Shortly thereafter, Leisure World developer Ross Cortese donated nine acres to the Foundation to initiate site development. The Golden Rain Foundation donated the land and additional funds to Saddleback Community Hospital (as it was originally known) once it was incorporated in 1969.

Throughout the early 1970s dozens of philanthropic individuals kept the drive alive and continued to donate money. Ground was broken in 1971, dreams quickly became reality, and the hospital opened in January 1974. It was the first community healthcare facility to serve the diverse and rapidly growing Saddleback Valley.

Today, Saddleback Memorial Medical Center is a 325-bed hospital with campuses in Laguna Hills and San Clemente, and it is fully accredited by the Joint Accreditation of Healthcare Organization (JCAHO).

In addition to the main hospital, SMMC includes SMMC San Clemente, Saddleback Women’s Hospital, Saddleback Heart Institute and Wellness Center, Saddleback Home Care Services, Saddleback Rehabilitation Center, Saddleback Cancer Services, MemorialCare Breast Center, outpatient services and a six-story medical office tower.

The tradition of giving that was born in the early 70s continues to flourish at Saddleback Memorial. In fact, in the last 10 years, community support has been stronger than ever. Thousands of donations from individuals and businesses helped build the Meiklejohn Critical Care Pavilion, a two-story, 53,000-square-foot facility housing a state-of-the-art emergency department and intensive care unit. Philanthropists and 35-year Leisure World residents Bill and Louise Meiklejohn provided the cornerstone gift – the largest gift in the history of Saddleback Memorial Foundation – to build the much-acclaimed facility.

To keep the legacy strong and build on past achievements, Saddleback Memorial Foundation recently launched Project Legacy, our 10-year plan that ensures continued expansion of Saddleback Memorial facilities and services. We plan to invest more than $190 million over the next decade to expand and upgrade the medical center. Facility upgrades include the addition and expansion of operating rooms, imaging and cardiology services and investments in new technology.

Help us continue our tradition of giving and caring. Your contributions are the foundation of our community’s health.

To learn more about the wide variety of donation options, please contact the Saddleback Memorial Foundation:
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“Annuit Coeptis”  —  “Providence has favored our undertakings.”
Virgil – Roman Poet (1st century B.C.), Found on U.S. currency.