NEWSLETTER
PRESS RELEASES
January 6, 2012
Eden Township Healthcare Board Votes to Approach Supreme Court
Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) Board of Directors met on Wednesday, January 4, in a special meeting
and voted 3 to 1 in favor of requesting a review by the California Supreme Court of the recent decision by the
Court of Appeals regarding the Sutter Health - ETHD dispute. On December 21, 2011, the Court of Appeals of
California, First District, Division One upheld the trial court’s judgment in favor of Sutter Health. In the litigation,
the District has contested the validity of an option Sutter had acquired in a 2008 lease arrangement. Sutter had
attempted to exercise the option to acquire San Leandro Hospital, and convert it from an acute care emergency
service facility to an acute rehabilitation center. It was the December 21st Appeals Court ruling that prompted
the board’s decision to file with the California Supreme Court. ETHD Board Chair Carole Rogers expressed the
District’s disappointment in the Court of Appeals decision. “Our appeal of the trial court’s decision was joined
and supported by the California Attorney General. We believe the Supreme Court will ultimately rule that the
District and the Attorney General are correct and that the 2008 option by which Sutter hopes to close San Leandro
Hospital is invalid.”
For more information contact:
Jonnie Banks, (510) 861-7613 - jbanks66@sbcglobal.net
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January 4, 2012
Eden Township Healthcare District To Acquire St. Rose Hospital
Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) and St. Rose Hospital boards of directors agreed to proceed with ETHD
acquiring St. Rose Hospital, which would then become a district hospital. Once both boards voted in favor of the
concept, a team of board members and executives met over the last several months discussing details and obtaining
legal advice on how the arrangement of the two organizations might succeed.
The organizations staff and legal counsel are working on the details of due diligence, the process of examining
the detailed operations and financial circumstances of each organization to ensure that such a merger will not
face any major obstacle or legal impediment.
St. Rose Hospital, as part of its planning, came to the conclusion that it needed public support and resources,
in order to assure its long-term viability. When this idea was proposed to ETHD, the board of directors supported
the concept, recognizing this as a step towards getting back into the hospital business for which ETHD was
originally created in 1948. This would also establish its bona fides as a hospital operator, which can make a
legitimate case for operating San Leandro Hospital, should Sutter Health agree to such an option.
On becoming a district hospital, St. Rose Hospital becomes eligible for such government subsidies as federal
matching funds for inter-governmental transfers, and access to parcel tax revenues, with the approval of voters.
(West Contra Costa Healthcare District had such a tax measure passed on November 8, 2011 with 74% of the
voters in support.) If the merger is successful, ETHD becomes an operator of a hospital once again.
Prior to taking action on this transaction, the ETHD Board of Directors will hold a public hearing obtain community
feedback on this transaction prior to voting definitively on the issue.
Michael Mahoney, President and Chief Executive Officer of St. Rose Hospital states, “We are excited that we
have finally reached the point of serious negotiation of the details of such a merger.”
Carole Rogers, Board Chair, Eden Township Healthcare District, expressed her pleasure in this deal: “I believe
the District’s proper role is in owning and operating a hospital which is serving the local community’s needs and
answerable to the residents of the District rather than to a corporate board in a remote location.”
For more information contact:
Jonnie Banks, (510) 861-7613 - jbanks66@sbcglobal.net
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June 28, 2011
"And to Top It Off…."
The new Eden Medical Building construction work has been moving along at a steady pace with obvious progress as a skeleton structure of steel beams rose from its foundation last week. But on Friday, June 17, 2011, work came to a halt for a "topping off" ceremony for the new Eden Medical Building, as BNB construction workers placed the final steel beam on top of the new structure at 20400 Lake Chabot Road.
This tradition at major construction sites includes organization members signing the beam before it is placed, and a flag and potted tree are secured to the beam until final construction requires their removal.
Celebrating with a brief ceremony where pizza and soft drinks were served, guests and construction team members signed the beam, which was painted orange, with permanent marker
before it was hoisted up to the top of the buildings framework. The new medical office building will provide 26,000 square feet
of gross space, 20,000 square feet of net rentable space and house up to 15 suites for medical practices.
Scheduled for occupancy July 1, 2012, this 3-story complex will be the newest, state-of-the-art medical office building in Castro Valley.
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November 17, 2010
The Eden Township Healthcare District is disappointed that a judge ruled against its countersuit against Sutter Health. Our goal when filing this suit was to keep San Leandro Hospital and its emergency medical facility open. This remains our goal.
After reviewing our options with legal counsel, the Board of Directors decided unanimously to pursue appellate court review of the decision.
