Sutter Health and Memorial Hospital Los Banos officially broke ground on a new rural health clinic that will expand care options to the growing Central Valley community.
With ceremonial shovels in hand, local leaders, care teams and community officials helped mark the moment at 801 W. L St., during a special event Friday, May 9.
“This new clinic will be about more than bricks and mortar,” said Kristie Marion, CEO and chief nurse executive of Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos. “It’s about helping people get the care they need without long drives or long wait times.”
More Care, Closer to Home
The new clinic, expected to open in early 2026, will feature 10 additional clinicians who will offer primary and specialty care, including mental health services. It’s designed to complement Sutter’s existing Rural Health Clinic on 1253 W I St.
“This clinic will be about making sure the people of Los Banos have the care they need close to home,” said Richard Leal, vice president of strategy & business development for Sutter’s Greater Central Valley. “For me, this work is personal. Many of my family members grew up in small towns where access to basic healthcare meant long drives to bigger cities. I remember my grandparents driving two hours in Texas just to see their primary care doctor.”
Kristie Marion and Richard Leal look at the Rural Health Clinic 2 blueprint.
The project is part of Sutter Health’s broader systemwide plan focused on expanding access through new ambulatory care centers across Northern California, particularly in underserved and rural communities.
Community Support and Regional Momentum
Leaders from across Los Banos and Merced County joined the celebration to highlight how the new clinic aligns with the community’s growing needs.
“On behalf of the citizens of Los Banos, we want to thank you for bringing this clinic to our community,” said Mayor Mike Amabile, who was joined by Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Lewis and Interim City Manager Gary Brizzee. “It’s all about access. You believe in Los Banos, you believe in the people and you know there’s a need here—and you’re fulfilling that need. We can’t thank you enough.”
Merced County Supervisor Scott Silveira added: “The team you have here—Kristie, Dr. Patel and others—they are your biggest advocates. They don’t just lead in healthcare, they lead in the community. These are the types of things that make it so easy for me to stand up here and support them—because they support our community every single day.”
Marion acknowledged many teams helped bring the project to life—from strategy, planning and facilities to community health partners and the Central California Alliance for Health, which provided key grant funding.
Driven by Local Care Teams
Dr. Tushar Patel, chief medical executive of Sutter’s Memorial Hospital Los Banos, centered the focus on the team members who bring care to life every day.
Wideshot of Rural Health Clinic 2 groundbreaking event in Los Banos on May 9, 2025.
“At the center of every clinic we build are the people who work inside it,” Patel said. “In Los Banos, we’re fortunate to have some of the most skilled, dedicated and compassionate professionals you’ll find anywhere. From physicians to nurses, from medical assistants to front desk staff—these individuals bring our values to life every day because they are part of this community. Their families are here, their neighbors are here and they put heart into every moment of care.”
A Lifelong Commitment to Community
As the event wrapped up, Marion shared a personal reflection on what the new clinic means for her and her hometown.
“This community has my heart,” she said. “I grew up here, and when I took this job, my intention was to bring to Los Banos all the healthcare services we need as much as possible. It is my life’s goal to make healthcare in Los Banos the best it can be before I leave this community.”
