An overview of Alameda County Medical Center begins with our mission—we are here to deliver high-quality, compassionate care to all county residents, regardless of their ability to pay.

COMPASSIONATE CARE FOR EVERYONE

We are the major provider of affordable, quality health care to underserved individuals and communities in one of the most ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse counties in the United States. Alameda County, with 1.4 million residents, is the only county in California in which each of the four major ethnic groups represent 15% or more of the county’s population. More than 80 languages are spoken here, and some 25% percent of the residents speak no or limited English. An estimated 23% have no health insurance.

DESIGNATED TRAUMA CENTER

The Highland Campus of the Medical Center houses the Level II Designated Trauma Center for our area and one of the top Trauma Centers in the country - nationally renowned for its expertise in saving victims from life-threatening accidents and injuries. The emergency Department is the life-blood of the entire health care system in Alameda County. Besides being available 24/7 for life-saving care of accident victims, the Trauma Center stands as our disaster resource in times of earthquake, when firestorms rage across the densely populated Oakland Hills, or in case of unexpected major emergency of any kind.

Meeting the Needs of East Bay Families

The integrated health care system known today as Alameda County Medical Center started in 1864, as the Alameda County Infirmary, on the site of the present-day Fairmont Hospital in San Leandro. Highland Hospital opened its doors in 1927, offering comprehensive services in a teaching hospital environment. For many years, Highland also operated its own School of Nursing. In the 1960's, Alameda County launched Ambulatory Health Care Services, a chain of neighborhood-based health clinics.

Today, Highland Hospital and Clinics, Fairmont Hospital and HIV Clinic, John George Psychiatric Pavilion, Eastmont Wellness Center, Winton Wellness Center and Newark Health Center enable us to serve our Alameda County patients within their own communities.

STATE-OF-THE-ART FACILITY

With the opening of the Koret Foundation Critical Care and Clinical Center in 2004, on the Highland Campus, the Medical Center is able to offer a modern, attractive and well-equipped facility for emergency care, outpatient visits, surgery and other services.

The Medical Center is now the major provider of care for Alameda County’s medically indigent and underserved population, accounting for over 90% of all inpatient days and emergency room visits by indigent patients countywide on an annualized basis. Nearly 80% of our patients are ethnic minorities. The Medical Center comprehensively addresses the issue of cultural competence in the delivery of quality health care services in a way that few medical organizations can match. We provide on-site translation for nine major languages and on-call service for 25 additional languages, as well as a range of social services to help patients overcome impediments to obtaining care and ensure that they are treated with understanding and respect.

Special Awards and Recognition

Trauma Service

Heart Attack Response

Safety Net Awards

Blood Bank

Laboratory

Respected Teaching Institution

Emergency Medicine

Internal Medicine

Surgery

Primary Care

Oral and Maxillo-Facial Surgery

A TEACHING CENTER

The Medical Center is committed to maintaining an environment that is supportive of a wide range of educational programs and activities. Education of medical students, interns, residents, continuing education for medical nursing, and other staff, along with medical research, are all essential components of our environments. Physicians have been training at Highland Hospital since it opened its doors in 1927. Through affiliations with the University of California - San Francisco and Pacific Medical Center, Highland offers residency programs in Emergency Medicine, Internal Medicine, Primary Care, Surgery and Oral-Maxillofacial Surgery, and a one-year Transitional Internship program.

[ More about ACMC's Mission and History ]