Jeremy T. Ringfield's Blog, page 452

Newly-named Salinas Valley Health CEO committed to facing challenges

SALINAS – Dr. Allen Radner, who joined the medical staff of Salinas Valley Health 30 years ago, was named president and CEO of the integrated network of health care programs, services and facilities in Salinas last week, and says he is committed to providing quality care, locally delivered, to everyone.

Radner

“It has been a privilege to be a part of this organization for 30 years and to work with a team of talented, dedicated and compassionate people serving our patients, families and community every day,” said Radner in an email. “I am honored the Board of Directors selected me as the seventh president/CEO to lead Salinas Valley Health. I’m incredibly grateful for the support I’ve received during my six months in the interim role and look forward to working with our community to make the most of the opportunities before us.”

The Board announced Radner’s permanent appointment to the position in which he has been serving in an interim role after a special meeting held June 6.

“The Board of Directors will make it official at the June 27 Board of Directors meeting,” said Salinas Valley Health spokesperson Karina Rusk.

Radner becomes the seventh leader of Salinas Valley Health, which was first established in 1953 as Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital. He succeeds previous President and CEO Pete Delgado following Delgado’s announcement in November that he was retiring after serving in the position for more than a decade.

“I’ve served on the executive team at Salinas Valley Health for the past 10 years and take pride in what we have accomplished for the community serving as CEO of Salinas Valley Health Medical Clinic since 2019,” said Radner. “We have been able to recruit and align physicians to grow an impressive network of primary and specialty clinics that have significantly increased access to care for people in our region. We have gone from serving just a few hundred patients to having more than 600,000 patient encounters every year in our clinics.”

Over the past two decades, Radner has played a role at Salinas Valley Health expanding access to care and addressing critical and cultural community health needs, according to Salinas Valley Health. He has been instrumental in helping achieve and maintain exceptional patient safety and clinical quality metrics.

“Health care is facing a very challenging environment right now – especially in Monterey County where 75% of our population are government insured and the reimbursements rates don’t cover the costs of actually providing the care,” said Radner. “I believe access to quality care is critical which is why I led an effort at Salinas Valley Health to reach a solution for teachers and educators covered by (Municipalities, Colleges, Schools Insurance Group). They are now able to access our clinic and Medical Center services under their lowest cost insurance plan with no increase in their monthly premiums.”

Radner said great strides have also been made seizing opportunities to better serve the community with services and outreach programs focused on prevention and engaging families in their health and wellness. He said Blue Zones Project Monterey County, which Salinas Valley Health co-sponsored with Taylor Farms and Montage Health, is one example.

“Salinas Valley Health also has some important needs and opportunities to expand our own infrastructure to better serve our growing and diverse population,” said Radner. “I’m excited to explore those possibilities with our community partners and the community itself.”

Salinas Valley Health Board of Directors President Victor Rey said the decision was made after an extensive process where the public district hospital did its due diligence to conduct a thorough search.

In November, the Board hired recruitment firm WittKieffer to assist in the process along with the Board’s CEO Search Committee which consisted of diverse community stakeholders.

Rey said the Board feels confident about its selection process and its final decision in determining Radner as the most qualified leader to meet its ambitious goals moving forward.

“Salinas Valley Health has always been known for the quality of care it delivers and it remains a cornerstone of my focus on operations as the new president/CEO,” said Radner. “We’re fortunate to have an exceptional staff who embrace a culture of quality and the deliberate actions required on a daily basis.”

Radner pointed out that the Salinas Valley Health team is why it is nationally recognized for quality care with a four-star Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services rating, 10 consecutive patient safety “A” grades from Leapfrog Group and have earned Magnet Recognition for nursing excellence, a gold standard achieved by less than 10% of hospitals across the country.

“Many people may be surprised to learn about the long history of clinical trials and research that takes place at Salinas Valley Health,” said Radner. “Past research has given us many of the advanced treatments we utilize today and that cycle of investing time and talent in clinical trials benefit individual patients, our community and the field of medical knowledge.”

Radner said the research gives the local community access to studies that otherwise would require travel to larger urban areas. As part of a group of national research organizations, Salinas Valley Health is also the first to know about new protocols and can offer them right here, close to home.

“I’m grateful for the many partnerships and collaborations we have throughout the community. Those ties grew even stronger during COVID as we all fought a common threat and faced it together,” said Radner. “When the vaccines first came out, I was the first person in Monterey County to roll up my sleeve to get vaccinated. As an infectious disease specialist, I wanted to lead by example and let the community and our Medical Center staff know that the vaccines were the safest and most effective way to minimize the risk of serious illness and death. That was a very difficult time and because we worked together, we fared far better than most populations nationwide and in California. I am in awe of the determination and resiliency our staff displayed.”

