UCI Medical Center to Build State-of-the-Art Facility; Completion Targeted for 2008

Irvine, Calif., May 15, 2003 - The Regents of the University of California have approved plans for constructing a state-of-the-art hospital at UCI Medical Center.

The decision allows the university to request bids for building a new 410,000-square-foot, seven-story facility to be constructed on the grounds of the 33-acre medical center campus in the City of Orange. The new hospital will accommodate advanced health care technology and strengthen UCI's ability to provide specialized medical and surgical treatments. It also will have a modern facility for conducting the latest medical research, as well as training future and practicing physicians in Southern California.

"We are delighted with the regents' decision," said Dr. Ralph Cygan, CEO of UCI Medical Center. "This will give Orange County and the surrounding communities a landmark center for medicine comparable to any in the world."

When finished, the new building will contain up to 221 beds and 13 operating rooms. All rooms will be private, and the hospital's design also includes architectural details intended to promote healing, such as soothing colors, use of natural light and specially selected construction materials. It also will feature operating rooms that are easily adaptable to new surgical procedures and technological innovations.

Along with emphasizing patient care, the new design will facilitate the teaching and research missions of the university.

"UCI is already making tremendous advancements in the health sciences," said Chancellor Ralph J. Cicerone. "Now, we will have a facility that enables the university's research, clinical and teaching talent to fully realize its potential."

After the Northridge earthquake in 1994, all acute care hospitals in California were required to meet new seismic standards by retrofitting or replacing existing facilities. UCI Medical Center chose to replace the existing 40-year-old hospital when estimates proved it would be more cost effective than retrofitting. A new facility also allows the existing hospital to remain fully operational during the planned three-year construction process. Upon completion the new UCI Medical Center will have more than 400 beds and will be positioned to meet the health care needs of Orange County's rapidly growing and aging population.

The total estimated cost of construction is $365 million. Of that total, $235 million will be paid with state lease-revenue bonds designated for seismic upgrades at the medical center. The balance will be financed or paid for with hospital reserves and private gifts. Groundbreaking is tentatively scheduled for early 2004, and construction of the main hospital is expected to be completed by 2008.