When we initially filed this suit, Sutter Health was preparing to close San Leandro Hospital. Our efforts have kept the doors open for months longer than originally planned. This has saved lives and protected the health of our community. This is the mandate of the Eden Township Healthcare District. It is why we decided to pursue legal action in the first place and why we are pursuing appellate review now.
Sutter Health is contesting the District’s 2008 claims involving the ownership and operation of San Leandro Hospital and the current construction of the Sutter Castro Valley Medical Center. The District has countered with a claim against Sutter and EMC to make the 2008 agreements illegal and void.
Earlier this year, Sutter Health and EMC agreed to continue to operate San Leandro Hospital as an acute care emergency services facility. Sutter Health cannot change the services provided unless it provides appropriate notice to Eden Township Healthcare District.
For more information contact:
Dev Mahadevan, CEO
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November 23, 2009
ETHD Appoints New Board Member
Dr. William F. West M.D. was appointed to the Eden Township Healthcare District Board of Directors last Wednesday at an open board meeting in Hayward. The Eden Township Healthcare District Board unanimously named Dr. West to replace Dr. Walter Kran who resigned Sept. 28.
Dr. West, a semi-retired orthopedic surgeon is a forty-year resident of the District and member of the medical community. He has practiced orthopedic surgery in San Leandro and Oakland since 1966. In the past eight years he has assisted in both orthopedic and general surgery at Eden Medical Center and San Leandro Hospital. For the past ten years he was Medical Director at the Comprehensive Outpatient Rehabilitation Facility (CORF) in San Leandro.
“I would like to contribute to the Board’s function to meet its mission of assuring availability of medical care to citizens of the Eden Township Healthcare District.” says West.
The ETHD Board interviewed a total of seven candidates in three separate board sessions over the course of the last three weeks before selecting and appointing Dr. West.
“Dr. West stated during his interview that he ‘is for compromise and has no preconceived notions.’ He will contribute greatly to the board if he brings these principles to the table.” says Dev Mahadevan, Chief Executive Officer of Eden Township Healthcare District.
For more information contact:
Jonnie Banks, (510) 861-7613 - jbanks66@sbcglobal.net
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October 28, 2009
Board Members Agree on Process for Filling Vacant Board Seat
The Eden Township Healthcare District Board of Directors voted last night to agree on a timeframe and process for the appointment of a new board member. The vacant position to be filled comes as a result of the departure of Director S. Walter Kran, M.D. who resigned September 23.
In an open Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) Board Meeting held, October 27, at the Hayward Area Recreation & Park District Office, board members voted to interview candidates in two separate interview sessions within the next two weeks. Each of the seven candidates who have applied will be given a twenty minute timeframe in which to present themselves and their qualifications for the seat. The selection will be made either at the second meeting or at another meeting called for the purpose of deliberation and decision on the appointment.
The deadline for the board to appoint an individual to this position is November 27 (60 days from the date of vacancy). The scheduled time and location of both interview sessions and subsequent appointment meeting will be posted on the ETHD web site. All of the meetings are open to the general public.
The next regular meeting of the Eden Township Healthcare District Board of Directors will be on Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 5:30 p.m. (due to the Thanksgiving Holiday). Regular board meetings are normally held on the fourth Wednesday of every month at 5:30 p.m. The agenda will be posted on the ETHD web site prior to the meeting, or call (510) 538-2031 for a copy of the agenda.
For more information, contact:
Jonnie Banks
(510) 861-7613
Jbanks66@sbcglobal.net
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September 30, 2009
ETHD Board Member Resigns
After serving as a member of the Eden Township Healthcare District (ETHD) Board of Directors for nearly three years, Dr. Walter Kran, has resigned from his post effective September 28, 2009. Dr. Kran, a long time resident and practicing physician of San Leandro and has contributed much to the ETHD board serving on various committees and being the voice of reason during contentious debates.
“We appreciate all of Dr. Kran’s valuable contributions he has made over the years as a board member and wish him the best on any future endeavors,” says Dev Mahadevan, Chief Executive Officer of Eden Township Healthcare District.
The ETHD Board has 60 days to appoint a person to fill the vacancy left by Dr. Kran. However, in accordance with state posting requirements, (California Government Code Section 1780), the District office is providing written notification of the resignation and vacancy to the general public and the County Elections Official (the Registrar of Voters in Alameda County) today, September 30, 2009. The ETHD Board will NOT be able to appoint anyone for at least 15 days after the posting date.
If the event the ETHD Board of Directors cannot appoint someone within sixty days, then the Board of Supervisors may appoint someone within 90 days (of the date of the vacancy) or call a special election.
For more information contact: Jonnie Banks, (510) 861-7613, jbanks66@sbcglobal.net