Introducing Scripps Coastal Medical Center

New group has 100 physicians in eight locations from Oceanside to Bonita

SAN DIEGO – Scripps Health announced today that Scripps Coastal Medical Center is the new name of the physician offices and outpatient centers created by the coming together of Scripps Mercy Medical Group and Sharp Mission Park Medical Group. In addition, the sale and transfer of assets of Sharp Mission Park to Scripps Health is complete, effective Aug. 1.

“We are very pleased to announce our new name – a name that reflects our expanded regional focus across San Diego County from Oceanside to Bonita,” said Kevin Hirsch, M.D., president of Scripps Coastal Medical Group, the physician practice working within Scripps Coastal Medical Center. “While our names have changed, our patients can expect the same commitment to high-quality, patient-focused health care that has ranked us as two of the county’s top medical groups for quality and patient satisfaction by the California Cooperative Healthcare Reporting Initiative year after year.”

Together, Scripps Coastal Medical Group has more than 100 physicians in eight offices from Oceanside to Bonita, with expansion plans later this year in North County and South County. The name Scripps Coastal Medical Center was chosen after extensive market research, including focus groups of patients and potential patients in North County and South County.

“Patients in both regions expressed overwhelming confidence in this name and, most important, in the physicians practicing in Scripps Coastal Medical Center and the health care services we offer,” Dr. Hirsch said.

Scripps and Sharp announced the sale of Sharp Mission Park in April 2008, which included the transfer of 60 physicians, more than 400 employees and six outpatient centers in Oceanside, Vista and Encinitas. They join nearly 40 physicians, 100 employees and three locations of the former Scripps Mercy Medical Group in Hillcrest, Bonita and Encinitas. Scripps Coastal Medical Center plans to open new locations in Carlsbad and EastLake later this year.

Founded in 1924 by philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps, Scripps Health is a $2 billion nonprofit community health system based in San Diego, Calif. Scripps treats a half-million patients annually through the dedication of 2,600 affiliated physicians and 12,200 employees among its five acute-care hospital campuses, home health care services, and an ambulatory care network of clinics, physician offices and outpatient centers.

Recognized as a leader in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease, Scripps is also at the forefront of clinical research and graduate medical education. In 2007, Scripps committed more than $150 million in capital and facility improvements across the San Diego region while providing significant charity care to the community – more than $236 million in uncompensated care in 2007. Scripps Health Foundation generated $74 million in charitable donations in 2007 to support the Scripps mission.

Scripps Health includes: Scripps Green Hospital, Scripps Memorial Hospital Encinitas, Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, two Scripps Mercy Hospital campuses, 10 Scripps Clinic locations, 10 Scripps Coastal Medical Center locations, and Scripps Home Health Care Services.

Contact: Steve Carpowich
Phone: 858-678-7183
E-mail: carpowich.stephen@scrippshealth.org