With $1.6 billion in assets, El Camino Health has experienced tremendous growth financially, as it continuously expands its facilities, programs and services.
At the heart of this non-profit healthcare organization is the five-member elected board of the El Camino Healthcare District. It serves a reminder that 60-plus years ago, the community built El Camino Hospital and the district still needs to answer to it.
We’re allowed this opportunity to vote in the Nov. 5 election, thanks to Los Altos Councilmember Lynette Lee Eng. Her candidacy forced a competitive election. Four candidates – three incumbents – are running for three seats. As a result, we get to know the candidates and are better informed on the issues.
While we are grateful to Lee Eng for forcing an election, we have come away from interviews more convinced that the three incumbents – Julia Miller, Carol Somersille and John Zoglin – remain solid choices to stay on the board another four years.
Zoglin, of Los Altos, has been on the board a long time, but he remains a solid contributor. His business background brings strong financial and strategic perspective. He saw the need for more expertise through expansion of a separate board of directors responsible for day-to-day operations. The numbers and accomplishments speak for themselves.
Somersille, the only practicing physician on the board, was most impressive. She has gained strong knowledge and perspective during her first four years on the board, yet her priorities still centered on serving the underserved residents of the district. She has clear-eyed strategies for helping them, while keeping her eye on the district’s big picture.
Miller is passionate about El Camino Health. She has parlayed relationships from a long political career into serious fundraising (she estimates $10 million to $11 million) for the El Camino Health Foundation. We’re convinced she’s learned her lesson from a board censure last year and will remain a contributor.
Lee Eng has the right ideas about the district expanding public benefit contributions to include more schools in the district, and doing more to help seniors. But it’s clear the incumbents have more to offer.
