“Stories are remembered up to 22 times more than facts alone.”
— Jennifer Aaker, Stanford Marketing Professor
At HASD&IC, we know the power of stories. Every day, our hospitals and community partners live out stories of resilience, healing, and compassion. These stories remind us why we do this work and why it matters so deeply for the patients and families we serve.
This month, during Hunger Awareness Month, we join with our community partners to raise awareness about a growing crisis — access to nutritious food. For some, food is a daily comfort and certainty. For others, it is a source of constant worry, sacrifice, and stress.
“Whenever there would be any … catastrophe that was in the movies or on the air, [my mother] would say, ‘Always look for the helpers. There will always be helpers. … If you look for the helpers, you will know that there’s hope.”
— Fred Rogers
Yesterday marked the release of San Diego County’s 2025 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Reflecting three years of thoughtful collaboration by hospitals and community partners, this report represents the voices of more than 1,600 community members who spoke candidly about their health, lives, and experiences with a system too often stretched thin.
Last week, the El Centro City Council in Imperial County approved the transfer of El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) to the Imperial Valley Healthcare District (IVHD) — a landmark step toward a stronger, more unified health system for the region.
New survey research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms what many in our region have long known: The Tijuana River Valley sewage crisis poses a serious threat to the health and quality of life of residents in San Diego’s South Region.
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
— Maya Angelou
Across the country, and here in California, as federal agents continue aggressive immigration enforcement, questions have been popping up among health care providers and patients alike about their security when accessing hospital care and other resources.
Public health plays an essential role in the well-being of San Diego communities — not only by responding in times of crisis, but by building systems that help people live healthier, more secure lives every day. As our region continues to face urgent and complex health challenges, San Diego County has a new voice at the helm: Newly appointed San Diego County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan, MD, MPH.
May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, a time when all who are committed to helping those living with mental health conditions can pause to reflect on the meaning of their work. This is also a time for us to continue fostering greater awareness, empathy, and understanding for those in need of care.
