Director — San Gorgonio Memorial Health Care District

My name is Lanny Swerdlow. I am a registered nurse and legal nurse consultant. I am running for a position on the Board of Director’s of the San Gorgonio Memorial Health Care District which oversees the operation of the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital in Banning.

Our hospital is undergoing major problems. In 2017 a campaign undertaken by 75 doctors affiliated with the Beaver Medical Group called for a change in leadership claiming a toxic environment, intimidation of doctors and a host of other serious and troubling concerns with respect to the hospital’s governance and finances.

This has not helped the hospital’s bottom line as it lost $13.5 million in 2016 and 2017. 2018 may very well be worse as a result of a reduced patient load due to the bad publicity the hospital has undergone in the last two years.

In August, Moody's Investors Service downgraded the rating of the $116 million general obligation bonds issued by the Healthcare District from A3 to Baa3. Taxpayers be advised - the report concluded that the outlook for these bonds remains negative.

As a registered nurse who has worked in both hospitals and private doctor offices, I have the professional competency and a real world understanding of what it takes to provide competent quality health care in today’s mix of public and private health care services.

I am also an elected member of the Riverside County Democratic Central Committee, a delegate for five years to the Party’s state convention and a member of the California Democratic Party’s Executive Board which sets the policy and devises the programs for the Party that runs­­ the government of the 5^th largest economy in the world. I am the only candidate for the SGMHCD that has been endorsed by the Riverside County Democratic Party and the California Democratic Party.

Let me be clear - I am not running to serve or represent the Democratic Party – this is a non-partisan office. I mention this because I believe an understanding and involvement in our political system is critical for finding solutions to the financial and administrative problems of our local hospital. I have those skills.

I am a registered nurse and we are trained from our first day in nursing school to be our Patient’s Advocate – to always advocate for our patients best interests. That is my intention for serving on the health care board – to advocate for the best interests of our patients so that our hospital not only survives, but excels in the quality and competency of its services.

I would welcome the opportunity to provide my expertise in the health care industry and in the political arena in dealing with the financial and other difficulties the San Gorgonio Memorial Hospital is undergoing.

On the November ballot you will be voting on three positions for the San Gorgonio Memorial Health Care District – I hope you will use one of your votes to elect Lanny Swerdlow .