|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
 From the Desk of Ken Cohen, Chief Executive Officer
|
The November 6th election is behind us. But for many of our Trustees and Healthcare Districts the work is just beginning as you may be welcoming new members to your Boards in the coming weeks. As you all are getting up to speed and looking ahead to what health care improvements you want to bring to your communities, be sure to share with your new colleagues - and veteran ones too - our next webinar
"So you were just elected to your Board: Now what?"
on November 15.
Please also mark your calendars for ACHD 2019 Leadership Academy, January 24-25th, in Sacramento. The goal of the ACHD Leadership Academy is to help newly elected Healthcare District Trustees as they begin their new roles and gain an understanding of Trustee "Best Practices" related to transparency, accountability, ethics, finance and high-performing Boards. Newly elected Trustees, returning Trustees and District CEOs have all commented on the value of the many educational and networking opportunities available to them at Leadership Academy.
Speaking of planning ahead, I'm pleased to share that the ACHD Board of Directors approved our 2018-19 Strategic Plan. This will guide ACHD's leadership team and staff on priorities in all facets of our work ahead - from legislation to education to member outreach. Of note, several key initiatives were adopted from the Board's Strategic Planning meetings, including: implementation of a corporate sponsorship program, establishment of an affiliate member program; completion of a comprehensive member survey to better identify strengths, weakness, needs, opportunities and priorities to enhance the value of the Association; implementation of educational relationships with Stanford, CSDA and others. For more information, contact
[email protected].
Finally, a special thank you to outgoing ACHD Board Member Dara Czerwonka of Palomar Health who served on our Board for the past year. Dara has served as an officer and two terms as board chair for the board of directors of the Palomar Health, and did not seek re-election this November. We are grateful for her leadership and will continue to benefit from her insights.
|
Legislative Update
|
|
On Tuesday, California voters decided several key statewide offices, including the next Governor. In addition, votes were cast for 11 statewide ballot propositions, three of which ACHD adopted formal positions on. Results on these measures include:
Prop 4 Passed
: The measure will
authorize $1.5 billion in bonds toward the funding and construction of hospitals providing children's health care. ACHD had a support position on this measure.
Prop 5 Failed
: The measure would have
allowed homeowners who are over 55 years old or severely disabled to transfer their current property tax base to a replacement residence of any value, in any county, as many times as they wish. The Legislative Analyst's Office estimated, in it's fiscal analysis, the annual property tax losses for schools, cities, counties, and special districts would have been $150 million in the near term and grow up to $1 billion or more per year if the measure had passed. ACHD had an oppose position on this measure.
Prop 8 Failed
: The measure would have
limited the amount outpatient kidney dialysis clinics may charge for patient care and imposes penalties for excessive charges. ACHD had an opposed position on this measure.
Gubernatorial Election
: Gavin Newsom, the current Lieutenant Governor of California, will become California's 40th Governor. This election signals significant changes in the Administration, as Newsom will be replacing the renowned Jerry Brown who held the office for the past eight years. ACHD's Advocacy Team will be monitoring Newsom's key appointments in the coming months and will be scheduling meet and greets with his staff. Newsom will take office on January 7th, 2019.
The 2019-2020 Legislature will convene on December 3, 2018 for purposes of swearing-in newly elected Legislators. Regular session will reconvene on January 3, 2019 for the first year of the new two-year session.
|
|
|
MC Hubbard, Trustee, Northern Inyo Healthcare District
In an effort to show our appreciation to Healthcare District Leaders, ACHD highlights the invaluable contributions of Trustees in their communities. We recognize that the work and passion of our Trustees often go unrecognized and it is our goal is to share the positive impacts Trustees make in their communities.
What inspired you to run for a seat on the Healthcare District Board?
In 2006, I was approached to submit a Letter of Interest requesting to fill the remaining term of Northern Inyo Healthcare District's Zone 5 vacancy. Since then, every four years I continue to be inspired to run for the Board as I am so very proud of the wonderful progress the District is making and want to remain a part of the successful growth we are seeing.
What is one accomplishment that you and the Board have implemented that you are most proud of?