Allen Radner, MD earned his medical degree from Rush Medical College in Chicago, completed an internal medicine internship and residency at the University of California, San Diego and continued on to complete his infectious diseases fellowship at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, according to Salinas Valley Health. He is board-certified in internal medicine and infectious diseases by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

Radner joined the medical staff of Salinas Valley Health in 1994, and has held various leadership positions at Salinas Valley Health, Natividad Medical Center and Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Radner joined the executive team at Salinas Valley Health in August 2013, as chief medical officer. In 2019, he was named CEO of Salinas Valley Health Clinics.

Radner also serves as clinical professor, Department of Family and Community Medicine for the University of California, San Francisco School of Medicine, medical director of the Natividad Immunodeficiency and Infectious Diseases Clinic, and as Monterey County Tuberculosis Controller.

“Salinas Valley Health has played an important role in the health of our community for more than seven decades. In 1953, a group of agricultural leaders and business philanthropists had a vision to bring state-of-the-art, quality health care to the people of the region,” said Radner. “Today, we are still owned and operated by the people of the district with a publicly-elected Board of Directors. Our commitment to provide quality care, locally delivered, to everyone is as strong now as it was when we first opened our doors. I personally take pride in that legacy and take the responsibility seriously.”

What you need to know before you go to a national park this summer

Thinking about visiting a national park this summer? You’d better take a look to see if there are any new rules for visiting, such as advance reservations to enter or drive the most popular roads.

The National Park Service has tightened access at the most popular of the 63 national parks to reduce crowding and traffic jams, which have become worse as visitor counts have soared.

A timed-entry reservation system has been put into effect, with the goal of spreading out visitation throughout the day, to avoid nightmare traffic jams and gruesomely long waits, officials said.

Arches National Park is among the national parks that now require reservations. (AP Photo/Beth Harpaz)

Typically, reservations are required during peak visitor hours, such as 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. (If you arrive before or after those hours, you won’t need one.) Check the National Park Service website for each park for details.  And if you already have camping or other permits or activity reservations, entrance reservations aren’t required.

Sometimes timed entry tickets are required to get into historic homes, to board ferries or to drive specific roads, such as the Going-To-The-Sun Road in Glacier National Park. Each park has its own rules.

Here are the national parks and monuments requiring reservations at this writing, though you should really check the website to make sure there haven’t been any changes. (And note that some state parks and recreation areas have also jumped on the bandwagon. See details below.)

Acadia National Park, MaineAdams National Historical Park, MassachusettsArches National Park, UtahCarlsbad Caverns, New MexicoEllis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument, New YorkFord’s Theatre, Washington, DCFort Matanzas National Monument, Florida (Ferry ticket)Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Washington, DCGateway Arch National Park, MissouriGlacier National Park, Montana (Going-to-the-Sun Road eastbound, the North Fork, and Many Glacier areas)Haleakalā National Park, Maui, Hawaii (for sunrise viewing only)Independence National Historical Park, PennsylvaniaMount Rainier, WashingtonPerry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, Ohio (Memorial Deck only)Redwood National and State Parks, California (required only for Gold Bluffs Beach and Fern Canyon)Rocky Mountain National Park, ColoradoSagamore Hill National Historic Site (Theodore Roosevelt House) New YorkStatue Of Liberty National Monument, New YorkThomas Edison National Historical Park (To visit Edison home) New JerseyTimpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah (Cave tour required)Washington Monument, Washington, DC (elevator to the top. Some same-day passes available)Yosemite National Park, California

Perhaps interestingly, you won’t need a reservation to visit Yellowstone National Park, at least not as of this writing.

Clouds hang below the summit of Haleakala volcano in Haleakala National Park on Hawaii’s island of Maui, Monday, Jan. 23, 2017. Park officials say the sunrise on Haleakala attracts over a thousand people a day, resulting in an overload of visitors and creating a safety hazard. As a result, anyone wanting to see the sunrise on the summit will now be required to make reservations in advance and pay a small fee. (Photo by Caleb Jones, The Associated Press)

And, while we’re on the subject, note that you may need a special advance permit to visit certain overcrowded attractions, such as the popular Angels Landing hike at Zion National Park in Utah. You don’t need a timed ticket to get into Zion (although you do have to ride a shuttle bus), however if you want to make this popular hike, you’ll need a permit in advance.

In addition to your timed entry ticket, you’ll also need to pay the fee is for that particular park on arrival, or have a pass that enables you to enter free, such as a senior, military, disabled or 4th grader pass.

The Gateway Arch in St. Louis, MO. (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson)How to reserve a timed-entry National Park ticket

These are available in advance on the Recreation.gov website or mobile app. It’s a good idea to get one as soon as your plans are firm.

