Last week, the HASD&IC Board of Directors held its first meeting of the year. As with each new year, we welcomed new board members, who are helping us navigate the challenges and priorities facing hospitals in San Diego and Imperial counties.
Last week, I joined a panel of leaders at the San Diego Business Journal’s Economic Trends 2026 event to discuss the forces shaping our local economy in the year ahead.
2026 is here, bringing with it a new set of opportunities. In baseball terms, we’re in the first inning — just a few pitches in, but with a host of heavy hitters coming to the plate.
As 2025 draws to a close, many of us are ready to turn the page — and understandably so, given the challenges this year has brought for patients and the hospitals that care for them.
Two weeks ago, we came together with colleagues, policymakers, and community partners for the 2025 HASD&IC Annual Meeting. It was an honor to welcome more than 200 attendees and create a space to connect, reflect, and look ahead at the challenges and opportunities facing our hospitals and health systems.
Next week, many of us will gather with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving — a holiday that not only allows us to pause and express gratitude but also invites us to reflect on the impact of our collective work to uplift our communities.
In two weeks, we’ll come together for the 2025 HASD&IC Annual Meeting — a gathering for hospital leaders, policymakers, and community partners to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing our hospitals and health systems. This annual meeting is not only a valuable opportunity to hear from local leaders and policy experts, but also a chance to gain new insights, find inspiration, and prepare for what lies ahead.
Hospitals across our region continue to witness firsthand the profound impact behavioral health has on the well-being of our communities. The findings in our upcoming behavioral health environmental scans echo what we hear regularly from care providers and community partners: Demand for behavioral health services continues to grow even as workforce shortages, limited treatment availability, bed closures, and care coordination challenges persist.
“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.
