Candidate for
Director; Desert Health Care District

Palm Springs has been my home for five years following eight years as a snowbird. I have a Masters in Public Health degree from New York Medical College, majoring in Health Care Policy and Services, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Russian Studies from Charter Oak College. With over 25 years as a healthcare executive, I have served as an HMO administrator, nursing home administrator, and hospital vice president. For 4 years, I was administrator of the world's largest HIV/AIDS nursing home in New York City. I served as an advisor to New York Governor Mario Cuomo's AIDS Advisory Task Force. I served on the Health Systems Agency for the City of New York as well as Westchester and Rockland Counties in New York. Prior to coming to the Valley, I was operations director for 21 nursing homes and 2 psychiatric hospitals in the Greater Los Angeles area. Currently, I am the Executive director of ARV Desert Communities - Hacienda de Monterey and the Villa at Palm Desert - two full-service retirement communities. I am Vice Chairman - Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce, chair their Legislative Action Committee and the 2001-2002 Volunteer of the Year. I chair the All Valley Chambers Legislative Committee, representing 7 Chambers of Commerce. I am on the Board of Governors of the Desert Healthcare Foundation and chair the Programs and Services Committee and Strategic Planning Committee. My dedication to the health and welfare of the citizens of the Coachella Valley are well-known, as is my particular passion for working and caring for seniors. I am a Vietnam Veteran, and served for 11 years as a Russian specialist for the Armed Services, receiving the Bronze Star, Joint Services Commendation Medal and Vietnamese Cross with Gallantry to name a few. I share my home in the Deepwell area of Palm Springs with my partner, James Martin, an 84 year old uncle and a ruler of the roost chihuahua.