There will be a limited number of last minute timed-entry tickets made available at 6 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on the night before. These will probably go quickly, so be ready.

Glacier National Park in Montana now requires reservations as a way of managing crowds. (AP Photo/Beth J. Harpaz)

How to book: Go to the Recreation.gov website or app (you must create an account) or call the reservation line at 877-444-6777. Reservations cannot be booked at park offices.  It costs $2 to make a reservation. This is not refundable.

What about National Forest sites?

Yes, it’s true. We haven’t finished listing all the types of places you might need a reservation. At the most popular National Forest fun spots, expect to find that you’ll also need to book in advance. For example, at the Coconino National Forest in Arizona, the Fossil Creek Wild and Scenic River trails and waterfall require advance booking on Recreation.gov.

It’s not a bad idea to double check, so you don’t get shut out.

Mount Rainier National Park in Washington now requires resrevations. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)Reservations for state parks

And even some particularly popular state parks are now requiring advance reservations. You’re not getting in without one, so take heed. The downside is that you have to pay for the reservations. The upside is that you’ll be able to find a place to park.

Here are a few of the most popular:

Hawaii

Reservations cost $5 per person, plus $10 parking. They can be made up to 30 days in advance. (Make a reservation here: gostateparks.hawaii.gov)

 Waiʻānapanapa State Park and its black sand beach along the Road to Hana in Maui.Īao Valley State Monument,  MauiDiamond Head State Monument. OahuHāʻena State Park, Kauai

Texas

Advance purchase day passes are not mandatory but parks do fill up, so these “Save The Day” passes are highly recommended. Texas has 84 state parks. Here are some of the most heavily visited. (Reserve here: tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/reservations or call 1-512-389-8900.)

Balmorhea State ParkBrazos Bend State ParkCedar Hill State ParkDinosaur Valley State ParkEnchanted Rock State Natural AreaGarner State ParkInks Lake State ParkMcKinney Falls State ParkPalo Duro Canyon State ParkRay Roberts Lake State Park

Nevada requires $5 advance day use reservations only for the Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area. In Tennesee, only the Cummins Falls State Park requires a $6 access permit. So it goes without saying that if you’re planning to see a state park or national forest recreation area that you know is popular, it’s never a bad idea to find out if you need  to book it in advance.

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Scenic vistas in Yosemite National Park, closed for more than six months, are now open to motorists

Tioga Road, the famed route through Yosemite National Park’s scenic high country and the highest-elevation road in California’s state highway system, has re-opened to vehicles.

The 46-mile-long road, which closes every winter due to deep snow, has been closed since Nov. 15. It re-opened to all vehicle traffic Monday.

“It wasn’t a record, but we had a good snowpack this year,” said Scott Gediman, a Yosemite spokesman. “There’s still a lot of snow and ice around up there, but we are thrilled to get the road open. It marks the beginning of the summer season here in the park.”

On April 1, California’s statewide Sierra Nevada snowpack was 111% of the historical average, helping top up reservoirs around the state that were already at above-average capacity from the previous winter, when huge snowstorms ended the state’s three-year drought.

The Tioga Road’s opening and closing is more than a symbol of the Golden State’s shifting seasons. Doubling as State Route 120, it’s also a key route for locals and tourists traveling over the Sierra. And the length of time it takes crews to clear it provides an indication each year of how much snow the Sierra Nevada received during the winter.

Last year, after the biggest Sierra snowpack in 40 years left the Sierra snowpack at 237% of normal, and snow and ice on the Tioga Road more than 15 feet deep, the road didn’t reopen until July 22 — breaking a record dating back 90 years, when it opened on July 8, 1933.

The average opening date from 2004 to 2023 was May 31.

To the south, across Yosemite Valley, another famous park route, Glacier Point Road, reopened this year on May 14.

Every year, crews driving snow plows with giant rotary blades clear the two roads, facing massive snow drifts and avalanche risks. At times, they use explosive charges. The work can be dangerous. In 1995, Yosemite employee Barry Hance, 43, was killed when an avalanche on Tioga Road smashed into the snow-removal machine he was driving and rolled it down the hillside.

In his memory, the park presents the Barry Hance Award every year to the park employee who best demonstrates “a positive attitude, a concern for fellow employees, a willingness to work with other divisions in the park, getting the job done, and a love for Yosemite National Park.”

“It went well this year,” Gediman said. “No injuries. No significant incidents. We appreciate the public’s patience. The high country is absolutely beautiful as always.”

Bears, deer, marmots, birds and other animals are visible across the high country now, parks officials say. But visitor facilities are still coming out of hibernation.

