Contra Costa Herald

News Of By and For The People of Contra Costa County, California

Kaiser Permanente named among world’s most ethical companies for 5th year in a row

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Recognition honors organizations that demonstrate business integrity through best-in-class ethics, compliance, and governance practices

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

Kaiser Permanente is again one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies, according to Ethisphere Institute, an independent group that monitors business ethics.

Companies that receive the World’s Most Ethical Company designation work to improve their communities. They also foster and grow empowered employees while modeling a workplace where ethics and a strong sense of purpose lead the way.

“Kaiser Permanente is committed to improving access to care, having a diverse workforce reflective of our communities, and addressing the inequities, structural racism, and injustices that marginalize our most vulnerable populations,” said Diane Ott, vice president, ethics and compliance for Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “This recognition highlights our on-going efforts to improve the health and well-being of our members, patients, and the communities we serve.”

Some of those efforts in Northern California include:

  • Prioritizing communities that have endured decades of underinvestment. Kaiser Permanente is investing in programs that will close the racial wealth gap by creating economic opportunity for underrepresented communities and supporting programs that focus on addressing racism and trauma.  
  • In 2022, Kaiser Permanente awarded $1.6 million in grants to 20 Northern California agencies for child and family vaccination outreach in areas with lower vaccination rates and to ensure the equitable distribution of the vaccine across communities of color. It is part of a larger $12 million investment in vaccine equity the organization has made to date.
  • We’ve invested in diverse small businesses and programs that provide quality jobs and prepare young people for college and careers. We also increased our purchase of goods and services from businesses owned by women, people of color, and other underrepresented groups.
  • Kaiser Permanente is partnering with homeless service providers, affordable housing organizations, researchers, homeless advocates, and city and county officials, working together to build a more robust and coordinated homeless response system to improve the health of our communities. ​​
  • We have invested $30 million through the Kaiser Permanente Mental Health Scholars Academy, to expand the pipeline for new, culturally diverse mental health clinicians across California. This includes offering eligible Kaiser Permanente employees the opportunity to pursue masters and doctorate degrees in mental health fields through our own and affiliated degree programs, with a focus on increasing diversity and representation in the mental health workforce. This will help impact communities where demand for services exceeds the availability of highly qualified mental health professionals.

Best-in-class practices

Kaiser Permanente is one of 135 honorees in 19 countries being recognized. In addition, Kaiser Permanente is one of only 2 organizations recognized in the Integrated Healthcare System category for 2023.

Honorees are scored based on an evaluation of their ethics and compliance program, culture of ethics, corporate citizenship and responsibility, governance, and leadership and reputation.

“Ethics matters. Organizations that commit to business integrity through robust programs and practices not only elevate standards and expectations for all, but also have better long-term performance,” said Ethisphere CEO, Erica Salmon Byrne. “We continue to be inspired by the World’s Most Ethical Companies honorees and their dedication to making real impact for their stakeholders and displaying exemplary values-based leadership. Congratulations to Kaiser Permanente for earning a place in the World’s Most Ethical Companies community.”

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

Oakley teen arrested for Feb. shooting, Saturday carjacking, shooting in Antioch

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Mother also arrested as accomplice for Oakley crime

By Oakley Police Department

On February 19, 2023, at approximately 8:35PM, Oakley police officers responded to 4501 Main Street (AMPM – ARCO gas Station) for the report of a black male adult wearing a black hooded sweatshirt, shooting at a vehicle fleeing the location. Oakley Officers arrived on scene, contacted witnesses, and reviewed security footage. Based on the video footage, officers were able to identify a victim in the shooting and made contact. A bullet hole was located in the victim’s vehicle. No injuries were sustained or reported from this incident.

Information was obtained which suggested the incident occurred due to both victim and suspect looking at each other. An altercation took place, and the suspect pulled a firearm. The victim ran to their vehicle and tried to flee the scene. The suspect ran after the victim vehicle while firing several rounds from a handgun. The suspect entered a vehicle with other individuals and left the scene.

Oakley Detectives conducted follow up, reviewed surveillance video, and were able to identify the shooter as Jacari McKinney (18, Oakley). Additionally, Oakley Detectives were able to identify the driver of the suspect vehicle as Marika Brown (45, Oakley), who is also the mother of McKinney.

