30 JAN 2026

NorthBay Health Designated Level II Trauma Center

After 15 years of effort, this recognition means faster ambulance routing, quicker access to lifesaving care, and stronger emergency response for communities across the region when every second counts.

Today, NorthBay Health Medical Center announces its official designation as a verified Level II Trauma Center by Solano County, achieving a long-anticipated milestone to meet growing healthcare needs.

Following fifteen years of work, the designation from the Solano County EMS Agency enables ambulances and 911 trauma calls to be routed directly to the hospital; a move that will significantly expand access to advanced, lifesaving care for patients across the region.

“When minutes and seconds count, access becomes even more essential,” said Mark Behl, President and CEO of NorthBay Health. “This is about serving our growing community so that in moments of crisis, families don’t have to worry about distance or delays – patients can receive lifesaving medical attention when they need it most. There’s no doubt this designation will create a lasting impact across Solano County for years to come.”

The Solano County Board of Supervisors approved a $196,000 revenue contract to support the upgrade of the trauma services status. The official recognition was made possible through close collaboration with county leaders to reflect both the region’s population growth and NorthBay Health’s long-demonstrated ability to provide high-quality trauma care around the clock.

"As Solano County continues to grow, timely access to advanced trauma care is critical,” said Benjamin Gammon, Solano County EMS Administrator. “Kaiser Permanente Vacaville was Solano County’s first Level II Trauma Center and continues to provide exceptional trauma care for our community. Building on that strong foundation, NorthBay Medical Center is now designated as an additional Level II Trauma Center expanding local access, reducing out-of-county transfers, and strengthening lifesaving care close to home. Together, these designations support our ongoing commitment to ensuring high quality emergency medical services for our community and our neighboring regions."

NorthBay Health was verified as a Level II trauma center by the American College of Surgeons in 2014. The initiative for formal designation from the county was initiated by EMS providers themselves to eliminate any confusion and ensure that critically ill or injured patients receive the fastest access to life-saving treatment.

“EMS providers have seen and witnessed first-hand what we can do within our walls and we are immensely grateful for their support,” said Dr. John Oter Zopfi, Trauma Medical Director at NorthBay Health. “We have some of the best in the business in our trauma department. Our dedicated team knows that when lives are on the line, nothing less than high quality care is acceptable.”

Learn more about our trauma services. For PR contact, please reach out to Sharon.Song@NorthBay.org.

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