Press Room
February 4, 2012
Natividad chief sees 'once in a lifetime' chance to merge Salinas hospitals
Harry Weis is hoping Salinas-area medical leaders and voters are ready to seize what he calls a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.
With its rare — perhaps unique — combination of a public safety-net hospital (Natividad Medical Center) and a public district hospital (Salinas Valley Memorial Healthcare System), Monterey County could create a system that will weather coming changes in health care and serve its community very well, said Weis, Natividad's chief executive officer.
SVMH, struggling to emerge from a financial downturn, is seeking a suitable affiliation partner to help it survive in a health care market undergoing quick and sometimes tumultuous transformation. Because SVMH was built with public tax dollars, voters will have the final say on any affiliation.
January 16, 2012
Anthem Blue Cross of California Terminated Natividad Medical Center’s Contract
SALINAS, CA (January 16, 2012) Harry Weis, CEO of Natividad Medical Center (NMC), announced today that Anthem Blue Cross terminated Natividad Medical Center’s contract for inpatient and outpatient hospital services as of January 15, 2012 after failing to reach an agreement over reimbursement rates for services. The Anthem Blue Cross physician contract is not affected by this contract termination. For all healthcare services, patients can continue to come to Natividad. The hospital will work with patients individually to make sure their out-of-pocket costs are the same as they would be if Natividad was part of the Blue Cross contracted network.
January 16, 2012
Good Monday Morning: Ag family's donation will broaden services at Salinas hospital
Five members of the D'Arrigo family donned hard hats and wielded sledgehammers to smash holes in a wall on the second floor of Natividad Medical Center in Salinas last week as they launched the construction of an expanded family specialty center.
January 16, 2012
Natividad envisions unified system
Half a dozen years after posting a $20 million loss in a single fiscal year, Natividad Medical Center in Salinas is looking to the future with big plans, and 2012 is expected to be an important year in deciding the fate of its aspirations.
January 15, 2012
Natividad's health bodes well for SVMH affiliation
If anyone had told us a decade ago that Natividad Medical Center would be financially stronger than Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital at the start of 2012, we might have suggested bed rest and medication. Natividad was the struggling county hospital and Salinas Valley was getting bigger and stronger by the day.
January 9, 2012
Natividad Medical Center Contract Negotiations With Anthem Blue Cross of California
SALINAS, CA (January 9, 2012) Harry Weis, CEO of Natividad Medical Center (NMC), announced today that NMC is currently negotiating a new contract with Anthem Blue Cross of California. Blue Cross has unilaterally issued a contract termination notice to Natividad Medical Center for inpatient and outpatient services effective January 15, 2012.
The termination will be in effect if Natividad does not agree to their proposed reduced rates. The Blue Cross contract proposal will cost Natividad millions of dollars in reimbursement. While Blue Cross is asking for millions of dollars from Natividad, their parent company, Wellpoint, made nearly $3 billion in profit according to their most recent published financial statements.
July 29, 2011
Natividad Medical Center Receives Approval in Principle To Move To Become A Public Hospital Authority
SALINAS, CA (July 29, 2011) The Board of Supervisors approved in principle for Natividad Medical Center (NMC) to move forward to establish a Public Hospital Authority to take effect following the passage of enabling legislation and approval of a future County Ordinance. This will enable the hospital to pursue reconfiguring its governance, management, business model and services to more effectively transition into a more streamlined integrated health care system offering an array of primary, specialty and acute health care services.
March 28, 2011
Walmart gives $50,000 to Natividad for newborn hearing program
The Walmart Foundation, through its California State Giving Program, awarded $50,000 to the Natividad Medical Foundation to purchase three hand-held hearing screeners Monday. The devices will help the medical staff test the hearing of the more than 2,700 babies born at the hospital each year through its Healthy Hearing Program.
March 8, 2011
Natividad Medical Center Announces the Grand Reopening of Its Certified Farmers' Market Beginning Wednesday, March 23rd, from 11:30am - 5:30pm
SALINAS, CA – March 8, 2011 — Harry Weis, CEO of Natividad Medical Center, announced today that Natividad Medical Center will offer a year round Certified Farmers' Market, beginning Wednesday, March 23rd from 11:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. The Farmers Market will be located at 1441 Constitution Blvd., outside of building 200-Out Patient Services, and be open every Wednesday. The Certified Farmers Market is part of Natividad Medical Center’s ongoing commitment to promote wellness and healthy eating among Natividad Medical Center’s staff, patients and their families.
At Natividad Medical Center’s Certified Farmers Market, shoppers will find fresh quality fruits and vegetables (many certified organic), beautiful flowers, organic eggs, and unique gifts from small-scale family farmers and local independent businesses. By shopping at Natividad Medical Center’s California Certified Farmers Market you are supporting local California growers.
March 4, 2011
Natividad Medical Center (NMC) and the Monterey Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross Partner to Host a Free CPR Class at NMC
Natividad Medical Center and the Monterey Bay Area Chapter of the American Red Cross are partnering in honor of CPR Saturday, a regional initiative to offer free CPR training to NMC patients, and Salinas area residents.
The American Red Cross is recognized as the premier provider of First Aid, CPR, Aquatics, Water Safety, and other health and safety education programs. The Monterey Bay Area Chapter will be providing CPR training that will help you stay prepared for virtually any life-threatening situation. Their experienced instructors will deliver training in a consistent manner that encompasses the learning styles of all participants. In the event that the members of your group encounter an emergency at home or on the job, Red Cross training gives them the skills to respond with confidence.