Meet the SVDH Candidates
Seven candidates are seeking the three seats on the Sierra View Hospital District board. Here they are:
Martha A. Flores: “Porterville is my home. I was born, raised and educated in Porterville. Recently, I retired from my position as an administrative assistant for Porterville Unified School District and closed my local business, Frugal Fashions. I raised my son in Porterville and I am happy that he chose to return to Porterville to work and raise his family. The Greater Porterville area has provided so much for me and my family. It has been my privilege to work with public service organizations as a way to repay the many benefits I have received from this community. Health care has been one of my major concerns. I understand the health and economic challenges faced by the people of the Sierra View District and know the constraints faced by health care organizations. I am confident that if re-elected to the Hospital Board, I can help maintain the forward looking vision of our local hospital while continuing the expansion and improvement of health services for all members of our community.”
Richard Hatfield: “My wife, Marianne, and I have lived in Porterville for 42 years. We have three grown children. I retired from Southern California Edison as Porterville District manager. As a member of the Porterville Rotary Club, I believe and practice Rotary’s motto ‘Service above Self.’ To that end, I have served on the hospital board for the past 12 years and as chairman for the past six years. I am a past president of the Porterville Chamber of Commerce; past Board member of the Tulare County Symphony. My most recent project was the completion and dedication of Porterville’s Historic Band Mural “Marching through Time” which is located in Porterville’s Centennial Park.
Brent Gill: “I have lived in southeastern Tulare County my entire life, except for four years service in the US Coast Guard. I’ve been married to my high school sweetheart for over 47 years, and have three grown sons and eight grandchildren. Springville School, Porterville High, Porterville College, Bakersfield College, and Cal State Bakersfield provided my education, ending with a Bachelor of Science degree. I’ve been a life-long volunteer including Springville Sierra Rodeo (parade chairman), Barn Theater, Springville Volunteer Fire Department, 4-H Leader, Porterville Exchange Club and Tulare County Historical Society. I’ve served as auctioneer for various community fund-raisers. I am an incumbent member of the SVDH Board, completing my second term. In 2000 I was re-elected, but was selected to be the recruiter in Human Resources. I worked for SVDH for four years, then after being away from the hospital four years, was elected again in 2008. It is my responsibility to keep the front doors open. Innovative services, technological advances, and new lines of health care delivery are wonderful additions, but only if we adhere to fiscal responsibility and practicality. Nothing should be ignored prior to investigation, and any decision should be open for reconsideration. The most important task is to continue to ask hard questions, then make decisions based on what is best for the entire community, not for any biased reasons.”
Mark Fazzone: “I moved to Porterville in 2004 when I was employed by Freedom Communications at its newspaper, the Porterville Recorder. I left the Recorder last year after serving as publisher to pursue other opportunities. Presently, I manage a small ranch and farming operation in neighboring Terra Bella, Deer Creek Heights Ranch. During my time in Porterville I have been very active in many community and civic organizations, lending a hand where I could. I have grown fond of my new home and look forward to many more years for serving my community.”
Dr. Gaurang Pandya: “I am a board-certified surgeon. After my training I voluntarily joined US Air force. After the tour of duty, in 1988 we chose Porterville for surgical practice. In 2004 I built an independent ambulatory surgery center to provide cost-effective personalized surgical services to my patients. In 2007, my wife and I established a non-profit for medical mission work in India and in US (www.pandya-foundation.org). As a director of Porterville College Foundation, I was involved in bringing RN program to Porterville, which now provides opportunity to our children. I have participated in local and international projects of Rotary, including providing 500 free thyroid ultrasound procedures. I am president of Tulare-County Medical-Society and delegate to California Medical Association’s House of Delegates. I am currently collaborating with Tulare-Medical-Reserve-Core and Red Cross in bringing disaster-preparedness awareness and training to Porterville. Above all, I am proud to be a family man with a loving wife and two bright children.”
Dr. Rakesh Jindal: Dr. Jindal is a board certified Internist, who has practiced in Porterville since 1978. He has dedicated his entire professional career, spanning over 34 years, to the local community. He and his wife raised their three children in Porterville, all of whom are now working professionals. Over the years, Dr. Jindal has led SVDH in various leadership roles including having served two terms as President of the Medical Staff and having been part of its growth from a small rural facility to a state of the art medical center. Dr. Jindal encourages the expansion of SVDH, so that it and its physicians may continue to provide quality health care for its residents in a cost-efficient and affordable manner.
Dr. Jasvir Sidhu: “It has been a privilege indeed to be a physician and I have been serving the sick and suffering of our community since 1984. I am humbled by the immense love and respect that has come my way as a mark of their appreciation. My motivation is to do all that would maintain and promote the highest standards of health care in this region. As chief of staff at the hospital, my efforts have been very successful in securing a healthy relationship between our hospital and the local physicians. The scene of health care in our country is undergoing rapid changes and promises much harder times. This demands a new vision and a collaborative team effort from the Hospital administration, the local physicians and the community at large. I am fortunate to have the goodwill of them all. As a member of the hospital board, I can better apply my experience, understanding, and relationship to ensure the success of this vision with utmost transparency and accountability. My community is my extended family and my commitment towards their welfare is absolute.”
