Why I am running for this position

By Esther Blau, R.N.

Patient care is my principal concern. I will facilitate honest communication among the Board, professional staff, and administrators -- with patient care for the entire community the highest priority.

Starting in the 1990s nurses were witness to the deplorable deterioration of the quality of patient care. I felt that I could not just stand by silently as patient care continued to deteriorate at MGH despite the excellence of the medical and nursing staff. Issues about unsafe patient practices compelled me to write about the situation, speak out publicly and be invited to testify at government hearings. With another nurse I formed an advocacy organization, Patient Advocates of Marin. In 1996 two conflicted board members were recalled in a public election and replaced with strong proponents of improved patient care.

The same concerns lead me to seek this position on the Marin Healthcare District Board. I will facilitate honest communication among the Board, professional staff, and administrators -- with patient care for the entire community the highest priority. Hospital protocols should be implemented by the management would be selected by the Board and be responsive to the expertise of the physicians, not to corporate goals. Even under managed care, Marin General can once again be a premiere hospital.