The city of Irvine, California, is witnessing a significant transformation in its health-care landscape with the recent openings of two new hospitals by City of Hope and UCI Health. This expansion marks a pivotal moment for the region, positioning Irvine as a burgeoning hub for medical innovation and care.
For nearly five decades, Mayor Larry Agran has observed the evolution of Irvine’s health-care infrastructure. When he first moved to the city in 1975, it was to support his wife’s admission to the UC Irvine School of Medicine. Agran has since been a key figure in the city council, participating in major developments, including the opening of Irvine Medical Center in 1988, which was later acquired by Hoag in 2010.
The recent hospital openings are part of a broader trend in Irvine, which has seen substantial investment in health care, doubling the number of hospital beds in the city and generating thousands of jobs. Agran emphasized this growth as a culmination of decades of planning, stating, “We have become that [a major biomedical center].”
UCI Health celebrated the opening of its 144-bed hospital, fulfilling a promise made during the establishment of its medical school. This facility will be the nation’s first all-electric hospital, reinforcing UCI’s commitment to innovation in health care. John Murray, a spokesperson for UCI Health, described the opening as a “homecoming” for the university, which has been integral to Irvine’s growth.
The health-care sector’s expansion aligns with demographic trends in Orange County, where the population is aging rapidly. From 2010 to 2022, the proportion of residents aged 65 and older rose from 11.7% to 16.4%. With an overall population exceeding 3.2 million, this shift has heightened the demand for health-care services, prompting investments like the $1.5 billion expansion by City of Hope, which includes a new cancer specialty hospital that opened on December 1, 2025.
The integration of education and health care is a crucial factor in Irvine’s appeal as a medical investment destination. Dave Coffaro, President and CEO of the Greater Irvine Chamber of Commerce, noted that the proximity of UC Irvine’s various schools, including engineering and medicine, fosters a culture of innovation. This synergy not only enhances research capabilities but also attracts medical technology companies to the area.
Irvine has become a focal point for medical device and equipment firms, boasting over 235 such companies in Orange County. Major players like Johnson & Johnson and Edwards Lifesciences have established significant operations in the city. The health-care industry in Orange County supports nearly 200,000 jobs, reflecting a 100% increase in employment over the past two decades, according to the Orange County Business Council.
The city’s strategic planning has further facilitated this growth. City Manager Sean Crumby highlighted the city’s proactive approach in collaborating with health-care providers to ensure that infrastructure developments align with the community’s needs. The city has expedited review processes to accommodate health-care facilities, promoting an environment conducive to investment.
The ongoing expansion of health-care services is critical for addressing the needs of an increasing population, which has surged from 7,000 residents in the early 1970s to over 310,000 today. As Irvine continues to grow, it is projected to add more than 50,000 housing units by 2045, further underscoring the necessity for enhanced health care.
Looking ahead, the construction of Hoag’s Sun Family Campus, set to open in 2026, will represent a transformative investment of more than $1 billion, adding six new buildings and significantly increasing healthcare capacity in the region.
As Irvine solidifies its position as a leading health-care destination, the synergy between local government, educational institutions, and health-care providers sets a precedent for collaborative growth, ensuring that the community’s health-care needs are met well into the future.
