Palomar Health board election attracts 14 candidates
By Elizabeth Marie Himchak
There are 14 candidates running for four seats on the Palomar Health board of directors in the Nov. 4 election. The taxpayer-supported, public health district serves the Inland Corridor communities and its facilities include Palomar Medical Center in Escondido and Pomerado Hospital in Poway.
Candidates were asked to complete a questionnaire so voters can learn more about them. Of the 14 candidates, 11 responded by the deadline. Profiles are being published in the order received.
The candidates are:
Dale Bardin
, a businessman/technology specialist;
Dara Czerwonka
, an executive director/businesswoman;
Laurie Edwards-Tate
, a healthcare executive;
Jerry Kaufman
, an incumbent;
Bruce G. Krider
, an incumbent and hospital financial consultant;
Dr. George Kung
;
Dr. Timothy Maresh
;
Ray McCune
, a retired registered nurse;
Austin J. Miller
, a pilot/Marine Reservist;
Dr. Peter J. Minkoff
;
Dr. Marcelo R. Rivera
;
Dr. George B. “Robin” Rowland
, a retired physician;
Hans Christian M. Sison
, a nurse; and
Stephen P. Yerxa
, an incumbent.
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Stephen P. Yerxa
, 78, is an Escondido resident who has lived in the district for 13 years. He and his wife, Marion, have four children. Yerxa earned his bachelor’s degree in communication and business plus a master’s in health care administration from the University of Minnesota. He has been on the Palomar Health board since 2010 and does not have a campaign website.
“My motivation and interest to serve on the hospital’s board of directors is due to my desire to use my extensive diverse experience in healthcare in contributing to the long-term success of Palomar Health by working with the leadership team, the medical staff and hospital board in supporting and achieving successful strategic initiatives, effective governance, sound financial management and ensuring patient advocacy,” he said.
Yerxa said the three greatest issues impacting the Palomar Health district are leadership continuity; the Affordable Care Act; plus quality care, patient safety and the patient care experience.
When asked how he would bring change to these issues, Yerxa said, “(By continuing) the work that has been started by the current board to address these issues. Three seasoned board members are up for re-election and the current chair is retiring. It is important that there is continuity to the board membership in the next four years to support the hospitals, the physicians and leaders at Palomar Health in providing quality care, safe care and an excellent care experience to the citizens and communities served by Palomar Health.”
Yerxa said people should vote for him because of his extensive healthcare leadership experience, including more than 35 years in a healthcare leadership role as hospital CEO, HMO president and a consultant to hospital systems. He has lead community approval of bond initiatives, hospital strategic development initiatives and negotiations for hospital payer contracts.
He also mentioned his “broad and diverse” board of director experience, including state hospital associations, hospital financial management associations, state HMO associations and health industry councils. He was Palomar Health Independent Citizens Oversight Committee chairman and is on the Neighborhood Health Center board. Yerxa also mentioned his community service, including board service for Chambers of Commerce, United Way, YMCA and Rotary Club.
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Dr. George B. “Robin” Rowland
, 76, is an Escondido resident who has lived in the district for five years. He and his wife, Cassidy, have four children. The Yale University graduate earned his bachelor’s degree in political science, doctorate in medicine and a master’s in public health. He does not have a campaign website.
“My passion is healthcare and serving Palomar and the residents in the district would be a great honor,” Rowland said when asked why he entered the race.
As for the three greatest issues and how he would address them, Rowland listed:
• Medical complexity leading to patient and staff safety risks. “(I’d) ensure a strong program to improve performance, avoid errors and provide a safe environment for patients and staff.”
• Changing reimbursement from payment by service to payment by outcome. “(I’d) promote closer relationship with physicians to form partnerships to reduce costs, improve outcomes, and share risks and rewards.”
• To promote consolidated medical information to ensure complete information is available to provide appropriate treatment to patients, avoid duplicate of unnecessary tests and procedures, and track outcomes and costs of care, Rowland said he would consolidate physicians and hospitals into small exclusive networks.
As for why voters should select him, Rowland said, “I would bring a strong background of education, experience and passion to my work on the board.”
