FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 16, 2001

Alice Trinkl, News Director
Source: Cara Peracchi Douglas, Director Public Affairs and Communications, UCSF-Fresno
Phone: 559.243.3606
E-mail: carapd@ucsfresno.edu
Web: www.ucsfresno.edu

UC REGENTS APPROVE MEDICAL EDUCATION AND RESEARCH CENTER FOR UCSF FRESNO

The University of California Board of Regents handed down a unanimous decision late yesterday afternoon approving the building of the $26 million state-of-the-art medical education and research center for the University of California, San Francisco, Fresno Medical Education Program (UCSF Fresno). The decision signifies the final approval of environmental documentation and design to construct the Medical Education and Research Center (MERC) in downtown Fresno adjacent to the Community Regional Medical Center.

"We are thrilled that the Regents have embraced medical education and research in the Central Valley by supporting the construction of MERC," said Deborah Stewart, MD, associate dean for UCSF Fresno. "UCSF Fresno's Medical Education and Research Center will play a pivotal role in the successful recruitment and retention of quality physicians in the Central Valley."

UCSF Fresno trains more than 175 medical residents in seven specialty areas. More than 50 percent of UCSF Fresno graduates remain in the valley to practice.

"This is an important addition to assure quality health care for Central Valley citizens," said Cruz Bustamante, lieutenant governor for the State of California and ex officio regent for the University of California. Bustamante and many state and local legislators have been working for years to see MERC become a reality.

"This is great news for Fresno and the entire Central Valley," said Jim Costa, state senator for the 16th District which represents the Central Valley. "We are a giant step closer to having a state-of-the-art education facility that will improve local access to quality health care. More doctors will likely choose to stay in the Valley with the addition of MERC and their training received at UCSF Fresno."

Note to editor: For more information about MERC, or to request images contact Cara Peracchi Douglas at 559.243.3606, or 559.288.3257.

###