Health Plan of San Joaquin Invests in Round-the-Clock Maternal Care for Modesto Community
(French Camp, CA) — Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan (“Health Plan”) announces its support for a vital new initiative that brings 24/7 obstetric care to Doctors Medical Center of Modesto. With a $1.797 million investment through Health Plan’s Community Investment Program, this funding will help launch a comprehensive laborist program in partnership with First Choice Physician Partners (FCPP), improving maternal and infant outcomes for Medi-Cal patients across the region.
The program, which began in May 2025, will run through April 2026 and is designed to fill a critical care gap by employing board-certified OB/GYN physicians and Advanced Practice Providers to provide immediate, in-house labor and delivery care—any time, day or night. This initiative will serve approximately 10,000 Medi-Cal members in the San Joaquin Valley and is a major step forward in Health Plan’s mission to promote health equity and improve access to quality care.
“We’re thrilled to be partnering with First Choice Physician Partners on a project that directly addresses the needs of our community,” said Lizeth Granados, CEO of Health Plan of San Joaquin. “Every mother deserves access to expert, timely obstetric care. This investment reflects our deep commitment to maternal health and to supporting families in our region.”
The project arose from a growing need for reliable, on-site obstetric coverage at Doctors Medical Center. Without a dedicated team available around the clock, expectant mothers were at risk of delayed emergency interventions—putting both maternal and newborn health in jeopardy. FCPP’s laborist program will bridge this gap, ensuring that women receive timely, expert care from the moment they arrive at the hospital.
“Our goal is simple: to make sure no woman walks into a hospital in crisis and has to wait for care,” said Jennifer Howard, President and CEO of First California Physician Partners. “Thanks to the support of Health Plan of San Joaquin, we’re turning that goal into a reality.”
The year-long grant also includes a plan for long-term sustainability. FCPP is working closely with Doctors Medical Center to secure future funding, ensuring this program continues to benefit women and families for years to come.
This initiative exemplifies Health Plan’s proactive approach to reinvesting in the community through impactful partnerships and targeted solutions—because health care should be timely, accessible, and centered around the people it serves.
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Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan serves over 390,000 members in Alpine, El Dorado, San Joaquin, and Stanislaus counties. Visit the website at www.HPSJ-MVHP.org
Media Contact:
Vena Ford, Health Plan of San Joaquin/Mountain Valley Health Plan, vford@hpsj.com