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Jerry Kaufman
, 73, is an Escondido resident who has lived in the district for 22 years. He and his wife, Jeri, have two children. Kaufman earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from CSULA plus a master’s and physical therapy certificate from USC. His previous political offices have included serving on the Physical Therapy Board of California (1998-2007), Escondido City Council (1998-2000) and he has been on the Palomar Health board since 2008. His campaign website is at
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Kaufman said he wants to be re-elected because “We are not finished with the projects we promised to the residents who depend on us for accessible healthcare. We have laid the groundwork for collaboration with other medical groups to improve our bargaining position with insurances in both our primary and secondary markets, but we still have unfinished projects and some that have not yet been initiated. I would like to oversee completion of these projects for the benefit of the people of this healthcare district.”
As for the three greatest issues impacting the district, he said, “Palomar Health District is one of three in the North County, and should lead the effort to focus these groups on the common goal of achieving patient satisfaction. The three North County healthcare districts of Tri-City, Fallbrook and Palomar Health have the potential of collaboration for the provision of necessary patient care services, utilizing existing primary care groups.
“Still missing in the North County healthcare systems is a much needed rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospital capable of meeting the future demands for comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation services for the next 25 years. Cost containment is critical in achieving this goal.”
To change this, Kaufman said he would “develop and implement a strong integration and alignment model for effective partnership in meeting the demand for patient services. Patient satisfaction will increase with the level of accessibility to quality care. Development of a strong primary care network for both the primary and secondary markets is essential in providing patient access to needed medical care. This is in the best interest of all three districts, and Palomar is capable of providing the leadership. Construction, development and growth of a rehabilitation and long-term acute care hospital that will achieve and maintain Center of Excellence status.”
When asked why voters should select him, Kaufman said having a healthcare background and understanding of the issues “are paramount at this time.” He mentioned his 46 years of experience as a health professional and previous positions with AMI, the “largest international hospital corporation in the world;” NME; Physical Therapy Board of California and work as director of PT Education at the Rehab Institute of Chicago, a world renowned rehabilitation hospital.
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Dale Bardin
, age not given, is a Rancho Bernardo resident who has lived in the district for 25 years. He and his wife, Linda, have two daughters. Bardin earned his bachelor’s, master’s and doctorate in physics from Michigan State University. His campaign website it is at
www.BardinForPalomarHealth.com
.
When asked why he wants to serve on the board, Bardin said, “Palomar Health must refocus on its mission, vision and values. The inability of the board to adapt to the changing local business and healthcare climate over the past five years has led to a new hospital half as big for twice the cost — cost still keeps two floors closed — closure of a long-term care facility, layoffs, eliminating contributions to the children’s physical and sexual abuse facility, downgraded bond rating, increased marketing and administrative costs, and dispirited employees. Having a family with careers in healthcare and a long-term personal interest in healthcare policy drove me to pursue this office.”
Bardin said the three greatest issues affecting the district and his solutions to these are:
• “Improved fiscal health of Palomar Health. The board failed to adapt well to uncertainties caused by the recession and the local business climate, which led to closure of long-term care facility, two floors of the new hospital, etc.
“The current board does not have a broad skill set. Particularly lacking are good analytical skills to develop solutions to risks and fiscal discipline, which should be top priorities.
• “Hold directors accountable for oversight, financial stewardship and quality outcomes. The public’s inability to obtain information about board decisions and how they were made fosters opacity, not accountability.
“No information is available on the web and the FOIA makes accountability onerous. I would provide relevant information in the agenda, minutes and on the website, as a start.
• “Improve quality outcomes for the patient. A good work environment for physicians, nurses and staff promotes patient satisfaction. If all were good, there would not be 14 candidates, including five physicians.
“Businesses shed risk — including paperwork — onto others to reduce cost and liability. I would create an environment enabling physicians, nurses and staff to do what they do best; the hospital handles the rest.”
Bardin said voters should select him because “I have 30-plus years’ experience in the defense industry and as a small business owner. My skill set includes analysis and leadership. Analysis requires a thorough understanding of the problem and the system, which requires identifying and solving uncertainties, risk. Leadership inspires people to solve problems — in part by listening to the concerns and solutions of all the stakeholders. I have a long-term interest in healthcare, and, through my family and others, have an appreciation of all aspects, from the ground-up. I have the complementary skills to work with the board to restore the health of Palomar Health.”
