Dr. Gene Ma named interim Tri-City CEO

By City News Service REGION

— The Board of Supervisors unanimously approved a proposal today to improve and expand services for senior citizens, in connection with San Diego County’s “Aging Roadmap.”

Supervisors also directed Chief Administrative Officer Helen Robbins- Meyer to suggest elements that can be incorporated into the roadmap.

Robbins- Meyer, who will present her recommendations in three months, will:

• evaluate current services at county senior centers, and the cost of increasing services to additional senior centers;

Supervisor Jim Desmond said that as a senior himself, he was glad to see the proposal moving forward. Desmond said residents in unincorporated areas should be a priority, as the county is their only governmental resource. He suggested the county identify any service gaps in unincorporated region so “we're taking care of as many folks as we can.”

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Staff OCEANSIDE — TriCity Healthcare District recently announced the appointment of Dr. Gene Ma as interim president and CEO of the organization starting March 22.

The announcement comes after Steve Dietlin, the hospital’s CEO and president, announced his retirement in January.

“I am pleased to announce that the board of directors unanimously selected Dr. Ma for this very important role,” said Rocky Chavez, chairperson of Tri-City’s seven-member board of directors. “Dr. Ma is a proven leader with more than two decades of service to the medical center.”

Ma, who joined TriCity in July 2000, currently serves as chief medical officer at Tri-City, a role he cites me are the opportunities ahead of us in TriCity’s future.”

Ma has worked as an emergency department physician at Tri-City for over 20 years and was a 10-time honoree as one of San Diego’s top doctors in emergency medicine.

During his time at TriCity, Ma has also served in numerous administrative roles, including chief of staff from 2015 to 2017.

In 2012, Ma was named CEO of WorkPartners, overseeing the turnaround of what would become the region’s dominant occupational health practice.

Ma brings a wealth of experience in business and practice management into his new role as interim CEO, along with demonstrated prowess in adapting to a constantly changing medical field to provide quality care.

Ma’s background includes work in healthcare affiliations, mergers and acquisitions, executive leadership in private equity and healthcare IT startups.

Additionally, Ma serves on numerous boards including for an Independent Physician Association and an investment capital firm.

• meet with community partners, senior centers and other relevant agencies on improving access to self-sufficiency programs including food assistance, and county offices such as Aging and Independence Services; and

• review existing county facilities with available space, such as libraries and community centers, to host senior activities.

Supervisors Nathan Fletcher and Nora Vargas, who sponsored the proposal, said the county needs to do more for its aging population.

Census statistics show that by 2030, nearly 27% of the county’s population will be over 60, according to Fletcher and Vargas. A San Diego Seniors Community Foundation report stated that “modernizing local senior centers will aid the region’s community down the line.”

On Tuesday, board Chairwoman Vargas said grandparents “helped shape us to who we are right now,” and too many older people lack access to food or other vital needs.

She said that after visiting senior centers in her district and elsewhere, she has seen the good they can do.

Combining the master plan with existing policy is an opportunity “to make sure that our families have what they need in this time of their lives,” she added.

Fletcher noted that adults 60 and older are the