Board Member, Division 2 — Palomar Health
Get the facts on the California candidates running for election to the Board Member, Division 2 — Palomar Health
Find out their top 3 priorities, their experience, and who supports them.
News and links
News
Candidates
Theresa "Terry" Corrales
- Patient and staff safety, with adequate PPE
- Stop outsourcing!
- Establish open communication between the hospital...
Vicki F. Grove
- Expanding and enhancing mental health services as...
- Maintaining the safety and wellness of our healthcare...
- Ensuring access to quality care for all members of...
Tom Kumura
- Putting People First in Healthcare
- Sound, Conservative Fiscal Policy
- Inclusiveness and Transparency
My Top 3 Priorities
- Patient and staff safety, with adequate PPE
- Stop outsourcing!
- Establish open communication between the hospital and the community we serve
Experience
Biography
I’m 30+ year San Marcos resident and dedicated Registered Nurse, with over over 40 years of practice in both hospitals and home health. I am a assionate advocate for patients’ rights. Like Bernie Sanders, I strongly believe people need health care from birth to death, and everything in-between.
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Democratic Socialists of America, San Diego
- Escondido Democratic Club
- Olga Diaz, Escondido City Councilmember
Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Expanding and enhancing mental health services as we mitigate and recover from the pandemic. With depression, anxiety, stress, and suicide rates on the rise, it would be irresponsible not to have a mental health professional on the board!
- Maintaining the safety and wellness of our healthcare workers so they can continue their work during these trying times.
- Ensuring access to quality care for all members of the district, regardless of any status.
Experience
Experience
Education
Biography
I have a BS in Biology from UC Davis, and an MA in Counseling Psychology from Argosy University, San Diego. I have worked as trauma therapist in the district since 2009. Before opening my private practice in San Marcos, I worked with at-risk youth and survivors of human trafficking at North County Lifeline in Vista; prior to that I worked with bereaved families at the Elizabeth Hospice in Escondido. My husband and I have lived in North County for 20 years, and have raised three sons who are now young adults. We enjoy traveling, tending to our avocado grove and Sangiovese grape vines, and loving on our two dogs, three goats, four chickens, and pot-bellied pig!
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Paul McNamara, Mayor of Escondido
Elected Officials (1)
- Paul McNamara, Mayor of Escondido
Individuals (12)
- Lyle Davis, Publisher of The Paper
- Patricia Baldus, RN
- Kelly Bordman, LCSW, Child Welfare Services
- Jennifer Neff, MD
- Patricia Aleman, MSN, ANP-BC, Certified Adult Nurse Practioner
- Crystal Anthony, LCSW, Victims of Torture program, Founder of Underground Grit
- Mary Russell, Palomar Health NP
- Karen Hanna, MD, Palomar Health, Bariatric Medical Director
- Noelle Deane, LMFT
- Michelle North, LMFT, CEAP
- Dara Czerwonka, former Palomar Health Board Member
- Dale Bardin, former Palomar Health Board Member
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
This is a non-partisan position, and I am not a politician. I pride myself on being able to listen and empathize with all parties. My ability to think critically and work in a spirit of collaboration, rather than hostility, is imperative right now.
Candidate Contact Info
My Top 3 Priorities
- Putting People First in Healthcare
- Sound, Conservative Fiscal Policy
- Inclusiveness and Transparency
Experience
Experience
Education
Community Activities
Biography
I believe people come first in Healthcare. This requires a culture of community that is inclusive, inspired, and transparent. Palomar Health’s nurses, physicians, volunteers, and employees are the heart and soul of the organization. They are the reason for its success and excellent patient quality of care.
I am the incumbent and independent, (registered as no party preference) for the Palomar Health Board, Division 2, a nonpartisan position. I have the Governance experience and have helped oversee an $850 million budget with over 4,000 employees. I do not have any financial conflict of interest.
Division 2, includes portions of the unincorporated area of northern San Diego County, like Twin Oaks Valley and several cities including Bonsall, Escondido, San Marcos, and Vista. I have lived in the North San Diego County for over 33 years and spent the last 24 years in Twin Oaks with his wife, Mary, RN, raised a son Michael, who graduated from San Marcos High and SDSU. I am an active member of the Lake San Marcos Kiwanis Club and a former President of the organization. I served on the Twin Oaks Valley Community Sponsor Group
Who supports this candidate?