During the course of this investigation Oakley Detectives contacted Antioch Police Department Detectives to exchange information. Both agencies were able to confirm McKinney as a suspect in cases from both cities. On 03/15/2023, the Antioch Police Department SWAT team conducted a search warrant operation in the City of Oakley. This operation was the result of the joint investigation of both the Antioch Police Department and the Oakley Police Department and Oakley personnel assisted in the operation. As a result of this police action both McKinney and Brown were taken into custody without incident. They were formally booked at the Martinez Detention Facility.

The Oakley Police Department is charging McKinney with:

  • Attempted murder- FELONY
  • Assault with a deadly weapon, involving firearm- FELONY
  • Shooting into an occupied vehicle- FELONY

The Oakley Police Department is charging Brown with:

  • Accessory after the fact (of McKinney’s crimes)- FELONY

“The joint cooperation of my Department and the Antioch Police Department epitomizes what should be the spirit of police agencies across America. I can personally attest the investigative units of Oakley PD and Antioch PD worked cooperatively together during this investigation and shared the common goal of removing a dangerous person from free society to hold him accountable and to prevent him from committing additional acts of violence against innocent persons. They have succeeded in this goal. I am grateful the actions of our joint teams of officers have prevented further violence and I appreciate all of their efforts,” said Oakley Police Chief Paul Beard. “It has come to my attention McKinney was on juvenile probation for another firearms related offense and he was being monitored via an ankle monitor for a period of time. Just days before he committed his crimes in Oakley his ankle monitor was lawfully removed. Mr. McKinney has clearly established a pattern of very violent tendencies and I am calling for the maximum level of accountability to be applied against him for the sake of society as whole.”

If you have any information regarding the Oakley shooting on February 19, 2023, or any other incident involving the suspects in this case, please contact the Oakey Police Department (925) 229-2079

In addition, according to Antioch Police PIO Ashley Crandell, McKinney was wanted for another shooting and carjacking, last Saturday, in that city

On March 11, 2023, at 11:24 am, the Antioch Police Department Communications Center received multiple emergency calls reporting a person shot at the Twin Creeks Apartments a 1111 James Donlon Blvd. Responding officers located an adult male victim with at least one gunshot wound, who was transported to a local hospital in serious but stable condition. Officers learned the victim’s vehicle was carjacked by the suspect immediately after the shooting.

Detective Gragg and the other members of the Antioch Police Department’s Violent Crime Investigation’s Unit worked tirelessly on this case and through investigation learned the suspect was also the suspect in a shooting investigation in Oakley. The Antioch Police Department and Oakley Police Department worked in collaboration to identify the suspect and take him into custody.

On March 15, 2023, at approximately 5:00 am, the Antioch Police Department’s Investigation’s Bureau and SWAT team, with the assistance of the Oakley Police Department served a search and arrest warrant in the 1200 block of Quail Valley Run in Oakley, related to this case.

The suspect, 18-year-old, Oakley resident Jacari McKinney, was taken into custody and booked into the Martinez Detention Facility for carjacking and assault with a deadly weapon for our investigation. The members of the Antioch Police Department want to thank the Oakley Police Department for their assistance in this operation. We would also like to thank the residents on Quail Valley Run for their patience and assistance while this warrant was executed.

Antioch Police Chief Steven Ford issued the following statement regarding the joint arrest and SWAT operation with the Oakley Police Department this morning: “We are grateful for the close collaboration we have with our neighboring agencies in East County – including the Oakley Police Department. Oakley detectives immediately began working with ours to identify and solve these senseless crimes in our respective communities, which is a partnership we enjoy that transcends city borders. We came together to affect a swift arrest, which was conducted with the precision and skill of our tactical unit.

I would like to specifically thank the officers and detectives of the Oakley Police Department for their hard work and partnership with our team. To my officers and detectives – thank you for the many hours spent seeking justice for the victims of these horrific incidents. You are truly the best of the best and I am honored to have you on the team.”

