Economic Impact Close to Home
Valley Children’s is here to care for kids - and that commitment reaches far beyond hospital walls.
A recent independent economic analysis has confirmed what families across Central California see every day: Valley Children’s strengthens the region not only through exceptional pediatric care, but through jobs, investment and long-term community stability.
The analysis conducted by the Bay Area Council Economic Institute found that Valley Children’s:
- Generates more than $1 billion in annual economic activity across 12 Central Valley counties
- Supports thousands of jobs throughout the region
- Serves as the largest private employer in Madera County
- Helps keep pediatric care, medical expertise and resources close to home for Valley families
That impact starts with people. Thousands of Valley Children’s physicians, nurses and team members live and work throughout the Valley, earning competitive wages that help support their families, strengthen local businesses and contribute to thriving communities.
"This report matters because a stronger community creates better conditions for children and their families,” said Todd Suntrapak, President and CEO of Valley Children’s Healthcare. “By creating more than 6,100 jobs, Valley Children’s is helping families provide stability, and when communities are stronger, kids have better access to healthcare and a greater opportunity to grow and thrive. We are proud to contribute to that across Central California."
In Fresno County alone, where most of the organization’s workforce lives, Valley Children’s drives hundreds of millions of dollars in economic activity each year.
“Having 75% of all Valley Children's employees living in Fresno County is significant for us, because those are doctors, nurses and professional staff who are making a good living at a good-paying job – and they are investing that into our community,” said Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer. “Additionally, it’s good to know as a parent that you can take your children to Valley Children's right across the river and get first-class medical care, and we should all be very thankful for that and never take Valley Children's for granted.”
At the heart of the healthcare network is Valley Children’s Hospital in Madera County, where it is the largest private employer and a source of pride for families throughout the region.
“Valley Children’s is a true game changer, not only for the care it provides to kids, but for the jobs and long-term careers it brings to our community,“ said Madera County Supervisor Robert Poythress. “When we talk about attracting people to our county, we can also say that if you have kids, we have one of the top children’s hospitals in the entire nation in our backyard.”
While the numbers are significant, the purpose behind them matters most. Valley Children’s economic strength supports its mission: to ensure that the 1.3 million children who live in Central California have access to the care they need, when they need it.