FAQ

The Imperial Valley has historically faced healthcare disparities, especially affecting low-income residents and immigrant farmworkers. The IVHD was created to consolidate medical services, improve access, and lower costs for residents.

The district was established through state legislation and brings together:

• Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District (PMHD)

• Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District (HMHD)

• El Centro Regional Medical Center (ECRMC) — joining soon

The IVHD has already assumed ownership of PMHD and HMHD property and assets, and it will assume ECRMC’s in the coming months.

Uniting into one healthcare system creates a foundation for improved, more sustainable, and expanded health services. Imperial County has only two hospitals; cooperation saves millions of dollars while maintaining high standards of care.

In response to Imperial Valley’s health crisis, Assemblymember Eduardo Garcia introduced Assembly Bill 918 (AB 918).

• Passed 78–0 in the State Assembly

• Passed 40–0 in the State Senate

• Signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom on October 8, 2023

• Pioneers Memorial employees are now IVHD employees, with IVHD overseeing the hospital and clinics.

• The IVHD Board has agreed to purchase ECRMC, with closing expected in late 2025.

• Due diligence is underway, including review of employees, locations, equipment, and finances.

Other milestones:

• District divided into seven voting districts (June 13, 2024)

• Heffernan Memorial Healthcare District dissolved (July 25, 2024)

• Pioneers Memorial Healthcare District dissolved by LAFCO (October 24, 2024)

The IVHD is working to merge hospitals and clinics into a single system, combining people, resources, and the strengths of PMH and ECRMC. We are doing the rewarding work of bringing people together and fostering collaboration.

It’s the clinical leaders who are coordinating the work of nursing, pharmacy, imaging, laboratory sciences, respiratory care, physical therapy, and more. This combined effort represents the operational foundation for bringing together the Valley’s healthcare resources under one unified mission. They are driving Valley-wide patient safety initiatives and implementation of best practices across both facilities.

This plan and these actions reflect the community’s input, and it is progressing step by step.

One key goal is improving emergency care for chest pain and heart attack patients. Currently, many patients must be flown to San Diego for lifesaving procedures. IVHD is working to provide more advanced local cardiac care to avoid these delays.

Employees are central to IVHD’s success. All employees in good standing will continue to play a vital role.

• Interested job seekers can apply via PMH or ECRMC career pages.

Union contracts for ECRMC staff will transfer to IVHD.

The IVHD was formed in response to community demand. Public input is valued and will continue shaping the district’s direction. Members of the public often provide insight at IVHD Board Meetings. Please join us for our upcoming public forums where IVHD leadership will share updates and address your questions.

Both PMH and ECRMC use Cerner. Soon, all IVHD hospitals and clinics will share one electronic health record, accessible via computer, tablet, or phone.

Physician leaders from PMH and ECRMC are taking on the challenge of combining their bylaws and addressing valley-wide medical improvements. Cardiologists are already collaborating to expand PMH’s heart-care capabilities. Treating emergency heart issues locally will grant valuable lifesaving time to patients in cardiac distress.

Information Systems help us accomplish our mission each day. Bringing together two healthcare systems means integrating all our computers, networks, applications, and related technologies. Our Information Systems departments are consolidating their talent into a single department. Their integration will help blend all of our other day-to-day care.

Construction leaders from ECRMC are collaborating with their counterparts at PMH to save millions of dollars on the seismic upgrade for their hospital in Brawley over the next four years. This collaboration is already proving exceptionally beneficial.

All of this is happening thanks to the dedication, skill, and care of Imperial Valley healthcare professionals. These same professionals are also ensuring PMH and ECRMC uphold agreements and obligations with the community, each other, and the government as integration continues.

The initial Board of Directors includes representatives from the former districts and local/tribal governments in Imperial County.

Funding comes from hospital and clinic operations, with additional funding sources being developed.

• Continue delivering excellent care across Imperial Valley

• Complete the process of bringing ECRMC into IVHD

• Provide ongoing updates and host community forums