Community leaders take private tour of new Loma Linda University Health - San Bernardino Campus
San Bernardino, CA (PRWEB) January 25, 2016 -- Community leaders got a preliminary look inside the new Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino Campus Tuesday, Jan. 19. Organization president, Richard H. Hart, MD, DrPH, and Brandon Bergener, superintendent, Layton Construction, led attendees on a guided tour through the 150,000 sq. ft. building that will house the new San Manuel Gateway College and an expanded Social Action Community Health System (SACHS) clinic.
The campus, located at 250 G Street, broke ground in December 2014 and is expected to open in July this year.
San Manuel Gateway College will prepare high school and adult students for careers in health care through a unique and innovative educational approach. Arwyn Wild, executive director, SGMC, says the college anticipates starting with 125 students for the first wave of programs and plans to have a total of 250 students complete programs within the first year of operation.
“As the ever-moving job market is assessed,” Wild said, “the infrastructure of San Manuel Gateway College is still a work in progress. One of the main goals of the college pathways is to have viable job opportunities in the immediate Inland Empire.”
With that in mind, San Manuel Gateway College is projected to start with six pathways:
1. Medical Assistant (front office and back office)
2. Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) with additional training to become a Patient Care Assistant (PCA, hospital setting)
3. Medical Scribe
4. Pharmacy Technician
5. Dialysis Technician
6. Community Health Care Workers (clinical and non-clinical)
The ultimate goal of San Manuel Gateway College is for these programs to be affordable for students. In addition to developing an affordable cost structure, the college is also in the process of applying for grants and scholarships.
San Manuel Gateway College was made possible thanks to a $10 million dollar gift from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians. The tribe’s councilwoman, Lynn Valbuena, was impressed with the tour and anticipates the positive impact the campus will have on the community.
“By walking the building you can see the life and vitality that this clinic and the San Manuel Gateway College will bring to San Bernardino,” said San Manuel Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena. “San Manuel is proud to partner with the city, Loma Linda University Health and San Bernardino City Schools to provide future generations new opportunities to contribute to the health and well-being of our community.”
In addition to San Manuel Gateway College, the SACHS clinic will expand its services to the Loma Linda University Health – San Bernardino complex offering primary care and specialty services. The clinic’s current location on the former Norton Air Force base will continue to operate and provide care as well as house the administrative offices.
The campus will also be home to a vegetarian restaurant designed to showcase the longevity-enhancing benefits of a plant-based diet and a full service pharmacy. Both will be open to the public and not just patients and students.
Among those touring the campus on Tuesday was Representative Pete Aguilar who has supported the project from the beginning.
"Loma Linda University Health plays a critical part in the Inland Empire economy, which is why I am happy to support the project,” Aguilar stated. “It's important for me to see their new facility and understand how it will fit into our region's framework. I appreciate the organization’s efforts to create new jobs for our community and to continue to provide excellent health care to San Bernardino County families."
A short video with highlights of the tour, as well as commentary from Hart and Rep. Aguilar can be seen here.
More information on the San Bernardino campus, including San Manuel Gateway College and the SACHS clinic can be found here.
Briana Pastorino, Loma Linda University Health, +1 909-558-8357, [email protected]
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