On Tuesday, the visitor center at Tuolumne Meadows, which sits at 8,600 feet along the road, was open. The Tuolumne Meadows store, which was damaged during extreme snow storms last year, is still being repaired and is expected to reopen in a few weeks, Gediman said.

Tuolumne Meadows campground is in the middle of a major renovation to replace an outdated water system, with plans for new restrooms, picnic tables, bear boxes and other amenities, and will be closed until next summer, he added.

One of the marquee drives in America’s national park system, the two-lane Tioga Road bisects Yosemite’s alpine center, passing through subalpine meadows and forests of lodgepole pine and juniper. It runs from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass, where it crests at 9,945 feet in the highest highway pass in California.

The route for centuries was a footpath for Miwok Indians. It was upgraded to a mining road in 1883 during a brief silver boom, and then became a private toll road that charged $2 per horse and rider.

In an unusual act of philanthropy, it became public and part of the park in 1915, when Stephen Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, bought it for $15,000 with his own money and donations from the Sierra Club and the Modesto Chamber of Commerce. He sold it to Congress that year for $10, hoping to bring more tourists into the park.

Under a pilot program aimed at reducing overcrowding in Yosemite this year, a reservation is required to drive into the park — and over the Tioga Road, even for visitors just passing through — on Saturdays and Sundays this month, and then every day from July 1 through Aug. 16, then on weekends and holidays only through Oct. 27.  For more information go to  https://www.nps.gov/yose

The Tioga Road, a famed 46-mile route through Yosemite National Park’s scenic high country, opened Monday June 10, 2024 for the summer season after crews who had been working with plows and explosives since mid-April cleared the snow. Snow and ice still remain in some parts of Yosemite’s high country, visible from the road. (Photo: Yosemite National Park)

Horoscopes June 11, 2024: Hugh Laurie, learn as you go

CELEBRITIES BORN ON THIS DAY: Claire Holt, 36; Shia LaBeouf, 38; Peter Dinklage, 55; Hugh Laurie, 65.

Happy Birthday: Think before you act. Having common sense and the emotional energy to reach your desired goal will offer comfort and peace of mind. It’s time to please yourself and take responsibility for your happiness and prospects. Refuse to let outside influences come between you and what you want to achieve. Direct your energy, learn as you go and expand your interests in areas that help you meet your needs. Your numbers are 8, 19, 22, 27, 32, 36, 44.

ARIES (March 21-April 19): Research where your money goes. Set up a budget you can live with, and put an end to unnecessary subscriptions and expenses. Use intelligence, insight and energy to reach your potential. Look for opportunities and alliances that contribute to your long-term goals. Love and self-improvement are favored. 5 stars

TAURUS (April 20-May 20): Change will cause emotional conflict if you don’t offer a reasonable explanation. Keep your expenses down in order to avoid criticism. Having a solid plan will make your life easier and your success tangible. Channel your energy appropriately, and you’ll deter anyone poised to apply pressure. 2 stars

GEMINI (May 21-June 20): Protect your home and possessions. Don’t make costly changes to please others. Consider your budget and pay only what you feel comfortable spending. An opportunity to broaden your interests, knowledge or friendships is favored. Listen carefully. 4 stars

CANCER (June 21-July 22): Work by yourself until you are satisfied with your results. Refrain from allowing others to interfere with your vision or disrupt your plans. Share when you feel confident and happy with what you have accomplished. 3 stars

LEO (July 23-Aug. 22): Making a premature change under emotional duress will backfire. Take the time to think things through and fulfill your dream. Timing is essential; prepare thoroughly and act accordingly. Romance is favored, and participating in something meaningful will lead to close encounters with someone special. 3 stars

VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Don’t second-guess yourself or let someone confuse you with false rhetoric. Put your effort and energy where it counts. Research and trust in your ability to find success and happiness. Change isn’t dependent on others; it begins with you. Be the one to make a difference. 3 stars

LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Use your knowledge to improve your life. An open mind and action will help you expand your options and follow through with your plans. Don’t let anger interfere with what you want to accomplish. Don’t stop until you reach your destination. 4 stars

SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21): Pay attention to price tags and fast-talking salespeople. You’ll find a deal that offers the desired results once you decide what is legitimate. Turn your attention to something that intrigues you, and you’ll discover a new pastime that fills a void. 2 stars

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Refrain from letting anyone suppress or limit you. Take charge, speak for yourself and question anything that doesn’t make sense. Put your time and energy into research and action. Opportunity knocks, and being able to take advantage without hesitation or fear will lead to success. 5 stars

CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): Take stock at home, decide what’s disposable and sell what you no longer need. The process will result in a revelation that excites and encourages you to move more inventory and bring in additional cash. Double-check instructions and facts; someone will mislead you if it benefits them. 3 stars

AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): Sit tight and let the dust settle. Too much too fast will lead to vulnerability. Take charge, ask questions and put a plan in place that is easy for you to handle. Social events, personal improvements and love are in the stars. 3 stars

PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20): Stop, look, listen, assess and proceed. Caution is necessary to make the most of your time and money. Refrain from counting on others for help or to tell you the truth. Any change you make will require your undivided attention. Temptation and emotional manipulation are apparent. 3 stars

Birthday Baby: You are chatty, aggressive and changeable. You are passionate and helpful.

