Our mission is to support Salinas Valley Health by funding healthcare services, programs, and facilities for our diverse community.
Salinas Valley Health is embarking on a vital expansion of our Emergency Department, a project that strengthens our ongoing mission: providing high-quality, accessible healthcare for everyone in our community. Built in 1953 to accommodate approximately 15,000 visits each year, the Emergency Department now manages over 65,000 visits annually, with daily volumes often exceeding 200 patients. This increase reflects our region’s population growth and the growing demand for accessible emergency care close to home.
This expansion will modernize and significantly enlarge the Emergency Department, creating space for improved patient flow, enhanced privacy, and a better environment for both patients and care teams. Though this project includes essential upgrades to our physical space, it’s ultimately about the people we serve - those arriving at our doors during their most urgent and vulnerable moments. The Emergency Department is where our community turns when facing the unexpected, seeking expert care, compassion, and often life-saving intervention.
Salinas Valley Health Foundation strengthens the health and well-being of Monterey County by supporting the mission of Salinas Valley Health through strategic fundraising and community partnerships. With the generosity of local donors and sponsors, the Foundation helps fund advanced medical equipment, expanded services, and modern facilities that improve care for patients throughout the region. This includes support for lifesaving technology, cancer care resources, mobile health outreach, pediatric health programs, and more, ensuring that patients can access high-quality care close to home. Foundation funding has enhanced access to screenings, treatment, and support services, especially for underserved and rural populations. Funds raised directly impact the community, advancing Salinas Valley Health’s mission to deliver exceptional care and promoting health equity across Monterey County. Through this work, the Foundation helps ensure a healthier tomorrow for all.
I have been an attending physician in the Emergency Department at Salinas Valley Health for the last 10 years. Every day, I have the privilege of seeing the incredible commitment, compassion, and clinical excellence that our ER team provides to every person who comes to us in need of care. As the Medical Director and Chair of the Emergency Department, I am excited about the future and the opportunity to expand our physical space beyond 17 beds to better meet the needs of our wonderful community today, and for decades to come.
- Cristina Martinez, MD, Salinas
