Chairman Mark Gardner presenting a Spotlight Award to Dr. Clint Purvance of Barton Health at the 2023 awards.
Douglas County photo
Barton serves region
Editor:
Founded in 1963, Barton Health has been the region’s leading health partner for over 60 years — proudly providing bi-state medical services for the whole community.
And as a bi-state community, residents and visitors to Lake Tahoe’s south shore have long experienced life across both sides of the state line — from ski resorts and beaches to shopping and appointments — we are one community in two states.
As the region has grown, Barton has evolved alongside the community to care for its changing health needs. And with an aging population, more comprehensive healthcare is required to serve our patients.
The triennial Community Health Needs Assessment identifies areas for health improvement in our community and continues to illustrate the need for more healthcare services like oncology (cancer) and expanded cardiovascular (heart) care, two leading causes of death nationwide.
Offering medical services from two campuses will allow Barton to add services and reach more patients, in addition to expanding our undersized emergency department and operating rooms.
Our current hospital on the South Lake Tahoe campus was originally built in 1963 and expanded in 1995 — its aging infrastructure will no longer meet our community’s health needs and the standards of modern medical care.
A new hospital will provide high-quality medical care for the entire community, and with a well-designed, modern facility, patients and medical teams will have access to leading diagnostic and treatment equipment, the latest in healing designs, and a safe and comfortable environment.
We understand the hospital’s move from California to Nevada raises questions about insurance coverage — be assured, patients can and do cross state lines for emergency and acute care (inpatient) services, and outpatient services will continue to remain on both campuses.
Barton purchased the already-closed Lakeside Inn & Casino parcel in the spring of 2021, with intentions for expanding outpatient services adjacent to our Stateline campus. At the same time, teams were evaluating Barton Memorial Hospital and its ability to meet California’s 2030 seismic requirements for hospitals.
It was determined the original portion of the 1960s facility, housing key services lines including the Skilled Nursing Facility, laboratory and infusion services, and the hospital’s pharmacy, cannot meet the requirements. If we were to demolish this portion of the building to rebuild, patient care will be impacted and services will close during construction.
Additionally, the 1990s expansion is not large enough to expand in needed areas including our undersized emergency department and small operating rooms.
Building a new facility allows us to expand our emergency department and operating rooms, modernize patient rooms, and importantly, launch an oncology center and expand cardiovascular services, supporting patients facing serious health issues by providing services locally.
Barton is here to provide healthcare for the South Shore and the South Shore’s needs are changing — evolving with the community ensures you’ll receive the care you need. We are one community health system, serving a bi-state community through two campuses.
Dr. Clint Purvance
Barton Health
Stateline
Why fireworks?
Editor:
Since when are fireworks necessary to hold a rodeo?
Why don’t we have fireworks for Independence Day celebrations? Wildfires!
Why are there Red Flag Warnings posted all weekend? Wildfires!
As someone that has served staffing the evacuation center during wildfires, I hope none of you ever have to suffer like those that have lost everything, including lives.
Beth Hojnacke
Gardnerville
Board majority must go
Editor:
As a long-time Douglas County resident and the mother of a current Douglas County teacher I have witnessed firsthand the negative impact the current school board majority has had on teacher morale and working conditions at our local schools since they took office in January 2023.
To begin with, the board majority not only pushed out beloved Superintendent Keith Lewis; we now know it was a premeditated decision before they even took office. (Read the public records here: https://dcsbnvpublicrecords.org/) The stress and uncertainty this caused among district staff cannot be overstated, and was the direct result of Trustees Burns, Jansen, Dickerson and Englekirk’s actions. Teaching without their trusted and supportive leader took a toll on teachers, students, and staff.
As a result, teachers are looking for employment elsewhere. Four of my daughter’s close friends have left DCSD this past school year, citing the board’s dysfunction as their principal reason. During a nationwide teacher shortage, we cannot ignore the lasting consequences of this board majority’s behavior. Furthermore, numerous resignations from the district office by highly respected leaders have decreased efficiency and continue to affect morale across the district.
Additionally, the irresponsible decision in hiring Joey Gilbert to “represent” our school district has been a financial catastrophe. Falling enrollment, rising costs and exorbitant legal fees is a recipe for disaster. What has been sacrificed in order to pay Gilbert nearly $430,000 so far? Trustees Burns, Jansen, Dickerson and Englekirk’s vote to hire him is at the expense of the students, teachers and staff of Douglas County.
And to top it all off, teachers are afraid to speak out and express their frustrations to the board majority, fearing retribution. The few teachers brave enough to voice their opinions during public comment are met with gross disrespect including: rolling eyes, scrolling on phones or even leaving the meeting while being addressed.
In short, Trustees Burns, Jansen, Dickerson and Englekirk have taken our district hostage and it’s time to flip the board majority. Please take the time to vote for the two candidates who will restore trust, transparency, integrity and financial responsibility to the Douglas County School Board. Join me in support of Erinn Miller and Melinda Gneiting in November. It’s our chance to right some of the wrongs that have taken place since the new board took office.
Candy Van Meter
Jacks Valley
Project School Days
Editor:
Project School Days has finished its main work in providing school supplies to teachers in Douglas County’s elementary, middle, and high schools as well as Austin House and China Springs. The supplies are for students who need materials to complete their schoolwork.
Project School Days, now in its 27th year, helped approximately 90 teachers provide materials to about 1,945 kids. Supplies range from pens, markers, and pencils to binders, notebooks, backpacks, and calculators. The program has been approved by Superintendent Frankie Alvarado.
A generous community makes this project possible by donating money that is used to purchase supplies. We would like to thank Nimby Farms (Diane Edmonds), Gardnerville Kiwanis Club, J.T. Basque Bar and Dining Room, Jouet, Inc. (The French Bar), Douglas Disposal, David Rogers, Dan and Linda Stratton, Richard Spence, Annzelle Horsley, Carl Woods, Steven and Margaret Ristorcelli, Charles and Karen Woodside, Lee Mercado and Colleen Reid. We can’t forget to thank our terrific volunteers for making this another successful year.
Project School Days is a totally volunteer, non-profit organization, Federal I.D. No. 88-0167174. Your contributions, which are tax deductible, are welcome all year. Checks may be mailed to Project School Days c/o Debbie McNeil, P. O. Box 513, Gardnerville, NV 89410.
Project School Days definitely gives a helping hand to the greatest asset of Douglas County - our children.
Debbie McNeil, Cindy DeBlose, Bud Perkins
Project School Days