1 star: Avoid conflicts; work behind the scenes. 2 stars: You can accomplish, but don’t rely on others. 3 stars: Focus and you’ll reach your goals. 4 stars: Aim high; start new projects. 5 stars: Nothing can stop you; go for gold.

Visit Eugenialast.com, or join Eugenia on Twitter/Facebook/LinkedIn.

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‘He’s the man’: Austin Slater delivers walk-off win as SF Giants beat Astros in 10 innings

SAN FRANCISCO — Before the 10th inning rolled around on Monday, Austin Slater’s season had been, in a word, forgettable. He’s battled injuries, recovering from right elbow surgery in the spring and a concussion in recent weeks. And when he’s been on the field, he hasn’t performed.

Those struggles made Slater’s second career walk-off so much more satisfying.

In his third game back from the injured list, Slater drove in the game-winning run in the 10th inning with a booming line drive off the left-field wall, capping off a three-run rally as the Giants beat the Astros, 4-3, on Monday at Oracle Park.

“Whenever you can come through big for your team in a spot when you’re struggling, it feels that much better,” Slater said. “That definitely lifted a big weight off my shoulders. That felt really nice.”

Slater’s season has been abnormal from the beginning. The 31-year-old spent most of spring training recovering from right elbow surgery, limiting him to nine Cactus League games. Slater made the Opening Day roster, but posted a .434 OPS over 49 plate appearances before going on the injured list in mid-May with a concussion.

During spring training, Slater admitted he “lost a little bit of the edge.” His primary focus was to get through the games healthy. That mindset resulted in him not taking at-bats with a purpose. To regain that edge, Slater talked with sports psychologists he’s worked with in the past.

“It’s something that (Mike Yastrzemski) and I promote, but sometimes, you forget,” Slater said. “You need to talk to people when you’re struggling, and that was definitely something that helped.”

Slater had a walk-off opportunity in the bottom of the ninth, pinch-hitting for Yastrzemski to face left-hander Josh Hader to begin the frame. Giants manager Bob Melvin’s decision to pinch-hit Slater, who popped out in foul territory, for Yastrzemski was a justifiable yet interesting one.

Up to that point, Yastrzemski had generated San Francisco’s only run up to that point, a 406-foot RBI triple that would’ve been a home run in every other ballpark. Yastrzemski also had history with Hader, having hit a walk-off grand slam off the southpaw in 2022. Yastrzemski, though, entered play with a career .686 OPS against lefties compared to Slater’s .816 OPS.

“It’s tough for a lefty off Hader,” Melvin said. “(Yastrzemski) had a home run earlier in his career off of him, but leading off an inning, too, it’s a walk, it’s a little more speed. Yaz has the only RBI of the game, but Hader’s a really tough at-bat for a lefty.”

After Slater and the Giants (33-34) were unable to score in the bottom of the ninth, the Astros (30-37) began the 10th inning by putting up two runs to take a 3-1 lead.

Victor Caratini capped off an 11-pitch plate appearance against Erik Miller by driving in Joey Loperfido with a sacrifice fly, giving the Astros the one-run lead. Following Jose Altuve’s bunt single, Alex Bregman drove in Trey Cabbage, who reached on his own bunt single, giving the Astros a two-run advantage.

San Francisco, though, had its response.

Brett Wisely led off the bottom of the 10th with a sharp single to drive in Casey Schmitt, slicing the deficit to one run. Heliot Ramos reached on an infield single (originally called an error by shortstop Jeremy Peña), putting runners on first and second with no outs. Patrick Bailey followed Ramos with a bloop single to drive in Wisely and tie the ballgame. Then Michael Conforto loaded the bases as reliever Rafael Montero misplayed a comebacker.

After Jorge Soler grounded into a force out — Ramos curiously froze at third base instead of running home — Slater hit a line drive over Loperfido’s head and off the wall to drive in Bailey and secure the win. Slater joked that he would’ve liked to have his first extra-base hit of the season, but he was more than content with the walk-off.

“He’s such a good team guy,” said starter Kyle Harrison. “That’s the guy you want having that at-bat and having that opportunity. I’m glad he came through. He’s the man.”

