T.G.H. Board Of Trustees Chair Concerned About Possibility Of Closure

Sonora, CA — The Chair of the Tuolumne County General Hospital Board of Trustees is concerned about what a potential closure of the facility would mean to the community.

Pat Dean says around 80 jobs were lost with the closure of Albertsons, and she feels T.G.H. would have much larger ramifications.

Dean says,I believe this is a much bigger problem than it is perhaps even envisioned.” She notes that,There are 350 or more employees at Tuolumne General Hospital.”

Dean fears that many would not be able to find another job locally in the healthcare field. She says many younger people who are working as an RN or x-ray technician would likely move to another community.

A closure, she believes, would lead to a decrease in the tax base and the number of school age children. Dean says she feels the county has already made up its mind, but still hopes that residents will have a chance to vote on the issue. Dean spoke to the Board of Supervisors at today´s regular session meeting.

A Beilenson hearing to further discuss T.G.H. will be held at the March 27th Board of Supervisors meeting.

Written by BJ Hansen