Growth & partnerships

Expanding care in fast-growing Folsom

New UC Davis Health facilities, and a proposed new community, help represent the university’s commitment to healthy aging

UC Davis Health is planning a large-scale expansion of health services in Folsom, with new medical facilities and high-tech housing.

The health system has purchased a 34.5-acre parcel at the intersection of East Bidwell Street and Highway 50 in Folsom Ranch. Initial plans call for an outpatient medical office building and, in the future, a micro-hospital, an ambulatory surgery center and a hotel.

The new location is part of UC Davis Health’s approach of providing high-quality patient-centered care close to people’s homes.

Folsom is growing at a rate of nearly 3% annually, and among that increase is people over the age of 65. In fact, El Dorado County, adjacent to the Folsom Ranch development, saw the largest increase of adults 65 and over.

Meeting the needs of a growing population

In addition to the new patient care facilities, UC Davis Health is partnering with AKT Development Corporation and Angelo K. Tsakopoulos to develop a first-in-the-world “Community for Health and Independence” in the region. The university-planned community will allow older people, and persons with disabilities, to live independently in technology-enabled homes designed with health care in mind.

In 1998, Tsakopoulos supported the creation of the UC Davis MIND Institute.

“While we are thrilled about our medical facility expansion in Folsom, we know that the key to healthy aging for people starts in their homes,” said UC Davis Health CEO David Lubarsky, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.S.A. “We believe a reimagined community that leverages technology for human-made spaces where people live, recreate and work will promote better management of chronic disease and increase independence for valuable members of this population.”

Committed to supporting older adults

Through its formal Healthy Aging initiative, UC Davis Health is committed to creating the healthiest and highest-functioning older adult population in Northern California via a combination of the latest technology, high-quality personal patient care, research and innovation. Technology can help individuals achieve health and independence goals by staying in regular touch with care teams.

“With the expected population growth of older adults in the Folsom area and our goal of ensuring that we can meet patients wherever they are, we are confident the combination of our new campus and this new development will keep people healthier, in their own community, for much longer,” said Thomas S. Nesbitt, M.D., M.P.H., professor emeritus and co-champion of UC Davis’ Healthy Aging in a Digital World initiative.

Development of the new Folsom campus will occur over a long period to accommodate innovative care delivery or equipment that may evolve, along with unique needs of Folsom residents. The outpatient clinic is slated to be first to open in 2025. UC Davis Health will implement the project within the University of California Sustainable Practices Policy, ensuring that strong levels of energy efficiency, water conservation, waste reduction and transportation efficiency are incorporated.

Advanced neonatal care for Stockton region

UC Davis Children’s Hospital has partnered with St. Joseph’s Medical Center to bring nationally ranked neonatal care to premature babies in the Stockton region. As part of the agreement, UC Davis Health will provide education and training to the St. Joseph’s level III NICU team; resources for its NICU, including sharing best practices and innovations in technology and treatment; access to UC Davis pediatric subspecialists for telemedicine consults; and multidisciplinary quality oversight meetings.

UC Davis Children’s Hospital was ranked 29th for neonatology by U.S. News & World Report in 2022–2023, and has a level IV-designated NICU (the highest possible rating) for the Sacramento region. St. Joseph’s 30-bed Level III NICU includes a 24/7 neonatologist and pediatric hospitalist.

Partnership helps Adventist Health and Rideout achieve Level II NICU

Adventist Health and Rideout (AHRO) have received the California Children’s Services (CCS) designation as an Intermediate (Level II) Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and CCS-approved special hospital by the state of California. The designation reflects Adventist Health and Rideout’s comprehensive, multidisciplinary pediatric capabilities delivered in partnership with UC Davis Health neonatology providers, and expands access and opens the door for Adventist Health and Rideout to care for premature and critically ill newborns.

The designation represents untold hours by the Adventist Health and Rideout and UC Davis Health multidisciplinary team ensuring that policies, procedures, and quality of care meet CCS standards.