Before Slater’s heroics, Harrison, who said he was feeling a little under the weather, dazzled by allowing just one earned run across 6 1/3 innings on 77 pitches with three strikeouts. Monday marked a bounceback for Harrison, who had allowed 17 earned runs over 26 innings (5.88 ERA) in his last five starts.

“This was just his best stuff we’ve seen in a while today,” Melvin said.

Former SF Giants fan favorite Mauricio Dubón takes shots at Gabe Kapler

SAN FRANCISCO — Mauricio Dubón cannot wait to get heckled. He also couldn’t help but rip into his former Giants manager.

Dubón, who spent parts of four seasons with the Giants, made his return to Oracle Park for the first time since being traded to the Astros in 2022. And when Dubón, who grew up a Giants fan, jogs out to left field, he hopes to be greeted by jeers — the same jeers he once rained down on opposing outfielders.

“I used to come here and (heckle) all the time when I was a kid,” Dubón recalled with a smile.

Dubón, born and raised in Honduras, became a Giants fan upon moving to Sacramento when he was in high school. From 2019 to 2022, Dubón lived out his childhood dream, playing 177 games with the orange and black and becoming a fan favorite. On May 14, 2022, Dubón was traded to the Astros.

Last year, in his first game against his former team, Dubón collected three hits and two RBIs, telling reporters afterwards that he was “not treated the right way over there.” Former Giants manager Gabe Kapler responded to Dubón’s comments the following day, retorting that the club gave Dubón “a lot of good opportunities.”

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“I tell people all the time: the person I didn’t like left already,” Dubón said. “For me, that was the only problem I had. I like the guys. I know last year, I didn’t phrase it well saying I wasn’t treated right, but I just didn’t like one guy. That’s it. I’m cool with all the guys over there.”

The change of scenery ended up working out for Dubón. Under former Giants manager Dusty Baker, Dubón won a World Series in 2022, then a Gold Glove in 2023. Dubón is currently enjoying the best offensive season of his career, taking a .297 batting average and 107 OPS+ into the Astros’ series opener against the Giants Monday night.

“You always want to do that with your childhood team and everything,” Dubón said. “Thank God it happened with the Astros. The Astros gave me a chance. Dusty gave me a chance. A Sacramento guy, San Francisco guy gave me a chance to show what I can do. … I’m grateful for the Astros for giving me a chance to go out there and show what I can do.”

Dr. Steven Packer, Montage Health president and CEO, announces retirement

MONTEREY – Dr. Steven Packer, Montage Health president and CEO announced his pending retirement next spring after 25 years at the healthcare system’s helm.

“It has been a genuine privilege to serve this wonderful community that my family calls home,” said Packer in a press release. “I have been honored to work with such an amazing team of dedicated and skilled physicians, nurses, staff, volunteers and Boards of Trustees. I am so proud of our collective efforts to provide extraordinary care to our community.”

Packer served the Monterey Peninsula as a practicing pulmonologist before being appointed as CEO in January 1999. As a member of the medical staff at Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, he held a variety of leadership positions, including Chief of Staff, according to the release. A graduate of UCSF School of Medicine, he also completed his internal medicine training there. A pulmonary and critical care fellowship followed at UC Irvine, and he attended the Stanford Executive Program at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business in 1999. In 2009, Packer was awarded a Walker-Sullivan Fellowship by the California Health Foundation and Trust, funding his study of mass casualty incident response in Israel.

“Speaking on behalf of all 16 community members of the Montage Health Board of Trustees, we are grateful for the extraordinary growth we have seen under Dr. Packer’s leadership,” said Bill Warner, Chair of the Montage Health Board of Trustees, in the release.

Under Packer’s leadership, Montage Health grew into a comprehensive healthcare system anchored by Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula. Packer launched the implementation of numerous initiatives to improve and expand access to care, including the hospital’s Pavilions Project, which added 120 new patient rooms, development of the Carol Hatton Breast Care Center, construction of the Ryan Ranch outpatient campus and the creation of Montage Medical Group. During his tenure, Montage Health has also expanded access to essential services with the opening of wellness centers in Marina and Salinas, three MoGo Urgent Care clinics, the creation of Monterey County’s first Medicare Advantage program (Aspire Health Plan), Montage Health Foundation and, most recently, the opening of a state-of-the-art campus for its youth mental health program called Ohana.

According to Montage Health, a national search for Packer’s successor will be initiated in the coming days.

Panetta Institute survey shows college students are disappointed in state of the country

College students are continuing to lose faith in the government, according to a new survey done by the Panetta Institute for Public Policy.

The 24th Youth Civic Engagement Survey showed college students’ trust in leadership and hope for the future of the country continues to reach historic lows, with 71% of students saying they believe the country is on the wrong track.

