(Left) Mark Gregson, CEO Santa Paula Memorial Hospital makes a presentation regarding Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. (Right) Supervisor Kathy Long makes a presentation regarding Santa Paula Memorial Hospital Photos by Don Johnson

Santa Paula Memorial Hospital issues discussed

January 24, 2003
Santa Paula News

A special joint meeting of the Santa Paula and Fillmore City Councils to discuss the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital financial crisis has led to the upcoming formation of an ad hoc committee to further study the issues that threaten the viability of the river valley’s only hospital.

The decision followed, at times, a contentious meeting held Wednesday at the Santa Paula Community Center, where over 200 concerned residents of the Santa Clara River Valley tackled the hospital issue.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesA special joint meeting of the Santa Paula and Fillmore City Councils to discuss the Santa Paula Memorial Hospital financial crisis has led to the upcoming formation of an ad hoc committee to further study the issues that threaten the viability of the river valley’s only hospital.The decision followed, at times, a contentious meeting held Wednesday at the Santa Paula Community Center, where over 200 concerned residents of the Santa Clara River Valley tackled the hospital issue.The Santa Paula City Council will be asked to appoint four members to the ad hoc committee Monday night.City Manager Wally Bobkiewicz said Thursday that the council had a previously scheduled closed session meeting on Jan. 27th, which now will include a brief public meeting to discuss hospital ad hoc committee member appointments.The Fillmore City Council will also appoint four members; a representative appointed by the Piru Neighborhood Council and a representative of Ventura County will also serve as ad hoc committee members.
“This has been an outstanding demonstration of unity of the Santa Clara River Valley,” Bobkiewicz said at the conclusion of the almost four-hour meeting Wednesday.He suggested that ad hoc committee members report back to the City Councils by March 1st.In late December a letter was sent to river valley residents asking for donations to cover operating costs over the next 90 days or risk closure. Hospital officials later said $600,000 was needed or the hospital could close in the very near future.During Wednesday’s meeting presentations were offered by Mark Gregson, chief operating officer of SPMH, Supervisor Kathy Long, the Fillmore and Santa Paula Chambers of Commerce and Bobkiewicz, who offered an overview of rural health issues.Members of the public also offered comment, with speakers addressing the need for the facility, built with community donations over 40 years ago, and questioning expenditures and full disclosure of same, as well as proposed solutions to the financial crisis.The 49-bed “Hospital on the Hill,” one of only three in California built entirely with community donations, has received about $100,000 in contributions over the past month. The possibility of a merger or sale to a larger hospital, such as Ventura County Medical Center, Community Memorial or St. John’s, is also on the table.



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