UC Davis Health expands care for patients in Folsom

UC Davis Health announced plans today for a large-scale expansion of health services in Folsom, with new medical facilities and high-tech housing.

UC Davis Health has purchased a 34.5-acre parcel, at the intersection of East Bidwell Street and Highway 50, in Folsom Ranch. This property expands UC Davis Health’s care in Folsom and offers a prime location for the region to deliver wellness, community, convenience and excellent care for patients.

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 currently growing at a rate of 2.97% annually and reached its highest population of 86,300 in this year, according to Census data. Among that increase is people over the age of 65. In fact, El Dorado County, which is adjacent to the Folsom Ranch development, saw the largest increase of adults 65 plus at 58%.

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.

UC Davis and Angelo K. Tsakopoulos have a history of working together to improve community health. In 1998, Tsakopoulos supported the creation of the UC Davis MIND Institute. Today, that institution is a world leader in the medical investigation of neurodevelopmental disabilities. At 85 years of age, Tsakopoulos’ interests have turned to healthy aging.

“While we are thrilled about our medical facility expansion here in Folsom, we know that the key to healthy aging for people starts in their homes,” said UC Davis Health CEO David Lubarsky. “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

UC Davis Health is committed to creating the healthiest and highest-functioning older adult population in Northern California through a combination of the latest technology, high-quality personal patient care, research and innovation. Technology can help individuals achieve their personal health and independence goals by staying in regular communication with their care teams. Technologies developed in partnership with users and health care systems also enhance providers’ knowledge of how to deliver better and more personalized care.

“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, professor emeritus and co-champion of the Healthy Aging in a Digital World initiative.

Development of the new UC Davis Health Folsom campus at Highway 50 and E. Bidwell will occur over a long period of time to accommodate innovative care delivery or equipment that may evolve, along with unique needs of Folsom residents. The outpatient clinic will be the first to open in 2025.

UC Davis Health will implement the health care complex 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 in the design from the start. 

UC Davis Health is improving lives and transforming health care by providing excellent patient care, conducting groundbreaking research, fostering innovative, interprofessional education, and creating dynamic, productive partnerships with the community. For more information, visit health.ucdavis.edu.