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The Earth.
This place.
A mixture of gold and green
reclaimed by winter rains.
The sky.
Heavy.
A contrast of gray and white.
Sentinel oaks stand watch.
And the wind.
The wind.
Feel it. Taste it.
I stand at the top of the world.
Thankful.
Barbara L. Steinberg
Oakwilde Ranch & Sculpture
November 29, 2014
Along Stockton Boulevard, a mile-long complex of medical facilities, support systems and education and research centers put this district on the world map! Teams of professionals and volunteers provide compassionate care to patients and families
and the community.The Boulevard’s “medical mile” history dates back to 1871 with the relocation of the Sacramento County Hospital (aka Sacramento Medical Center). With time and many changes, the Medical Center officially became the UC Davis Medical Center (2315 Stockton Boulevard) on July 1, 1978. Spread out over more than 142 acres, the campus is a nationally recognized academic medical center offering primary care for all ages, specialty care in 150 fields, and the latest treatment options and expertise for the most complex health conditions.
On April 14, 1997, Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California (2425 Stockton Boulevard) opened and accepted its first patient for care. A new era in treatment for children, the community welcomed Shriners with open arms. More than 70,000 children have been accepted for care since it opened. The hospital has become the busiest pediatric burn center in Northern California and ranks with UC Davis Children's Hospital as one of the "Best Children's Hospitals" for pediatric orthopedics. Northern California Shriners Hospital treats children who have orthopedic conditions, burns, spinal cord injuries, cleft lip, need for specialized plastic surgery and other complex surgical needs.
The Firefighters Burn Institute (3101 Stockton Boulevard) is small but mighty. Built in 1933, the beautifully restored fire station was once home to Engine Company 9. Following the tragic 1972 Farrell’s Ice Cream Parlour plane crash, it became agonizingly clear that Sacramento lacked sufficient burn-treatment facilities to deal with such a catastrophe. Soon after, Sacramento Fire Department Captain Cliff Haskell and Firefighters Local 522 went on a fund-raising mission. The Firefighters Burn Institute was dedicated on Dec. 21, 1973. A charitable foundation, the Institute works closely with Shriners Hospitals for Children – Northern California and UC Davis Medical Center. They fund continuing education and medical research for the staffs of both hospitals.
“In the beginning, the mission was to establish burn care, but then the aftercare became part of the mission,” said Mike Daw, executive director of the institute. “You go through your healing process. There’s not just surviving but there’s thriving, too. So we established other programs for burn survivors (including firefighters) so they can thrive to best of their abilities. We have camps for burn-survivor children, and a support group and retreat for adult burn survivors as well as additional programs.”
These three shining stars have helped Stockton Boulevard thrive!