Candidate for
Director; Marin Healthcare District

Archimedes Ramirez, M.D. Neurosurgeon

Qualifications:

Chief of Neurosurgery, MGH 1981-2003; Consulting Neurosurgeon, Kaiser San Rafael; Diplomate, American Board Neurosurgery; Neurosurgery Residency, Walter Reed.

I have been a Neurosurgeon at Marin General since 1981. On call for trauma and stroke victims, I performed thousands of neurosurgeries. I'm familiar with MGH care standards. Sadly, despite excellent doctors, quality declined as Sutter drove away well-trained nurses and cut experienced technicians.

Patients suffered needlessly as Sutter made $465 million in profits. Instead of sufficient well-trained staff, highly paid corporate administrators drain money from patient care.

Access to essential services is declining. Medicare threatens to take MGH's funding because of repeated care violations. Few hospitals nationally receive such urgent warnings. Real people are suffering, our neighbors and families.

When I complained about patient care, Sutter/MGH retaliated. I took legal action to stop Sutter/MGH from intimidating me and other doctors. State law (H&S32125) requires District Directors to enforce quality of care standards in "the best interests of the public health."

I will enforce quality standards. Lives depend on it. I will also require earthquake modernization. Jonathan Frieman will work with me.

When you vote, ask, which candidate took a solemn oath to put patients first?