Leaders celebrate opening of UCI Health — Irvine

‘We are a forever organization’ mantra drove different choices, says academic health system’s president

IN THE NEWS: After UCI Health — Irvine opened its doors to the community on Dec. 10, the academic health system’s leaders spoke to local and national media about the significance of the high-tech hospital.

UCI Health President and CEO Chad T. Lefteris spoke with Koko McAboy with Good Day LA about the beautiful, soothing artwork throughout the hospital, from patient rooms to hallways.

“The little touches matter. We got that feedback from patients early on. We had an entire arts committee to select from local and California artists and beyond to bring a different feel to what otherwise was a stuffy hospital. We call it a positive distraction for our patients.”

Lefteris also told Becker’s Hospital Review about what drove the bold decisions made during the design of the hospital.

“Back in what I call the ‘valley of despair,’ during the worst moment of the pandemic, we coined a phrase: ‘We are a forever organization.’ We said we were going to make different choices, taking the long view. The University of California is not going anywhere.

“That’s what led to our decision to get rid of fossil fuels and be better stewards of resources. I think this project sets a bar and shows others — from a design and engineering perspective — that they can do the same. Health systems are energy hogs, water hogs, you name it.”

Dr. Joe Carmichael, chief medical officer and senior vice president, spoke to KNX News Radio about the hospital’s connection to environmental sustainability.

“It doesn’t look like a hospital. It’s not the kind of rectangular box you’re used to seeing. It’s also closely built into the San Joaquin Marsh, a beautiful grassland that most of the rooms look out onto. In a way, building an all-electric hospital is honoring and preserving that beautiful environment here in California.”

Coverage of the UCI Health — Irvine opening

• UCI Health CEO on building for the future, Becker’s Hospital Review
• UCI Health – Irvine hits the ground running to take first patients, Orange County Register
• The secret to building UCI’s new hospital? Details, details and more details, Orange County Register
• UC Irvine opens world's largest all-electric hospital next to a wildlife sanctuary, Daily Pilot
• UCI Health opens nation’s largest all-electric hospital in Irvine, KTLA
• UCI Health makes history by opening nation's largest all-electric hospital, Good Day LA
• Nation’s first all-electric hospital opening next week, WBAL TV
• Code Green — An all-electric hospital (fourth story), Bloomberg