Statement from Dr. Karen Curd

By Karen Curd

I am a well qualified candidate who will work hard to represent our taxpayers and our community on the District Board. I will work for a timely decision relating to our new hospital and ensure we plan for our near term and future health care needs.

Currently, the District Board must negiotiate a fair and equitable agreement with Sutter Health Systems to build a new, seismically qualified, hospital. I will work quickly and effectively towards the goal of building a financially sound hospital that continues to provide a full range of needed services that are widely accessible to our entire community.

Over the years I have directly experienced both as a patient and as a professional the dramatic changes that are occurring in the delivery of medical services. Some of these changes are positive and some negative for patients. I want to ensure that the existing core clinical services are retained especially those pertinent to our seniors and children such as critical care and a 24 hour walk-in emergency room. Meical coverage through a variety of insurance carriers is essential to maintain access to the hospital services. Similarly I believe that hospital privileges should be extended to physicians who are not members of the Sutter Health Care medical group.

With regard to hospital property, I am in favor of the public retaining ownership of this valuable asset. Therefore, I believe only a portion of the land needed for the new hospital and parking structure should be leased and not sold. The District should retain ownership and control of the remaining portion of land for future public health care needs since the public will continue to support the entire property through their taxes.I will work for a partnership between public and private interests ensuring taxpayers' supported property will be used for the public benefit over management's financial interests.

Since the Board's ongoing responsibility involves the distribution of tax revenue I will work to create a means to communicate to the public how the Board is spending their tax dollars and encourage public input on this matter. I would like to see the District Board develop programs to help recruit quality healthcare providers to this area. I support the current District Board funding of the nurse incentive training program and believe it may need to be expanded. I would like to explore incentives or medical office rent reduction programs to attract new physicians, especially primary care doctors, to our district. During the negiotiation process I pledge to keep the public informed of all proposals, agreements, and their ramifications. I will also work to keep district taxpayers informed about changes in healthcare in the district through newsletters, websites, townhall meetings, etc.

My qualifications to be a Director on the District Board come from several diversified, pertinent areas. As a licensed psychologist I have 20 years of experience in a variety of hospitals (public, private, and university), public schools, and private practice. Prior to moving to the Bay Area in 1992 I was affiliated with Scripps Clinic in the San Diego area while they were building their new hospital and medical office/research facilities. During this period I learned the importance of balancing patient/staff needs and managed care financial concerns. I have been married 31 years and as an aging baby boomer and the mother of four children I am also aware of how reassuring it is to have a hospital/emergency service within the community. This may become more precious over time with increasing traffic congestion. I have also held a variety of volunteer positions in service organizations and on school programs. I have the time to invest in the district board negiotiations and I have no conflicts of interest. I would sincerely appreciate your volte on November 5th for Director of the Penisula Health Care Board and look forward to working for you in that role.