Stockton Approves Funding Plan for New University of the Pacific Medical School

The $7 million federal funding application will help establish a much-needed medical school in the Central Valley region.

Published on Mar. 10, 2026

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The Stockton City Council unanimously approved a $7 million federal funding application to support the University of the Pacific's plans to open a new medical school in the city. University President Christopher Callahan cited the significant need for more physicians in the Central Valley, where every county falls below the minimum physician-to-population ratio. The new medical school is expected to cost $150 million total, with UOP committing $50 million and the rest coming from private donors and partnerships.

Why it matters

The lack of an MD-granting medical school in the Central Valley has contributed to chronic physician shortages in the region. Establishing a new medical school in Stockton is expected to help address this issue by training future doctors who are more likely to practice medicine locally after graduation.

The details

The University of the Pacific has been working for over a year to start a new school of medicine. After contacting the Stockton City Manager last week, the city council held a special meeting on Monday to approve the $7 million federal funding application on UOP's behalf. University President Christopher Callahan told the council that the new medical school would be a "game-changer" for Stockton, providing increased access to healthcare and allowing graduates to complete residencies and establish practices in the local area.

  • On Monday, the Stockton City Council held a special meeting to approve the $7 million federal funding application.
  • Last week, UOP President Christopher Callahan contacted Stockton City Manager Johnny Ford about the funding needs for the new medical school.

The players

University of the Pacific

A private university located in Stockton, California that is seeking to establish a new medical school to serve the Central Valley region.

Christopher Callahan

The president of the University of the Pacific who presented the plan for the new medical school to the Stockton City Council.

Stockton City Council

The local government body in Stockton, California that unanimously approved the $7 million federal funding application to support the University of the Pacific's plans for a new medical school.

Johnny Ford

The Stockton City Manager who was contacted by UOP President Christopher Callahan about the funding needs for the new medical school.

Christina Fugazi

The Mayor of Stockton who expressed excitement about the potential economic and healthcare benefits the new medical school would bring to the city.

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What they’re saying

“There's so much richness and depth, culturally and geographically and historically. It's such a beautiful part of our country, and it's so underserved by health care.”

— Christopher Callahan, President, University of the Pacific (cbsnews.com)

“It would be a game-changer for this city because we have people that don't have access to health care, and if we had that here, they could offer clinics, and then they could do their residency here. They could just go right over to St. Joseph's Hospital, they could do their residency, then they could live here, buy a home here…contribute to some of the wonderful things that we have in the city of Stockton.”

— Christina Fugazi, Mayor of Stockton (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The University of the Pacific is expected to continue fundraising efforts to secure the remaining $100 million needed to fully fund the $150 million medical school project. The city's approval of the $7 million federal funding application is a key first step in the process.

The takeaway

The establishment of a new medical school in Stockton, California has the potential to significantly improve healthcare access and outcomes in the underserved Central Valley region. By training future doctors who are more likely to practice locally, the University of the Pacific's medical school could help address the chronic physician shortage that has plagued the area for years.