UCI Health makes history in 2025
Year marked by new hospital, national recognition and more growth
Orange, Calif. — From expanding access to care to national recognition for quality, safety and sustainability, it was a historic year for UCI Health.
The academic health system opened its sixth hospital, UCI Health — Irvine, on Dec. 10.
The futuristic acute care hospital is now serving the community with the level of care only an academic health system can provide, including advanced specialty care services in cardiology, digestive health, neurology. The hospital also features a locally sourced, chef-driven menu, an innovative arts program grounded in science, furniture free from vapors and harmful materials and views of the wildlife-filled San Joaquin Marsh from every patient room.
“A hospital stay can be overwhelming. At UCI Health — Irvine, we’ve designed every detail to make it easier,” UCI Health President and CEO Chad T. Lefteris said. “From seamless transitions between clinics and imaging to private, calming spaces for families, this campus is built to support healing every step of the way.”
Bringing care to the community
In March, the health system marked the first anniversary of the UCI Health Community Network, which was formed after the acquisition of four community hospitals in Fountain Valley, Lakewood, Los Alamitos and Placentia.
The UCI Health Physician Network was launched in May. This clinically integrated network is designed to enhance patient care, improve health outcomes, and reduce costs through collaboration with leading community physician groups in such specialties as gastroenterology, urology and cancer.
In June, UCI Health marked more than 1 million outpatient visits, meaning more people throughout Orange and Los Angeles counties are experiencing improved access to high-quality healthcare.
In July, UCI Medical Center was renamed UCI Health — Orange, reflecting the evolving role and impact of UCI Health throughout the region as one of the state’s largest academic health systems.
More sources of trusted health information
The UCI Health Live Well podcast launched in June, giving consumers a new, accessible way to receive valuable information about their health. Each episode features renowned UCI Health physicians and leaders, who discuss the latest research, recent breakthroughs and what consumers should know now.
National recognition for excellence
UCI Health was repeatedly recognized this year for its leadership in patient quality and safety and the education of future health professionals.
The health system was once again recognized by Vizient in its September 2025 Ambulatory Quality and Accountability Ranking. It was also just one of five health systems in the nation to be recognized for excellence in the delivery of outpatient care.
The UCI Health Accountable Care Organization also saved the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) more than $23 million last year, a reflection of its consistent delivery of high-quality, error-free, safe care for patients.
Other recognitions include:
- UCI Health — Orange received an ‘A’ in the spring and fall Leapfrog Hospital Safety Grade
- UCI Health — Orange was recognized by Leapfrog and the American Diabetes Association as a Leader in Care for People Living with Diabetes
- UCI Health — Orange was also recognized in the Gold Antimicrobial Stewardship Honor Roll, the highest possible recognition from the California Department of Public Health. The award recognizes hospitals that are committed to eradicating antibiotic resistance.
- UCI Health — Orange was named a Top Teaching Hospital by Leapfrog, one of just 73 hospitals nationally to be honored.
- For the fifth year in a row, UCI Health — Orange was named a Best Hospital for Maternity Care by U.S. News & World Report.
- Four UCI Health hospitals, Fountain Valley, Lakewood, Los Alamitos and Orange, were recognized with American Heart Association Gold Plus Achievement Awards for demonstrating specific capabilities to receive and treat the most complex stroke cases.
Sustainability leadership
UCI Health was also honored for advancing on its commitment to become a more sustainable organization, including:
- Receiving the Top 25 Environmental Excellence Award, the highest honor from Practice Greenhealth, along with the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award. It also marks the fourth consecutive year that the health system has been recognized by the healthcare sustainability organization.
- In April, UCI Health — Orange became the first hospital in the UC system to receive the Sustainable Healthcare Certification from The Joint Commission.
Advancing research, care
In October, the ninth annual UC Irvine Anti-Cancer Challenge raised more than $1.5 million to support cancer prevention, treatment and research into cures. It brings the total raised since 2017 to more than $7.8 million.
About UCI Health
UCI Health, one of California’s largest academic health systems, is the clinical enterprise of the University of California, Irvine. The 1,461-bed system comprises its main campus UCI Health — Orange, its flagship hospital, the UCI Health — Irvine acute care hospital and medical campus, four hospitals and affiliated physicians of the UCI Health Community Network in Orange and Los Angeles counties and a network of ambulatory care centers across the region. UCI Health — Orange provides tertiary and quaternary care and is home to the only Orange County-based National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, high-risk perinatal/neonatal program and American College of Surgeons-verified Level I adult and Level II pediatric trauma center, gold level 1 geriatric emergency department and regional burn center. Powered by UC Irvine, UCI Health serves 5.6 million people in Orange County, western Riverside County and southeast Los Angeles County. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and X (formerly Twitter).