Through this investigation, Detective Gragg worked with the Brentwood Police Department, Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, and Contra Costa County Probation as well. The members of the Antioch Police Department want to recognize these agencies for their assistance.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Healthcare workers protest short-staffing at John Muir Concord Medical Center

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Healthcare workers protest at John Muir Concord Medical Center on Wednesday, March 15, 2023. Photos by SEIU

“The union’s accusations of patients not receiving meals, dangerous working conditions and lack of investment in our employees, are completely false.” – John Muir Health PIO Ben Drew

By Allen D. Payton

Healthcare workers are gathered at John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center today, Wednesday, March 15, beginning at 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., to protest unsafe staffing levels and their employer’s lack of investment in their workforce. Members of SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West are wearing their uniforms picketing, carrying signs and speaking about what they claim is the hospital’s failure to invest in its patients and caregivers.

According to a press release from the union, “John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center employees say conditions are dangerous for caregivers and patients as management ignores concerns about understaffing and working conditions. Workers are worried about patient and staff safety and say they’ve been pushed to the limit by their employer. They are calling on their employer to listen to and work with healthcare workers to address the staffing crisis through ongoing contract negotiations.”

“We care a lot for our patients, but management isn’t giving us the support we need. Staffing shortages are hitting all departments at our hospital,” said Brian Mynatt, a dietetic technician at John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center. “One of the best ways a patient can recover from an illness is through food and nutrition. But, when we don’t have the staff to get patients the meals they need, it puts their health at risk.”

However, spokesman for the healthcare provider, Ben Drew refutes the claims. In a response statement issued, yesterday he wrote, “The union’s accusations of patients not receiving meals, dangerous working conditions and lack of investment in our employees, are completely false.”

Located at 2540 East Street, John Muir Health, Concord Medical Center’s refusal to invest in its workforce comes in the midst of a healthcare staffing crisis across the state. California faces a massive shortage of allied healthcare workers — job classes that include medical assistants, respiratory therapists, emergency room workers, licensed vocational nurses, lab assistants, housekeepers, and many other frontline staff. 

SEIU-United Healthcare Workers West (SEIU-UHW) is a healthcare justice union of more than 100,000 healthcare workers, patients, and healthcare activists united to ensure affordable, accessible, high-quality care for all Californians, provided by valued and respected healthcare workers. Learn more at www.seiu-uhw.org.

John Muir Health issues statement responding to SEIU-UHW informational picketing at Concord Medical Center

John Muir Health issued the following response to the protest: “SEIU-UHW and John Muir Health just began bargaining for a successor contract for the Concord Medical Center. The current agreement expires in mid-April and we’ve held one bargaining session to date.

The union’s accusations of patients not receiving meals, dangerous working conditions and lack of investment in our employees, are completely false. Notably, not a word was said at yesterday’s bargaining session about patients not receiving meals. At all times, the health and safety of our patients, staff and providers is our top priority.

Like all health systems, JMH has been facing staffing challenges. We have worked hard to address those challenges by hiring 1,125 new employees in 2022, and that hiring process continues.

We have a long history of constructive relationships with the unions that currently represent employees at our Concord Medical Center, including SEIU-UHW. We hope to continue this practice going forward and reach a fair agreement on a new contract. We will continue to bargain in good faith.”

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

 

College cheerleader from Oakley named NAIA All-America Second Team

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Source: Xavier University of Louisiana

Freedom High grad Tia Barrett, a junior at Xavier University of Louisiana honored in competitive cheer Monday

NEW ORLEANS — The NAIA announced Monday its 2023 All-Americans in competitive cheer, and Xavier University of Louisiana was the only school with more than one on the 12-member first team.

XULA’s three first-team All-Americans are sophomores Gabrielle Brightmon, Syre Baker and Kelsey White. XULA’s Tia Barrett, a junior, was chosen to the second team, and freshman teammates Kendall Baggett and Laila Terry earned honorable mention.

Barrett is from Oakley, Calif., and a graduate of Freedom High School. Brightmon is from Katy, Texas, and a graduate of International Leadership of Texas High School. Baker is from Los Angeles and a graduate of Middle College High School. White is from Baton Rouge, La., and a graduate of Zachary High School. Baggett is from Allen, Texas, and a graduate of Allen High School. Terry is from Waldorf, Md., and a graduate of North Point High School.

Brightmon, Baker, White and Barrett are XULA’s first NAIA All-Americans in this sport.

The Gold placed sixth Saturday at NAIA nationals in Ypsilanti, Mich., and XULA, a fourth-year program, produced its third consecutive top-six finish in this event. XULA was the 2022 NAIA national champion. XULA entered 2023 nationals No. 1 in the NAIA in average points per competition for the third consecutive season — this time that the average was 95.90, an improvement from 94.86 in 2022 and 89.15 in 2021.

