By Craig Baize and Liz Madison, Vitals contributors  

Demand for healthcare services continues to rise. Mental health and primary care are at the top of the lists. But California’s Central Valley, home to some of the fastest-growing communities in the state, is ready. Thanks to healthcare systems like Sutter Health, new care centers and expanded services have already opened – helping communities access the medical support they need, when and where they need it.

Expanding Behavioral Health Services to Meet a Growing Need

More individuals are seeking support for conditions such as anxiety, depression and stress-related disorders. To address this, Sutter Health has expanded behavioral health services in Lodi, Turlock and Modesto, providing patients with more opportunities to receive care in their local communities.

The view into the waiting area of the new SGMF behavioral health care center in Turlock.

• Lodi: Behavioral health added services at a new suite inside 311 S. Ham Lane in January, offering integrated services to better address both physical and mental health needs.
• Turlock: A new location at 1000 Delbon Ave. opened in January, and increases availability for psychiatry and therapy services, addressing a key need in the region.
• Modesto: Behavioral health professionals and family medicine physicians began working in reimagined and redesigned space at the 600 Coffee Rd. care center, offering a more comprehensive approach to care—providing both physical and mental health services in shared space.

“Mental health is an essential part of whole-person care, and we are committed to making these services more accessible,” said Amber Campbell, ambulatory CEO of Sutter Health’s Central Valley. “These expansions ensure that more patients can get the support they need, when and where they need it.”

Manteca Care Center: Location, Location, Location

Patient exam rooms with a new, light and spacious design in Manteca.

Located in the Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley shopping center, the Manteca Care Center offers patients a unique and convenient healthcare experience. Its medical services are situated near retail and dining options. The center opened for care on Feb. 24 and is operated by Sutter Gould Medical Foundation and Gould Medical Group physicians to provide primary care, internal medicine, pediatrics and specialty services, all under one roof. The facility features expanded exam rooms and the latest technology to serve a growing patient population.

Amber Campbell at podium recognizing the team caring for patients at the new Manteca Care Center

“We made a commitment to expanding access to care in the Central Valley, and these projects opening up are proof that we are carrying through with that commitment,” said Gino Patrizio, president of Sutter Health’s Greater Central Valley. “The Manteca Care Center is a prime example of how we are bringing high-quality, integrated services closer to where people live and work.”

Strengthening Primary and Specialty Care

Sutter Gould employees and Gould Medical Group doctors celebrate the ribbon-cutting for new neuroscience care space.

• Neurosurgery and Rheumatology Expansion in Modesto: Sutter Health funding has allowed Sutter Gould to double the size of its neurosurgery clinic, in new space at its Spanos Court complex on the campus of Sutter Memorial Medical Center. The expansion allows for enhanced patient access to specialized procedures and advanced treatments for spinal disorders and brain injuries. Additionally, rheumatology services have been upgraded, converting previously used conference room space into modern, spacious patient care areas on the third floor of Sutter Gould’s 600 Coffee Road clinic, with expanded diagnostic tools and a larger team to better serve patients with autoimmune conditions.
• New Family Medicine Practices in Stockton and Modesto: Primary care remains a cornerstone of Sutter Health’s approach, and new family medicine locations in Stockton and Modesto are ensuring more families can access essential healthcare services, including preventive screenings, chronic disease management, and pediatric and adult care, with extended hours and same-day appointments available. New family medicine care space at 600 Coffee Road complements a busy family medicine office on the west side of town. And at the Stockton Medical Plaza, Sutter Gould converted over 5000 square feet of care space, to add additional primary care and dermatology services.
• Gastroenterologists and General Surgeons Benefit from More Space in Tracy:  Sutter Gould reimagined space in its Tracy Care Center by converting waiting area/lobby space on the second floor into valuable clinical space. By relocating the two specialty teams, Sutter Gould also expanded Maternal Fetal Medicine services in Tracy, repurposing the surgery department’s previous space to better serve patients experiencing high-risk pregnancies.

More Services on their Way to the Central Valley

Longtime, trusted fixtures in the community, Gould Medical Group and Sutter Gould Medical Foundation have been important partners to help Sutter Health’s expansion efforts. With the commitment of funding and support from Sutter Health’s governing board, more new outpatient care centers are planned to welcome patients over the next few years. To help answer the call, Gould Medical Group added 100 physicians in 2024. It is looking to add another 75 in the coming months.

“Sutter’s investments are about more than just buildings—they’re about ensuring patients get the right care, in the right place, at the right time,” said Campbell. “We’re proud to grow alongside the communities we serve.”