Hohorst and Rymer Begin Hospital Board Terms; Carruth Honored For His Service To The District

December 15, 2014

Peter Hohorst and Joshua Rymer have begun serving four-year terms on the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board of Directors following their swearing in by Board Chair Sharon Nevins at the December board meeting.

Hohorst, an incumbent, is a six-year board member and past Board Chair who currently serves as Treasurer. Rymer begins his first term on the board, replacing Kevin Carruth, who has served on the board since 2010 and did not seek re-election this year.

Members of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board of Directors who were not up for re-election include Nevins, Jane Hirsch, 2^nd Vice-Chair, and Bill Boerum, Secretary.

At the December board meeting, Nevins recognized Carruth for his service to the District. “Kevin cares passionately about the efficient functioning of the Board, and he brought us to a new level of productivity,” she said. “He also cares passionately about the District, and always kept the interests of the community paramount.”

In acknowledging the recognition, Carruth said, “I appreciate the voters of the District giving me the opportunity to represent them during this time of momentous change. Our Hospital now has a state-of-the-art Emergency Department and operating suites, the best in the North Bay, and this could not have been accomplished without the community’s strong financial support of the bond measure, the parcel tax, and the Hospital’s fundraising efforts. I can pass the baton knowing this community is exceptionally well served by the District Board, the Hospital CEO and staff, and our doctors. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve.”

Hohorst is a manufacturing consultant whose broad experience in facilities planning and construction led him to play an instrumental role in building the Hospital’s new wing, which opened in February, and houses the new Emergency Department and Surgery Center. Hohorst’s service to the Sonoma Valley includes serving as board member and president of the Sonoma Community Center, Chairman of the Fourth of July Parade Committee, and board member of the Diamond A Mutual Water Company. He has been a member of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District Board of Directors since 2008.

Rymer, a Sonoma resident since 1998, works as an independent consultant, developing sustainable business strategies for companies and nonprofit organizations. As a part of his consulting practice, he has worked closely with the hospital in recent years on its strategic plan. Rymer is an active volunteer in the community and serves on several boards including Community Foundation Sonoma County and the Sonoma Valley Fund (President). During his career, he has held positions with Pacific Bell (now AT&T), Boston Consulting Group, and Charles Schwab & Co.

Sonoma Valley Hospital was founded in 1946 as a non-profit district hospital and is governed under the Bylaws of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District by a publicly elected Board of Directors. Directors hold non-paid positions and serve four-year terms, with elections taking place during general elections for local, state or national offices. 

As part of the Sonoma Valley Health Care District, the Hospital is supported primarily by revenues from services, augmented by taxpayer support in the form of a parcel tax, charitable bequests and donations.