Uci Health Irvine Hits The Ground Running To Take First Patients

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Dec 20, 2025, 12:02 AM

uci health irvine hits the ground running to take first patients

Bruce Peterson drove an hour from Riverside County to support his wife of more than 50 years through her lymphadenectomy procedure at the new UCI Health – Irvine hospital. Peterson, 77, saw her off as she was wheeled into the operating room as one of the first patients admitted on the hospital’s opening day Wednesday, Dec. 10. And he planned to remain by her side through the night as she recovered in one of the hospital’s 144 inpatient beds. “I saw the floor for surgery and that was really special,” Peterson said of the hospital’s surgical level, which spans three football fields and now connects with the outpatient Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center... “I just want the best for her.”

After trying hospitals and medical professionals in Riverside and San Diego, Peterson said he was recommended to the new hospital because it will be specializing in treating his wife’s condition. Orange, Calif. — When the first patients arrived at UCI Health — Irvine during its Dec. 10 opening, they stepped into a new standard for American healthcare: a seven-story, 144-bed acute care hospital that is both part of the county's only academic health system and the nation’s first all-electric acute... It is also the growing system's sixth hospital. Tucked along the edge of the 300-acre San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, it brings together advanced medicine, flexible surgical and intensive care spaces, a chef-inspired, culturally attuned menu, and a tranquil setting framed by native...

“UCI Health — Irvine embodies what it means to be a modern public research university,” says UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman. “We are extending world-class, research-driven care into the community in a way that is compassionate, forward-looking and deeply rooted in this place we call home.” UCI Health is Orange County’s only academic health system, powered by UC Irvine’s world-class public research university. Working across disciplines, our physicians and teams turn discovery into impact for 5.6 million people, giving patients access to clinical trials, advanced therapies and multidisciplinary expertise available solely at an academic medical center. The four schools in the Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences — medicine, nursing, pharmacy and pharmaceutical sciences, and population and public health — along with its centers and institutes of health,... Teach.

Heal. UCI Health — Irvine offers a new kind of hospital, a new kind of patient experience When the first patients arrived at UCI Health — Irvine during its Dec. 10 opening, they stepped into a new standard for American healthcare: a seven-story, 144-bed acute care hospital that is both part of the region’s only academic health system and the nation’s first all-electric acute... Tucked along the edge of the 300-acre San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, it brings together cutting-edge medicine; flexible surgical and intensive care spaces; a chef-inspired, culturally attuned menu; and a tranquil setting framed by native... “UCI Health — Irvine embodies what it means to be a modern public research university,” says UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman.

“We are extending world-class, research-driven care into the community in a way that is compassionate, forward-looking and deeply rooted in this place we call home.” Orange County’s only academic health system When the first patients arrived at UCI Health — Irvine during its Dec. 10 opening, they stepped into a new standard for American healthcare: a seven-story, 144-bed acute care hospital that is both part of the region’s only academic health system and the nation’s first all-electric acute... Tucked along the edge of the 300-acre San Joaquin Marsh Reserve, it brings together cutting-edge medicine; flexible surgical and intensive care spaces; a chef-inspired, culturally attuned menu; and a tranquil setting framed by native... “UCI Health — Irvine embodies what it means to be a modern public research university,” says UC Irvine Chancellor Howard Gillman.

“We are extending world-class, research-driven care into the community in a way that is compassionate, forward-looking and deeply rooted in this place we call home.” Orange County’s only academic health system UCI Health is Orange County’s only academic health system, powered by UC Irvine’s world-class public research university. Working across disciplines, our physicians and teams turn discovery into impact for the more than 5.6 million people we serve, giving patients access to clinical trials, advanced therapies and multidisciplinary expertise available solely at... Some five years ago, driven by a mission to discover, teach, and heal, UCI Health set out to build a network of specialized centers aimed at providing world-class, comprehensive care to the Orange County... Now, as its expansion nears completion, we take a look at the key components that are meeting that mission.

The 300 acres of San Joaquin marshlands, just off the UC Irvine campus, have long been a sanctuary for migratory birds and other wildlife, and a haven for hikers with its 10 miles of... But now comes a new purpose: an important backdrop to a $1.3 billion sparkling medical complex at its border whose crowning jewel—a seven-story, 144-bed acute care hospital—opens Dec. 10. It’s the final step of UCI Health’s ambitious $1.3 billion multifacility project along Jamboree Road at Birch Street—which will include the first all-electric acute care hospital in the nation. “When the Irvine founders created the campus in the 1960s, they envisioned it would include a leading hospital,” says planning director Jess Langerud. “That didn’t work out until now.

