Officials cut the ribbon on United Health Centers’ 40th clinic facility in West Fresno on Jan. 23, 2026. Photo by Ben Hensley
published on January 23, 2026 – 4:32 PM
Written by Ben Hensley
United Health Centers of the San Joaquin Valley (UHC) cut the ribbon for its 40th location on Friday, Jan. 23, 2026, marking a major milestone for one of the region’s largest and fastest-growing safety-net providers.
The new Fresno Shields Health Center west of Highway 99 represents more than just another dot on the map for the Valley provider; for UHC, their 40th location underscores years of rapid growth to meet demand in underserved neighborhoods across the Valley.
“This new site allows us to continue meeting patients where they are and ensuring access to essential health care services,” said Justin Preas, president and CEO of United Health Centers.
Fresno Mayor Jerry Dyer said the organization’s expansion represents a “testament to their commitment to the folks in Fresno,” noting the specific impact on areas that have historically seen many residents underserved.
The home of the 10,070-square-foot Shields Avenue facility was first acquired by the provider before the pandemic. The health center sits in a West Fresno a community that local leaders, including Fresno City Councilmember Annalisa Perea who represents the district — acknowledge have been long underserved.
“This is a part of my district that’s extremely rich in people, in culture, in strength and resilience, but the level of investment and access to resources has not always been there,” Perea said. “I’m proud to say that today we are closing that gap; we’re breaking down that barrier between east and west of 99, and it’s through investments like this one where we’re continuing to increase access to resources, specifically in health care, specifically in parts of our city that are a health care desert.”
Preas echoed Perea’s sentiment, adding that access to health care is the root of what makes communities successful.
“Areas like this are areas that have been forgotten for so long and really are a desert for affordable and accessible health care,” Preas said. “If people don’t have good health care or access to it, so many other things in life are just not possible.”
The new center offers medical, dental, behavioral health, chiropractic, women’s health and X-ray and lab services. Officials said the integrated model is designed to keep patients out of overcrowded emergency rooms, addressing needs earlier and closer to home.
“Our job is to keep them out of the hospital,” Preas said. “If we can take care of people in their backyard and provide those basic services so that people don’t have to use our emergency rooms, then we’re really doing our job here.”
In addition to care and delivery, the facility carries an economic impact; Preas emphasized that UHC employees dine, shop and get gas nearby — fueling the small business economy in the surrounding area.
Preas added that UHC aims to continue expanding its footprint in underserved regions, adding that walk-ins are welcome at all facilities and emphasized that no patient is turned away, regardless of ability to pay.