After a successful career as a neurologist and healthcare district director, Dr. Peter Fung is running for the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors 5th District. While some politicians climb a political ladder to seek higher office, Dr. Fung chose a different path.
Two years ago he enrolled in the executive MBA program at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business.
As a result, Dr. Fung brings a unique set of experiences to a board populated by career politicians and attorneys.
You might be surprised to learn that 51% of the county’s $10.7 billion projected annual expenditures will be spent on healthcare and hospitals, according to the county’s website. Moreover, the county’s adopted budget includes a $400 million structural deficit.
Dr. Fung’s combination of healthcare and finance background is perfectly suited to tackle the twin challenges of improving the quality of healthcare and balancing the budget.
Dr. Fung’s career of service to his community is exemplary. A board certified internist and neurologist, Dr. Fung served for 10 years as the Medical Director of El Camino Hospital’s stroke program, now named the Peter C. Fung MD Stroke Center. He co-founded the Chinese Health Initiative to bring specialized care to the county’s Asian American population.
In 2014, Dr. Fung was elected to the El Camino Healthcare District Board of Directors where he currently serves. During his tenure, El Camino Hospital has received numerous awards as one of the nation’s top community health care providers.
Contrast this to the Santa Clara Valley Health System’s uneven performance. The system includes Valley Medical Center, O’Connor Hospital, St. Louise Regional Hospital and a network of other clinics. It is California’s second largest healthcare provider.
In a recent study reported by San Jose Inside, El Camino Hospital received an “A” rating for patient safety, while all three of the county’s hospitals received a “C” rating. An investigation by California regulators uncovered “a slew of violations” at the county’s main hospital according to a 2023 article by the Mercury News. While the system was able to restore compliance, the need for knowledgeable oversight is on-going and the opportunity to improve care continues.
Dr. Fung’s background and record of achievement make him the best choice to provide the leadership the county needs to make the necessary improvements.
Santa Clara County District 5 includes the communities of Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Cupertino, Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno and the Almaden Valley of San Jose.
The top two finishers on March 5th will compete in the November general election assuming none of the five candidates on the ballot receives a majority of the vote in the primary. You can learn more about Dr. Peter Fung at his website www.votepeterfung.com.