XULA produced the top two final scores in its history in February — 98.6 Feb. 9 in a dual against Concordia (Mich.) and 97.72 Feb. 11 in winning its NAIA unaffiliated group qualifier.

XULA has one more meet this season: the National Cheerleaders Association national meet April 5-9 at Daytona Beach, Fla.

Bus Bridge Alert: Major BART track work between Orinda & Rockridge weekends April 1-June 11

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Source: BART

On five non-consecutive weekends

BART’s next major track improvement project will focus on a portion of the Yellow Line. On five non-consecutive weekends in April, May, and June workers will replace an interlocking between Rockridge and Orinda stations. Interlockings allow BART to safely move trains from line to line and are an essential part of the system. Free buses will replace train service between Rockridge and Orinda stations on all five weekends.

The weekend dates for this project are April 1-2, April 15-16, May 13-14, May 27-29 (Memorial Day weekend), and June 10-11. Riders can expect delays of 30 minutes in the work area on shutdown weekends.

Yellow Line trains will run every 30 minutes on shutdown weekends. On each night of the weekend shutdowns the last scheduled departure from Antioch to Orinda that normally leaves at 11:44pm will be cancelled. Riders traveling westbound from Antioch must catch the earlier train at 11:14pm each night.

The equipment being replaced is decades old and has outlived its design life. Riders will enjoy a smoother, safer, more reliable, and quieter ride once the projects are complete. The Yellow Line is the busiest in the BART system.

This upcoming work is part of BART’s overall effort to improve the safety and reliability of the 131-mile, 50 station system. There are now more rebuilding projects happening across BART than at any point in its 50-year history. You can learn more about the progress of this work by reading the 2022 Measure RR Annual Report published by the independent Measure RR Bond Oversight Committee.

You can keep up with the latest updates for trackway repair projects that impact service by going to our Alerts and Advisories page. BART’s Trip Planner has been improved to show the full customer journey including bus bridges.

Learn more about the work happening between Rockridge and Orinda stations on our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page and Fact Sheet for the project.

Following shooting investigation Long Beach man shot by Brentwood cop Sunday night

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Female victim held hostage by suspect

By Brentwood Police Department

On March 12, 2023 at around 9:00 p.m., Brentwood Officers were investigating an unrelated incident in the area of Brentwood Blvd. and Sycamore Ave. when they were approached by an individual reporting a possible hostage situation at the Brentwood Garden Apartments, located in the 160 block of Sycamore Avenue. This individual reported an adult female victim was being held against her will by a known male suspect armed with a handgun.

Several officers responded to the apartment complex and heard gunshots. As officers approached the suspect and victim situated in a breezeway between several apartments, the suspect fired multiple shots in the direction of the officers. Fearing for their lives and the safety of the victim, at least one officer returned fire striking the suspect, a 30-year-old from Long Beach. Both the suspect and victim were transported to area hospitals for treatment of injuries sustained as a result of the shooting, both are expected to survive. No officers or innocent bystanders were injured during the shooting, however, the suspects errant rounds struck unoccupied vehicles in the parking lot. A loaded firearm and expended shell casings were recovered from the scene.

Preliminary information suggests this was an isolated incident with no threat to public safety and there are no outstanding suspects. When the suspect is medically cleared from the hospital, he will be booked at the Martinez Detention Facility on several felonies, including attempted murder on a peace officer.

Contra Costa County District Attorney investigators are conducting a parallel investigation per county protocol.

Anyone with information related to this shooting, who has not already been interviewed by law enforcement is asked to contact Detective Agostinho at 925-809-7870.

This investigation is ongoing and no additional information is being released at this time.

 

Former Martinez school district employee convicted of attempted sex with girl

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Arrested in 2018 at Pleasant Hill parking lot where he arranged meeting

By Ted Asregadoo, PIO, Contra Costa District Attorney’s Office

On March 9th, 37-year-old Ahmed Kamal Ismaiel was convicted by a jury in Contra Costa County on three felony violations, including unlawful electronic contact with a minor and arranging to meet a minor for sex. (See related article)

Ismaiel was arrested on April 6, 2018, by the Contra Costa County Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force when he arrived at a parking lot in Pleasant Hill to meet the minor. He was charged with three felony counts of child sexual exploitation and released on bail pending trial. However, as of Monday, March 13, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office has him in custody at the West County Detention Facility in Richmond while awaiting sentencing by Judge Rebecca Hardie on April 7th. At the time of his arrest, he worked as a network engineer for the Martinez Unified School District. At the time the complaint was filed, he was a resident of Martinez.

