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I am a physician and former Pajaro Valley Health Care District trustee and I would like to respond a recent letter to the editor headlined “Who really saved Watsonville Community Hospital?”
Watsonville Community Hospital was not saved by one person, one office or one vote. It was saved because an entire community came together to protect local healthcare.
When the hospital’s private owner declared bankruptcy in 2021, South County faced the real possibility of losing its only hospital. In response, local governments, healthcare partners, nonprofits, labor groups, businesses, school leaders, state legislators and hundreds of community donors helped raise nearly $70 million to purchase the hospital out of bankruptcy and return it to local, public ownership.
Tony Nuñez was appointed to the inaugural healthcare district board in 2022. He devoted hundreds of hours to keeping the hospital open, personally helping raise millions and making difficult decisions about services, contracts, governance and hospital policies so the new district could stand on its own.
Tony’s work has continued. In 2024, he led Measure N, a $116 million bond measure to purchase the hospital property, reduce lease costs and invest in emergency care, equipment and infrastructure. He has also been elected board chair three years in a row.
The hospital’s survival is a community victory, and Tony showed up early, worked hard and continues to lead its recovery.
I know, because I was at the table with Tony. Tony consistently and tirelessly listened, prioritized our community, and approached challenges with thoughtfulness and fairness. It is an honor to endorse Tony for District 4 Santa Cruz County supervisor.
Dr. Katherine Gabriel-Cox
Watsonville
