The Role of Sequoia Healthcare District In Our Community

By Kathleen "Katie" Kane

Highlights the multiple programs run and supported by your tax dollars.

Programs that we support with dollars provide services to over 50 thousand local residents per year. Many of them are among the most vulnerable, including the uninsured and under-insured.

Under my leadership, I initiated a partnership with Samaritan House to run a Free Health Clinic. This Clinic, is staffed by volunteer physicians, dentists, nurses and others. They provide primary medical and dental care for thousands of uninsured patients each year. The District also provides 1.8 million dollars to Redwood City's Fair Oaks Clinic. The clinic sees over 21 thousand patients a year for primary medical and prenatal care, as well as the management of chronic illness.

Our signature HeartSafe Program deals with public safety... The District provides Automated External Defibrillators and Lucas Devices, that are used for sudden cardiac arrest, and Code Blue towers. in areas where the public assembly for athletic activities. Thanks to the Sequoia Healthcare District first responders in all our fire departments are equipped with these life saving devices, and they have saved many lives.

Our "Healthy Schools Initiative" provides funds for additional school nurses, health counselors, physical and nutritional education to thousands of public school students and now health services have been incorporated in to all our 8 school districts.

8 years ago the District, created a unique Registered Nursing program. A partnership was formed with Canada College, San Francisco State University and Sequoia Hospital to educate and address the registered nursing shortage for our community. The District underwrites this Satellite Program at Canada College for $1 million per year. Since its' inception more than 320 registered nurses have graduated and the majority work locally.

The District is prudent with its tax revenues. All of the 8.6 million dollars collected in property tax in 2011 fiscal year was spent on health programs.

In summation some of our citizens that we help may not be familiar with the Sequoia Healthcare District and what we stand for and we may never meet them, however, as a Board member, I am confident that their lives and health care are enriched because of our existence.