San Mateo Medical Center completed

“This campus is more than new buildings, it’s an investment in the health, dignity and resilience of our community,” San Mateo Mayor Adam Loraine said. 

Supervisor Noelia Corzo said the building and all the services inside will provide a feeling of safety and care, particularly for residents who may be feeling particularly vulnerable. San Mateo Medical Center primarily treats patients with Medi-Cal or without health insurance.  

“This is what our patients, what our residents deserve,” Corzo said. “It makes me proud thinking about all the little ones and patients that will walk through these doors that will get the care and be in a welcoming environment when they see that care.” 

People want to work in a beautiful space, and patients deserve to be treated in a space that promotes wellness, Corzo said. 

“These doors are open for everyone, regardless of their income, immigration status or circumstance,” Corzo said. “Every improvement we made will benefit the health of communities in our county for decades and decades and decades to come.” 

The multiphase project at the Medical Center, located in San Mateo at 225 37th Ave., was conducted around an operating health facility, requiring agility and patience from employees and patients. 

The development included demolition of seismically noncompliant buildings, construction of two new buildings as well as overall improvements to existing infrastructure to advance equitable access and sustainable design. 

The new facility allows for multiple health-related agencies to exist under the same roof. For Coroner Robert Foucrault, this means families have a dedicated space to grieve, his staff can collaborate efficiently and support services are nearby. 

The San Mateo Medical Center campus brings together medical care, support services, mental health supports, health insurance enrollment, coroner facility and labs, and administrative services under one roof. 

The new building “reflects a chapter of service, compassion and partnership with our community,” Chief Health Officer Colleen Chawla said.  

“Doing so, we’re reducing barriers that too often prevent families from getting the care that they need,” Chawla said.