Page 28 - February 2015 • Southern California Gaming Guide

February 2015 Tribes in the News
$10 Million Gift from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for LAoma Linda University Health–San Bernardino Project
landmark $10 million gift from the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians was announced in December 2014, during groundbreaking ceremonies for Loma Linda University Health– San Bernardino, the new healthcare and educational initiative in downtown San Bernardino.
e ceremonies were held at 250 South G Street, where the center will be built, across the street from San Manuel Stadium.
rough this partnership, San Manuel Gateway College will o er a number of health career certi cate programs in nursing, medical, and dental assisting, phlebotomy, and medical insurance coding. e six- to 12-month programs will provide job entry skills, a better income, and college credit for students who elect to further their education.
SBCUSD Superintendent Dale Marsden noted that Loma Linda University Health and SBCUSD are collaborating to develop preparatory coursework for high school students interested in health careers.
“ is represents the rst partnership of its kind in the United States to integrate classroom training with clinical experience in a dynamic setting where certi cate students can gain invaluable training and mentoring from Loma Linda University Health faculty and residents, as well as graduate and undergraduate students,” Marsden said.
San Bernardino Mayor R. Carey Davis said the new center will symbolize the city’s economic development to local residents, as well as the surrounding communities and visitors who will view the “new architectural display” from the 215 Freeway.
“ is represents a great opportunity to revitalize our downtown area,” Davis observed. “It will also begin to change the image of San Bernardino as a result of the building that is going on. It will show that economic activity is returning. We see the collaboration and partnership as one that is very important to the rebirth of our downtown.”
After thanking the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, Hart commended the federal Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), for awarding a $600,000 grant for tuition assistance and career coaching to Inland Empire students as part of the federal Health Career Opportunities Program. e grant will be implemented through San Manuel Gateway College. He ended with an expression of gratitude for the support of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and other coalition partners.
“After many years of careful planning, we at Loma Linda University Health are overjoyed to see the San Bernardino campus getting underway with all its components,” Hart concluded. “We couldn’t have done this without each partner’s help! I know this facility will be a tremendous asset to those who seek treatment here, and to those who gain skills to prepare them for careers in the medical eld. is new center will be a great blessing to our community.”
Dr. Richard H. Hart, President of Loma Linda University Health, said the gift will enable the establishment of the new San Manuel Gateway College to prepare high school and adult students for careers in health care through a unique and innovative educational approach.
“ is unprecedented and visionary gift will bring world-class education and healthcare opportunities to the Inland Empire while promoting signi cant nancial, social, and employment opportunities for the people of our community,” Hart announced. “We are extremely grateful to the leaders and people of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians for their extraordinary generosity.”
Chairwoman Lynn Valbuena of the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians said, “In the early days, San Manuel had limited access to healthcare on the reservation, but the people of San Bernardino and doctors and nurses from Loma Linda helped us during times of need.” Valbuena said the gift was important because, “ Today we are drawn together in common purpose to bring greater access to
medical care and education to our region. We want to make sure the dream of a brighter tomorrow becomes a reality for the students of San Bernardino and the Inland Empire. San Manuel Gateway College will support the vitality of this community for decades to come.”
San Manuel Gateway College will share the 150,000-square-foot Loma Linda University Health–
San Bernardino complex with an expanded and relocated multi-specialty medical o ce clinic operated by Social Action Community Health System (SACHS), and a vegetarian restaurant designed to showcase the longevity-enhancing bene ts of a plant-based diet.
In addition to the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians and Loma Linda University Health, the new center represents a unique partnership of local organizations including the City of San Bernardino, the County of San Bernardino, San Bernardino Community College District, San Bernardino City Uni ed School District (SBCUSD), SACHS, and several non-pro t organizations.
Of cials break ground for the Loma Linda University–San Bernardino project. Pictured (L to R) are: Ted N.C. Wilson, President, General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists; Nancy Young, President and CEO, SACHS; Dr. Pat Morris, former Mayor, City of San Bernardino; Dale Marsden, Superintendent, San Bernardino City School District; Tommy Ramos, education committee member, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Ken Ramirez, Tribal Secretary, San Manuel Band of Mission Indians; Dr. Richard H. Hart, President, Loma Linda University Health; Pete Aguilar, Congressman-Elect, California 31st District; R. Carey Davis, Mayor, City of San Bernardino; Lowell Cooper, Vice President, General Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists and Chair, Board of
Trustees, Loma Linda University Adventist Health Sciences Center.
PAGE 28 SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA GAMING GUIDE
FEBRUARY 2015