Hayward, CA, April 9, 2026 – Today, Alameda Health System (AHS) and Stanford Health Care announced a strategic collaboration to expand access to specialized care in the East Bay at an April 9th event at St. Rose Hospital, an AHS affiliate, in Hayward. The effort will also build on the strengths of St. Rose as a vital asset for the approximately 400,000 diverse people who reside in Central and Southern Alameda County and Stanford Health Care’s commitment to increasing access to high-quality, specialized care in the communities where patients live.

This collaboration marks a critical milestone for the region, bringing together two leading health care organizations to expand innovative care options and deliver consistently excellent care for Alameda County.

This arrangement enables Alameda Health System and Stanford Health Care to:

  • Allocate skilled nursing facility (SNF) beds at St. Rose for Stanford Health Care referrals to increase access to rehabilitative care. These beds are designated for patients transitioning from hospital-level care to short-term, medically supervised rehabilitation before returning home.
  • Develop a community-based inpatient medical psychiatric unit
  • Lease and develop a portion of St. Rose medical-surgical beds to create high-quality units managed by Stanford Health Care to expand local health care options
  • Expand use of St. Rose operating rooms staffed by Stanford Health Care surgeons and proceduralists
  • Support the AHS/St. Rose Foundation to advance community health initiatives

Details of the timeline on when patients can expect to have access to these services will be shared as the organizations continue with planning.

James Jackson, Chief Executive Officer of Alameda Health System, highlighted AHS’s track record and the significance of this milestone. “In just two short years, AHS has transformed St. Rose into a financially stable hospital that is now operating in the black, demonstrating our deep experience in revitalizing and strengthening community hospitals,” said Jackson. “This new effort builds on that momentum and reinforces St. Rose as a critical asset for the Hayward community and the broader East Bay.”

Rick Shumway, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Stanford Health Care, stated, “Alameda Health System has been a cornerstone of care for East Bay communities for decades. Stanford Health Care is proud to stand beside them, helping to expand access, strengthen programs, and ensure that patients and their families continue to receive high-quality care close to home. Building on a strong history of trusted care, we look forward to serving these communities together for generations to come.”

“By combining our strengths, we are expanding access to high-quality care and creating meaningful impact for the communities we serve,” said Mark Fratzke, Chief Operating Officer of the Alameda Health System and chair of the St. Rose Hospital Board of Directors. “The collaboration reflects what’s possible when mission-driven organizations come together to better serve patients.”

This collaboration is a critical step in meeting growing patient needs, leveraging AHS’s unique capacity to care for more complex, higher-acuity patients than traditional skilled nursing facilities and establishing a framework to work alongside Stanford Health Care to meet this demand.

“I commend Alameda Health System, Stanford Health Care, and St. Rose Hospital on coming together to protect public health in our region,” said Assembly Member Liz Ortega. “Losing St. Rose would mean losing lives, and that’s simply not an option. This collaboration moves us closer to long-term financial stability for St. Rose, and to ensuring community access to quality health care for generations to come.”

Alameda County Board of Supervisors President David Haubert underscored the hospital’s importance.  “St. Rose Hospital is an essential institution in the Hayward community. A collaboration with Stanford Health Care will allow St. Rose to become an incredible and vibrant beacon for all of Alameda County.”

Alameda County Supervisor Elisa Márquez added that excellence happens when an entire community works together. “The County, Alameda Health System, and Stanford Health Care are the prime collaboration example to sustain St. Rose Hospital and strengthen the region’s safety net. I am proud and excited to have Stanford Health Care serve Hayward and the surrounding Tri-Cities area to promote quality health care access for all.”

St. Rose Hospital is a Joint Commission–accredited, community-based safety-net hospital in Hayward that has served local residents for nearly 60 years. It provides more than 800 jobs, including more than 300 skilled physicians. The hospital is one of the city’s largest employers, is designated by Alameda County as a STEMI Receiving Center for heart attack patients, and has earned multiple state and national quality recognitions, including BETA Healthcare Group “Quest for Zero” awards.

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About Alameda Health System
Alameda Health System (AHS) is a leading safety-net, integrated health care provider and medical training institution recognized for its world-class, patient- and family-centered care. AHS provides comprehensive medical treatment, health promotion, and disease prevention throughout our integrated network of hospitals, clinics, and health services. AHS includes three acute care hospitals, an affiliate acute care hospital, a psychiatric hospital, four ambulatory care wellness centers, five post-acute facilities, and the only adult Level 1 Trauma Center and psychiatric emergency department in Alameda County. Its four skilled nursing facilities have a long history of ranking among the best nursing homes in the country by Newsweek and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. AHS is committed to promoting wellness and optimizing the health of the community through the mission of caring, healing, teaching and serving all. For more information, visit AlamedaHealthSystem.org.

About Stanford Health Care
Stanford Health Care, along with Stanford Health Care Tri-Valley and Stanford Medicine Partners, is part of the adult health care delivery system of Stanford Medicine. Combining clinical care, research, and education to advance the understanding and practice of medicine, we provide compassionate, coordinated care personalized for the unique needs of every patient.

Media Contact: Erika Brink
Full Court Press Communications
951-553-3561
erika@fcpcommunications.com