Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board Members Sought

SANTA CRUZ, CA — The County of Santa Cruz is seeking applicants to the board of the newly-created Pajaro Valley Health Care District, which will govern activities associated with the delivery of medical care in the Pajaro Valley, and manage the sale of Watsonville Community Hospital.

The district was created Feb. 4 when Gov. Gavin Newsom signed SB 418, which created a new nonprofit district staffed by the County of Santa Cruz, the City of Watsonville, the Community Health Trust of Pajaro Valley, and Salud Para La Gente that will manage the sale of the hospital, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December.

The PVHCD will work with the hospital – which services an area with disproportionately low household income and access to quality housing, transportation, and healthcare, according to the California Healthy Places Index –to build financial backing before a future sale. The hospital remains fully operational.

The five board positions are voluntary and subject to approval by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors. Initial terms will be by appointment, but future terms will be subject to district-based public elections.

Ideal candidates will “reflect the diversity of Pajaro Valley and have experience in healthcare, business, and/or community endeavors,” according to a Santa Cruz County news release.

Applicants must also also be permanent residents of the boundaries of the Health Care District (a map is included on the application form), be a registered voter in Monterey or Santa Cruz counties, and be able to complete applicable statements of economic interest filings.

Applications are due by March 4. See here for more information and to apply.