While there have been many great accomplishments to be proud of over the last few years, I have to say the accomplishment I am most proud of is the completion of a new hospital facility. We are able to provide our communities with the latest state-of-the art equipment and highest quality care.
What is unique about your District and the constituents you serve?
In geographic size, Inyo County is today the second largest county in California but we have a population of slightly more than 17,000 residents. The county is so big that several eastern states put together would fit neatly within our boundaries. Inyo County has the highest (Mt. Whitney) and the lowest (Death Valley) points in the contiguous United States. There are two Healthcare Districts serving Inyo County. Northern Inyo Healthcare District serves the greater Bishop area from about 30 miles south of Bishop to just north of Bishop, which constitutes about 10,000 folks. In addition, as we are a remote area, we have folks coming to us from the nearby parts of Nevada as well as folks from closer Mono County communities. We are known as a tourist area so we do see folks from outside of the United States as well.
What is a goal you hope to achieve for your District during your tenure?
Our next big project will be the constructing of a new Rural Health Center Community Building. Long ago, we outgrew our facilities for the RHC, Women's Health Center, and Surgery Center, which are currently housed in modular units. Our Pediatrics, Orthopedics, Internal Medicine providers and our Specialty Clinic are currently placed in another building on the campus. The goal is to have all these services in one building. I am very hopeful this will be achieved during my time of service on the NIHD Board of Directors.
How has being a part of ACHD helped you as a leader, your District, residents and the community?
To me there have been numerous areas of value in being part of ACHD such as the meetings and free webinars that have been available to ACHD members. However, so far for me the greatest value in participating in ACHD has been the Certified Healthcare District program. Going through the process of becoming certified has given myself and the other Board members the understanding of what good governance is and how to develop and abide by Best Practices. Being able to discuss with the community members what the true role of a governing Healthcare District Board is and how it functions has been of great benefit. Additionally, becoming a Certified Healthcare District has allowed the Board to reaffirm its commitment to transparency, which has further strengthened the Board's status in the e
ye of the public and has truly helped advance the reputation of the Board, the Board members and the District as a whole. This process has also given us the opportunity to enhance the NIHD Mission Statement - "To improve our communities one life at a time; One Team, One Goal, Your Health."
What advice or encouragement would you give someone considering running for the Healthcare District Board?
Lately, due to two of our long-term members retiring from the Board, I have had the opportunity to approach citizens of our community to ask them to consider becoming part of the Board. What I have told folks that while there is a great learning curve that comes with being a NIHD Board member there is such a great reward to knowing you are a part of a fabulous team that takes care of our community residents.
When not serving your community, what do you like to do in your free time?
I have a wonderful family that includes three great grandchildren and a fourth due in mid-November who all live in the Bishop area. We enjoy getting together as often as we can. I also have three beautiful "girls," two Corgis and a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, who my daughter tells me are more spoiled than she ever was.
|
Before the year's up, be sure to add to your Healthcare District's workplan launching into
ACHD's new and enhanced Certified Healthcare District Program.
This program designed especially for California's Healthcare Districts
promotes accountability and compliance for Districts in key areas of local governance, including transparency, state laws, finance and website requirements but now with the benefit of a
fully web-based process
.
With the healthcare industry's laser beam focus on quality and standards, there has never been a better time for Healthcare Districts to ensure we are working together to meet the public expectations of high-quality care in all areas of service. The Certified Healthcare District Program helps teams achieve that goal.
|
| ACHD Webinar Education Series |
November 15, 2018 at 10:00 AM: "So You Were Just Elected to Your District Board. Now What?"
Join ACHD and Jim A. Rice, the Managing Director of Governance and Leadership for Integrated Healthcare Strategies, as we help you master smart governance principles, practices and policies in your new leadership role.
In this Webinar, new Trustees - and those Trustees who want a refresher - will learn to:
- Appreciate the essential role and value of Healthcare District Boards
- Understand how to maximize the time and talent of your fellow Board Members and avoid stumbling blocks that slow down your Board's work
- Embrace five key strategies to optimize pride in governance in the coming year
December 5, 2018 at 10:00 AM: New Laws for 2019
Join ACHD's Advocacy Team for an
in-depth look at newly enacted laws impacting Healthcare Districts and what to expect for the new legislative session.