During the trial, the prosecution established that Ismaiel attempted to coerce and entice a person he reasonably believed to be a 14-year-old girl into meeting him for sex.

“The Defendant’s behavior was clear, unambiguous, and unacceptable,” noted Deputy District Attorney Chris Sansoe. “Not only that, but so were his attempts to excuse this behavior.”

The evidence against the former Martinez resident also proved that over the course of two days, Ismaiel engaged in sexually suggestive communications with the minor, sent her sexually suggestive photos, and ultimately arranged to meet the minor for sex. Prior to that meeting, Ismaiel stopped at a local grocery store to purchase condoms.

He faces a maximum prison term of four years and a $5,000 fine.

The investigation of Ismaiel was conducted by the multi-agency Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force, including detectives and investigators from the Walnut Creek, Danville, Pleasant Hill, Concord, Pittsburg, San Ramon, Brentwood, and Moraga Police Departments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office, United States Secret Service, Homeland Security Investigations, and Inspectors from the Contra Costa County District Attorney’s Office.

Parents seeking additional resources can visit www.kidsmartz.org or the website for the Silicon Valley Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force at www.svicac.org. Reports of illegal activity involving minor victims on the internet should be reported at once to your local police department.

Case #01-001853779 | The People of the State of California v. Ismaiel, Ahmed Kamal

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Save Mount Diablo unveils long-desired 1.25-mile Knobcone Point Trail connection

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Hikers on the trail near Cave Point and Riggs Canyon. Photo: Scott Hein

To open March 29 from Balancing Rock to Riggs Canyon on Mount Diablo

By Laura Kindsvater, Communications Manager, Save Mount Diablo 

On March 29, Save Mount Diablo will officially open the Knobcone Point to Riggs Canyon trail connection. This section of trail winds through the upper 560 acres of Mount Diablo’s Curry Canyon Ranch, through one of Mount Diablo’s wildest areas. It travels from Balancing Rock and Knobcone Point, to Cave Point, to Windy Point and Riggs Canyon.

Although the trail was once available to the public ranging all over the mountain before proliferation of cattle fencing, it’s been nearly a hundred years since it was legal.

The 1.25-mile-long trail will considerably expand the amount of open space available to explore on Mount Diablo’s southern hills. It will effectively fully connect Rock City and Mount Diablo to Riggs Canyon, Morgan Territory, and Los Vaqueros via publicly accessible trails.

Curry Canyon is the final missing major canyon entrance to Mount Diablo. Curry Canyon Ranch has over nine miles of fire roads, most of which will continue to be closed for now, while Save Mount Diablo works with California State Parks to transfer much of the property to the park.

Map showing the new trail segment. Map by Roxana Lucero, Save Mount Diablo

Currently Mount Diablo State Park visitors must climb in and out of four canyons from Rock City to Riggs Canyon—going forward, they can follow a ridgeline with spectacular views.

Right now, state park staff must leave the state park to reach Riggs Canyon. Opening the ridgeline fire road on Save Mount Diablo’s property will solve this access and management issue.

In preparation for the grand opening, Save Mount Diablo’s staff and volunteers have been installing infrastructure, including access gates and informational signage.

They have also been removing dead material to minimize fire risk in the area. The removal of dead and scorched plants in this area will encourage new growth of native and endemic wildflowers and chaparral plants this spring.

This project has been a decade in the making, in the works since Save Mount Diablo acquired the 1,080-acre Curry Canyon Ranch property in 2013.

Rocky cliffs in the Knobcone Point area of Save Mount Diablo’s Curry Canyon Ranch. Photo: Scott Hein

“Thanks to our terrific supporters, staff, partners, and volunteers, like our Trail Dogs, Save Mount Diablo has created and opened a number of public trails the last two years. Last year, we created and opened over four miles of trails at our new Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve. This year, we will finish and open an important 1.25 +/- mile trail on Save Mount Diablo’s Curry Canyon Ranch that will allow the public to hike from Knobcone Point at Mount Diablo State Park, through the upper portions of our spectacular Curry Canyon Ranch, to Riggs Canyon at the state park. All these trails we have built are portals that allow the public to enter nature and be transformed for the better,” said Ted Clement, Save Mount Diablo Executive Director.

