County supervisors present a proclamation to Palomar Health Board. Courtesy photo
SAN DIEGO–Palomar Health is the first hospital system to officially partner with the County of San Diego in support of its Live Well, San Diego! Initiative.
The County Board of Supervisors acknowledged Palomar Health on October 22 for its pro-active efforts to meet the health and environmental needs of its own healthcare district, and for understanding the value of working with the county in its comprehensive effort to create healthy, safe and thriving San Diego communities.
The Board of Supervisors adopted the Live Well, San Diego! Initiative in 2010 – a comprehensive long-term plan to advance the health, safety and overall well-being of the region – encouraging involvement from area businesses, schools, law enforcement, military organizations and health care providers. The initiative is unfolding in three parts: Building Better Health, Living Safely and Thriving which will be rolled out in 2014 to focus on overall well-being.
David Tam, M.D., Pomerado Hospital’s chief administrative officer, addressed the Board of Supervisors on behalf of Palomar Health Trustees, who passed a resolution in August to support the county’s initiative by promoting healthy, safe and thriving programs within Palomar Health and the communities it serves.
“Palomar Health has always taken seriously its mission to heal, comfort and promote health in the communities we serve,” said Dr. Tam. “Much of the work we have done that supports Live Well, San Diego! has been through the establishment of Community Action Councils (CACs). For years, our staff has worked to bring together these groups to focus on the health and environmental needs of our community. The CACs have established on-going programs addressing significant issues including childhood obesity and diabetes, substance abuse, suicide, and chronic diseases. Additionally, we have adopted some of the county’s strategies, including helping to establish community gardens, creating a program designed to raise employee awareness of wellness issues, and providing health coaching for employees participating in our smoking cessation and weight loss programs. In partnering with the County of San Diego, we know we can be even more effective in reaching those who need us, inside our facilities and out.”
Palomar Health Board Chairman Ted Kleiter says the trustees’ decision to partner with the county was an easy one. “We are proud to have a stewardship role in the county’s effort to improve the health of its population and we hope other health care organizations will follow our lead. We believe it’s our responsibility to support such a comprehensive effort that is very much aligned with our own goals and programs we already have in place. As the county and state’s largest health care district, covering more than 800 square miles, we understand the complexities of meeting the needs of diverse groups. We feel we have everything to gain by joining forces with San Diego County, and a great deal to offer, in this laudable effort.”
Palomar Health also participated in an information fair held on the grounds of the County Administration Building in San Diego on the same day. Those in attendance were able to speak with Palomar Health’s Community Outreach Liaison, Nancy Roy, about the many programs and services that support Live Well, San Diego! she and other Palomar Health staff have helped establish throughout the inland north county community, with the assistance of community leaders, county representatives, and volunteers.
