Doctors Medical Center: a 2014 retrospective

Erected in 1959 with the aim of serving the medical needs of the local community, Doctor’s Medical Center was repeatedly threatened with a complete or partial closure in 2014.

It turned out reports of its demise may have been premature, as local agencies continue to scramble to keep DMC functioning at full capacity.

This year, California allocated millions of dollars in state funds to help prop up the hospital and Richmond has promised to allocate millions in future funds so the hospital can continue to operate. Along with the need for acute and long-term funding sought for DMC this year, 2014 presented many obstacles for the largest public hospital in Contra Costa County to overcome.

The Five by Eight Plan that was issued by the West Contra Costa County Health Board provides the eight conditions that must be satisfied over five years to keep the hospital operating.

This year Richmond Confidential reported on efforts of state and local agencies to resurrect the fiscally-ailing DMC, and introduced stories of people in the community who have come to depend on the hospital.

In October we introduced Josefina Romero, who in 2008 began her long-term relationship with DMC when doctors treated her for breast cancer. After being told that her cancer was advancing, Romero pleaded with the Richmond City Council to continue funding DMC’s work as she continues to fight for recovery.

With the end of the year approaching, this review of DMC in 2014 aims to provide an understanding of the hospital’s continuing struggle to survive, and set the stage for rescue plans facing a new chapter in 2015.