Open seat on hospital board

The Sonoma Valley Health Care District board is actively seeking applicants for the opening created by the July 1 resignation of Arnie Riebli.
The appointee will complete Riebli’s term, which runs through the end of next year, and could stand for election in November of 2010. It is an unpaid position.
The five-person board oversees a $40 million annual budget, 400 employees and emergency services that responded to 10,000 cases last year. “It’s a big responsibility,” board chairman Bill Boerum told the KSVY Morning Show on Monday. “It’s an important job. The board is here to make the hospital work, and to keep all the service lines going.”
The first step in the application process is a letter of interest, due to the board by July 31. This will be followed by applicant interviews and the naming of Riebli’s successor during a special board meeting on August 12.
Boerum said board members spend 10-15 hours a month on hospital business. There is time spent at the monthly meeting and occasional committee meetings, as well as researching agenda items. For example, Boerum said the new member will have to “get up to speed on financials,” a current hot topic because of budget challenges and the state’s changing Medi-Cal policies. “It does require preparation.”
Applicants must live in the hospital district, roughly Schellville to Glen Ellen, and represent the entire district. Although Riebli ran his campaign as a fiscal conservative – “I think he felt he represented the taxpayers,” Boerum said – there is no geographical or ideological pre-requisite.
“What I’d like to see is someone who has shown an interest in the hospital’s affairs, and healthcare,” Boerum said. Additionally, the board is looking for someone who has demonstrated community or civic leadership, and has a background or experience in the health care field. “This is an important crossroads in the hospital’s history,” he said. “The decisions coming up are very complex.”
According to board bylaws, there was an option to call for an election to fill Riebli’s seat. The board instead opted for the less expensive choice of appointing a successor, said Boerum, who was himself a board appointee.
Residents of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District interested in serving on the district board are encouraged to send a one-page letter outlining his or her interest and qualifications. Letters should be addressed to Bill Boerum, c/o Sonoma Valley Hospital, 347 Andrieux Street, Sonoma, Calif. 95476. The letters must be postmarked on or before July 31 or hand delivered by 5 p.m. on that date.
At the August 12 meeting, applicants will have three minutes to make a statement. They will then field questions from the board. Applicants may also have members of the public speak on their behalf. The decision will be made and announced that night. The appointee will then be in place – joining Boerum, Madolyn Agrimonti, Peter Hohorst and Dr. Richard Kirk –for the board’s regular September meeting.
Boerum said he invites anyone who is interested to apply, “even if you have some qualms or concerns whether you’re qualified.” As for the job’s volunteer status, “The pay isn’t so good,” Boerum joked, “but the title is nice.”