“I think (the results) reflect a lot of the frustration of the American people,” said Leon Panetta, chairman of the institute and former secretary of defense. “There’s concern about the dysfunction in Washington, (students) are not attracted to the presidential candidates and they just generally feel that the country is headed on the wrong track.”

Panetta and his wife Sylvia founded the institute in 1997, which serves the entire CSU system and is located on Cal State Monterey Bay’s campus. The institute offers various opportunities for students to study and work in government and public policy.

The institute also hosts an annual Panetta Lecture Series which brings together political leaders and policy experts to discuss current national and international events. This year’s series focused on challenges to democracy.

The institute commissions this survey from Hart Research every year, in order to aid the institute’s curriculum development. This year, Hart Research surveyed 803 students at four-year colleges throughout the country in online interviews from May 3-12.

In the wake of campus protests throughout the country against the Israel-Hamas war, this year’s survey provided unique insights into college students’ stance on international matters.

According to the survey, 33% of students said colleges were not doing enough to protect students who felt threatened by the protests, while 30% believed colleges were not doing enough to protect freedom of speech on campuses.

“The protests reflected a lot of what we’re seeing in the numbers in our poll, in that students obviously are not pleased about the war in the Middle East, but also are not pleased at all with the direction of the government,” said Panetta.

46% of students now believe the problems facing their generation will be international in scope, up 7% from last year’s poll. About half of the students surveyed said the country should be involved in foreign affairs, but not take a “leadership role.”

In terms of this year’s presidential election, Panetta said he is “worried about it because these polls are showing that we’re looking at the lowest turnout we’ve ever seen in an election and, very frankly, the young vote has been very important in electing the right people to office.”

Only 54% of college students say they are likely to vote in this year’s presidential election. Compared with 2020, more students say they are not likely to get involved with a campaign. (Courtesy of The Panetta Institute for Public Policy)

The survey shows students’ approval rating of President Biden has fallen to 40%, compared to 71% in 2021. Biden’s personal ratings are slightly higher than Republican nominee Donald Trump, whose ratings are 28% positive and 61% negative.

Biden’s lead against Trump has also fallen 16 points since 2020, and now shows the president leading by a margin of 51% amongst college students. However, the survey shows that 34% of students believe Trump is better suited at dealing with the national debt, and 41% believe Trump would better handle the economy, an issue that college students are widely concerned with.

The top issues for students were the cost of living (44%) and the economy (43%), according to the survey. Healthcare, college affordability, abortion and climate change were also important to students.

“When you put all of that together, it’s a message to our elected leaders that they’ve got to do more to address these issues,” said Panetta.

According to Panetta, there could still be changes made in the next six months before the election to spur voter turnout.

“The debates could tell us a lot about the candidates. If we are able to achieve a ceasefire in the Middle East, that hopefully brings the hostages home and makes a possibility of concluding that war real, if inflation continues to come down … those things could have an impact on young people realizing they have a responsibility to our democracy to participate,” said Panetta

The survey showed student use of artificial intelligence has gone up 14 points since last year’s survey, with 74% of students now reporting having used a chatbot.

Panetta said this increase tells him “that (students) are way ahead of the general public in trying to determine if AI is helpful. The concern I have is there is still a lot of concern about the accuracy of AI.”

“There’s a part of me that’s hopeful that ultimately (college students) will realize their vote is essential to what happens to our democracy. I’m hoping it’s not a lost generation,” said Panetta.  “My hope is that ultimately everyone, the rest of the country included, wakes up to the fact that our democracy is in trouble. It’s not encouraging but at the same time it’s a message we have to listen to.”

SF Giants’ Matt Chapman to miss second straight game with sore hamstring

SAN FRANCISCO — Matt Chapman was held out of the Giants’ starting lineup for a second straight game due to a sore hamstring, but could make a return to the lineup on Tuesday.

“Better today,” said Giants manager Bob Melvin. “It was kind of a late decision today. … My expectation is that he’ll be good to go tomorrow.”

Melvin said he was unsure if Chapman, who leads the Giants in games played (64) and bWAR (2.6), would be available off the bench tonight. Casey Schmitt got the start in Chapman’s place on Monday after doing so on Sunday.

San Francisco remains one of the most banged up teams in baseball. Outfielders Austin Slater and Michael Conforto and right-hander Keaton Winn have recently returned from the injured list, but the amount of Giants dealing with ailments remains extensive.

Outfielder Jung Hoo Lee is out for the season due to a dislocated left shoulder. First baseman LaMonte Wade Jr., one of the best hitters in baseball this season, is recovering from a hamstring strain. The list of players on the injured list also includes shortstops Nick Ahmed and Marco Luciano; catcher Tom Murphy; left-handers Blake Snell and Robbie Ray; and right-handers Alex Cobb, Tristan Beck and Austin Warren.

