May 2008

The Frank R. Howard Foundation mission is to establish, promote and support programs that maintain, as well as improve, health care for the community of Willits and the entire Northern Mendocino County area. The Foundation will strive to ensure that quality medical services remain an integral element of the region through an acute care general hospital.

Objectives

Serving the community, The Howard Foundation strives to achieve primary objectives, which include:

  • Continue to provide a modern, well equipped acute care general hospital to meet the needs of the region.
  • Provide quality, cost effective, individualized health care services.
  • Be an integral partner with other health care providers in ensuring a continuum of care and services.
  • To assist in providing innovative health care, meeting the continuing needs of the region.
  • Provide original and state-of-the-art equipment.
  • Collaborate with other health care professionals to improve the health status of the community as it relates to our unique needs.

Goals

  • To construct a new modern, acute care general hospital facility that compliments our heritage as well as the progressive hospital services we provide.

The new hospital will accomplish three goals:

  • A new facility will allow Howard Memorial Hospital to function in compliance with SB 1953 and the California Office of Statewide Health Planning and Development (OSHPD) requirements.
  • A current, modern hospital/healthcare campus will provide needed space for: A helipad located next to the emergency room; A diabetes wellness center; The development of a medical residency program including a dormitory and space for the growing arena of electronic medicine. The campus will also offer room for an expanded medical library, conference rooms, ancillary services and a three-acre community garden to provide fresh, organic produce to hospital patients and dining facilities.
  • A seamless transition from the current hospital facility to the new one without the disruption of services that retrofitting would entail.