As part of its goal of getting more people into nature, Save Mount Diablo has been opening more land to the public and creating new trails over the years. In 2022, Save Mount Diablo opened several miles of trails at its Mangini Ranch Educational Preserve in Concord for people to enjoy.

Now the highly anticipated Knobcone Point trail connection will further open up opportunities to enjoy Mount Diablo’s majestic views and wilderness—recreationalists will experience a rarely seen part of the mountain.

Vicinity map showing the new trail segment highlighted in orange. Map by Save Mount Diablo

“This trail is the major recreational puzzle piece in the Mount Diablo area, allowing park users to connect the mountain to Morgan Territory and beyond to Los Vaqueros, furthering their adventure into this extraordinary place,” said Sean Burke, Save Mount Diablo Land Programs Director.

Traveling along this newly opened trail, visitors will be immersed in the knobcone pine forests after which the area is named and stunning sandstone rock formations. They may see golden eagles and songbirds fly overhead.

This trail will open up a rarely traveled area; it will give hikers an opportunity to explore and experience the solitude of one of the extraordinary parts of Mount Diablo.

A trail opening ceremony will take place on the property at the Knobcone Point gate near Balancing Rock at 11:00 AM on March 29, weather permitting. We invite the public to hike in and join us. If you’d like to come, meet at Curry Point in Mount Diablo State Park on South Gate Road at 9:30 AM. There is a park entrance fee of $10, and parking at Curry Point is limited. The hike from Curry Point to the ceremony is a little over two miles.

The Knobcone Point Road trail segment travels along the ridgeline from Knobcone Point to Riggs Canyon. Photo: Scott Hein

After the ceremony, staff will lead a hike to the Riggs Canyon gate. The hike from the Knobcone Point gate to the Riggs Canyon gate is 1.25 miles.

In the event of heavy rain, the trail will still be opened to the public on March 29, but we will cancel the trail opening ceremony.

It is with great pride and excitement that Save Mount Diablo will open this trail connection and share the beauty of Knobcone Point, Cave Point, and Riggs Canyon with all who visit.

About Save Mount Diablo

Save Mount Diablo is a nationally accredited, nonprofit land trust founded in 1971 with a mission to preserve Mount Diablo’s peaks, surrounding foothills, watersheds, and connection to the Diablo Range through land acquisition and preservation strategies designed to protect the mountain’s natural beauty, biological diversity, and historic and agricultural heritage; enhance our area’s quality of life; and provide educational and recreational opportunities consistent with protection of natural resources. To learn more, please visit www.savemountdiablo.org.

Transit Driver Appreciation Day to be celebrated with free fares in Contra Costa March 18

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By Leeann Loroño, Manager of Customer Service and Marketing, Tri Delta Transit

Transit Driver Appreciation Day is Saturday, March 18 and Tri Delta Transit, County Connection, and WestCAT are celebrating in a special way– by going FARE FREE for the day. No payment will be required on all three agencies buses for fixed route and paratransit. Additionally, Tri Delta Transit’s ride-hailing service, Tri MyRide, will not require any payment for the day either.

Transit Driver Appreciation Day started in 2009 in Seattle as a blog about appreciating bus drivers. By 2014 the name was changed to cover the diverse transportation available throughout the United States. The day is set aside to thank and appreciate transit drivers for the great contributions they make to the community.

“The contribution drivers make has never been realized more than over the past three years of the pandemic. Transit operators performed a critical and essential service during this time by continuing to provide public transportation,” said Tri Delta Transit CEO, Rashidi Barnes. “Through these unprecedented times, our drivers showed continued courage, patience and perseverance.”

Transit Driver Appreciation Day, also known as Transit Operator Appreciation Day, continues to be a notable day for those who value public transportation. Through COVID-19 and risking possible exposure to the virus, transit operators continue to show up, adapting to ever changing regulations and working with unpredictable changes in ridership numbers as well as adapting to new schedules. Plus, national driver shortages add new responsibilities to cover shifts, perform extra cleaning and sanitizing of vehicle, all to ensure our transit system can keep running.

