Loma Linda University Medical Center – Murrieta opened its doors 14 years ago with a special purpose: to make an incredible difference in the health and well-being of those who live in the southwest Riverside County communities.

Even before officially opening its doors, area residents immediately welcomed the hospital. Thousands of local residents came out on Sunday, February 6, 2011 — a Super Bowl Sunday — to tour the new building.  

Since those first days, the facility has expanded, added new services, served more than 1 million patients, and welcomed hundreds of dedicated healthcare workers to the Murrieta community. In 2024 alone, the more than 1,500 Medical Center employees treated more than 171,000 outpatients, served more than 10,000 admitted patients, delivered more than 1,100 babies, and responded to more than 58,000 Emergency Department visits. And LLUMC – Murrieta continues to make an incredible difference in the health and well-being of those who live in the Temecula Valley communities. 

Recent recognitions include: 

• Three consecutive “A” safety grades from the Leapfrog Group, a national watchdog organization recognized as one of the highest healthcare safety and quality benchmarks. 
• High performing designation in heart attack care from U.S. News and World Report in 2025. U.S. News also named LLUMC – Murrieta a high-performing hospital for Maternity Care in 2024.  
• Stroke Gold Plus quality award from the American Heart Association for the hospital's commitment to providing stroke patients with the most appropriate treatment based on nationally recognized, research-based guidelines, ultimately leading to more lives saved and reduced disability.  

A 15-bed expansion, part of Loma Linda University Health’s Stronger Together campaign, will ease the bed shortage in the short term. The Medical Center is also readying a 24-hour Advanced Urgent Care center to absorb some of the growing demand on the existing Emergency Department. Emergency medicine providers will staff the new facility and offer care after hours. The new service will be located across the street from the main medical center building. With all lease agreements in hand, the service will open within a year. 

Another growth strategy involves the Medical Center’s partnerships with local schools and colleges to enhance the pipeline of healthcare workers in the region. And at the graduate education level, LLUMC – Murrieta has expanded its number of residency positions in family medicine, internal medicine, cardiology, and podiatry. The Medical Center also recently launched a three-year cardiovascular fellowship that will provide an academically and clinically rigorous training program in general cardiology and advanced training in clinical cardiology subspecialties and cardiovascular research. The residencies and fellowships are intended to encourage the participating physicians to remain in the region upon completing their education. More than 70% of past resident physicians have chosen to join medical practices in the area, an outstanding success rate.

All the expansion of services and physical growth has one goal — to provide world-class care to the region’s residents, close to home, without having to leave the area for treatment. Mothers-to-be will find a Level II NICU as part of labor and delivery. The Joint Commission has designated LLUMC – Murrieta as a Primary Stroke Center. Comprehensive cardiovascular care is available in the Medical Center’s Heart and Vascular Center. 

And patients needing additional specialized care have access to world-renowned specialists because the Medical Center is one of Loma Linda University Health’s six medical campuses. 

Jonathan John-Marie, Senior Vice President for LLU Medical Center – Murrieta, says building bridges to the community is an integral part of the hospital’s growth strategy. Because the Temecula Valley region is one of the fastest-growing areas of the country, business/medical center partnerships are key to meeting the region’s healthcare challenges.

Medical Center leaders also point to the Chamber’s intentional advocacy efforts as essential contributions. Working with local businesses will continue to drive innovation and success for the region’s health care. The rapidly growing tourism industry also depends on a solid healthcare infrastructure, and LLUMC – Murrieta recognizes its role in serving the many visitors coming to the region. 

Jonathan says the Medical Center’s talented, passionate team remains focused on an even brighter future. Much excellent work has been accomplished to improve the health and lives of the region’s residents. But he adds, “I am committed to working with our teams, our physicians, and community leaders to provide exceptional, patient-focused care to every resident in the region.” 

Follow the latest updates from the Medical Center on social media at:

• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/llumcmurrieta/ 
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