Loma Linda University Health Breaks Ground on San Bernardino Campus

Officials from Loma Linda University Health, San Bernardino City Unified School District (SBCUSD), San Bernardino Community College District (SBCCD), the Social Action Corps Health System (SACHS), the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and other city, county, state and federal leaders gathered to break ground on Loma Linda University’s newest campus Dec. 10. San Bernardino County Supervisor James Ramos was the first speaker to take the podium during the ceremony preceding the official groundbreaking Wednesday. “The reason we’re here is because we share a common vision... a vision that starts to move the community forward, a vision that shows by unifying and coming together with education, that we can actually move forward with workforce development in our own region, a vision that pulls us together to create a workforce in the medical field that we so drastically need.” The new $65 million, 150,000-square-foot San Bernardino campus at 250 South G St. will provide entry-level medical courses and programs for SBCUSD high school students and graduates through the school’s San Manuel Gateway College, made possible through a $10 million gift from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians presented by Ken Ramirez, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians tribal secretary, to a standing ovation Wednesday. Ramirez reflected on the San Manuel Band of Mission Indian’s history in the region, and alluded to the longtime partnership between the tribe and Loma Linda University Health. He said, “We’ve never let go of the hopes and the dreams in San Bernardino of what it could be... We’ve seen the reservation the way it was. We’ve experienced along the way many struggles to a success story as we are today, but we don’t forget about all those who stood by our sides when we had nothing.” The campus will be known as the Loma Linda University Health - San Bernardino campus and will house the expanded and relocated clinic facilities of SACHS, currently located on the property of the San Bernardino International Airport and providing nearly 35,000 patient visits yearly, officials said. The campus will also include a vegetarian restaurant with wait service, house 112 exam rooms, 24 dental operatories, six group rooms and three simulator labs as well as classrooms and teaching labs. The six- to 12-month educational programs will lead to certificates in various medical fields. Located in downtown San Bernardino, adjacent to the San Manuel Stadium, the campus will bring together high school and medical students with medical professionals in what SBCUSD Superintendent Dr. Dale Marsden called a “first ever experience.” He said, “High school students, high school grads and adults are interacting with medical doctors in a learning-service environment, and we’re all here at the genesis... The only word I can use to describe what we are embarking on is ‘overwhelming.’ It is overwhelming to me to see the support that Loma Linda University Medical Center has had on the side of education, on the side of service to our children and our young people. I’m so excited for that partnership.” Dr. Richard Hart, president of Loma Linda University Health, said that job creation, education and comprehensive health care are issues that the campus will help solve. He said, “It was decided this should not be just a clinic, because the problems in San Bernardino are not just healthcare. They’re jobs, they’re education, they’re other aspects of development. So a commitment was made that this new facility should be designed in a way that both provides healthcare to those who need it as well as education for those who want to gain a skill for jobs.” The project is expected to bring in thousands of jobs to the area and provide comprehensive healthcare to the city, a community where nearly half its residents receive public aid, officials said. The comment portion of the ceremony was opened and closed by a ceremonial performance by members of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians tribe, and the afternoon event concluded with the ceremonial groundbreaking by several officials.