Three candidates are running for the San Benito County Healthcare District Zone 2 in the Nov. 6 election: Josie F. Sanchez, Frank Barragan and Ross Blasingame.
Blasingame chose to write a statement rather than answer questions BenitoLink posed to the candidates.
There are four candidates running for the district’s Zone 4 on Nov. 6: Mary Casillas, Ann Ross, Jason Noble and Don Winn.
BenitoLink asked each candidate by email a number of questions. Their responses are below. Ross did not respond to multiple requests for answers.
Zone 2
Josie Sanchez has lived in Hollister 48 years. She has been married to her husband Ron for 52 years. They had two children (one passed away) and five grandchildren. She retired after 40 years of service in nursing administration at Hazel Hawkins Hospital.
BENITOLINK: Why are you running for office?
SANCHEZ: I have served on the Hospital Board of Directors for 3½ years and I have gained knowledge on specific issues that affect the hospital and the everyday operations. From staff to patients, I believe that we are continuously moving forward in a positive and resourceful direction, to expand patient services and increase resources. My heart is what’s right for the hospital I represent.
What obstacles and challenges does the zone face?
Like many other district hospitals that have closed, we have to look at any possible way to keep the doors open.
What is the role of our local government?
A voice for our community and acting in their behalf, speaking up when challenged on what I believe in.
Frank Barragan has lived in San Benito County 29 years. He was away 11 years working on his BS in business accounting, a master’s in business administration and a law degree. He has worked for the State of California Controller’s as an auditor and for publicly-traded companies as a controller in finance and accounting.
BENITOLINK: Why are you running for this office?
BARRAGAN: My children are getting older and so are my parents. After a major health scare that my mother had, the issues that have bothered the community became very real to me. I see the rapid change in the demographics of our town and I felt it was time that the municipal institutions keep pace with the Bay Area. I bring unique skills to the board that will help move our healthcare district forward.
What issues are most important to your zone?
I’ve been reaching out to our community and have held a forum for our community to express their concerns. There are several themes that emerged during my discussion with the community:
- The hospital not being contracted with many major insurances (Out Of Network)
- Community members expressing that medical services at Hazel Hawkins are very expensive
- Community members making life-threatening decisions to seek emergency services outside of San Benito County
- Loss of contact with our community doctors when we go to the hospital
What obstacles and challenges does the district face?
San Benito County Health Care District faces many obstacles and challenges. The district needs to be fluid to be responsive to the needs of the community. It needs to identify why it’s not servicing certain demographics. Our hospital definitely has an image and branding problem. I have been holding forums to increase the conversation around these issues, so we can acknowledge the problem, build consensus and reach a solution.
How do you plan to address them?
There’s a strong correlation between great customer experience and happy employees. We need to build a culture in the hospitals that respects one another as well as our community. I would like to see a stronger outreach program from the hospital with our community. I strongly believe our hospital is staffed with great doctors and nurses. However, I also understand that there will be some hard decisions to make to improve the hospital’s image.
How do you intend to communicate and stay in touch with the constituents you’d represent?
I will continue to reach out to our community as I have done in my campaign. I enjoy meeting people and having conversations on how we can improve. I will also remain available via social media to hear concerns and questions about our hospital. I also want to limit the number of closed session meetings to remain transparent to our community. Open board meetings will give our community an opportunity to raise questions and concerns.
What is the role of local government?
Local politics are the most important because they affect us on a day-to-day basis. Local government most accurately represents the face of your local community. If we want a higher standard for our institutions, then local people must volunteer and run for local positions. Our local leaders must be entrusted to run these institutions at a high standard so that the community members can continue with their daily lives and work knowing that if they ever need them they will be there.
Ross Blasingame is an RN and worked at Hazel Hawkins for 24 years in the Intensive Care Unit and the Recovery Room. He is an Army veteran, achieving the rank of staff sergeant. He is a volunteer at Pinnacles National Park on the Preventative Search and Rescue team.
Here is his statement:
During my years working at Hazel Hawkins Hospital I always felt that I would be a good candidate for the hospital board when I retired. I believe my extensive experience at Hazel Hawkins combined with my commitment to our community are excellent qualifications to help guide our hospital into the future providing excellent and affordable health care. I feel the residents in our community would be very well served by supporting candidates of diverse backgrounds. Having a registered nurse on the hospital board may appeal to you as the registered nurse is also a patient advocate. An RN can also look at bids for construction, and services etc., as anyone can.
Our district hospital faces many challenges going into the future. In order to provide excellence in healthcare there are two primary areas to focus on which is simply stated. First of all, we need to be financially solvent so that we can continue to grow and, secondly, we need to provide excellence in delivering healthcare to our community on the front line. This requires not only highly skilled registered nurses but also licensed vocational nurses, nursing assistants and the many other disciplines in our hospital such as respiratory care, physical therapy, radiology, etc. Every person in the hospital is important and we work together as a team to provide the very best health care possible for our community.
The challenge to financial solvency is a hot topic in the community at this time with the possible partnership with Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. I am opposed to such a venture, preferring to find ways to increase revenue and to reduce costs at our own hospital. However, as I understand it SVMH has taken itself out of the process and it sounds like that issue is off the table for now. I believe recruiting new physicians will be a positive way to increase revenue, procuring new contracts with health insurance companies, reducing operating costs and providing excellence in health care so that our community will come back to our hospital for health care needs instead of going out of town. Basically, sound business practice, excellent and friendly health care services.
