Del Puerto Pathway to Health
May 2026 Update
Del Puerto Pathway to Health / Paseo de Del Puerto hacia la Salud
May 2026 – CEO’s Message
Fifty years ago, Del Puerto Health Care District launched an ambulance service that has since answered tens of thousands of calls for Patterson residents and the surrounding communities. This month, the Patterson City Council formally recognized that milestone and it gave all of us at DPHCD a chance to reflect on what fifty years of service really means.
That same spirit is what drives the healthcare campus, the advancement of AB 2282 through the California legislature, and the growing coalition of community members, organizations, and elected leaders standing behind this effort. And it is what brought more than 100 of our neighbors together at Patterson Community Stadium last month for the inaugural NAMIWalks Stanislaus, a deeply meaningful event that DPHCD was proud to help bring to this community. We are proud to carry this legacy forward, and grateful to share it with you.
— Dr. Karin Freese, CEO of Del Puerto Health Care District
50 Years of Ambulance Service
This month, the Patterson City Council formally recognized Del Puerto Health Care District for 50 years of ambulance service to the West Side community, a milestone that reflects the dedication of generations of paramedics, EMTs, and district staff who have served Patterson and the surrounding areas around the clock.
Patterson District Ambulance has been operational since 1975, providing emergency ground medical transport to residents of Patterson and the surrounding area. Over five decades, the service has grown in capability and scope and today operates as a critical – and often the only – lifeline for residents facing a medical emergency in a community without a local emergency room.
DPHCD is proud of this legacy and grateful to the City Council for this recognition. The work of our ambulance team is the embodiment of what it means to serve a community, and it is what makes the fight for a local hospital and emergency services so personal for our staff.
We also take this moment to acknowledge the entire Patterson District Ambulance team for their continued commitment to excellent service to our residents.
NAMIWalks Stanislaus – An Inaugural Success
The numbers say it all: on April 25, more than 100 participants gathered at Patterson Community Stadium for NAMIWalks Stanislaus — and together, they raised nearly $20,000 in support of mental health awareness and services across the region.
DPHCD was proud to serve as an organizing partner in bringing this event to Patterson for the first time. From coordinating logistics and community outreach to supporting registration and day-of activities, our team was committed to making the inaugural walk a success — and Patterson delivered. Seeing this community show up the way it did is a powerful reminder of how much our neighbors care about behavioral health, and how ready they are for the services that are on the way.
Our planned Community Mental Health Clinic, part of Phase 1 of the healthcare campus, remains on track for a late 2028 completion and will bring critical behavioral health services directly to the West Side — no long drives, no barriers.
Thank you to everyone who walked, donated and volunteered. We look forward to seeing you again next year for NAMIWalks Stanislaus 2027!
AB 2282 Update: Bill Passes California Assembly Unanimously
DPHCD’s push for local emergency care continues to advance in Sacramento.
On May 28, AB 2282 — authored by Assemblymember Juan Alanis — was passed by the full California Assembly unanimously, clearing another significant hurdle on its path to becoming law.
AB 2282 would allow DPHCD to operate a rural emergency stabilization care unit (RESCU) while the permanent healthcare campus is being built. For a community where the nearest ER is more than 18 miles away — and where each ambulance transport takes that unit out of service for nearly two hours — this legislation represents a meaningful step toward closing the gap.
Next, the bill heads to the California Senate. We will continue to share updates as it advances.
We are deeply grateful to Assemblymember Alanis for his persistent leadership on this issue and to the growing coalition of organizations and community members who have lent their voices to this effort. If you would like to get involved in supporting the bill as it moves to the Senate, please contact us at engage@dphealth.org.
Healthcare Campus Timeline Update
As planning has advanced on the first phase of the healthcare campus, which will include a new ambulance and administration center, a primary care clinic, and a community mental health clinic, the Board of Directors has approved an updated construction timeline. We now expect to break ground in fall-winter 2027, an adjustment reflects the Board's commitment to getting the details right before construction begins — including completing environmental review and finalizing the project funding plan.
Phase 1 remains on track to deliver three interconnected facilities totaling more than 51,000 square feet of new healthcare space for Patterson and the West Side, including primary care, behavioral health, and ambulance operations. We will continue to keep our community informed as the project moves forward.
DPHCD In the News
This month, Paul Willette, Director of Ambulance Operations for Patterson District Ambulance, authored an op-ed in the Patterson Irrigator reflecting on 50 years of ambulance service and what it means for the future of healthcare on the West Side. Paul draws on nearly four decades in emergency medical services to describe what this milestone represents — not just the calls answered and lives touched, but the responsibility it carries forward. He also speaks directly to the need for a local hospital and the role AB 2282 could play in bridging the gap in local emergency care while the healthcare campus is built.
Follow Us & Stay Connected
Follow us on Facebook @DelPuertoHealth for regular updates, event announcements, and opportunities to get involved.
Sign up for monthly updates: Visit www.dphealth.org and scroll to the bottom of the homepage to subscribe to the Healthcare Campus Newsletter.
Share your ideas and feedback: dphealth.org/planning-feedback