A new era for health care in the High Desert began Tuesday as 300 health, business and civic representatives gathered with Orange County-based St. Joseph Health leaders to break ground on its new $261 million St. Mary Medical Center in Victorville.

The new St. Mary Medical Center campus will be a Level 3 Trauma Center – the first in the High Desert – with 128 private rooms. St. Joseph Health, St. Mary Victorville is located on 98 acres off of Interstate 15 in Victorville.

"It is an honor to stand here today and see the beginnings of a new medical center that will continue the work of improving the lives of High Desert residents and future generations," said Alan Garrett, President and CEO of St. Joseph Health, St. Mary. "We at St. Mary believe the care provided to all of our friends, families and community is sacred, and we are privileged to serve all who call the High Desert home."

When the new medical center opens in 2016, the Apple Valley campus will continue to operate as an acute care hospital. Together the two St. Mary campuses will have 328 beds, and care for approximately 225 patients each day including more than 216,000 outpatient visits a year.

"This new medical center will bring greater health to High Desert residents and to the local economy. Once it is completed the High Desert will have 1,113 new hospital jobs with an average salary of $58,260. Ultimately, its payroll will add $57 million to High Desert families each year," John Husing, Ph.D., economist.

The construction of the medical center is expected to bring 1,235 construction jobs to the High Desert.

"We at St. Joseph Health are proud to support the High Desert communities with this beautiful new medical center and campus, and we look forward to the many ways we can elevate the care of all Southern California residents through the coordinated work of all our sister hospitals," said Darrin Montalvo, Regional Executive Vice President, Southern California, St. Joseph Health.

The new medical center will bring quality health services closer to High Desert residents living in the west portion of the valley. The campus embraces a new vision for health care that provides services focused on the body, mind and spirit of all who seek care, visit or work there. Along with the medical center, St. Joseph Health, St. Mary is building a medical office building and ambulatory care center. This is the first phase of the campus and is expected to be completed in 2016. Later phases will add retail, hotels, recreation and a spiritual care center – all designed to care for the whole person.