ICINE BY
Jacobs Medical Center opens its doors .
JADE GRIFFIN ’ 03
A premature newborn struggles to survive his first week of life . A young woman with a rare brain tumor fights to reach 30 years of age . A father in need of specialized surgery hopes he will see his son graduate from high school .
Most likely you ’ ve known someone like one of these individuals — perhaps a friend , child , partner , spouse or parent , or maybe even yourself — someone who has waged a battle older than any of us : the fight against disease and sickness .
But soon , each and every San Diegan will be uniquely armed to overcome many serious health issues , thanks to the all-new Jacobs Medical Center at UC San Diego Health .
The largest hospital project in Southern California to date , Jacobs Medical Center will position UC San Diego Health as one of the country ’ s premier academic medical centers and a national referral center for complex , multidisciplinary care .
The visionary project is made possible by the remarkable generosity of one of UC San Diego ’ s founding professors , Irwin Jacobs , along with his wife , Joan , who have together given a total of $ 100 million toward construction of the 10-story , 245-bed facility .
“ When we came here in 1966 , the medical school was just starting ,” said Irwin Jacobs , co-founder , former chairman and CEO of Qualcomm Incorporated , who also served as a professor in UC San Diego ’ s Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1966 to 1972 . “ There was no hospital , just a school . So it ’ s very exciting to make Jacobs Medical Center possible .
“ When we heard what could be accomplished here — for this city , the campus , the nation and the world — and how we could attract the very best doctors who would come to UC San Diego to train new physicians , we thought this project would be very important to support ,” he continued . “ The innovations will spread out from San Diego , and go all around the world .”
Jacobs Medical Center , which opened its doors to patients in late 2016 , is poised to revolutionize health care locally and around the globe . In collaboration with UC San Diego ’ s many research centers and clinics , Jacobs Medical Center will empower UC San Diego faculty and physician-scientists across campus to more rapidly translate biological and engineering discoveries into treatments , bringing research breakthroughs from the laboratory bench to a patient ’ s bedside .
“ Jacobs Medical Center is unlike any other health facility in San Diego ,” said Chancellor Pradeep K . Khosla . “ As the newest addition to the region ’ s only academic health system , the center will offer much-needed innovations and advancements that are currently not provided in our region . With Jacobs Medical Center , UC San Diego is creating a healthier world , one life at a time .”
Every space within the facility has been designed to give patients and families the best possible experience . The hospital features a garden-based design with a low carbon footprint equivalent to LEED Silver certification . Floor-to-ceiling windows provide sweeping views of the region and maximize natural light to promote healing . Outdoor areas include courtyards and terraces , and the walls are adorned with soothing art .
Generous gifts from UC San Diego ’ s loyal supporters enable Jacobs Medical Center to focus on three distinct medical specialty areas : advanced surgical care , cancer care , and obstetric and infant care . These generous campus partners are not alone in their support of the project — more than 1,000 donors , including alumni , friends and corporations , have given more than $ 142 million , making Jacobs Medical Center the largest fundraising success in UC San Diego Health ’ s 50-year history .
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