Rio Vista, Calif. – Last Friday, NorthBay Health proudly hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the grand opening of its new Urgent Care and Primary Care clinic in Rio Vista. The event was planned in partnership with the Rio Vista Fire Department to mark its centennial anniversary.
The celebration was attended by dozens of community members and public officials, including Rio Vista Mayor Edwin Okamura. The opening marks a significant milestone in expanding access to high-quality healthcare to a population that skews older.
“Not too long ago, I was driving through Rio Vista looking for a perfect clinic location. As I came down the road, I noticed this building. And I remember thinking, this is it. Because it wasn’t just about the building itself. It was about the location, the visibility, and most importantly, what it could mean for this community,” said Mark Behl, President and CEO of NorthBay Health. “Ultimately, today is about access and showing up for the community of Rio Vista in a very real, tangible way. Urgent care clinics are changing how patients across our communities can get access to the medical care they need.”
Rio Vista joins NorthBay Health’s growing list of urgent and primary care facilities in Solano, Napa, and Yolo counties. As part of a $250 million, multi-year investment in ambulatory services to address the region’s shortage of medical resources, Rio Vista is NorthBay Health’s sixth urgent care clinic, following the June 2025 opening of facilities in Winters. The clinic’s opening was made possible through close collaboration with community leaders, the Rio Vista Chamber of Commerce, and elected officials, who understand the evolving health needs of local residents and want to bring reliable care closer to home.
“We’re deeply grateful to NorthBay Health for recognizing the need for accessible, high-quality healthcare in rural communities like ours,” said Rio Vista Mayor Edwin Okamura. “Their commitment ensures that geography is not a barrier and that our residents receive the care they deserve – close to home.”
The new clinic will provide same-day appointments and walk-in care to help patients in Rio Vista receive immediate medical attention without unnecessary visits to the emergency room. Additionally, by expanding its urgent care network, NorthBay Health will not only improve access to care but also alleviate a significant burden on the broader healthcare system by relieving pressure on overloaded emergency rooms, thereby improving health outcomes and public health across the community.
“The Rio Vista Fire Department is excited to have this new resource in our city,” said Rio Vista Fire Department Fire Chief Adam Pfenning. “Hopefully there will be a reduction in ambulance transports to the hospital for low acuity health issues. We look forward to developing a cooperative relationship with our NorthBay Health neighbors to improve health care in the City of Rio Vista.”
The purchase and subsequent opening of the clinic was made possible with the support of California Forever. The partnership has been crucial in advancing the health system’s ambulatory network in Winters and Rio Vista and transforming historic properties into state-of-the-art medical facilities.