“There’s been a lot of unknowns in the past few years in public transit operations,” acknowledged Bill Churchill, General Manager of County Connection. “There can be a lot of multifaceted work a transit driver has to perform, including, thoroughly checking their vehicle before every route starts to ensure the safety of the riders, navigating traffic and accidents, learning new technology, and remembering customer service duties,” Churchill added, “We’re so proud that, despite any setbacks, we’ve maintained a high on-time performance rate—a testament to the dedication and hard work of our drivers.”

Rob Thompson, General Manager of WestCAT shared a similar sentiment of transit drivers, stating, “Our drivers truly are the front line for our agencies, their commitment and hard work are invaluable in providing public transit to our communities.”

Drivers are dedicated and hardworking because they drive as a service to the community. “We hope by going fare free, riders can focus on the driver and their rider experience, and visa-versa, instead of focusing on fares,” says Tri Delta Transit Board Chair Anissa Williams. “For Transit Driver Appreciation Day, agencies hope everyone takes a moment to thank their transit driver when riding the bus and posts positive messages on the social media pages of the system you ride so that the drivers can see them.” The transit agencies were also happy to offer free fares, as a day of fare free riding is also nice for passengers and helps to bring attention to this annual day of recognition.

To learn more about these transit agencies, visit TriDeltaTransit.com, CountyConnection.com and Westcat.org.

County doctors’, dentists’ union challenges Contra Costa Health Services’ claim severe doctor shortages don’t impact patient care

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In the midst of contract negotiations

“a physician vacancy does not mean that there is a clinical vacancy, nor that care is compromised.” – Kim McCarl, CCHS

“A bigger medical and dental staff would help alleviate some of the load that our current employed members are carrying.” – Dr. David MacDonald, President, PDOCC

By Allen D. Payton

Last month the Physicians’ and Dentists Organization of Contra Costa (PDOCC) released data showing a high number of doctor vacancies in Contra Costa County Health Services.

According to a Feb. 16, 2023, PDOCC press release, based on county data, there are currently 83 out of 285 employed positions listed as vacant in Contra Costa Health Services, a 29 percent vacancy rate in the system. That includes 27 vacant positions in family medicine and primary care adult medicine, 5 vacant dentist positions and 5 vacant OB/GYN positions. With 19 vacant psychiatrist positions, only 27 percent of employed psychiatry positions are currently filled. 11 vacant employed positions in the emergency department – half of the department’s employed positions – means the county is unable to safely staff the emergency room.

Since November, 5 emergency department doctors have left county employment. The county interviewed and offered positions to 21 new emergency department applicants, but the offer was declined by every applicant.

The problem is expected to get a lot worse in 2024 when Contra Costa County will need an additional 40 primary care providers to care for 30,000 new Medi-Cal patients being added to the county’s health services due to an agreement between the county and California’s Department of Health Services.

The problem continues to worsen. Contra Costa County Health Services added 12,200 patients in the last two months, while only adding 1 new primary care physician. The result is that the average primary care physician employed by the county now has almost 200 more patients on their panel than at the end of 2022. There are no new primary care physicians anticipated to join county employment before July 2023.

On average, the county has only been able to fill three primary care doctor vacancies annually over the last three years.

In response, CCHS Communications Officer Kim McCarl, said doctor shortages are a nationwide challenge, are not compromising care, and confirmed that negotiations between the union and county “are underway”.

She wrote, “We value the medical staff who work across our department.

Health systems across the country are struggling to recruit and retain medical staff at all levels. Contra Costa Health is no different.

It’s important to note that a physician vacancy does not mean that there is a clinical vacancy, nor that care is compromised. We are confident that the right provider is caring for the right patient in the right way at Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and Health Centers every day.

We provide flexibility in work schedule, an emphasis on proactive care, and mission-oriented work that helps us recruit and retain physicians who want to practice in an integrated environment. It’s not uncommon for our physicians to be expert in many areas of clinical medicine which our system values.

We value physicians who embrace our mission and choose to work for Contra Costa Health on a full-time, permanent basis but we also welcome doctors who take a less traditional approach to their careers by working part time or in partnership with other health care entities. These approaches help to alleviate the burnout that has been so costly to hospitals and healthcare systems since the height of the pandemic.

We are proud to be home to one of the most highly rated family medicine training programs in the country. We recruit well-trained physicians who are familiar with our system from each graduating class.

