Today's episode is a story about a hospital across the bay from one of the wealthiest neighborhoods on the planet and why, despite all that money, it couldn't afford to stay open. The heroic effort to keep this hospital open has chilling lessons for all of us, especially today as Americans become increasingly sick and die from COVID.
The story comes to us from my guest Eric Zell. Eric is a consultant, former political staffer and most recently an elected member of the West Contra Costa Healthcare District Board of Directors where he oversaw and then tried to save Brookside Hospital (also known as Doctors Medical Center). Brookside was started by Eric's father and served those in the East Bay Area who could not go elsewhere for medical care. But though the story of the closure of Doctor's Medical Center is an important one, as you listen, I'd like you to also think about your community.
Show Notes:
Article: What happened after Doctor's Medical Center closed (Link: https://www.sfchronicle.com/business/article/A-year-after-hospital-closed-250-000-in-Contra-7278435.php)
Dead Hospitals. And How to Bring Them Back to Life.