First Bay Area medical school in 100 years to launch at Santa Clara University

Santa Clara University announced the launch of the Mark & Mary Stevens School of Medicine, the first medical school in the Bay Area in more than 100 years. The initiative is backed by a $175 million donation from billionaire venture capitalist Mark Stevens and his wife Mary Stevens, alongside a partnership with Sutter Health. The new school aims to combat California’s severe shortage of physicians, where 7 million residents lack access to primary, dental, or mental healthcare providers, according to the California Future Health Workforce Commission. California’s aging population—projected to have 1 in 5 residents aged 65 or older by 2040—will further strain healthcare systems, yet the state ranks 43rd in medical school enrollment capacity. Sutter Health CEO Warner Thomas noted that over half of physicians trained in California remain in the state, but current medical education infrastructure is insufficient. About 60% of Californians pursuing medical degrees must train out-of-state, forcing health systems to compete to lure them back. The Stevens, longtime donors to Santa Clara University and Sutter Health, have previously contributed nearly $40 million to the university and millions to medical research in Silicon Valley. Their latest gift will help expand graduate healthcare education, as 700 of Santa Clara’s 6,695 undergraduates express interest in healthcare fields. President Julie Sullivan emphasized the school’s potential to create a local pipeline for physicians, retaining talent within California’s residency programs. Accreditation for the new medical school is underway, with plans to address long-term physician shortages by training doctors in-state. The initiative aligns with efforts to strengthen California’s healthcare workforce amid growing demand, particularly in underserved communities. The Stevens described their donation as part of a broader mission to improve healthcare access while supporting their alma mater.