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Raymond E. McCune
, 69, is a Rancho Bernardo resident who has lived in the district for 55 years. He and his wife, Donna, have three children, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. He has an associates’ degree in nursing from Palomar College and bachelor’s degree in microbiology from San Diego State University. His campaign website is at
www.McCuneforPalomarHealthBoard.com
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McCune said he wants to serve on the board because “over the past 47 years at Palomar I have watched several administrators and CEOs work to grow the district while maintaining financial stability to a period under Michael Covert and his desire to build the ‘Hospital of the Future’ with apparent approval of current and previous boards (that) resulted in a period of financial distress which, by his own words, necessitated CFO Bob Hemker making frequent contact with bond holders regarding the deficit and in the laying off of bedside caregivers. I wish to work with the next board to restore the district’s financial stability and prevent further layoffs.”
He said the district’s three greatest issues and his solutions are:
• Financial instability — “Engage with the other board members to reach a consensus on what expenditures in the budget are essential and which are not.”
• Patient satisfaction — “Have more engagement with physicians, nurses and other bedside caregivers as to what we as a board can do to make their jobs more conducive to safe, high-quality patient care.”
• Transparency — “As much as possible, engage with the medical staff and the nursing staff when making decisions that affect them and their ability to provide the safe, high-quality patient care that all patients deserve.”
McCune said voters should select him because “I feel that after a total of 47 years as an employee of Palomar Health — 31 years as an staff registered nurse and a few years in entry level management — I have gained some insight into the workings of management and administration, and have an idea that I could bring a fresh perspective and a willingness to listen to other board members’ ideas and present my own, and after due consideration reach the decision that is best for the district and especially the patients we are here to serve.”
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Austin Miller
, 39, is an Escondido resident who has lived in the district for seven years. He and his wife, Kimberly, have two children. He has a bachelor’s degree in aviation management from the University of Central Missouri and graduated from the United States Marine Corps Command and Staff College and the San Diego Public Leadership Institute. His campaign website is at
www.millerforpalomarhealth.com
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Miller said he wants to serve on the board because “as a veteran and father of a special needs child, I have extensive experience within health care systems from the patient’s perspective. I have advocated for over 10 years to achieve the best possible medical outcome for my son, who was diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. I am committed to being an independent voice for the patient when making decisions to move Palomar Health forward.”
He said the district’s three greatest issues and his solutions are:
• Appropriate health care spending. — “(I’d) ensure that property taxes, which the citizens approved, are utilized for the continued provision of state-of-the-art hospital services and emergency department access.”
• Multiple hospitals within the district spanning several communities. — “(I’d) ensure equality of facilities and access to services regardless of where you reside within the district.”
• Patient access to resources and services. — “(I’d) advocate to broaden the scope of outreach programs to include resources and services for veterans and other patients with special needs and mental health issues.”
Miller said voters should select him because “I am an advocate for residents dedicated to ensuring responsible spending and equal access to services and resources in our district, the largest in the state of California. Moreover, I am not affiliated with or endorsed by any organization which has a business interest in Palomar’s Health District, allowing me to remain an independent voice for the patient.”
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Dara Czerwonka
, 45, is an Escondido resident who has lived in the district for three years. She and her husband, Richard Warren, have two children. She earned her bachelor’s degree at Providence College and her master’s at State University of New York. Her campaign website is at
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Czerwonka said she wants to serve on the board because “I want to help district residents by improving and safeguarding the healthcare services that we currently have while simultaneously ensuring the price we pay as taxpayers is fair and affordable. I believe I can bring a different perspective to complex challenges facing the district that will ensure higher quality of care, better fiscal management and greater access to comprehensive health care services for residents.”
She said the district’s three greatest issues are:
• Access to comprehensive care for residents. “Because of significant changes in national and local health care laws, and the short-term perspective of the current board, residents are in jeopardy of losing access to vital health services.”
• District’s financial vulnerability. “There have been problems since the building of the new hospital.”
•Improving the quality ratings of district hospitals and clinics.
“These issues are all interconnected and thus improvements are needed on all three fronts,” Czerwonka said. “To improve quality ratings I will insist on district adherence to industry quality standards and monitor it systematically. Access will be prioritized with wide input from all stakeholders instead of the district’s current policy of changing priorities based on shifting financial pressures. In this way the board furthers the district’s reputation as well as patient loyalty over the long run, which will also improve the bottom line.
