PRESS RELEASE FOR: Tuesday, September 26, 2017
Contact: Coral Itzcalli (213) 321-7332
Mike Long (213) 304-9777
SEIU 721 President Bob Schoonover’s Statement on Dr. Mitchell Katz’s Departure from His Role of L.A. County Health Agency Director
President Schoonover and SEIU 721 members thank Dr. Katz for his commitment to building a Health Agency capable of meeting the needs of 10 million L.A. County residents, by investing in Employees of Choice, acting as an Employer of Choice, and positioning us as a Provider of Choice.
Los Angeles, CA—“Working alongside with Dr. Mitchell Katz, service providers from SEIU 721, and public servants across L.A. County have already begun to deliver on a shared vision to transform and strengthen healthcare services, community wellness, and healthcare delivery systems in order to deliver whole person care. We look forward to working with his successor on the further realization of the transformative vision that makes our Health Agency Partnership an exemplar for California and the country.”
“The Partnership we have built with Dr. Katz has done much more than integrate L.A. County’s Departments of Mental Health, Public Health, and Health Services—no small feat considering that we’re talking about the administration of one-third of the County’s budget, the fate of well over 30,000 frontline workers and support staff, and the L.A. County residents who seek care through 300,000 ER visits, 2.6 million outpatient clinic visits, and more.”
“By creating a structure that creates Labor-Management Partnerships at all levels, we have transformed the work of our hospitals, coordinated clinical care, provided housing and services for the homeless, and those whose needs are identified in our jails. Mitch Katz understands that putting those on the frontlines in the same room as senior administrators and eschewing job titles and other hierarchies for the sake of improving outcomes is key to establishing a safe and just culture for patients, families, community members, and all those who serve to advance our Health Agency’s patient-centered mission.”
“Dr. Katz stood side-by-side with patients and service providers, carving a path toward improvements in our safety net and public sector. He stood side-by-side with patients and service providers when it came time to prevent harmful proposals and policies from becoming law. His shoes will be difficult ones to fill. But we understand his wish to be close to his parents and family at this time. The New York City Health and Hospitals Corporation is fortunate to have him as their new CEO. We wish him the best in that role—knowing NYC Health + Hospitals will shine with him at the helm.”
Bob Schoonover, President SEIU 721
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