The Timeline

For 50 years, the University of California, Irvine has been a national and regional leader in the health sciences. From its early days—when the medical school came to campus and a medical center was acquired—to today’s Susan & Henry Samueli College of Health Sciences, with its world-class programs and facilities, we remain dedicated to training new generations of physicians and nurses, conducting breakthrough research and providing the finest patient care.

1967 – 1969

UCI is named the new home of the former California College of Medicine, moving from Los Angeles to Irvine. The school is located on a 122-acre site on the western edge of campus.

1976

UC Regents purchase the Orange County Medical Center for $5.5 million. The facility is renamed the UC Irvine Medical Center. It’s located about 12 miles from the UCI campus in the city of Orange.

1986

The Beckman Laser Institute & Medical Clinic opens as one of the world’s first facilities where laser plays a major role in clinical treatment and research.

1997

The Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center becomes a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, the only one in Orange County and one of 47 in the U.S.

2001

With a $5.7 million gift from Henry and Susan Samueli, the Susan Samulei Center for Integrative Medicine is created.

2003

The H.H. Chao Comprehensive Digestive Disease Center is dedicated.

2004

Medical school professor of physiology & biophysics Irwin Rose is awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry, unlocking new cancer treatments.

2006

Programs in pharmaceutical sciences, nursing science and public health are launched.

2009

The flagship UC Irvine Douglas Hospital Opens – Orange County’s most advanced clinical training center and among the finest in the U.S.

2010

Sue & Bill Gross Hall: A CIRM Institute is dedicated. It’s one of the first stem cell research and training facilities in the U.S.

2013

The Gavin Herbert Eye Institute opens, giving patients access to advanced eye care from internationally renowned ophthalmologists.

2017

UC Regents approve a proposal to elevate the Program in Nursing Science to the Sue & Bill Gross School of Nursing. With a $200 million gift, the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health and Sciences is named.

2019

Dr. Steve Goldstein joins UCI as the vice chancellor for health affairs.

2020

Construction begins on the Susan and Henry Samueli College of Health and Sciences Building and the Sue & Bill Gross Nursing and Health Sciences Hall.