SVDH race attracts two doctors
Two medical doctors have joined the Sierra View Local Health Care District race, bringing the total of candidates vying for three seats to six.
Dr. Rakesh Jindal, a local internist who has practiced in Porterville for 34 years, and Dr. Gaurng Pandya, a local general surgeon who has practiced in Porterville since 1988, have filed paperwork with Tulare County Elections Office. Jindal filed on Monday and Pandya on Aug. 1.
In addition, incumbent Brent Gill also filed, on Aug. 6, declaring his intention to run again.
Gill, Pandya and Jindal join incumbents Martha A. Flores and Richard Hatfield, and challenger Mark Fazzone in the popular race.
“I’ve been here since 1978 and I would like nothing better than for the hospital to thrive but at the same time, I want the hospital to be responsible to the community’s needs and have it truly serve the needs of the community,” Jindal said. “I want to run for the health care district to represent the community and not just be on the board of directors of a profit-making hospital. I have a different perspective of what needs to be done and the direction we need to take to make it more responsive to the community’s needs.”
Pandya, who is president of the Tulare County Medical Society and is a delegate with the California Medical Association House of Delegates, said he is concerned with everything that has happened in the past three to four years in Washington D.C. and in Sacramento and with the economy.
“It has brought a lot of issues back here. There’s lots of challenges on taking care of our population,” Pandya said. “There is a need for the hospital to do well and to provide cost-effective services to our community.
“Many issues surround Medicare and Medical and there are significant financial and other challenges. I feel I have enough experience being on the Tulare County Medical Society, where I’m president, and as a house delegate of California Medical Association, and I’ve been in practice in the community since 1988 and have an understanding of what the community needs.”
Pandya said he wants to refocus on resources available for the community.
The deadline to file paperwork with Tulare County Elections Office for the Nov. 6 General Election is Friday. The office, which normally closes at noon on Fridays through the summer months, will remain open until 5 p.m. to accept any last-minute filings.
Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045. Follow her on Twitter @Avila_recorder.
