Marin Healthcare District race pits critics against defenders of status quo
Three of the candidates -- Dr.
For years, healthcare district board races were referendums on
Bedard was re-elected to the board in 2006 and has served since then. Rienks, associate director of the
After the district regained control of Marin General in 2010, Bedard and Rienks forged a working relationship and have rarely differed on issues facing the hospital, including formation of a separate board of directors to oversee the day-to-day operations of Marin General.
Su, a spine surgeon who began practicing in
Alfrey, also a surgeon, serves as the medical director of trauma at Marin General, chairman of the hospital's
"One of the big problems that we have in our emergency department, as we have all over the country, is overcrowding. I know it has been an issue on the healthcare district board's agenda five times in the last 12 meetings," Alfrey said.
Alfrey said such overcrowding can result in patients being boarded in the emergency department, which can lead to adverse patient outcomes.
As for the two-tiered management structure, Alfrey said, "I'm a little unclear about what influence the healthcare district board has over the hospital board. I know what it says in principle, but I don't quite get that relationship."
And, Alfrey said, "One of the major concerns that the hospital staff has had with the administration is communication. I don't think any administrator would say they were surprised to hear that because we've talked about it continually."
Bradley said she has become interested in civic engagement since recovering from acute emotional distress precipitated by a divorce and a child custody battle.
Commenting on a grand jury report on mental health care in
"There was not a psychiatrist there," Bradley told supervisors. "There was a nurse. She did not do a sufficient job of assessing the situation."
Bradley said Marin General's emergency room lacks a full-time psychiatrist and the new hospital wing under construction will have an insufficient number of beds for patients needing psychiatric care.
Bradley says she is the only candidate who is not part of the medical community and would help to broaden the board's perspective.
"The board is made up of all medical professionals," Bradley said. "So for oversight to happen you really need somebody who is not directly getting compensated or contracting in any way with
Bedard and Rienks say they want to remain on the board to oversee the opening of the new
While Alfrey and Bradley emphasize the internal changes they would like to see implemented at Marin General, Bedard and Rienks speak about the larger challenges facing the hospital from external forces.
"I think one of the keys to Marin General's future success is our relationship and partnership with UCSF," Bedard said.
"I've talked at
"At Marin General, we have one of the oldest medical staffs of any hospital in
Rienks said, "A lot of hospitals and health care businesses across the country are facing rising costs. Too often those costs are being passed on to consumers. We have to do something to contain costs because consumers can't afford what health care is costing them even if they have insurance.
"We really need to look at how we keep the population healthy," Rienks said, "and how we can move services into lower-cost environments."
The survival of many hospitals is threatened by shrinking reimbursements, Rienks said. She said in this environment bringing clinical expertise to Marin General is vital.
"That is why the merger with UCSF is so important," she said.
Bedard also noted that under the strategic alliance UCSF will assist Marin General with the installation of the EPIC electronic medical record system. Both doctors and nurses have struggled with the hospital's existing medical record system.
Although aligned with Bedard and Rienks, Su shares some of the concerns expressed by Alfrey and Bradley.
"I think the leadership does a good job, but I think there needs to be more physician engagement," Su said. "Management and the physicians need to be a little bit more closely aligned."
Su said the strategic alliance with UCSF "could be a very good thing, but I think it needs to be done carefully and correctly."
He said he doesn't want to see UCSF "cannibalize"
And, Su said, "The board needs somebody who is in the trenches but also not financially tied to the hospital."
HEALTHCARE CANDIDATES
Dr.
Age: 42
Residence:
Education: Orthopedic and Neurosurgical Spine Fellowship,
Medical degree from
Occupation: Spine Surgeon and Surgeon-in-Chief, California Orthopedics and Spine.
Experience: Marin Healthcare District Board lease and building committee member;
Reason for running: "I am committed to ensuring that
Age: 53
Residence:
Education: bachelors in psychology from
Occupation: Public health researcher,
Experience: Twenty-two years,
Reasons for running: to ensure the rebuilding of
Dr.
Age: 64
Residence:
Education: BA,
Occupation: Medical director for trauma,
Experience: Awarded the Legacy Award from Operation Access for service to the uninsured; director for the Surgery Student Clerkship at
Reason for running: To help shape the future of
Age: 74
Residence:
Education: 1966 Bachelor of Science,
Occupation: Emergency physician consultant, Delta V Biomechanics for past eight years.
Experience:
Reason for Running: Seeking my fifth and last term on the Marin Healthcare District Board to facilitate the completion of the new on-time and on-budget state-of-the-art
Age:47
Residence:
Education: left
Occupation: Owner and founder of
Experience: Starting and running one of the largest businesses in
Reason for running: I want to be involved in our community and make a difference in people's lives. I want to advocate for the things I believe in. I've learned a lot over the last year and a half and I do believe I can participate in making
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(c)2018 The Marin Independent Journal (Novato, Calif.)
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