“Finally, I will ensure that the nuances of the healthcare law changes are routinely analyzed and operational changes implemented to maximize healthcare reimbursement,” she said.
Czerwonka said voters should select her because of her experience, education and values. “Having served on both a local hospital and national health board I am equipped be an active board member. I look at fiscal, operational and quality issues thoroughly and practically from my 20 years of management experience. I have direct health care experience, having worked in healthcare for seven years after completing my master’s. Finally, I believe in community service. I’m a member of my local school site council, the Escondido Charitable Foundation and Escondido Rotary. I will work diligently to make the district responsive to the needs of residents and of the highest possible quality.”
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Dr. George Kung
, 63, is a Rancho Bernardo resident who has lived in the district for 34 years, the same amount of time he practiced obstetrics and gynecology at Pomerado Hospital, where he was its chief of staff twice. He was also San Diego Gynecological Society president. He is the married father of two adult children. Kung earned a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of Washington and doctorate in medicine from George Washington Medical School. His campaign website is at
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Kung said he wants to serve on the board because “I want to give back to our community. For me the best way is through serving Palomar Health where I spent my entire professional career. I finally (am at) a point in my life when I can devote (a) large amount of time to serve on the hospital board properly.”
He said the district’s three greatest issues and their solutions are:
• Excellent quality of care in every medical field. — Establish more Centers of Excellence like its orthopedic surgery department where results are in the top 3 percent in the nation and try to benefit from the affiliation with the Mayo Clinic as fast as possible.
• Get Palomar Health well-known as a place of hospitality. — Palomar Health’s patient satisfaction scores are better than 82 percent of hospitals in the nation “(but) we can do even better by placing hospitality as a top priority and require (that) every decision the health system makes always (puts the) patient first.”
•Make it financially stronger in a rapidly changing and increasingly difficult medical environment. — “Any time one opens a new hospital it imposes huge amount of financial stress on any health system. Palomar Health has turned corner. Its cash on hand is over 92 days and (the) fiscal year ending in June showed $800,000 in the positive. (The) next few years will be crucial. When thing get tough cutting is the easy part. The challenge is how to increase revenue.”
Kung said voters should select him because during his 34 years at Palomar Health he tried to learn as much as he could by obtaining additional training. “I am very knowledgeable and experienced about the challenges our hospitals are facing,” he said. “I have clear vision for both the present and far into the future. I have strong passion for Palomar Health.” As an example of the latter, Kung cited his efforts during the 10 years he was on the committee that oversaw the design and construction of the new Palomar Medical Center.
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Dr. Marcelo Rivera
, 64, is a Ramona resident who has lived in the district for 35 years. He is the father of two children and graduated from medical school. He previously served on the Palomar Health board (2000-2012) and Ramona Unified School District board (1981-1994). He does not have a campaign website.
Rivera said he wants to return to the board because of his past experience, including as chairman from 2004 to 2007. He also mentioned being Pomerado Hospital’s chief of staff, and a practicing primary care physician in the community for the last 34 years. “As a result of these experiences, I want to contribute by ensuring that Palomar Health continues to deliver outstanding health care in a caring, compassionate and respectful manner.”
Rivera said the district’s greatest issues are:
• Ensuring access to affordable high quality care provided safely and with compassion.
• Retaining and hiring the best nurses, doctors and ancillary staff to guarantee community members are treated by dedicated and well-prepared people committed to providing compassionate, outstanding health services.
• Continuing to invest in the future by expanding state-of-the art trauma, women’s services, cardiovascular, neurological, surgical and cancer Centers of Excellence.
• Being proactive and realistic in addressing the healthcare challenges, yet working to secure the financial health and long-term stability of Palomar Health.
He said the district should “focus on the patient and provide outstanding service. Retain, hire and train outstanding people to provide high quality safe medical services. Expand relations with Mayo Clinic. Continue to invest in the future by expanding women’s services to include breast cancer detection and treatment, add new minimally invasive and safe cardiovascular procedures and neurological services.
“Continue to focus on excellence in order to provide financial stability to Palomar Health. Expand primary care services so that accessible health care is available to all the members in our community. Improve facilities and maximize use of the new Palomar hospital, expand Pomerado Hospital, increase services to the outlying areas of Valley Center, Ramona, Julian and the rest of the ‘back country.’ Maintain focus and improve the quality of the services currently provided in Escondido, San Marcos, Vista, Rancho Bernardo and Poway.”
