Media Advisory
Nov. 7, 2014
Contact: Melissa McKenzie
714-614-1190
Town Hall aims to educate public about Monterey County’s First Level II Trauma Center
Nov. 12 presentation to be simultaneously translated for Spanish speakers
SALINAS, Calif. – Natividad Medical Center is poised to receive a distinction Monterey County has never had but desperately needs – a Level II Trauma center. The coveted designation will allow trauma victims to receive the urgent care they need when every minute counts.
In what will be a series of community out-reach efforts, the Community First Coalition and Natividad Medical Center frontline workers will host a town hall on Nov. 12 in Salinas to educate residents on what having a Level II Trauma center will mean for the community.
WHO: Natividad Medical Center in partnership with the Community First, Monterey County Coalition; and Supervisor Fernando Armenta
WHAT: A Town Hall to learn about the benefits of having a Level II Trauma facility in Monterey County
WHEN: Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Cesar Chavez Library, 615 Williams Road, Salinas
Prior to Oct. 6, 2014, trauma patients in Monterey County were sent to Santa Clara or Santa Barbara counties for treatment, tacking on precious minutes that could be the difference between life and death. Since NMC began seeing trauma patients, approximately 30 have received services at the facility.
American Medical Response reported that 1,723 patients met trauma criteria in 2013. Of those, CALSTAR reported transporting 208 from the incident scene to trauma centers in Santa Clara or Santa Barbara County, according to the Monterey County Emergency Services Agency.
In December, NMC will have one final medical review before it receives the Level II Trauma center distinction.
The media is invited to attend the town hall where Natividad’s Kristen Osland, RN II, Trauma Prevention and Outreach and Health Educator Enid Donato, providing Spanish translation, will lead the presentation. Salinas Council Member and SEIU Local 521 member, Gloria De La Rosa, and the Executive Director of the Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, Cesar Lara, will also speak. Natividad’s interim CEO, Dr. Kelly O’Keefe, will also be present.
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The Service Employees International Union is an organization of 2.1 million members united by the belief in the dignity and worth of workers and the services they provide. SEIU is dedicated to improving the lives of workers and their families and creating a more just and humane society. For more information, visit www.seiu521.org
