SONOMA COUNTY: Group Forms To Save Palm Drive Hospital

      Mimicking the successful strategy of a community group in Healdsburg, local "leaders in Sebastopol have formed an organization to oversee a two-month campaign to save western Sonoma County's only hospital," Palm Drive Hospital. Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., Palm Drive's corporate owner, last week announced it plans to close the facility Jan. 13 if it does not find a buyer. The West County Healthcare Foundation, comprised of a seven-member executive committee and 20- to 30-member advisory board, will initially attempt to "steer enough business to Palm Drive to make the hospital profitable and appealing to a potential buyer." The foundation will begin a campaign this week "imploring west county residents to use" the facility. The Santa Rosa Press-Democrat reports that while "[t]wo months is not much time to find and convince a buyer ... the foundation's leaders are optimistic." Frank Mayhew, chair of the foundation, said, "The most important thing we can do right now is get the word out that there is something people can do to help. They can choose a health plan that uses Palm Drive" (Lauer, 11/18).