Hello UCR Health Team,

As we begin 2026, I want to start with a simple thank you.

Over the past several months, I’ve had the chance to speak with many patients, community members, and partners across the Inland Empire. One message comes up repeatedly: people are noticing the care they receive at UCR Health—not just the quality of the medicine, but the personal connection they feel with our teams.

Patients talk about being listened to. They talk about clinicians and staff taking the extra moment to explain something, to follow up, or to make them feel comfortable during a visit. Those small moments matter more than we sometimes realize. They are the moments when healthcare becomes personal—and when we truly make a difference in someone’s life.

Each of you plays a role in that. Whether you are seeing patients in the clinic, supporting operations behind the scenes, helping navigate care, or improving the systems that make our work possible, you are contributing to something meaningful. Thank you for the compassion and professionalism you bring to the people we serve every day.

Recently, in the City of Riverside’s Healthcare in Riverside: Expanding Care for Our Community video, I shared something that captures what I see happening across our organization:

“I see a tremendous can-do attitude. I’m excited about the investments that are being made. I’m excited about everybody coming together. And I’m excited about the future for this marketplace.”

That sentiment reflects exactly what I see at UCR Health today—dedicated teams working together, important investments being made, and a shared commitment to improving healthcare access for our community.

Looking Back: Highlights from 2025

Putting Heart Health and Self-Care First

We began the year with a focus on heart health and an important reminder that caring for patients starts with caring for ourselves. Supporting the well-being of our teams helps ensure we can continue delivering the best care possible.

Tackling Fragmentation in Our Region

As the Inland Empire continues to grow, improving care coordination has become even more important. Over the past year, we worked to simplify referrals, strengthen patient navigation, and reduce fragmentation to ensure patients experience more connected, coordinated care.

Launching a Major Clinical Expansion

In June, we announced the Canyon Springs clinical expansion—our most significant step yet toward building a stronger academic health system in the region. This multi-phase effort begins with expanding from three to ten clinics, with additional facilities designed to increase access to specialty and acute care across the Inland Empire.

Advancing Quality and Patient Experience

Our teams made tremendous progress in improving quality and patient experience. Through improvements to Epic workflows and a strong focus on closing care gaps, we achieved a MIPS score of 93 out of 100 while continuing to improve patient access and service.

Expanding Digital Access for Patients

More patients are connecting with UCR Health digitally than ever before. Online scheduling increased, MyChart adoption continued to grow, and no-show rates declined—all of which helped make care easier to access while improving clinic operations.

Preparing for the Blue & Gold HMO Network

As we closed the year, our teams were preparing for the launch of the UC Blue & Gold HMO network, which began in February 2026. This new partnership expands access to care for UC employees and their families while strengthening our regional provider network.

Looking Ahead: Our Focus for 2026

UC HMO (Blue & Gold HMO) Implementation

With the network now live, our focus is on delivering a seamless experience for patients—from scheduling and referrals to coordinated care across our clinics.

Canyon Springs Expansion

In 2026, we will continue advancing key planning milestones for the Canyon Springs project and prepare for phase-one clinic growth, which will increase access to high-quality primary and specialty care across the region.

Quality and Care Coordination

We will continue to strengthen team-based care, close clinical gaps, and use data to improve coordination so that patients experience truly connected care.

Digital Access and Convenience

Continuing to expand online scheduling and patient portal engagement remains a key focus to make care access and management easier for our patients.

Investing in Our People

As we grow, investing in our teams remains a priority. Through onboarding, training, and clinical education in partnership with the UCR School of Medicine, we will continue to support the development of future healthcare practitioners.

The Road Ahead

Healthcare in the Inland Empire is evolving quickly, and the work we are doing together at UCR Health is helping shape that future. Every day, through your work, you are improving access to care, strengthening connections with patients, and helping build a healthcare system that better serves our region.

Thank you for the dedication, compassion, and teamwork you bring to your work. I’m proud of what we accomplished together in 2025, and I’m excited for everything we will continue to build together in 2026.

Thank you for making a difference in people’s lives every day.