UC San Diego Health Welcomes New Hospital to Network of Care

“With significant investments and dedicated service to our patients over the past 13 years, Alvarado Hospital Medical Center has now reached the point where divestiture to a world-class academic institution like UC San Diego Health will lead to a new era for this award-winning community hospital,” said Kavitha Bhatia, MD, chief medical officer of strategy for Prime Healthcare. “We are proud of the care that has been provided and the legacy that will continue as UC San Diego Health expands access to specialized care, while preserving and building on Alvarado’s 50-year history.”

As part of its 10-year vision, UC San Diego Health is taking a systematic approach to improving timely access to its services and care. Already underway, UC San Diego Health is revitalizing its medical center campus in Hillcrest, where a new outpatient surgical center is scheduled to open in 2025. Planning for a new replacement hospital is occurring now. Simultaneously, new clinics are opening throughout the region.

Caring for the Community

“Academic and community health systems across the United States are experiencing incredible transformation as they combine forces to create stronger and more reliable networks of care,” said Pradeep K. Khosla, chancellor of UC San Diego. “This is a unique opportunity to create a more robust community-oriented health care model while expanding access to the nationally-recognized care of UC San Diego Health.”

UC San Diego Health will work with all regulatory partners to ensure a smooth continuation of care and will further develop clinical services in collaboration with Alvarado Hospital medical staff. There will be an early focus on behavioral health services and the behavioral health patient care tower. Planning for expanded psychiatric services will occur in collaboration with the County of San Diego. 

“UC San Diego Health strives to improve timely and equitable access to safe and high-quality health care. Through a dual-track approach of welcoming existing facilities like Alvarado Hospital into the UC San Diego Health network, in tandem with the construction of new facilities, we will be able to more rapidly deliver the unique combination of medical and surgical services that defines us,” said John Carethers, MD, vice chancellor of Health Sciences, UC San Diego. 

Transition Planning

Immediately, broad engagement with the Alvarado Governing Board, medical staff, leadership, employees, and community will begin to support the transition to UC San Diego Health. Employees of Alvarado Hospital will immediately begin the process of becoming UC San Diego Health team members.

“More than 700 positions will be transitioned to employment at UC San Diego Health. Multiple employee forums will be held to help explain the opportunities and benefits of employment at the university and to help future team members navigate the application process,” said Tonya Jackman Hampton, EdD, chief human resources officer for UC San Diego Health. 

“We look forward to a smooth transition and to integrating with the UC San Diego Health network of care and services,” said Hampton. “We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where Alvarado Hospital team members feel welcome and cared for.” 

About UC San Diego Health

UC San Diego Health is one of five academic medical centers within the University of California. It is a 799-bed academic health system with primary, same-day and specialty care clinics throughout the region. 

UC San Diego Health is comprised of UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest and Jacobs Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, Moores Cancer Center, Shiley Eye Institute, Koman Family Outpatient Pavilion and Altman Clinical and Translational Research Institute, all in La Jolla.

UC San Diego Health is the No. 1 ranked hospital in San Diego by U.S. News & World Report and recently achieved the prestigious national honor rolls status. It was recognized as a top performer in the 2023 Bernard A. Birnbaum, MD, Quality Leadership Ranking by Vizient, Inc. 

UC San Diego Health is also recognized as having the highest level of safety from The Leapfrog Group, with “A” grades. Further, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recognized UC San Diego Health as a five-star institution for the quality of our care.