Health Plan (IEHP), noted during the program that the expanded SACHS clinic will become a critical component of the IEHP delivery system with the increased primary care and specialty services it will provide to IEHP members. He said, “Given the large growth in our membership, which will reach one million members soon, we need high quality, accessible services such as will be delivered at the expanded SACHS clinic.”
SACHS, which was started by Loma Linda University Health students in the 1960s, has grown to become a major provider of health services in San Bernardino. The new location will not only offer considerably more space than the old one affords, but will also offer expanded health care options for downtown residents. With a full complement of primary, behavioral health, clinical, dental, health education, laboratory, pharmacy, urgent care, and women’s health services, the clinic will feature world-class health care provided by Loma Linda University Health faculty, residents, and students.
“SACHS is the second-largest teaching health center in the nation,” notes Nancy Young, MHES, president and CEO of SACHS. “Research shows that physicians trained in a community health center are three times as likely to stay working in community health throughout their careers.”
Hart said Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino is designed as a LEED-certified architectural showpiece intended to beautify the downtown area with trees and gardens that promote healing and a sense of community. The LEED acronym stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and indicates that the center will be environmentally responsible and will use resources wisely in accordance with highest industry standards for green buildings.
The new center represents a unique partnership of local organizations eager to create a revolutionary educational opportunity in the region. The city of San Bernardino, the County of San Bernardino, the San Bernardino Community College District, the San Bernardino City Unified School District, several non-profit organizations, and SACHS are partnering with the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Loma Linda University Health in this comprehensive project.
San Bernardino Mayor R. Carey Davis, MBA, said the new center will symbolize the city’s economic development to local residents as well as the surrounding communities and visitors who will view the new architectural display from the 215 Freeway.
“This represents a great opportunity to revitalize our downtown area,” Davis observed. “It will also begin to change the image of San Bernardino as a result of the building that is going on. It will show that economic activity is returning. We see the collaboration and partnership as one that is very important to the rebirth of our downtown.”
The program concluded with Tribal Secretary Ken Ramirez and other tribal elders performing a bird song, and a spiritual blessing on the new building. World Seventh-day Adventist President Ted N.C. Wilson, PhD, a member of the Board of Trustees, Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center, offered a final prayer to close the service. The Trustees took time out of their meetings to attend the important event.