Watsonville Hospital holds first community update

Watsonville Community Hospital has improved its finances and, with Measure L funds rolling in, will soon begin upgrades. (Tarmo Hannula/The Pajaronian)

The past three years have been transformative for Watsonville Community Hospital, which was facing bankruptcy in late 2021 before a local group banded together to save it. Now under local ownership—and more importantly, back under local control—the hospital has seen a sea change in its finances. After a $30 million loss in 2022, its deficit… Continue reading Watsonville Hospital holds first community update

Watsonville Community Hospital once again under local ownership

Watsonville Hospital's emergency department is one of the places the Measure N revenue will go toward. (Tarmo Hannula/Pajaronian file)

Watsonville Community Hospital and the Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD) announced Friday that the building–and the property that surrounds it–once again belongs to the community. The $40 million purchase of the 27-acre site from Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust was possible thanks to Measure N—the bond approved by voters in March. “We are incredibly grateful… Continue reading Watsonville Community Hospital once again under local ownership

Pajaro Valley Health Care Board Chair John Friel Dies

Pajaronian file

Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board (PVHCD) Chair and former Watsonville Community Hospital CEO John Friel, who took the lead of the fledgling agency at its outset in 2022, died March 21 after battling an undisclosed illness.  Friel resigned from his position on March 19, and the board appointed Tony Nuñez as chair. Knowing he… Continue reading Pajaro Valley Health Care Board Chair John Friel Dies

Measure N is Vital for Pajaro Valley’s Economic Prosperity

Watsonville Community Hospital. Pajaronian file

Watsonville Community Hospital is vital to the economic success of the Pajaro Valley. Businesses, their employees and customers all benefit from local access to healthcare.  From employees to medical providers, the hospital provides nearly 1,000 local jobs and medical care for over 100,000 people in the Hospital District through emergency, obstetrics, pediatrics, surgery and laboratory… Continue reading Measure N is Vital for Pajaro Valley’s Economic Prosperity

Watsonville Hospital board to vote on new CEO

Watsonville Community Hospital. Pajaronian file photo

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District Hospital Corporation on Thursday named the person they want to take the helm at Watsonville Community Hospital as CEO. Stephen Gray was chosen after a four-month recruitment search by the corporation. Gray is currently the chief administrative officer for Sutter Bay Medical Foundation’s Santa Cruz Division. He began there… Continue reading Watsonville Hospital board to vote on new CEO