Health and Wellness Services in the Victor Valley Grow With the Region 

Courtesy of Providence St. Mary Medical Center

The Victor Valley is a hidden gem of Southern California, whose charming sense of community and culture continues to attract new residents. Another strong magnet is the excellent health care providers, not to mention the expanding new services they offer close to home. 

Dynamic New Offerings 

Providence St. Mary Medical Center in Apple Valley, the region’s only not-for-profit, faith-based hospital, has served the region since 1956. The facility recently celebrated a trio of dynamic developments: 

• A partnership with REACH Air Medical Services 
• A Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) 
• Designation as a Level 4 trauma center 

Led by Chief Executive Randy Castillo, the hospital is part of the Providence health system, employs about 1,900 caregivers and is affiliated with more than 400 doctors – many with local offices – including specialists in intensive, emergency and trauma care as well as cardiology, obstetrics and more. 

REACH’s bright-red helicopter is based at the facility 24 hours a day for air-medical transport. Trauma cases average about 200 per month at the hospital, making REACH a crucial partner for rapid patient transport when needed. 

Sexual assault victims (ages 12 and up) can now receive compassionate care through Providence St. Mary’s SART. The first of its kind in the High Desert, this specially trained team offers forensic exams and connects patients with community resource advocates. Supported by a $100,000 grant from the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation, the center eliminates the need for a 50-mile trip through the Cajon Pass for specialized care. 

On the Grow 

This year marks a time of celebration for Desert Valley Medical Group and the start of a planned expansion at Desert Valley Hospital in Victorville. Both are part of Prime Healthcare. 

The medical group, founded in 1985 by cardiologist Dr. Prem Reddy, is marking 40 years of caring for local residents with over 60 primary and specialty physicians on staff. 

In 1994, Reddy led an effort to open the acute care Desert Valley Hospital. The hospital has grown to 143 beds, providing an emergency department, primary care, orthopedics, cardiology, OB/GYN and other services. The hospital recently announced an expansion plan to add 140 patient beds to begin in 2025. The first-floor emergency department will increase by 70 beds and an additional 70 beds will be added to the second-floor med-surge unit. 

Desert Valley Hospital and Medical Group also offer a three-year internal medicine residency program. Internal medicine residents rotate through the hospital and medical group, providing inpatient and ambulatory experiences. The program is key to addressing the shortage of physicians in the area. 

Focused on Community 

Victor Valley Global Medical Center, a part of the KPC Health system, has focused on the health and welfare of the area for nearly 60 years. Serving a diverse community, patients and staff can easily communicate through the professional medical interpreter services offered by the facility. The medical center has a full menu of services, including an emergency department. Many have benefited from the comprehensive obstetric services provided by its delivery unit, helping with planning, delivering and postpartum needs. 

In the White Dove Professional Building, the diagnostic imaging center houses leading-edge tech.