Dear Friends and Community Members,

My name is Larry Bedard, MD and I am a candidate for Director of the Marin Healthcare District Board. Marin General is my hospital. My daughters, Emily and Lindsay, were born at MGH. My friends, neighbors, colleagues and associates depend on MGH for their health care. I have the professional expertise; experience and leadership to assure a successful transition from Sutter management to a community run hospital. I care deeply about Marin County and our future.

As a physician at Marin General Hospital, including 7 years as medical director of the Emergency Department, I bring a much needed perspective to the Board. I am a strong patient advocate as well as a medical professional. I helped create the southern Marin and Ross valley paramedic programs and was the first Medical Director of these programs. I have taken care of between 45,000 and 50,000 patients so I know the community well.

It has been my privilege to serve on numerous national, state and local boards, task forces, commissions, and committees. I was elected to the Board of Directors of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) which represents more than 20,000 emergency physicians across the country. My fellow board members elected me as president in 1996-1997. I was elected to the board and served as President of the California Chapter of ACEP in 1986-1987. Closer to home, I have been elected president or chair of several community organizations, including Marin Heart Association, the Marin Medical Association and the Marin Healthcare District Board which demonstrates the confidence others have in me as a team player and consensus builder.

I am particularly proud of having been appointed to the National Advisory Council on Violence against Women by Attorney General Janet Reno and Secretary of health and Human Services, Donna Shalala.

Once elected, I will work diligently to pass the bond necessary to build a modern, state of the art wing for Marin General that is earthquake safe. I will develop a collegial and collaborative relationship between the Marin Healthcare District board and the medical staff at MGH. I will work to retain and attract the best and brightest physicians to practice at the hospital. I have the confidence and trust of the medical staff who in large numbers endorse and support my candidacy.

A large diverse Advisory Group of community leaders and activists representing all the stakeholders is essential to a successful transition. It is time to put the rancor that has characterized past Board meetings behind us. My focus will be on the future and doing all I can to assure Marin General provides the highest quality care and is responsive and accountable to the community.

Thank you for your support.

Larry Bedard