Komatinsky For BCHD Sponsors Red Cross Blood Drive Tues., Oct. 13

UPDATE: Manhattan Beach Patch apologizes and regrets providing the incorrect date in our first post. The event is Tuesday, Oct. 13 and not Monday, Oct. 12. Karen Komatinsky reports all donation slots are taken, however, MB Patch recommends reading the article to learn more about Komatinsky and the Beach Cities Health District.

MANHATTAN BEACH, CA — Manhattan Beach resident Karen Komatinsky, who is running for one of three open seats on the Beach Cities Health District Board of Directors, has partnered with her campaign [Komatinsky for BCHD] and the Red Cross to hold a Red Cross Blood Drive Tuesday, Oct. 13 from 8 a.m.-2:30 p.m. in Hermosa Beach at the Clark Building at 861 Valley Drive.

Go online to schedule a blood donation appointment and enter Sponsor Code: Komatinsky. All blood donations are being tested for COVID-19 antibodies. To streamline the donation experience and save up to 15 minutes of time, please complete the online pre-donation reading and health history questions on the day of your appointment.

"I realize that many in our community are not aware of who BCHD is," said Komatinsky, "the wonderful ways it serves the residents of Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, or even that 30% of their annual operating budget is funded by property tax revenues. If elected, I will define who BCHD is and how best it can serve residents. I will ask the right questions and bring the fresh perspective the organization needs to ensure that their mission statement and strategic planning is in alignment with what the community wants and needs while being fiscally prudent.

"The more I speak with community members, the more I am aware that more needs to be done to amplify how BCHD serves the community but also bring clarity of purpose to how BCHD can evolve for the future. BCHD has an exciting position to impact and develop the next frontier of healthy living to include emotional, behavioral and mental health programs and activities for all ages," she said.

According to the BCHD website, BCHD "is among the leading preventive health agencies in the nation, and has served the communities of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach since 1955. It offers an extensive range of dynamic health and wellness programs, with innovative services and facilities to promote health and prevent diseases in every lifespan—from pre-natal and children to families and older adults."

Komatinsky, who is leaving her seat on the Manhattan Beach Unified School District after 10 years of service, lists the following as her top 3 priorities once elected to BCHD, according to Voter's Edge California:

• Maintain fiscal responsibility with public monies
• Foster open and transparent with the community
• Provide leadership and communication with internal administrative team and external partner organizations across the South Bay, like city councils, chambers etc.

She has a 25-year healthcare career in as a human resources consultant, building and staffing medical and scientific leadership teams for vaccine development labs, medical device companies and research hospitals. Komatinsky has led large-scale projects including strategic planning, organizational design and employment needs such as business development leadership and training, according to her campaign website.