Hospital to stay in Laguna

South Coast Medical Center’s future in Laguna Beach is looking

brighter.

The hospital’s governing board recommended last week to the

Adventist Health board of directors that the hospital continue

operations at its present site on So. Coast Highway.

The board also rescinded an earlier recommendation to possibly

relocate the hospital, which has served Orange County residents for

more than 45 years.

According to hospital President and CEO Gary Irish, the governing

board was influenced by a number of factors.

“Following nine months of intense dialogue with Laguna Beach City

Council leaders, the board recognized the importance of our emergency

and medical services to Laguna Beach residents,” said Irish.

The city, in coordination with hospital leaders, recently

completed a public opinion survey that measured the level of

community support for keeping the facility in Laguna Beach.

“The survey showed overwhelming support of the hospital for which

the medical staff and our employees are very grateful,” said Irish.

“There also was some interest in helping the hospital rebuild and

retrofit the facility to meet California Senate Bill 1953 seismic

requirements.”

At the same board meeting on July 21, Adventist Health, the parent

corporation of the hospital, announced that it would be exploring all

options, including the potential sale of the hospital.

“Based on the survey results and community support, Adventist

Health is committed to ensuring the continued operation of SCMC,”

said Robert G. Carmen, senior vice president and COO of Adventist

Health and hospital board chair. “As such, we are considering all

available options, including the possible sale of the hospital to a

provider with a strong market presence or an interest in developing

such a presence in Orange County.”

In the meantime, Carmen wants to assure patients and staff that

Adventist Health will maintain all current services at their present

level.

“The quality of patient care at SCMC is exemplary, as illustrated

by the four-star rating we received from the Orange County Register

and the results of the recent Laguna Beach poll,” Irish stated. “I’m

confident that Adventist Health, or any buyer they select, would

maintain this same high level of care well into the future.”

South Coast Medical Center is a member of Adventist Health, a

not-for-profit, faith-based health system operating in California,

Hawaii, Oregon and Washington.

Founded on the Seventh-day Adventist heritage of Christian health

care, the organization is comprised of 20 hospitals with more than

3,100 beds, 18,800 employees, numerous clinics and outpatient

facilities, 16 home care agencies and three joint-venture retirement

centers. For more information, visit www.adventisthealth.org.

QUESTION

How important is it to have a hospital in the city? Write us at

P.O. Box 248, Laguna Beach, CA, 92652, e-mail us at coastlinepilot@

latimes.com or fax us at 494-8979. Please give your name and tell

us your hometown and phone number for verification purposes only.