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Stockton council backs University of the Pacific’s bid to apply for federal support for a medical school
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Summary
The Stockton City Council approved a resolution authorizing the city to submit a FY2027 congressional community project application on behalf of the University of the Pacific to support a proposed medical school in Stockton; the university projects a 2030 opening and estimated regional economic impact of about $1.3 billion over 10 years. Councilmember Enriquez recused herself because the university is her employer.
The Stockton City Council voted unanimously at a special meeting to authorize the city to submit a fiscal year 2027 community project application on behalf of the University of the Pacific for a proposed medical school in Stockton.
President Callahan, president of the University of the Pacific, told the council the Central Valley faces a severe shortage of physicians and that the proposed school would help address health disparities while serving as an economic engine. "The health care disparities in Stockton, in the county, in the Central Valley ... are largely derivative of a lack of physicians," Callahan said, and estimated a direct economic impact of more than $800 million for Stockton in the first 10 years and roughly $1.3 billion for the region.
The nut of the council’s action was a resolution authorizing the city to file a congressional appropriation request — described by the university as funding that would cover specialized equipment and related needs for a 21st-century medical school. Callahan said the university aims to welcome its first class in 2030 but cautioned that medical-school accreditation is "quite arduous." He said the school would be located on UOP’s existing 175-acre Stockton campus and that several potential sites on that campus remain under consideration.
Councilmember Enriquez disclosed that University of the Pacific is her employer and said she would recuse herself from the matter. Councilmembers who spoke in support highlighted the proposal’s potential to retain local students and create jobs for health systems and surrounding businesses. "This is a no-brainer," Councilmember Blauer said, while Vice Mayor Lee and Councilmember Padilla described the plan as an important economic and workforce development opportunity.
On procedural questions about the city’s role, Callahan and the mayor clarified that the request is a congressional appropriation championed by Congressman Harter and that the city would act as a pass-through and financial overseer for the award if it is granted. The mayor stated the city has "pretty much $70,000,000 for this project earmarked," per the transcript remarks.
The council moved, seconded, and the clerk called a roll-call vote. Recorded votes were: Blauer — yes; Enriquez — recused; Ponce — absent; Padilla — yes; Villapadilla/Delapuduah — yes; Vice Mayor Lee — yes; Mayor Figuasi — yes. The motion carried (5 yes, 0 no with one recusal and one absence).
Next steps cited in the meeting: the city will file the application on behalf of the university as a pass-through and the university said it expects to be "ready to make an announcement" in the spring about next steps toward the proposed 2030 opening. The council adjourned following the vote.
Authorities referenced in the meeting included the resolution presented to the council authorizing the city to submit the FY2027 community project application on behalf of the University of the Pacific.