Zone 4
Don Winn is a fourth-generation Hollister resident. His great grandfather started Winn & Co. Insurance in 1910, which remained a family-owned business until 2010. He left Hollister to attend college and moved back in 1984 to work for his father. Though he is on the Hazel Hawkins Hospital Foundation Board this is his first run for public office.
BENITOLINK: Why are you running for office?
WINN: I have been on the Hospital Foundation Board since 2009. I am a past president and my wife and I were chosen by the Board as their Philanthropists of the Year in 2015. I have been active in fundraising for many years. Overall, it has been my wife’s and my primary community involvement effort. I live in Zone 4 and that seat is up for election this year. I feel that with everything that the district is dealing with, I can be a strong contributing member of the board.
What issues are most important to your zone?
The zone has worked to provide more services from medical specialists over the years. I believe this needs to continue to develop so that we have specialists locally that are available to the community. The skilled nursing capabilities are also important and need to continue. The diabetes center recently opened and we need to get the word out that it is available and increase its use by the community. All of the above comments are about the services being provided to the community and to Zone 4 residents. But the hospital district is the largest employer in the county and it is very important to our community overall and in Zone 4 to keep the hospital healthy and profitable for the good of the employees of the hospital and San Benito County overall.
Are there issues you feel are important to your zone that the public may not know about?
Are referrals being made to the local specialists that are available locally? What services are available at the clinics? The Women’s Center continues to develop systems and services that are state-of-the-art and need better recognition by the community.
What obstacles and challenges does the zone face?
The main challenge is the drop in the acute care/hospital occupancy rate. The average number of patients in hospital rooms has continued to drop over the years and shows no sign of increasing. Another challenge is the payment schedules being used by private insurance companies. The district is being paid much less that other providers for similar services and this needs to change.
How do you plan to address them?
We need to look at what services could increase volume and income to the district. I believe there is discussion to provide VA services. What other options are available to increase traffic and volume at the hospital? I also believe the community needs to be made aware of all the services being provided. Hollister keeps growing and new members of the community need to be made aware of the services available so that they not only move here to live but also get their medical services here. What community outreach can be made to increase activity?
How do you intend to communicate and stay in touch with the constituents you’d represent?
As an active member of the community, I will talk with people in a “one-on-one” manner. I will also attend community functions to let people know what is going on with the hospital. I would also communicate through online services such as BenitoLink.
Mary Casillas was born and raised in San Benito County and comes from a family of long-time local farmers and ranchers. Her mother worked as a nurse at Hazel Hawkins hospital for 40 years. She and her husband Scott have one daughter, Laura. She began working in healthcare 23 years ago, and has worked for Dignity Health 11 years and is now the director of performance excellence.
BENITOLINK: Why are you running for this office?
CASILLAS: My heart is here in San Benito County. With my mother working at Hazel Hawkins Hospital for 40 years, I want to honor the work she did here and do what I can to ensure this hospital continues to serve our community. I am passionate about doing what I can to keep the doors open. I come to this position with the knowledge I’ve gained from working in health care with fresh eyes. I believe the hospital, staff, positions, and community can work together to not only keep the doors open but improve the services that are provided.
What issues are most important to your zone?
Increasing the services that we offer our community is very important. Our community is growing and the healthcare services need to grow along with it. We need to listen to the needs of our community and figure out ways to meet those needs.
What obstacles and challenges does the zone face?
Health care is constantly changing. This is the biggest obstacle that most organizations face. Keeping up with the changes in regulations, technology, reimbursement, and a host of other areas. We have to routinely be looking at how we provide services and adjust it to fit the changes. Being a small community hospital and keeping up with these changes is not easy.
What is the role of local government?
Hazel Hawkins Hospital is owned by our community. If you pay property tax here in the county then you are an owner of the hospital. Local government needs to work together to keep the doors open to this much-needed service to our community.
Jason Noble’s family has been in the county since the 1870’s and he has lived in the county since 1979. He and his wife Carolyn have been married 20 years. He has worked in real estate for 30 years and currently is a broker at Nino Real Estate.
BENITOLINK: Why are you running for this office?
NOBLE: I am a past hospital foundation trustee and president. My family has long been friends of Hazel Hawkins Hospital. I actually intended to run in the last board election, but the mapping required me to wait until now. I’m glad it did! This election is so important to the future of health care in San Benito County. We are at a critical juncture. The decisions that are going to be made will have a long lasting effect on all of us here in San Benito County. I want to be a part of that decision-making process and to put my 30-plus years of being a successful local businessman to work for the people of San Benito County.
What issues are most important to your zone?
The issues facing us all include the ability to effectively provide good health care to our residents and visitors. The hospital has many challenges facing it today. Small district hospitals are failing all over the state and country. Preserving the services we enjoy today and knowing they will be there for tomorrow is my main goal.
What obstacles and challenges does the zone face?
Insurance reimbursement, Medicare/Medical reimbursement, increasing costs, providing the best, modern equipment and services possible, declining patient stays.
What is the role of local government?
Good question! We “own” our hospital. That is one of the really great things about it. While the support of local government (and from all of our local residents) is vital, I see local government possibly providing a safety net to the district. By that, I mean, if we cannot successfully find a mutually beneficial partnership that works with Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital (SVMH has since announced there will be no official collaboration), turning to local government to discuss other viable options is a consideration. I want people to know the district will explore all possible options when it comes to the future of health care here!