Recognition of CNU for Leadership in Designing for Zero and Reducing Medical Harm

DO NO HARM

First, DO NO HARM. These powerful words from the Hippocratic Oath resonate deeply within all physicians. They are not just a historical principle of medicine; they embody our collective mission and moral responsibility. Yet, each year in the United States, we face a staggering reality: around 400,000 hospital patients suffer preventable medical harm, leading to nearly 200,000 unnecessary deaths. This is a call to action. A reminder of the urgent work that lies ahead.

Medical injuries are adverse events that patients experience due to medical care rather than their underlying conditions. Common types of issues include medication errors, healthcare-acquired infections, surgical mistakes, and patient falls, many of which are deemed preventable. CNU’s “zero harm” initiative seeks to eliminate all preventable injuries by implementing proactive safety systems, standardizing processes, creating reliable workflows, optimizing medical center architecture, and fostering a robust safety culture.

We at California Northstate University are working to tackle this complex and critical issue and I am proud to share a significant milestone in our journey. Last month in Nashville, TN, California Northstate University was honored as America’s first hospital designed for zero harm. I had the privilege of accepting this recognition alongside Dr. Alvin Cheung, representing our incredible team. This honor is not just an accolade; it reflects our unwavering commitment to reimagining healthcare—how it is taught, delivered, and experienced.

At California Northstate, we are designing the hospital and healthcare system for the future, and are embedding safety science and high-reliability principles into the education of our future physicians. We are nurturing a culture of safety that extends to our students, faculty, and clinical partners, creating a united ecosystem rooted in accountability and continuous improvement. Every decision we make is filtered through the lens of medical harm reduction, ensuring that patient safety is not merely a goal but a fundamental principle that guides us.

Our new teaching hospital is a bold manifestation of this vision. Designed from the ground up, it will enhance safety, optimize caregiver efficiency, and improve outcomes for every patient we serve. By aligning our systems with global best practices in patient safety and infusing purpose into every architectural and operational element, we are transforming care and proving that safety and elimination of medical harm is not only possible but will define the future of medicine.

But let me be clear: this achievement is not the end of our journey; it is just the beginning. We are not merely constructing a hospital; we are creating a new model for how care is delivered and how healthcare professionals are trained. Together, we are designing a safer, brighter future.

As we look to the future, we must acknowledge the challenges we face. Post-pandemic hospitalizations are on the rise, as highlighted by research from the JAMA Network. Projections indicate that annual hospitalizations in the U.S. will increase from 36 million in 2025 to 40 million by 2035. This surge is driven by an aging population and ongoing labor and funding shortages. In California alone, we will need an additional 4,100 primary care providers to meet this growing demand.

California Northstate University is stepping up to be part of the solution with the development of a 680,000 square-foot Medical Center and Teaching Hospital. This facility will feature two towers each with 12 floors, with a bed count of 300, including 60 ICU beds and 70 emergency department beds.

Building permits have been achieved for One Sports Parkway in Natomas, Sacramento, where our new facility will replace the former Sleep Train Arena. With the Kings now playing at the Golden 1 Center, demolition of the previous arena has been completed, and we are eagerly awaiting the next steps in this exciting journey.

Our hospital will provide a comprehensive array of tertiary and quaternary care including Neurosurgery, Cardiac Surgery/Interventional Cardiology, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hematology-Oncology, Transplant Surgery and more. This past year, over half of CNU's College of Medicine graduates matched in primary care programs, with an impressive 84% placement in California. A testament to our commitment to training the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Our teaching hospital will bring together all of California Northstate University’s colleges—College of Medicine, College of Pharmacy, College of Graduate Studies, College of Psychology, College of Dentistry, and College of Health Sciences and Nursing. Currently, our colleges operate across multiple locations, requiring students to complete clinical hours at various local and offsite hospitals. By having all necessary facilities and preceptors on-site, our interdisciplinary education will further differentiate the program.

The University has designed approximately 40 acres for innovation and development, aptly named "Innovation Park." In addition to the hospital, the project plans to include a K-8 school, 2,500 homes, and commercial space. This initiative has the potential to generate up to $2.1 billion and create up to 14,000 jobs for our community.

Thank you for your unwavering dedication to this mission. Together, we are not just paving the way for our patients today; we are laying the groundwork for generations to come. Let’s continue this journey with purpose and passion.

Very Respectfully

Richard S. Isaacs, MD, FACS
Dean California Northstate University College of Medicine
Senior Vice-President of Medical Affairs and Chief Academic Officer
Professor of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery