About Us
History
A legacy of health and hope
Adventist Health has been serving Central California as a nonprofit healthcare provider since the early 1900s. Rooted in our mission to live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope, our history is one of vision, continuous growth, and the power of community.
Serving Central California with heart and healing
For more than a century, Adventist Health has grown from modest beginnings to a dynamic network of hospitals and clinics committed to compassionate, whole-person care for patients throughout Central California. Learn more about our growth and achievements below.
Early beginnings in Bakersfield
In 1910, two visionary nurses, Margaret Quinn and Mary O’Donnell, opened San Joaquin Hospital in Bakersfield. With borrowed funds and unwavering dedication, the women developed a 26-bed facility that quickly became a vital part of Kern County’s health system. The hospital expanded throughout the 1900s, pioneering cardiac care, opening the region’s first catheterization lab in 1972, and performing Bakersfield’s first open-heart surgery. In 1987, the hospital joined Adventist Health, which provided additional support to help us expand our services in Bakersfield and other markets.
Specialty care expands in Bakersfield
In 1995, visionary cardiac physicians opened what would become Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield. The facility offered innovative treatments in heart and vascular care, wound healing, and joint replacement.
In the 2000s, we expanded further with a new patient tower in 2007 and the AIS Cancer Center in 2013. Today, Adventist Health Bakersfield is one of the largest employers in the region and home to Kern County’s first certified stroke center.
Expanding into Hanford, Selma, Reedley, Tulare, Delano, and Tehachapi
In 1965, we opened our Hanford Community Medical Center, which provided easier access to care for patients in the northern part of Central California.
In the late 1900s and 2000s, Adventist Health continued to expand in Hanford and into other markets, further cementing our reputation for offering high quality healthcare close to home. This growth included:
1998–1999
Acquired Central Valley General Hospital in Hanford, Selma Community Hospital, and launched rural health clinics.
2010
Opened Adventist Health Hanford Hospital and added a Family Birth Center in 2015. Converted Central Valley Hospital into medical offices.
2011
Acquired Sierra Kings District Hospital, now Adventist Health Reedley, bringing expanded emergency and obstetric services to our patients.
2018
Acquired Tulare Regional Medical Center, now Adventist Health Tulare, and opened Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley.
2020
Acquired Delano Regional Medical Center, now Adventist Health Delano.
Today’s Adventist Health Central California
Today, Adventist Health hospitals in Central California include:
- Adventist Health Bakersfield
- Adventist Health Delano
- Adventist Health Hanford
- Adventist Health Reedley
- Adventist Health Selma
- Adventist Health Specialty Bakersfield
- Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley
- Adventist Health Tulare
In addition to 8 hospitals, Adventist Health operates 130+ rural health clinics and numerous outpatient centers across Kern, Tulare, Kings, Madera, and Fresno counties.
Across all our locations, our staff remains united by our mission of living God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness and hope. From our humble beginnings to our vast reach across Central California, our legacy is rooted in faith, innovation, and whole-person care — a legacy we proudly continue today.