Need for diversity on Sierra View Board

November 3, 2020 is an important day for elections. There are two important elections on that day, one national and one local.

It has been more than 4 years since a woman has been elect4ed to the hospital board in this community, meaning 4 years of non-representation for more than half of this community. The board has been dominated primarily by male physicians.

By coincidence this happens to be the 100th anniversary of the woman suffrage and voting act. Women have worked hard over the years for equal representation in communities and companies. There are 3 women running in this election, one in each district, for this hospital board. Now would be the time to take the opportunity to elect a more divers board that represents the community and strengthens Sierra View Medical Center’s culture and enhances its effectiveness. Women are often the primary caregivers for the family and more often than not are career and business minded. These qualities are perfect for a board member of a community hospital where a top priority is dealing with quality of patient care.

There is often a misconception that a hospital board member must be a male physician in order to understand the workings of a hospital and patient needs. That is simply not true. All that is required of a hospital board member is to be open minded, have common sense, and good coalition building skills. These skills are utilized by anyone who has worked in a community or company for any duration of time. Hospital boards are a governance body for the hospital, there to represent the community as a whole and further the mission of the hospital.

Everyone will make their own decisions this election. Hopefully based upon their knowledge of the candidate. My hope thous is that you will keep the need for diversity and equal representative in mind when casting your vote.

Victoria Porter Running for Sierra View Hospital Board District 4