Topping Off Ceremony Celebrates Continued Work on Loma Linda University San Bernardino Campus

By: Mary Matthews

Community Writer

Photo Courtesy of:

LLU Health

Photo Description:

Richard H. Hart, M.D., DrPH, president of Loma Linda University Health signs his name to the final steel beam prior to its hoisting and installation at the LLU – San Bernardino site. Nancy Young, MHES, president and CEO of SACHS looks on, then she too signs the beam.
On Friday, July 31, Loma Linda University Health held an intimate “Topping Off” ceremony, celebrating the completion of the concrete steel structure of Loma Linda University - San Bernardino. An informal beam-signing ceremony occurred prior to the final beam’s installation into the main structure. Loma Linda University - San Bernardino, 250 South “G” Street in San Bernardino, across from 66ers Stadium. The new health care and educational center is slated to open in 2016. The project broke ground in December 2014 after a landmark $10 million gift from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to Loma Linda University Health. The center will stand at 150,000 square feet on 7.25 acres when complete. The project establishes the new San Manuel Gateway College, which will prepare high school and adult students for careers in health care through innovative educational approaches. The gateway college will share the Loma Linda University Health - San Bernardino complex with an expanded multi-specialty medical clinic operated by Social Action Community Health System (SACHS) and a vegetarian restaurant designed to showcase the longevity-enhancing benefits of a plant-based diet. The facility will also house a downtown pharmacy. The San Manuel Gateway College will integrate training programs in health careers with clinical experience, allowing students to benefit from hands-on training and mentoring by Loma Linda University Health faculty and students. The SACHS clinic, one of the largest providers of health services in San Bernardino, will expand to the Loma Linda Univeristy Health - San Bernardino complex. The new location will offer SACHS' patients easier access to quality clinical care from Loma Linda Univeristy Health providers.