“It’s pretty extreme. It has been,” Melvin said. “When we start to get guys back, we have a couple more guys getting injured. The Chapman thing wasn’t ideal, but it’s one of the reasons Casey’s still here.”

First baseman Wilmer Flores was not in Monday’s starting lineup either. Melvin said he is dealing with “a little bit of knee soreness” after playing back-to-back series at the Diamondbacks’ Chase Field and the Rangers’ Globe Life Field, both of which use turf instead of grass. Flores could be available off the bench, and Melvin expects him to be in the lineup tomorrow as well.

“It’s been a lot, but it gives some other guys some opportunities like Heliot (Ramos). Look what he’s done with it” Melvin said. “(Luis) Matos had quite a run. (Brett) Wisely at times has swung the bat well. Schmitt has swung the bat well. So, we’re getting to see some of our top prospects have some success here at the big leagues too, so that’s the exciting part.”

Additional injury updates

Wade took grounders today and will hit on the field on Tuesday, but per Melvin, Wade is still “a little ways away.” “He’s running, but it’s at like 50 percent,” Melvin said.Ahmed (left wrist sprain) will begin a rehab assignment on Tuesday with Triple-A Sacramento. Ahmed played in a rehab game with Sacramento on June 1, but experienced a setback and has not appeared in a game since. Melvin said he is not sure how many games Ahmed will need before returning.Cobb (right shoulder) is scheduled to throw a bullpen on Tuesday.Ray (left elbow UCL surgery recovery) is scheduled to throw a bullpen today, then pitch in an Arizona Complex League game on Thursday.Snell (left groin strain) is throwing off flat ground. The plan is for him to progress to throwing off a mound later this week.Lee will begin his rehab this week in San Francisco.Warren (left elbow UCL surgery recovery) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment with Single-A San Jose on Wednesday.Beck (vascular injury) is throwing out to 120 feet.

Monterey County median home price at $970K in April, up 8% over last year

SALINAS – The Monterey County real estate market is entering its summer selling season with the median price of a single-family home pegged at $970,000 in April, increasing 8% over the same time last year.

“It’s not surprising the median price for single-family homes in Monterey County settled at $970,000 for now,” said Adam Pinterits, Monterey County Association of Realtors government and community affairs director. “We hit a new record high median price late last year, but that was also when new listings were trending toward a 3-year low and inventory toward its second lowest point in that time.”

Last October, the median price of a single-family home in Monterey County his a record high of $1,093,000. In March of this year, it stood at $932,500.

“As the summer selling season begins and we have a modest increase in listings, sellers who are on a timeline to sell price their home accordingly,” said Pinterits.

In April, homes in Monterey County sold in 10 days for 100% of the list price based on 136 sales, according to the MLSListings county summary. Inventory was up 12% from March, and up 24% from April 2023. Median days on the market decreased from 13 to 10 (down 23%) from March, and decreased from 17 to 10 (down 41%) from April of last year. The number of new listings was up 12% in April from March, and up 34% from April 2023. Closed sales decreased 9% from March, but increased 4% from April of last year.

“To some degree it is always a seller’s market in Monterey County due to decades of under-building, and that is not likely to change until local governments get serious about facilitating more home construction,” said Pinterits. “But that does not mean that buyers should wait. Homeownership opportunities closer to entry-level prices do come up, and when they do, buyers want to already be working with a realtor so they are prepared.”

The average rate on a 30-year fixed mortgage was about 7.74% on Monday.

Pinterits explained that mortgage rate improvements will help buyers nationwide, and sellers who become buyers in turn. However, he said, this impact is reduced in Monterey County because of the ongoing imbalance between local housing supply and high demand.

The number of new listings in Monterey County increased 34% year-over-year in April which indicates that better rates are helping some prospective sellers get off the fence, he said.

“Keep in mind this increase is in the context of decades of constrained inventory,” said Pinterits. “This is really just marginally closer to the availability and affordability we would have if enough homes had been built in the first place.”

Inventory was up 24% year-over-year in Monterey County in April.

Pinterits said that out of the 464 active listings in Monterey County on June 5, only 24 or 5% were built within the last year. Compared to neighboring counties, 10 of Santa Cruz’s 426 listings (2%), 159 of Santa Clara’s 1,707 listings (9%), 37 of San Benito’s 134 listings (28%) and 37 of San Luis Obispo’s 463 listings (3%) were built in the last year.

The Monterey County real estate market forecast for the rest of the year in terms of the median home price is not expected “to see significant price improvements for buyers,” said Pinterits. “But some outlier opportunities may come up in which sellers are motivated to sell quickly. Despite improved rates and inventory compared to the last few years, the demand for housing still significantly outpaces how many homes are available.”