PRESS RELEASE - Pajaro Valley Health Care District Announces Board Vacancy, Seeks Local Applicants

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   
Jan. 29, 2026

Contact: Jennifer Murray 831-515-2802

Pajaro Valley Health Care District Announces Board Vacancy, Seeks Local Applicants

Watsonville, CA – January 29, 2026 – The Pajaro Valley Health Care District (PVHCD) today announced Board Member Dr. Katherine Gabriel-Cox has resigned from the Board of Directors to focus on her work as a practicing OB/GYN physician and on her family.

"It has been a great privilege and honor to serve on the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors since its creation," said Dr. Gabriel-Cox. "I am grateful for the trust of the Board of Supervisors, and continue to support the mission of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District."

Dr. Gabiel-Cox, the Chief of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Watsonville Community Hospital and Salud Para La Gente, was one of the five inaugural PVHCD board members appointed by the Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors in March 2022. The PVHCD Board of Directors thanks Dr. Gabriel-Cox for her dedicated service and contributions to the District and the community and her ongoing clinical leadership at Watsonville Community Hospital.

At its Jan. 28, 2026, meeting, the Board voted to recruit and appoint a qualified community member to fill the vacancy through the November 2026 General District Election. The seat will be up for election on the November 2026 ballot for a two-year term through November 2028.

Interested community members are invited to submit their names for consideration. This is an at-large seat on the five-member board. Candidates may reside anywhere within the District boundaries, which extends from Aptos in Santa Cruz County to Pajaro in Monterey County. Complete information about the application process and qualifications can be found at www.pvhcd.org. The deadline for applications is 11:59 p.m. PST, Feb. 19, 2026. The PVHCD board will vote to appoint the new member at its public meeting on Feb. 25, 2026. 

About the Pajaro Valley Health Care District

The Pajaro Valley Health Care District is a public healthcare district formed to ensure continued access to high-quality, equitable healthcare for the Pajaro Valley community. Established in 2022 to help preserve and strengthen local hospital services, the District oversees Watsonville Community Hospital and is governed by a publicly elected five-member board committed to supporting sustainable operations, expanding access to care, and improving community health outcomes. For more information, pvhcd.org.