Caring for aging clients

Toni Poole

The 62-year-old retired banker from Coos Bay has lived in the community for 18 years.



• Why are you running for the hospital board?

I am currently serving as a hospital board member and would like to continue for another term representing the interests of the citizens in the health district.

• What are your qualifications?

I have experience having served as a hospital board member since 2004. Also, I have been a member of the hospital's Finance and Audit Committee for approximately seven years. I have bachelor's and master's degrees in biological sciences.

Also, I was a banker for 28 years with experience in lending, credit administration and executive management.

• Have you served in any other public office before?

She was a member of the board of education for Southwestern Oregon Community College for approximately seven years and served as board chairwoman for one year.

• Are there any new services you would like to see offered at Bay Area Hospital?

A women's health center with state-of-the-art imaging equipment.

• What are the most pressing challenges facing the hospital?

Some of the current challenges include: an aging population and reduced payment from Medicare and Medicaid; managing rising costs; the uncertain outcome of health care reform; and the proposed substantial increase in Oregon's provider tax on hospitals.

• Occupation: Retired banker, formerly with Umpqua Bank and Security Bank.

• Education: Bachelor's and master's degrees in biological sciences.

• Political experience: Four years as a hospital board member; seven years on the board of education at Southwestern Oregon Community College, including one year as board chairwoman.

Maintaining services

Dara Parvin

The 43-year-old orthopedic surgeon, and owner of Oregon Coast Spine Institute, from North Bend has lived in the community for 10 years.

• Why are you running for the hospital board?

The Board does not have a practicing physician specialist among its esteemed members. I feel strongly that the Board should have a balance that includes a surgeon in helping it steer into the future. I fully believe that with my strong background in health care that I can help to be a component of that compass that keeps us on the right course.

• What are your qualifications?

Previously served as chairman of the Bay Area Hospital Orthopedics Department and a member of the medical executive committee. He's an assistant clinical professor at the University of California at Davis and has practiced in the Bay Area since 1999.



• Have you served in any other public office before?

Parvin hasn't served in public office, though he is concurrently running for a seat on the North Bend School District board or directors.

• Are there any new services you would like to see offered at Bay Area Hospital?

There are several services he'd like to see, including bringing a neurosurgeon to the hospital.

• What are the most pressing challenges facing the hospital?

I think that the challenge in the coming years is finding creative ways to maintain our services at a high quality level.  The question is going to be "how can we preserve our services" under the current and future climates, as reimbursements and income steadily decline.

• Occupation: Orthopedic surgeon with the Oregon Coast Spine Institute.

• Education: Bachelor's and medical degrees from the University of Washington, and orthopedic residency at University of California at Davis, fellowship training on spine surgery at University of Louisvillle.

• Political experience: None.