More turmoil for TRMC board in wake of shakeup

TULARE COUNTY (KFSN) -- At Wednesday night's monthly meeting for Tulare Regional Medical Center's Board of Directors, Senovia Gutierrez sat next to District 5 member Linda Wilbourn.

But Gutierrez said Wilbourn told her that she was not a board member yet-- even though Gutierrez won the district three seat in a special recall election earlier this month.

Eighty one percent of voters in that district also voted to remove Dr. Parmod Kumar from the seat-- his picture is still on the hospital's website. Gutierrez said the hospital has a bad administration and reputation, and she wants more doctors and a better hospital.

"When I saw the construction of the tower, I thought wow, maybe things are going to be better and the hospital is going to be productive. Then the years pass, and pass, and pass, and nothing is getting ready. So talking with the people of the community (who) say no, this hospital is really bad, in very bad conditions."

Wednesday night's meeting didn't last long-- Dr. Benny Benzeevi is the chairman of the company that manages the hospital. He said the disruption is nothing new and despite demands from the protesters to seat Gutierrez, he said the board must certify her before she becomes a member.

"This is not a game-- we need serous people to work with. We're serious people doing serious work; we need partners that are serious as well. So yes, this drama and trauma may be entertaining to some, but this is not a game, this is serious business."

Meanwhile, Dr. Kumar has requested a recount of the July 11th election where he was recalled.

Tulare County registrar of voters Michelle Baldwin said that will take place on Monday. Kumar can decide if it is done by machine or manually, and will pay for the costs.

"Certainly there's more staff time involved," said Baldwin.

Gutierrez said she has been elected, certified, and sworn in. She believes the board should simply announce she is a new member-- so she can get to work.

"I want to work with all the board members to find a way to improve the hospital, and make the people believe that we can make the changes and now everything's going to be different."

Gutierrez and two board members said there will be a special board meeting at Tulare City Council chambers tonight. However, Dr. Benzeevi said that is not an official board meeting-- their next one is next month.