Steve Stark, CEO of Madera Community Hospital, oversees the reveal of new signage for owner American Advanced Management on Tuesday, March 18. The hospital was closed for more than two years. Screen shot via Madera Community Hospital social media

After more than two years, Madera Community Hospital reopened its doors Tuesday morning, restoring emergency health services in Madera County and the surrounding area.

Madera County’s only general hospital first opened its doors in 1971 until financial struggles forced it to close its doors in December 2022. Prior to the hospital’s closure, several medical groups, including Trinity Health, which owns Fresno-based Saint Agnes Hospital — another nonprofit hospital — placed bids on the hospital.

“Today, we celebrate more than the reopening of a hospital—we celebrate the restoration of hope, security and access to critical healthcare services,” State Sen. Anna Caballero said in a statement Monday. “Through the tireless efforts of my legislative colleagues, stakeholders and the Governor, we secured the funding and policy solutions necessary to rescue Madera Community Hospital and protect at-risk hospitals across the state.”

Tuesday’s opening marked the 806 days since Madera County last had an operating general hospital. Hundreds of staff, community members and supporters lined the halls Tuesday to celebrate the opening of the hospital, which was helped by Assemblymember Esmeralda Soria and Caballero.

Both helped to secure funding for the hospital through the Distressed Hospital Loan Program. Madera Hospital was awarded a $57 million loan through the program.

“This hospital not only provided care for Madera County, but also surrounding rural areas outside of Madera where it was the closest, closer to them than Fresno,” Soria said in an interview with the Central Valley Journalism Collaborative. “And I knew it was going to take a Herculean effort to reopen it.”

The hospital’s new owner, Modesto-based American Advanced Management, named Steve Stark as its new CEO. Stark has served as regional CEO for three AAM hospitals, and was previously a chief operating officer, chief information officer and senior infrastructure engineer.

When the hospital initially closed in 2022, patients were diverted to other area hospitals.

Through the Distressed Hospital Loan Program, the hospital will also be provided time to address its finances, with the $57 loan offered at zero-percent interest, as well as an 18-month initial grace period.

The hospital will offer medical-surgical units, a fully-equipped ICU and emergency department, as well as other services. Initially, the hospital will reopen without a maternity ward, placing a focus on sustainability before deciding whether or not they are able to add maternity services.