By TR Robertson
It was an early morning start for Sharp Healthcare CEO Chris Howard and many of his staff and personnel as they started their day at Tri-City Medical Center, introducing themselves to the night staff finishing their duties and the incoming morning staff arriving at the medical center. Howard and members of Sharp Healthcare wanted to meet and greet the Tri-City personnel and show them how happy they were to be part of the new partnership between Sharp Healthcare and Tri-City Medical Center. This was just a prelude to the larger ceremony that would take place just outside the entrance to Tri-City Medical Center that day, which would finalize the partnership’s dedication. Chris Howard and his staff also planned to continue the day after the ceremony, wandering through the halls of Tri-City Medical Center, meeting physicians, nurses, and personnel, and even staying until the evening shift changeover.
The dedication ceremony took place just outside of Tri-City Medical Center, beginning around 10:30 am. Tri-City Medical Center President and CEO, Dr. Gene Ma, welcomed the large crowd in attendance, emphasizing what a meaningful and important day this was, culminating weeks of negotiations, discussions, and decisions to enter into a partnership with Sharp Healthcare, ensuring continued strong healthcare coverage for North County residents. He introduced a representative of the U.S. Marine Corps, who led the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a prayer from Tri-City Hospital Chaplain Garry Hodges.
After introducing several dignitaries in attendance, Dr. Ma spoke about his 26 years in the medical field and the growth of Tri-City Medical Center. He said the partnership with Sharp Healthcare was a major step toward expanding medical services in North County. The passage of Measure H in the recent election showed the public’s concern, as it passed with a 93.32% margin, unheard of in most elections. It showed that this public-private partnership was of concern to those in North County. He said the women’s rebirth facilities would be returning to Tri-City with the addition of the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns. He thanked the Tri-City Board of Directors, the medical staff, and all personnel for their dedication and support in making the partnership take place. Dr. Ma also introduced surfboard legend Guy Takayama, who had designed a special surfboard and logo that will be displayed in the Sharp Tri-City Medical Center entryway.
Next to speak was Tracy Younger, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Tri-City Medical Center. She also congratulated everyone who had a part in making the passage of Measure H a success. Younger said everyone is very happy in bringing the Sharp Experience to North County, and this is “Day 1 of a new chapter for the hospital”.
Chris Howard, CEO of Sharp Healthcare, spoke about the importance of the day in meeting a milestone for North County. He said the Sharp Experience will involve forming a new partnership for everyone and that the Tri-City staff is a special organization. Thanking everyone who had a part in making this day happen, Howard wrapped up by saying their commitment to the future of healthcare in North County will be a success because of the Sharp Tri-City Medical Center.
The last speaker was Scott Evans, Chief Strategy Officer and Market CEO for Sharp Healthcare. He spoke about the excitement of bringing the Sharp Experience to North County. He said they can’t wait to bring the Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns to Tri-City and are glad Tri-City Medical Center is now part of San Diego’s largest healthcare system. Then he asked everyone to focus their eyes on the front façade of Tri-City’s entrance as a curtain was pulled back and streamers exploded over the audience, revealing the new Sharp Tri-City Medical Center signage.
Chris Howard then returned to the microphone, inviting the audience to join everyone for refreshments and goodies, and thanking everyone for helping bring the Sharp Experience to North County with the opening of the Sharp Tri-City Medical Center.