To access past webinar recordings, click
here
.
|
| In Case You Missed It... Healthcare District News from Around the State |
   
An exciting roster of new and first-of-their-kind programs are rolling out in the Petaluma City Schools (PCS) District to tackle some of most pressing challenges schools and students are facing. In close partnership with the Petaluma Health Care District and many community partners involved in funding, oversight or execution, the new programs include: an Alcohol, Tobacco or Other drugs (ATOD) Peer-to-Peer Prevention program run by Community Matters; Still I Rise, a pilot program offered through 10,000 Degrees that targets vulnerable middle schoolers to help them meet academic requirements and graduate high school college-ready; and, Operation Prevention, an opioid education and prevention curriculum, which will launch later this school year.
If construction over the next 300 days goes as planned, a $9 million state-of-the-art center will soon after begin offering locals one-stop health care services. Recently and officially named the Valley Springs Health & Wellness Center, the official ground-breaking ceremony for the project was held last Friday. Situated by the intersection of Vista Del-Lago and Highway at 51 Wellness Way, it is located on what will be a new street into the facility. While Mark Twain Health Care District (MTHCD) continues to work under a recently renewed long-term partnership agreement with Dignity Health, which operates Mark Twain Medical Center, the new project constitutes the first time the district has taken on building a facility that it will run independently.
Palomar Health in North County cut the ribbon on a new 3D mammogram machine Monday. It will help doctors detect breast cancer with more accuracy than ever before. The new 3D breast imaging machine is predicted to be up to 65 percent more accurate at detecting more invasive breast cancers, doctors said.
As life expectancy in the U.S. continues to increase, the medical community is faced with new challenges to overcome. In the '60s it was heart attacks and strokes, in the '80s it was cancer, and now healthcare providers are developing preventative measures to take on what some refer to as an "epidemic of falling." "The disease of the 21st century is falling and breaking a bone," said Dr. Randy Smart, Executive Director of the Mark Twain Health Care District, at the Stay Vertical fall prevention training kickoff on Sept. 22.
The Morongo Basin Healthcare District officially unveiled its state-of-the-art Mobile Medical Unit at a ribbon cutting ceremony, 5pm on Thursday, October 4, at District offices in Yucca Valley. The 38-foot mobile medical clinic will offer basic medical services including primary care (treatment, health advice) and screenings. The Mobile Medical Unit will be scheduled at sites throughout Morongo Basin beginning early 2019.
The Grossmont Healthcare District is supporting the Burn Institute with a $34,000 grant. The funds will go toward services for burn survivors and provide fire and burn prevention education programs for more than 13,000 East County residents, particularly focusing on preparedness for children, seniors, Latino, and low-to-moderate income populations. The ultimate goal of the Burn Institute is to reduce the number of burn injuries and deaths.
Seneca Healthcare District is now a tobacco and smoke-free campus, including e-cigarettes (vaping). The new policy covers all buildings, grounds and parking lots across the entire SHD campus.
Camarillo Health Care District CEO Kara Ralston received the General Manager of the Year Award recently from the California Special Districts Association. The award was presented during the association's annual conference and exhibitor showcase in Indian Wells, where special districts and individuals received awards acknowledging their achievements in various areas including exceptional public outreach, leadership and innovations.
Grossmont Healthcare District, a public agency that oversees Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa, recently gave a total of more than $85,000 to three organizations that help get food to those in need. The district's five-member board recently OK'd the grant money to nonprofits Jewish Family Service of San Diego, Meals on Wheels and the Jacobs & Cushman San Diego Food Bank.
|
|
About ACHD:
The Association of California Healthcare Districts (ACHD) represents Healthcare Districts throughout the state. The Association serves the diverse needs of California's Healthcare Districts by enhancing public awareness, training and educating its members and advocating for legislation and regulatory policies that allow Healthcare Districts to deliver the best possible health services to Californians. Learn more at achd.org.
|
|
|
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
| |
|
|
