Citizen’s Oversight Committee Releases Final Report After Successful Completion of Measure C Projects

This year, voter-approved Measure C improvements brought Tahoe Forest Hospital up to state-mandated seismic standards and modernized and upgraded life-saving health care facilities. The General Obligation bond was approved in 2007, and in 2008, the Citizen’s Oversight Committee (COC), was formed to ensure the funds were expended only for projects authorized by the ballot measure.

Gerald Herrick, Chairman of the Citizens Oversight Committee, noted the COC’s eight year’s of work in monitoring progress and ensuring that bond money was used solely for the voter-authorized projects. “The Citizen’s Oversight Committee met regularly during construction of the Measure C projects,” said Herrick. “Based on its findings, the COC has concluded that the funds were carefully and correctly managed.”

Thanks to the dedicated work of community members who served on the COC—current members: Gary Boxeth, Christy Curtis, Gary Davis, Sherrin Fielder, Gerald Herrick, Paul Leyton, Mark Tanner and Sarah Wolfe; and past members: Andrea Baltzegar, Dale Chamblin, Caroline Ford, Randy Hill, Paul Kucharski, Larry Mace, John Moise, Leisa Peterson and Alyssa Westenburg—our region now benefits from:

• Joseph Family Center for Women and Newborn Care The new state-of-the-art facility includes a dedicated operating room along with four labor and delivery suites and four postpartum suites, and meets current California seismic and building codes.
• Long Term Care Center Due to seismic upgrade requirements, part of the building was demolished and replaced with a 3,500 square foot annex that provides new nurses stations as well as patient and public spaces. The new facility now offers 24-hour care and 37 beds, as well as amenities such as recreational programs, nutritional services, laundry and onsite salon services.
• Emergency Department Undergoing major renovation, the Emergency Department was reconfigured to allow for two private triage areas, increased patient capacity, easier patient access and a comfortable lobby for waiting family and friends.
• Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center This facility offers state-of-the–art medical oncology, hematology and radiation oncology services. An affiliate of UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center provides local access to high-quality cancer treatment, in an caring and supportive environment.