When Adrian Feilden arrived at work at 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, he didn't know exactly what to expect.
A highly regarded pediatric life specialist at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, she knew that the sale of Regional Hospital to UCI Health had been completed hours earlier, so she decided to buy the giant I wasn't too surprised to see the “UCI Health” sign. Euclid Street.
The rebranding happened quickly. UCI Health currently owns Fountain Valley and three other area hospitals (Lakewood Regional Medical Center, Los Alamitos Medical Center, Placentia Linda Medical Center) and its affiliated outpatient locations from Texas-based Tenet Healthcare. officially acquired.
The total sale price was $975 million in cash, officials said. The hospitals will now be known as UCI Health – Fountain Valley, UCI Health – Lakewood, UCI Health – Los Alamitos and UCI Health – Placentia Linda.
Fountain Valley Regional Hospital CEO Randy Rogers applauded Wednesday at a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the hospital's new partnership with UCI Health.
(Eric Likas)
“This is an exciting day,” Fieldon said Wednesday morning during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on the Fountain Valley campus. “I love that it feels so much like a family. I know all the CEOs say that, but it really feels like today we have merged with a big family. But now we're an even bigger family.”
UCI Health also operates UCI Medical Center in Orange. This center has been named America's Best Hospital for 23 consecutive years by US News & World Report. In addition, the academic health system will open a new campus in Irvine. The first building, the Joe C. Wen and Family Center for Advanced Care, will be completed next month.
UCI health officials said patients at the former Tenet Hospital and outpatient clinic will be able to continue receiving treatment as usual at local facilities.
The acquisition will add 858 inpatient beds to UCI Medical Center's total of 459 beds. In total, UCI Health's five facilities have more than 12,000 colleagues, Chad Lefteris, president and CEO of UCI Health, said at Wednesday's event.
Fountain Valley Mayor Glenn Grandis will speak at Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
(Eric Likas)
He said the sale is a historic moment for healthcare across Southern California.
“We are stronger now, and our community is stronger because we are united now,” Lefteris said. “Together, we will transform health care delivery in Southern California. We will lead the intersection of academic and community care and strive to be a role model for the nation. Together, we bring together the power of innovative minds, innovation, cutting-edge research with a deep understanding of patient relationships, and the services of local physicians with deep roots in our communities.”
Fountain Valley Mayor Glenn Grandis noted that the former Fountain Valley Regional Hospital, now known as UCI Health, is the city's largest employer. Randy Rogers, the hospital's chief executive officer, said the hospital has about 1,700 employees, 800 physicians and 400 beds.
The hospital means a lot to Grandis, who has lived in the city for 44 years. His oldest son was born there 36 years ago, he said. He also has an autistic son with a speech impediment who is receiving treatment at the hospital.
“What an exciting day for Fountain Valley,” said Grandis, who serves on the hospital's board of directors. “On behalf of the city, we are very excited about this.”
UCI Health President and CEO Chad Lefteris spoke at Wednesday's ceremony at Fountain Valley Regional Hospital.
(Eric Likas)
Former Huntington Beach Mayor Shirley Detloff, chair of the hospital's board of directors, said the entire board is excited about the move and hopes Fountain Valley will consistently be one of the top hospitals in the state. He pointed out that the goal was to
“This is not just a one-way street,” she said. “UCI has the best staff in the state of California. We have the best doctors, the best nurses, and the staff to support all these medical services. We also have the best security guards. Masu.”
Representatives from the offices of Congresswoman Michelle Steele and Congressman Tori Ta presented awards to commemorate the occasion.
One of the stars on Wednesday was the hospital's new therapy dog, Carly.
Fountain Valley's newest therapy dog, Carly, sniffs confetti with her owner, therapist Mickey Shapiro, during Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony.
(Eric Likas)
People like dogs, but they also like confetti. After the ribbon cutting, tons of blue and yellow, the colors of the University of California, Irvine, were poured into the air.
“We are deeply committed to listening, learning, and partnering with our communities and their local physicians,” Lefteris said. “This journey won't happen overnight. That said, if you look around you, some signs have changed overnight. Thank you for your patience. This is a big deal and we just need to We want to do it well, not just do it.”
