This commentary was contributed by Candidate for San Benito Health District, Gregory Swett. The opinions expressed do not necessarily represent BenitoLink or other affiliated contributors. Lea este artículo en español aquí. 

The recent reporting by BenitoLink regarding HHMH physician Dr. Wiemann and the disciplinary action taken by the California Medical Board raises serious questions about leadership and oversight at Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital (HHMH). The article, State medical board places local surgeon on probation after DUI by Noe Magaña (August 19, 2026), highlights concerns that should have been openly discussed before HHMH approved his employment contract last year.

At the time of his hiring, information regarding the Medical Board proceedings was publicly available. Yet there appears to have been no meaningful public discussion by the HHMH Board about the risks associated with hiring a physician facing such serious allegations. That silence represents one of the many “elephants in the room” that continue to occupy HHMH’s boardroom.

Let’s call this one Elephant Wino.

My name is Greg Swett, and I am running for the HHMH District 4 Board seat because I believe San Benito County deserves greater transparency, accountability, and better healthcare leadership.

The Questions That Should Have Been Asked

Consider the facts reported publicly. According to records cited in the Medical Board action, Dr. Wiemann registered a blood alcohol concentration of .31—nearly four times the legal limit. Sources describing alcohol impairment at that level characterize it as severe intoxication, often associated with stupor and significant impairment, not merely having “one too many drinks.”

If I hired an individual with this history in my farming operations, my insurance carrier would immediately ask difficult questions. Why didn’t HHMH?

Where was the formal risk assessment?

Where was the discussion of liability exposure?

What safeguards were established to protect patients and the hospital?

Were special oversight measures implemented? If so, were they disclosed to the Board and the public?

These are not unreasonable questions. They are precisely the questions responsible organizations ask before committing nearly $800,000 annually to a new employee.

Did the Hiring Improve Care or Performance?

HHMH hired Dr. Wiemann for approximately $795,000 per year as a pediatric orthopedic specialist. Given the investment required—including specialized equipment, support staff, and operational resources—the public deserves answers.

What measurable improvements resulted from this hire?

Did the orthopedic program become more financially successful?

Were additional services offered to county residents?

Did patient access improve?

These are fundamental questions that taxpayers and hospital stakeholders should expect their Board to ask and answer.

Following the Incentives

How does a hiring decision like this occur?

Another elephant may provide part of the answer. Let’s call this one Elephant MoMoney.

The HHMH CEO’s compensation package reportedly includes incentive compensation tied, in part, to physician recruitment goals. Incentive-based compensation is not inherently bad. However, whenever financial incentives influence major decisions, strong oversight becomes even more important.

The public deserves confidence that hiring decisions are driven first by patient care, organizational needs, and prudent risk management—not by bonus metrics.

Is This Good Medicine?

A physician facing disciplinary action for a DUI incident, who was reportedly no longer employed in his previous position, was hired into one of the highest-paid positions at HHMH. That should have prompted extensive scrutiny and public discussion.

Instead, the process appears to have proceeded with little transparency.

I believe San Benito County deserves better.

That is one of the reasons I am running for the HHMH District 4 Board seat. I will advocate for transparency, accountability, sound governance, and healthcare decisions that put patients and the community first.

I respectfully ask for your vote so that together we can improve healthcare outcomes and restore trust in San Benito County’s public hospital.

Gregory Swett

Candidate for San Benito Health District

Goodnuts@aol.com

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