Rivera said voters should select him due to his previous board experience that provides him with experience and knowledge to be an effective board member. “I served as chairperson of the board for three years, was instrumental in the development and completion of the new Palomar hospital, and my background as a practicing physician allows me a unique perspective to help guide our health system and work for the community. I have the desire, passion and feel qualified and to help guide Palomar Health.”
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Bruce G. Krider
, 68, is a San Marcos resident who has lived in the district for 25 years. He and his wife, Laura, have two sons. He has a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and sociology/social work from Elmira College and a master’s in hospital administration from George Washington University. He has been on the Palomar Health board since 2003. He does not have a campaign website.
Krider said he wants to be re-elected because his entire 45-year career has been in healthcare, including 12 years as a hospital CEO and 37 years in hospital consulting. “It is the best way for me to serve my community. The delivery of healthcare services has never been more challenging and the district is best served by individuals who know the industry from the inside out.”
He said the district’s three greatest issues and his solutions are:
• Developing optimal partner healthcare provider relationships in managing the health of the service area population. — “New and different partnerships have been cultivated and are going on. As we move through Obamacare and other challenges as well as marketplace dynamics, we must continue to develop synergistic relationships utilizing Arch Health Partners when applicable and others when necessary.”
• Remaining flexible and maintaining the ability to adapt to the changing demands of the healthcare system’s challenges, especially reduced reimbursement by third party payers. — “The development of strategies necessary to meet the challenges that lie ahead will allow us to survive and thrive. Hospital reimbursement is a favorite target of government. To remain viable and vital, Palomar Health needs to strategically allocate its resources to provide ... results in the most cost effective and strategic way in carrying out its mission. These strategies include not only continually reviewed and revised financial guidelines, but also corporate patient care service offerings.”
• Continuing to develop and expand in a way that allows access to quality healthcare services in the district. — “The district needs a robust strategic planning committee to continually redefine the Palomar Health care delivery system. The planning process needs to be a living function at Palomar Health. There is a strategic planning committee at the board.”
Krider said voters should select him due to his 12 years in hospital management, 37 years in hospital consulting and 35 years as a hospital accreditation surveyor. He mentioned his expertise in healthcare financial valuation, accreditation, trusteeship, hospital development and marketplace strategy. He has written healthcare finance related books and journal articles; been a consultant for governments and investors for hospitals in Asia, the Middle East, South America and Europe; a court-recognized expert witness in healthcare management and valuation; and has worked with state and federal legislators.
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Laurie Edwards-Tate
, age not given, is a San Marcos resident who has lived in the district for more than 25 years. She is married, has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from National University and master’s in human resource management and development from Chapman University. Her campaign website is at
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Edwards-Tate said she wants to serve on the board because of her positive experience a couple years ago when a family member was admitted to Palomar Hospital. She was impressed by the staff, their care and the facility. “When the opportunity to run for the board of Palomar Healthcare and contribute my years of healthcare experience on behalf of a system I love and respect I became a candidate.”
She said the district’s three greatest challenges and her solutions are:
• Changing demographics of constituents, while having the ability to continuously provide the highest quality and most responsive care to an ever-growing population. — “I will endeavor to ensure constituents’ healthcare challenges and needs within the framework of my role as member of the board, ensuring that policy and other decisions I make are client-centered and best serve the needs of our community.”
• Maintaining fiscal solvency and stability. — “I will ensure that all policy and other decisions I make will make fiscal sense and be fiscally sound. Palomar Healthcare ... must continue its key role of being a premier hospital system in the North County region including the entire district it represents.”
• Meeting today’s healthcare challenges, especially the impact of federal government policies on all hospital systems, which includes their initiatives to save dollars by imposing penalties for hospital readmissions. — “I will encourage community outreach, education and partnerships which enrich our district in a helpful, collaborative way ... (and) actively seek cost-effective alternatives to some pressing problems in healthcare which will reduce readmissions, reduce costs and maintain a thriving hospital system without compromising quality client-centered care.”
Edwards-Tate said voters should select her because “As a native San Diegan and long-held North County resident, wife, and daughter I will contribute my decades of health care experience as a well-respected healthcare executive and industry leader for the benefit of you, your family and the continued success, development and stability of Palomar Healthcare.”
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