East San Jose's Regional Medical Center marks 1 year since restoring trauma care

SAN JOSE, Calif. (KGO) -- East San Jose's Regional Medical Center is marking one year since trauma services were restored at the hospital, a milestone community members and health officials say has already saved lives.

The hospital's Level 2 trauma center serves East San Jose and nearby parts of Santa Clara County and is the only facility of its kind for miles.

Trauma services returned Wednesday, following a long fight by residents and health care workers to keep the unit open.

"The first day that we were here, you know, within the first couple hours, we had our first stroke patient come in the door, and had we not been here, probably her outcome would have been drastically different because of the time it would have taken to get to another hospital in the county," said Yvonne Karanas, MD, physician executive at Regional Medical Center.

In 2024, the hospital's previous private owner announced plans to shut down trauma services, citing a decline in demand.

RELATED: Regional Medical Center restores Level 2 Trauma Services under Santa Clara Co. ownership

The decision sparked public outrage from community members and health care workers. In response, Santa Clara County purchased the hospital for $150 million.

Santa Clara County Supervisor Betty Duong said the investment paid off sooner than expected.

"Before the year's end, we made all of our money back, and we're operating in the black. That's what the power of community is here," Duong said.

For patients like Rachel Raju, the hospital's proximity proved lifesaving. Raju was born at Regional Medical Center and still lives nearby. Years later, she returned as a patient in crisis.

"I'd gone to the urgent care right across the street, and the intake nurse there told me I needed to go to the emergency room immediately. Thankfully for me, RMC was right across the street, also would have had to travel at least 20 minutes to get to the nearest hospital," Raju said. Despite the hospital's progress, Duong said sustaining funding will be difficult after the county lost millions of dollars due to federal cuts.

MORE: Santa Clara Co. to purchase Regional Medical Center after trauma services downgraded

"Our commitment to protecting this asset resource of the community is unshakable. It is absolute. That is the commitment. The funding sources is on much shakier ground," she said.

Duong said the county may have to consider cuts to public safety and behavioral health services to continue funding the hospital. She added that work is underway to secure additional state and federal support to avoid those reductions.

For now, hospital staff continue their work, supported by patients who say the trauma center has made a critical difference.

"Being here saved my life, and I'm really grateful to RMC," Raju said.

Also back at RMC are labor and delivery services that had been restored five years after they were cut.