Tony Nunez-Palomino, the new chair of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors, paid tribute to his late predecessor John Friel in his opening remarks and the board began the process of filling his vacant seat at Wednesday's meeting.
John Friel was 46 when he first came to save Watsonville Community Hospital in 1991 as CEO tasked with helping to rebuild after the Loma Prieta earthquake. Friel passed away on March 21, 2024, at 79, after battling an illness.
John Friel, former Watsonville Community Hospital CEO and chair of the Pajaro Valley Health Care District Board of Directors, died Thursday following an illness. He had resigned from the board two days prior to his death.