Facility scheduled in south Morgan Hill to completely open this winter

Sutter Health representatives celebrate the soon-to-open Sutter Health facility on Juan Hernandez Drive. Photo by Kaylee Arca

By Kaylee Arca

With promises to bring more accessible and comprehensive healthcare services to South Valley residents, Sutter Health is leasing a nearly 10,000-square-foot medical office space in Morgan Hill, marking a significant step toward expanding its presence in the region.

The afternoon sun shone bright as representatives from the city of Morgan Hill and Sutter Health’s Palo Alto Medical Foundation gave a guided tour June 11 of the Morgan Hill Care Center at 16130 Juan Hernandez Dr., near the Tennant Avenue exit by U.S. 101.

Sutter Health plans to offer a range of primary care services, including internal medicine, family medicine, imaging, and a blood draw area, giving residents access to its outpatient medical care.

“Typically, when we expand to a site and a location, we start with a primary care basis to build up the patient population,” said San Jose-based podiatrist Dr. Alan Sue. “After we build up the patient population, then we can bring in specialists.”

Palo Alto Foundation Medical Group seeks to provide more convenient, accessible healthcare access so residents will not need to drive to San Jose to receive medical care. With plans to expand, Sutter Health purchased an 8.5-acre property behind the Morgan Hill Care Center in late February. It’s entitled for up to 124,500-square-feet of development, much of which is intended for healthcare purposes.

“We are proud to announce this investment, which will bring more healthcare services to residents of Morgan Hill, Gilroy, San Martin, southern San Jose, Hollister, and northern San Benito County,” said Kevin Cook, Greater Silicon Valley Market president for Sutter Health.

One concern voiced by residents is the impact Sutter Health’s newly leased office and purchased land will have on the Santa Clara Valley Health Center, formerly the DePaul Health Center, at the corner of Cochrane Road and DePaul Drive.

“In talking with the medical providers, it seems like they don’t view each other as evil competitors, but rather they complement each other in providing coverage for the community,” said Morgan Hill City Manager Christina Turner.

Special guest “Mayor for a Day” Maddie Lorenzen, 10, added, “It’s important to know what’s happening with your body, if you’re healthy, if you’re sick or ill, or if you have any diseases. I think this will help the community by easier access to healthcare.”

The leased medical office space will be updated and opened in phases. Sutter Health executives expect it to be fully operational starting this winter.

“Healthcare is a key area of focus for future growth for the city,” said Matthew Mahood, Morgan Hill economic development director, in a press release. “We are pleased Sutter Health is establishing a presence in Morgan Hill, as their services will help enhance the quality of life for our residents.”

Sutter Health serves nearly 3.5 million patients. It has 57,000 employees, clinicians, and more than 12,000 affiliated physicians. City officials at the announcement see the not-for-profit healthcare system providing many more healthcare options to residents of the entire region.

“As our community grows, so does our need to expand accessible medical services,” said Morgan Hill Mayor Mark Turner in a press release. “The city is thrilled to support Sutter Health’s move to Morgan Hill — it’s just what the doctor ordered,”

Kaylee Arca is a Morgan Hill-based freelance reporter.