Not long ago, our community came together around a powerful shared belief: that everyone deserves access to healthcare.
That belief fueled the effort to save Watsonville Community Hospital and bring it under local control—a major victory.
But like many hospitals across the country, we continue to face serious financial pressures, from low reimbursement rates for care to the rising cost of staffing and medical supplies.
On top of that, upcoming federal cuts to Medi-Cal will make it even more challenging to not just preserve, but improve and expand the essential services we provide to the community.
We know we can’t afford to pause or retreat in moments like this. With purpose and determination, we’re exploring every option to meet these challenges head-on—always putting our patients, our community, and our team first.
That’s why it’s more important than ever to highlight the progress we’ve made together.
In just three years, we’ve accomplished so much—thanks to the belief, trust, and support of our donors, partners, and community. Your continued support will be critical in the months ahead.
When we come together, we move forward. And together, we will keep care strong for generations to come.
Last month, we welcomed the first patient to our brand-new Cardiac Catheterization Lab, bringing advanced heart and vascular care right here to Watsonville, so patients don’t have to travel far for these services.
Second, we’re in the process of purchasing top-of-the-line MRI and CT scanners by the end of the year thanks to Measure N funding. This will give our doctors sharper tools for faster, more accurate diagnoses.
The Health Care District’s goal is to keep care local, accessible, and affordable. But we can’t do that without the necessary revenue coming in. These two initiatives are a big step forward in making sure every Watsonville Community Hospital patient—many of them our friends, family, and neighbors—receives the high-quality care they deserve, while at the same time generating much-needed revenue for the hospital.
Of course, we’re not doing this alone. Community support continues to play a crucial role in our progress, and our partners at the Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation ensure that our supporters have a clear, accessible, and trusted way of strengthening our hospital and our community’s overall health. As the hospital’s fundraising arm, the Foundation is the direct link for those who want to turn their generosity into impact.
Through the generosity of its donors, the foundation has invested over $2.4 million in large hospital equipment such as birthing beds, anesthesia machines, ultrasound machines, patient monitors, and Cath Lab start-up supplies.
Donations also supported critical infrastructure in the Emergency Room and for maternity services.
We are blessed to live in a community that works together and supports local healthcare. Individuals, foundations, and business owners have supported the Foundation, and their donations are a vital part of securing financial sustainability for the hospital. Hospital staff also participate in “One Community Together,” a workplace initiative to raise money for unmet needs and workplace enhancements.
“One Community Together” allows employees to invest in the community and align their personal values with their work at Watsonville Community Hospital. This year employees raised over $35,000 for tech upgrades, portable ultrasound probes, CPAP machines, and a podiatry chair for patients. It says so much about the quality and character of the hospital staff that they not only provide care for our community, but also actively invest in the care of our community.
Shrinking federal healthcare funding makes the role of Watsonville Community Hospital Foundation more important than ever. This dedicated organization is working quietly but steadily to help close the funding gap—doing what it can to support the hospital and help ensure essential health services remain available to everyone in our community.
To everyone who has supported the Foundation and Hospital: Thank you. Your generosity has made real progress possible. And to those considering their first gift, I welcome you to learn more about the Foundation. Your support can help strengthen our community-owned hospital and protect access to care for generations to come.
One great way to support the hospital and learn more about the Foundation is to attend the Foundation’s upcoming “Twilight Tapestry Gala” on Sept. 13. It’s a great evening held on the rooftop of the Watsonville Civic Plaza building with good food, good company, and an impressive amount of silent and live auctions, all donated by organizations who want to make a difference too.
Check out information about the Gala here: watsonvillecommunityhospitalfoundation.org/. I hope to see you there.
