San Joaquin County may spend $2 million to help the University of the Pacific establish the first medical degree granting campus in the San Joaquin Valley.

The Board of Supervisors will consider earmarking $2 million of interest the county has accrued on federal pass through COVID relief funds to go toward the Stockton endeavor when they meet on Tuesday.

The school is intended to address the region's significant physician shortage by expanding medical education and clinical training opportunities in San Joaquin County and throughout the Central Valley.

Research indicates physicians are more likely to practice in communities where they complete their education and training, creating an opportunity to strengthen the region's long-term healthcare workforce.

The UOP School of Medicine has a targeted opening date of the fall of 2030.

In addition to improving healthcare access, Pacific estimates the School of Medicine will generate more than $1 billion in economic output in San Joaquin County over the next decade through university operations, employment, student activity, clinical partnerships, research, and related business development.

California is projected to face a 20 percent physician shortage by 2030, with Central Valley counties among the most underserved in the state.

Across the region, physician to population ratios fall dramatically below recommended levels for adequate access to care. As a result, one in three residents face difficulty accessing healthcare services, including treatment delays, limited access to specialty care, and increasing reliance on emergency departments for routine medical needs.

These challenges are expected to intensify as California’s physician workforce ages, with nearly one quarter of current physicians approaching retirement while healthcare demand continues to rise.

Without a significant expansion of medical education and physician training capacity, San Joaquin County and the Central Valley will continue to face long term healthcare access challenges that directly affect families, hospitals, clinics, employers, and local governments.

Research consistently demonstrates that physicians are significantly more likely to practice in the communities where they complete their education and training.

By educating medical students in Stockton and embedding their training within the region’s hospitals, clinics, and communities, Pacific will help create a durable pipeline of physicians who are more likely to remain in San Joaquin County and serve residents over the long term.

Pacific has launched a $150 million initiative and reports securing $75.5 million in institutional and philanthropic commitments through June 2026.

Pacific requested a $10 million contribution from San Joaquin County. The proposed $2 million County contribution would support the establishment of the School of Medicine and advance regional healthcare workforce development and long-term economic growth.

There is no net County cost associated with the propose.

If four-fifths of the board agrees, one-time funding of $2 million from accrued interest earnings in the American Rescue Plan Act will be allocated to support the University of the Pacific School of Medicine initiative. As of September 30, 2026, unobligated ARPA interest earnings totaled $2,163,820. Approval of the action would reduce the available balance to $163,820.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com

San Joaquin County may spend $2 million to help the University of the Pacific establish the first medical degree granting campus in the San Joaquin Valley.

The Board of Supervisors will consider earmarking $2 million of interest the county has accrued on federal pass through COVID relief funds to go toward the Stockton endeavor when they meet on Tuesday.

The school is intended to address the region's significant physician shortage by expanding medical education and clinical training opportunities in San Joaquin County and throughout the Central Valley.

Research indicates physicians are more likely to practice in communities where they complete their education and training, creating an opportunity to strengthen the region's long-term healthcare workforce.

The UOP School of Medicine has a targeted opening date of the fall of 2030.

In addition to improving healthcare access, Pacific estimates the School of Medicine will generate more than $1 billion in economic output in San Joaquin County over the next decade through university operations, employment, student activity, clinical partnerships, research, and related business development.

California is projected to face a 20 percent physician shortage by 2030, with Central Valley counties among the most underserved in the state.

Across the region, physician to population ratios fall dramatically below recommended levels for adequate access to care. As a result, one in three residents face difficulty accessing healthcare services, including treatment delays, limited access to specialty care, and increasing reliance on emergency departments for routine medical needs.

These challenges are expected to intensify as California’s physician workforce ages, with nearly one quarter of current physicians approaching retirement while healthcare demand continues to rise.

Without a significant expansion of medical education and physician training capacity, San Joaquin County and the Central Valley will continue to face long term healthcare access challenges that directly affect families, hospitals, clinics, employers, and local governments.

Research consistently demonstrates that physicians are significantly more likely to practice in the communities where they complete their education and training.

By educating medical students in Stockton and embedding their training within the region’s hospitals, clinics, and communities, Pacific will help create a durable pipeline of physicians who are more likely to remain in San Joaquin County and serve residents over the long term.

Pacific has launched a $150 million initiative and reports securing $75.5 million in institutional and philanthropic commitments through June 2026.

Pacific requested a $10 million contribution from San Joaquin County. The proposed $2 million County contribution would support the establishment of the School of Medicine and advance regional healthcare workforce development and long-term economic growth.

There is no net County cost associated with the propose.

If four-fifths of the board agrees, one-time funding of $2 million from accrued interest earnings in the American Rescue Plan Act will be allocated to support the University of the Pacific School of Medicine initiative. As of September 30, 2026, unobligated ARPA interest earnings totaled $2,163,820. Approval of the action would reduce the available balance to $163,820.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com