Media Advisory
Dec. 3, 2014
Contacts:
Debbie Narvaez, SEIU Local 521, 818-667-7075
Cesar Lara, Monterey Bay Central Labor Council, 831-444-5060
Town Hall aims to educate public about Monterey County’s First Level II Trauma Center
Dec. 8 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 the final community out-reach effort, the Community First Coalition and Natividad Medical Center frontline workers will host a town hall on Dec. 8 in Greenfield to educate residents on what having a Level II Trauma center will mean for the community.
Additionally, The Monterey County Health Department has donated flu shots and residents will have the opportunity to get vaccinated.
WHO: Natividad Medical Center in partnership with the Community First, Monterey County Coalition; Greenfield Mayor John Huerta and Monterey County Supervisor Simon Salinas
WHAT: A Town Hall to learn about the benefits of having a Level II Trauma facility in Monterey County
WHEN: Monday, Dec. 8 from 6 to 8 p.m.
WHERE: Greenfield City Hall, 599 El Camino Road, Greenfield
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 90 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. Huerta and Salinas will also speak. Natividad’s interim CEO, Dr. Kelly O’Keefe, will also be present.
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