The Board of Supervisors has directed County officials to identify funding to establish a management team to oversee implementation of major project phases of the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Hospital in partnership with the University of California.
The Board also instructed the County’s Chief Executive Officer to work with U.C. to develop standards and procedures for appointing members of the board that will run the non-profit hospital and report back with an appropriate structure for including community input.
In December, the Board authorized the CEO to establish the project management team to oversee the opening scheduled for December 2012.
Last month, the CEO delivered recommendations, including a $900,000 budget for the project management team, proposed timeline, organizational structure and process for appointing the new non-profit hospital board and to establish criteria for its members.
Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas this morning urged his colleagues to grant the CEO the authority and flexibility to proceed so that the non-profit board can be established within project timelines and budget restraints.
“It is critical that local healthcare experts serving the community and other stakeholders have an opportunity to inform and support the establishment of the new MLK Hospital,” the Supervisor said. “The level of community engagement and interest in building a new hospital is unprecedented.”
Last year, an overflow crowd of more than 700 packed the Board of Supervisors’ hearing room to thank the Board for moving forward with the new MLK Hospital project. In the last two months, 2,000 residents and stakeholders have participated in community meetings where the opening the new hospital was discussed.
The Board instructed the CEO to report back in 60 days on the progress that has been made in the planning process.
Mr. Ridley-Thomas may be contacted at http://ridley-thomas.lacounty.gov
