SOME THOUGHTS ABOUT PALM DRIVE HOSPITAL

Maintaining good health care services has become a foremost concern for Sonoma County, and particularly for West County communities. For nearly 10 years West County folks have signed petitions and voted for higher property taxes in support of keeping Palm Drive Hospital open, and improving its services. The new hi-tech hip surgery equipment and robotic ICU connection to expertise at other hospitals have added substantially to Palm Drive's surgical and post-trauma care capability and its outpatient services, especially for local seniors. But the heart of Palm Drive is the staff of skilled, experienced doctors, nurses, and orderlies, with friendly and compassionate attitudes that are so important for a patient's ease and recovery. Having a nearby hospital and health care center like Palm Drive is simply crucial for us here in the West County, and we mean to keep it. Sebastopol's Dan Smith has played a pivotal role in helping Plam Drive survive bankruptcy and re-organize, but there's still a long way to go. The County Supervisor's August approval of a $3 million second note to help Plam Drive Hospital resolve its bankruptcy certainly was the right thing to do, and as Supervisor I will explore every avenue that I know to help Palm Drive survive and thrive.