Featured Endorsements
- Nathan Kaufman, National Healthcare recognized Strategic Healthcare Consultant
- California Nurses Association (CNA)
- Caregivers and Healthcare Employees' Union (CHEU)
Organizations (1)
- California Nurses Association
Elected Officials (3)
- Laurie Edwards-Tate, Palomar Health Board Secretary and Chair of Human Resources Committee
- Victor Graham, San Marcos Unified School District Board Member
- John Clark, Palomar Health Board Treasurer and Chair of Finance Committee
Individuals (18)
- Harris Korn, Member of Twin Oaks Valley Community Sponsor Group, President of RM Electronics, Inc.
- Carl DeMaio, Tax Payer Advocate and Radio Host
- Glen E. Winn, Member of Palomar College COC for Prop M and on San Marcos Budget Review Committee
- Gordon A. Bowers, Police Chief (Retired)
- Francis (Tony) Eason, MD
- Desiree DeKoning Hadden, Registered Nurse and Mother
- Gil Millan, Palomar Health Food and Nutrition Services worker for 30 years
- Kathy Van Ness, General Manager/Chief Operating Officer, Golden Door Properties, Inc.
- George Kung, MD, OB-GYN
- Ana Rosvall, Member of Twin Oaks Valley Community Sponsor Group, Realtor
- Jessica Baker, Registered Nurse
- Steve Renard, President and CEO of Nascent Healthcare, Inc.
- Jerry Mason, Current member of Lake San Marcos Kiwanis Club, former volunteer on PH Patient Family Advisory Council
- Jean Diaz, former chair, San Marcos Unified School District Prop K Citizen's Oversight Committee (COC)
- Virginia "Gigi" Narisma, RN,
- K.C. Strang, Co-Founder of San Marcos Prevention Coalition and Chair of PH CAC
- Venu Prabaker, MD
- Robert C. Cartwright, Attorney at Law
Questions & Answers
Questions from League of Women Voters San Diego and League of Women Voters North County San Diego (1)
First, hospital systems like Palomar Health are facing decreased reimbursement from Government and Private Insurers, lower elective surgical volumes while dealing with a global pandemic. In my role on Palomar Health's Board, I would use my healthcare industry knowledge and experience to continue the discussion and bring action regarding the strategies and be fiscally conservative. he administration should be focused on.
Second, behavioral health resources are not so robust in North County. While they are improving with the addition of the new Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU) at Palomar Medical Center – Escondido campus. The CSU offers expanded mental health services and help decrease the patients in the Emergency Department. More is needed to increase behavioral health services/providers in North County.
Third, we need to continue to be earlier adopters of technology and get ahead of the curb. As a healthcare provider, we cannot afford to endanger our quality of care by adopting new technology late in the game. In my role, I will fight to allocate funds toward keeping up with technology that could help improve our ability to serve our community
Questions from League of Women Voters of San Diego and League of Women Voters of North County San Diego (1)
In August 2020, Palomar Health's Board of Directors held a vote on the CEO's pay increase. I was one of three Board members who did not vote for the pay increase for the CEO. (I and another Director voted no and another Director abstained. ) As an incumbent on the Palomar Health Board of Directors, I will continue to be a tough watchdog over administration and make patient and staff safety a high priority.
As chair of the Community Relations Committee, I brought in experts regarding anti-smoking/anti-vaping and oversaw the development of a letter from the entire Board that explained the importance of anti-smoking/anti-vaping. The letter was sent to San Diego County, the City of San Diego, School Board officials and others to encourage harsher regulations against smoking and vaping.
Additionally, I help oversee the strategic direction and facilitate the meetings as my role as the Chair of Palomar Health Development, Inc., a California charitable nonprofit public benefit corporation organized in January 2005 to support Palomar Health by acquiring grant funding.
As an active Board Member, I participate in the following four committees: 1) Audit and Compliance, 2) Governance, 3) Strategy and Facilities, and 4) Community Relations (Chair). I also have served as an alternate for 1) Human Resources Committee, 2) Finance Committee; and 3) Quality Review Committee.
I have also represented the Board on various "Thank you events for the staff or volunteers", ranging from helping serve staff meals and ice cream socials during the afternoon, evening, and late-night shifts or 10, 15, 20, and 25 years anniversary celebration.
Political Beliefs
Political Philosophy
I believe in transparency and would seek to improve it between management and the Board. The increased communication would be a benefit to the public. I am committed to listening to nurses, caregivers, staff, physicians, taxpayers, and patients,
Patient and staff safety are primary concerns. I am fiscally conservative and believe in tough oversight of how funds are spent. I believe people come first in Healthcare.