Supervisors Call On Popular San Mateo Therapy Pool To Reopen

SAN MATEO, CA — The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors unanimously called on Sutter Health to reopen a therapy pool at the Mills Health Center in San Mateo.

The Mickelson Therapy Pool, which has been used by San Mateo County residents for over 25 years as a rehabilitation center for a broad range of health issues, was permanently closed last June by Sutter Health after shutting down during the onset of the pandemic.

“When you think of healthcare, you don’t think of being hospitalized,” said Supervisor Carole Groom, who introduced the resolution Tuesday with Supervisor David Canepa. “The Mickelson Pool is a big part of that. I encourage Sutter Health to rethink their decision and keep the Mickelson Pool open.”

The pool is the only pool of its kind in San Mateo County, according to a Board of Supervisors staff report. Over 4,400 people signed a petition on Change.org calling for the pool to reopen.

“We have been proud to offer this program to the community for many years,” a Sutter Health spokesperson told the San Mateo Daily Journal. “However, the continued uncertainty presented by COVID-19, our focus on providing quality acute care services, and our ongoing efforts to be good stewards of our resources has led us to close the program.”