VMC Burn Center Begins Renovations To Double Capacity

SAN JOSE, CA — Work is underway to overhaul the Burn Center at Santa Clara Valley Medical Center, which hospital officials say will double its ability to treat patients with severe injuries from across the Bay Area and beyond.

VMC's Burn Center is one of just three between Los Angeles and Oregon, and the region's only one that combines trauma treatment with burn care. The intensive care and rehabilitation unit treats patients with thermal, chemical, contact, electrical and radiation injuries from around Santa Clara, San Mateo, Alameda, Contra Costa, Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito counties.

Equipped to handle both adult and pediatric cases, the center is one of just 35 such facilities in the nation.

"I've worked at three burn units, and this unit has the strongest burn survivor support system and community of anywhere I've ever been," said Dr. Cliff Sheckter, the center's Medical Director. "Staff here is incredible and you need a lot of staff for a burn center, but it’s not just about having the right people. It’s also having the resources it takes to recover these patients."

Sheckter said two recent cases illustrated the Burn Center's top-tier ability, successfully saving the lives of a man who suffered burns over 85 percent of his body in a steam explosion, and another who had severe burns and trauma injuries from major car crash.

"Burn injuries are dangerous on multiple levels, psychologically and physically, particularly when you have an extremely large burn," he added. "You cannot live without 85 percent of your skin — you will die from an infection."

According to the county, the renovations are on track for completion in 2026, upping capacity to 14 beds, and keeping the burn unit, operating room, clinic, physical therapy space, and other support services in the same area of the hospital.

Learn more about the project below: