IRVINE, Calif.—Plans to build a world-class hospital and medical center estimated to cost more than $1 billion on the northern edge of the University of California—Irvine (UCI) campus were approved by the University of California Board of Regents Jan. 21. Construction of the 144-bed acute care facility, ambulatory care center and cancer center is expected to begin this year. The hospital joins already approved plans for the UCI Health Center for Advanced Care, combining to form the new UCI Medical Center Irvine-Newport, a full-service academic health complex that will bring a broad spectrum of healthcare services to coastal and southern Orange County, UCI officials said in a news release. The center is planned to provide access to the hundreds of clinical trials underway at UCI Health. Chancellor Howard Gillman said the hospital approval means that UCI has taken a giant leap toward fulfilling the visionary expansion of the campus and enhancing service to …