Recruitment and retention of physicians is a top priority at Contra Costa Health. We will continue to explore ways to fill every vacancy across our healthcare system.”

Doctors, Dentists Disagree

That opinion, however, is not shared by the county’s doctors and dentists or by best practice standards for patient care.

The severe shortages most certainly impact patient care, including the time a physician can devote to each patient along with the availability of appointments, according to county doctors.

Contra Costa County’s own policies recommend no more than 1,500 patients to a primary care physician’s panel (the number of patients assigned to a physician). Currently the average panel size for Contra Costa’s employed primary care physicians is 1,879.

“County leaders may be willing to turn a blind eye to severe staffing shortages, but doctors care too much about our patients to let the problem go unaddressed any longer,” said Dr. David MacDonald, PDOCC President. “We hear from patients all the time about how difficult it is for them to schedule appointments in our system. When they finally get an appointment, it is rarely for the amount of time they need because doctors are overstretched and taking on more patients because of all the vacancies. The patients who rely on Contra Costa County Health Services for care should not have to settle for less time and attention than patients in other systems or ones with private healthcare.”

In addition to the primary care vacancies, there are 5 vacant dentist positions and 5 vacant OB/GYN positions. With 19 vacant psychiatrist positions, only 27 percent of employed psychiatry positions are currently filled. 11 vacant employed positions in the emergency department – half of the department’s employed positions – means the county is unable to safely staff the emergency room.

The problem is expected to get exponentially worse in 2024 when Contra Costa County will need an additional 40 primary care providers to care for 30,000 new Medi-Cal patients being added to the county’s health services due to an agreement between the county and California’s Department of Health Services.

PDOCC is calling on county leaders to be proactive by filling the position vacancies which will improve patient care and support county revenues. “It’s hard to believe that Contra Costa County is not working more closely with our union to help it become more attractive and competitive in retaining and recruiting medical and dental talent. I believe the county is moving in the wrong direction and I’m concerned that patients are being put at risk,” MacDonald said.

PDOCC members are currently in negotiations with county management towards a new contract. Issues raised in negotiations by PDOCC members include high patient caseloads, insufficient time for administrative tasks, long waits for primary care appointments and specialty referrals, chronic short staffing and high turnover – all of which combine to negatively impact patient care and health impacts. PDOCC members also state that burnout is at an all-time high.

County Health, PDOCC Respond to Questions

Questions were sent to both McCarl and the union’s spokesman asking if the PDOCC is in the midst of contract negotiations with the county and if so, is this an effort to obtain an increase in compensation for its members.

While McCarl responded, “Yes, negotiations are underway” she did not respond to the additional question about their criticism.

The questions were also sent Tuesday afternoon to Dr. David MacDonald with the PDOCC.

He responded, “PDOCC is engaged with Contra Costa County in negotiations at the level of state mediation. We have one more session to go.

We are focused on improving patient care and making the workplace in Contra Costa Health Services (CCHS) more sustainable.

We have to be able to hire new medical and dental talent, so compensation has to be more market competitive. This would also help with retention. A bigger medical and dental staff would help alleviate some of the load that our current employed members are carrying. The situation at this time is untenable. And, per an agreement between CCHS and the state’s Department of Health Services, CCHS will become the single system to provide care for MediCal patients in the county (aside from small fraction of MediCal patients covered by Kaiser). This will mean for an additional 30,000 new patients into our system as of January 1, 2024. We’re not ready for that. We will need an additional 40 new primary care providers to handle the influx of new patients. The County is nowhere close to hiring that many (I believe the County has 3 new providers scheduled to start after July of this year).

In addition, half of our emergency department employed positions are vacant. This means that the County partially fills the gap with very expensive temp doctors. We think it would be smarter for the County to take the funds doled out to temps and invest that money in committed, dedicated and County career minded docs who will be here for the long term.

Another issue is that our primary care providers need more protected time to manage their patient panels. The in-basket work – lab follow up, med refills, answering patient calls & emails, etc., has been escalating. Our physicians take this work home with them and it takes away time from their families and individual restorative activities.

All of this after the three-year pandemic onslaught has left our physicians and dentists suffering more from burnout than ever before. The County must step up, be proactive, and work with our union on how to achieve meaningful improvements that will enhance patient care and move our system in the right direction.”