UC San Diego Health and Rancho Family Medical Group (RFMG), a leading healthcare provider in the region, have officially announced a strategic affiliation. This collaboration is set to significantly improve the quality and accessibility of medical services for patients living in Southwest Riverside County.
“Rancho Family and UC San Diego Health share a commitment to delivering exceptional patient care. This exciting partnership will undoubtedly elevate the medical services available to our community,” stated Walter Combs, MD, chairman of Rancho Family Medical Group, highlighting the mutual dedication to patient well-being that drives this alliance.
This strategic affiliation allows Rancho Family Medical Group to maintain its personalized, community-focused approach to healthcare while leveraging the extensive resources and renowned expertise of UC San Diego Health, recognized as one of the nation’s top academic medical systems.
“Patients value the personal touch of local healthcare providers, but they also expect and deserve the high standards of care associated with leading academic health systems,” explained Josh Snow, CEO of Rancho Family Medical Group. “Our affiliation with UC San Diego Health perfectly bridges this gap, offering a unique blend of personalized, local care with the quality and innovation of an academic medical center. This is a significant step forward in our continuous effort to provide the best possible healthcare to our patients right here in their communities.”
The primary objective of this partnership between UC San Diego Health and Rancho Family Group is to raise the bar for primary care in the region and develop a more extensive, efficient, and clinically integrated healthcare network. Rancho Family Medical Group will continue its operations as an independent entity but will now be strategically aligned with the UC San Diego Health Physician Network (UCSDHPN), serving as the primary family practice hub for the Southwest Riverside Network.
“Our shared vision is to ensure that Rancho Family patients and all residents in the area not only have access to top-tier healthcare locally but can also benefit from the specialized knowledge and vast resources of an academic health system. UC San Diego Health is known for its expertise in treating complex conditions, often utilizing cutting-edge therapies and groundbreaking discoveries,” said Patty Maysent, CEO of UC San Diego Health.
Rancho Family Medical Group will uphold its strong relationships with local specialists to ensure comprehensive care. However, through this affiliation, RFMG patients will also gain streamlined access to UC San Diego Health’s tertiary and quaternary care services when needed. These advanced services include highly specialized diagnostic imaging, surgical procedures, oncology, neurology, and cardiology services, as well as access to innovative clinical trials typically found in academic health centers. Furthermore, as both entities are part of an Accountable Care Organization, Medicare patients will experience enhanced coordination of care between UC San Diego Health and Rancho Family Medical Group.
Looking ahead, Rancho Family Group and UC San Diego Health will collaborate on a shared strategic plan. This plan includes joint physician recruitment, the development of tailored clinical programs to address the specific health needs of the local patient population, and the integration of advanced information technologies and care pathways. These initiatives are designed to improve patient outcomes, refine practice protocols, and enhance overall patient satisfaction. Adding to the academic synergy, healthcare providers at RFMG will also receive faculty positions with UC San Diego Health, contributing to the training of future medical professionals from the UC San Diego School of Medicine.
UCSDHPN represents a network of regional healthcare providers, including UC San Diego Health and its faculty physicians, community hospitals, medical groups, and physicians across San Diego, Riverside, and Imperial counties. Affiliates within UCSDHPN work together to build robust systems, infrastructure, care pathways, and quality initiatives aimed at delivering exceptional healthcare and value to patients, health plans, and employers.
Rancho Family Medical Group has been a cornerstone of healthcare in Southwest Riverside County since 1942, holding the distinction of being the oldest family practice group in Temecula Valley. Rancho Family has experienced substantial growth in recent years, expanding its reach from Fallbrook to Hemet, now encompassing eight clinics and a team of over 30 primary care providers. All RFMG providers are board-certified in family practice or internal medicine, with many holding staff positions in local hospitals, reinforcing their commitment to community health.
UC San Diego Health has consistently been recognized as a top-ranked healthcare system in San Diego by U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals, earning national acclaim for clinical excellence in eight specialties. It comprises UC San Diego Medical Center in Hillcrest, Jacobs Medical Center, Sulpizio Cardiovascular Center, Shiley Eye Institute, and Moores Cancer Center in La Jolla, along with a network of primary and specialty practices throughout Southern California, demonstrating its wide-reaching impact on healthcare.
