Arnold, CA…On Thursday, November 30, 2017 at 6pm at Independence Hall in Arnold, Dr. Randall Smart, Executive Director of the Mark Twain Health Care District will address residents of Ebbetts Pass on the state of health care in Calaveras County. Dignity Health’s current contract with the district expires in 2019. The health care district will decide between three options which include remaining with Dignity Health or another affiliate, choosing to operate the hospital independently or with a management-of-services agreement. All voters are requested to attend, if possible, as the district’s decision becomes an election issue in 2018 for the Calaveras registrant.

Dr. Smart will begin with a history of the hospital in order to bring the audience to a common understanding of the organization and workings of health care in the county. The Mark Twain Health Care District was formed 8/27/46 by the Calaveras voter. The governance of the district includes the executive director and the elected board : Lin Reed, President, Ann Radford FNP, Susan Atkinson MSW, Debbie Sellick CMP and Talibah Al-Rafiq Member-at-Large. Peggy Stout is the Administrative Assistant. The board is dedicated to the health and well-being of the individuals and communities of Calaveras County through direct support and education.