Now this new complex will be the envy of medicine everywhere.” That complex includes the already operating Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building. The medical campus’ million-plus square feet will also include landscaped open spaces between the buildings for patient and caregiver relaxation, and views of the marshlands and the adjacent UC Irvine campus land. Anteater Time Machine: UC Irvine employees rock around a holiday tree in 1964. (Photo courtesy of UC Irvine Libraries Archives)

On Dec. 10, UCI Health – Irvine welcomed the first patients into its 144-bed facility that is both part of the region’s only academic health system and the nation’s first all-electric acute care hospital. “UCI Health – Irvine embodies what it means to be a modern public research university,” said Chancellor Howard Gillman. “We are extending world-class, research-driven care into the community in a way that is compassionate, forward-looking and deeply rooted in this place we call home.” David Iverson (left) and Suzanne Appel of South Coast Repertory with Joel Veenstra, chair of the Department of Drama at UC Irvine. Bridging the gap between the classroom and the stage, Claire Trevor School of the Arts Dean Tiffany López and Department of Drama Chair Joel Veenstra and South Coast Repertory’ Artistic Director David Ivers and...

“The Next Stage” will pair mentorship from SCR’s artists and leaders with invaluable onstage experience, classroom instruction and theatre attendance opportunities. “Expanding South Coast Repertory’s 50-plus year education mission to include professional training for MFA students from UC Irvine is the kind of investment that will provide generations of dividends, paid in spectacular live theatre... An active phishing campaign is currently targeting students at UC Irvine. Bad actors are attempting to steal financial aid refunds and disbursements by gaining unauthorized access to student accounts. Here is a list of what to look out for and how to protect yourself. For assistance, contact UCI Office of Information Technology or visit the official UCI websites directly.

After trying hospitals and medical professionals in Riverside and San Diego, Peterson said he was recommended to the new hospital because it will be specializing in treating his wife’s condition. UCI Health opened an all-electric hospital Dec. 10 in Irvine, Calif., capping a long-term vision for its $1.3 billion medical campus. The site also includes the Joe C. Wen & Family Center for Advanced Care and the Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center and Ambulatory Care building, both of which opened in 2024. UCI Health—Irvine is a seven-story, 350,000-square-foot facility with 144 beds.

It is the nation’s largest all-electric hospital and the sixth hospital in UCI Health’s 1,461-bed academic health system. The “all-electric” designation means the facility draws all of its energy use from electricity only, meaning no fossil fuels, such as natural gas, are used by the hospital. The system comprises its main campus, UCI Health—Orange, the Irvine acute care hospital and medical campus, four other hospitals, and affiliated physicians. Chad Lefteris, president and CEO of UCI Health, told Becker’s the new inpatient campus fulfills an idea dating back to the late 1960s, when UC Irvine’s founders first discussed building a hospital to serve... He discussed what the milestone means for UCI Health, the leadership principles that guided him through the process and his advice for peers. Editor’s note: Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Question: The opening of UCI Health–Irvine is a major milestone in healthcare facility design. From your perspective as CEO, what does this project say about where health systems need to be heading — and how did you define success beyond just opening the doors? Sign up for the wires and see archived wires Browse experts available to comment on breaking news Request an expert contact, get responses directly to your inbox Find an expert by topic in a comprehensive database

Newswise — Orange, Calif. — UCI Health — Irvine officially opened its doors to the community and welcomed its first patients in a historic moment for the health system and Orange County.

People Also Search

Bruce Peterson Drove An Hour From Riverside County To Support

After Trying Hospitals And Medical Professionals In Riverside And San

“UCI Health — Irvine Embodies What It Means To Be

Heal. UCI Health — Irvine Offers A New Kind Of

“We Are Extending World-class, Research-driven Care Into The Community In

“We are extending world-class, research-driven care into the community in a way that is compassionate, forward-looking and deeply rooted in this place we call home.” Orange County’s only academic health system When the first patients arrived at UCI Health — Irvine during its Dec. 10 opening, they stepped into a new standard for American healthcare: a seven-story, 144-bed acute care hospital that i...