Folsom Lake College, in partnership with Sutter Health, unveiled a new Instructional Healthcare Hub at its Rancho Cordova Center on April 29. Photo courtesy of Folsom Lake College

RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - A ribbon stretched across a set of glass doors Wednesday April 29, marked more than the opening of a new facility in Rancho Cordova, it signaled what local leaders say is a direct response to a growing healthcare workforce shortage and a new pathway for residents to step into stable, in-demand careers.

Folsom Lake College, in partnership with Sutter Health, unveiled a new Instructional Healthcare Hub at its Rancho Cordova Center, backed by a $2.5 million investment aimed at expanding hands-on training for students entering allied health fields.

The upgraded facility, located at 10259 Folsom Blvd., features four modernized classrooms equipped with advanced medical technology, including simulators, X-ray machines and hospital beds. College officials said the hub is designed to mirror real-world clinical environments and better prepare students for immediate employment.

For Sutter Health, the investment is part of a larger effort to address workforce shortages while strengthening community health systems. Photo courtesy of Folsom Lake College

Programs supported at the site include certified nursing assistant, emergency medical technician, medical laboratory technician, radiology technician and advanced imaging technician training.

“This really is a day of gratitude and appreciation, and most importantly, to talk about the transformation that happens in this building,” said Folsom Lake College President Dr. Art Pimentel. “We had a conversation about a need, and this is a real prime example of what we can do when education partners with industry.”

That need is substantial. According to regional labor data cited at the event, the Greater Sacramento area sees roughly 7,560 annual job openings in healthcare, while education programs produce about 460 completions each year, leaving a gap of more than 7,100 workers.

College and community leaders said the new hub is intended to help close that gap while creating accessible career pathways for local residents.

City officials, school staff, Sutter Health representatives, students and residents gathered April 29 for the opening of the Folsom Lake College Instructional Healthcare Hub, supported by a $2.5 million investment. Photo courtesy of Folsom Lake College

“This is such an exciting example of the power of partnership,” said Los Rios Community College District Chancellor Dr. Brian King. “When we get a wonderful business partner like Sutter, a city that embraces the importance of education like Rancho Cordova, a school district committed to preparing students to excel in college, the result is what you see today.”

King highlighted the long-standing collaboration between the college district, Sutter Health and the city of Rancho Cordova, calling the investment the largest single donation of its kind for the district.

Los Rios Board of Trustees President Deborah Ortiz emphasized the broader regional impact, particularly in building a pipeline of skilled workers.

“This represents what is possible in our region when education and industry come together with a shared commitment,” Ortiz said. “Programs like these allow us to better prepare students for high-wage, in-demand careers and ensure access and availability in a field that is going to be more vital than ever.”

The upgraded facility, located at 10259 Folsom Blvd., features four modernized classrooms equipped with advanced medical technology, including simulators, X-ray machines and hospital beds. Photo by Ornella Rossi

For Sutter Health, the investment is part of a larger effort to address workforce shortages while strengthening community health systems.

“This is really more than just a ribbon cutting,” said Rachel McKinney, president of Sutter Health’s Greater Sacramento Division. “It is a literal opening of doors for the many talented students that will train here.”

McKinney said the facility will allow students to train in environments that reflect the realities of modern healthcare.

“Healthcare is complex. It’s fast-paced and to be able to provide training in an environment that simulates the real world is really what every trained student will need,” McKinney said.

Rancho Cordova Mayor Garrett Gatewood framed the project as a direct investment in the city’s future.

“Today is not just a ribbon cutting,” Gatewood said. “We are opening the doors to opportunities, careers and a stronger Rancho Cordova. Not everyone follows the same path, but this hub creates a real stable location for well-paying jobs and careers.”

College officials said the hub is designed to mirror real-world clinical environments and better prepare students for immediate employment. Photo courtesy of Folsom Lake College

Folsom Cordova Unified School District Superintendent Erik Swanson said the facility also strengthens connections between K-12 education and career opportunities.

“This is more than a new facility. It’s about what becomes possible because of it,” Swanson said. “This healthcare hub today opens that up for a lot more of our graduates to have a plan to a living-wage job here in the city of Rancho Cordova.”

Swanson noted the hub will support a seamless transition for students from local high schools into college programs and ultimately into the workforce.

Officials across agencies repeatedly pointed to collaboration as the driving force behind the project and as a model for future efforts.

“The students who will walk through these doors will take a moment to reflect on how their future was set by all the individuals here today,” said Gatewood.