Les Zendle Will Not Seek Reelection to Healthcare Board

Dr. Les Zendle Will Not Run for Reelection to Desert Healthcare District/Foundation

PALM SPRINGS — Dr, Les Zendle, who will in December complete his second, four-term on the Board of Directors of the Desert Healthcare District and Foundation, announced Wednesday that he will not seek reelection in November,

He represents Zone 1, includes most of Palm Springs, a small portion of Cathedral City, and almost all of Rancho Mirage and a sliver of Palm Desert. See interactive (Hummingbird Plan map).

“Serving as a director has been an incredibly meaningful and fulfilling experience,” Zendle said in a statement. “The District is blessed to have an extremely talented and dedicated staff with whom I have enjoyed working with over the past eight years. I have also had the good fortune to serve alongside other directors (past and present) who are committed to the District’s vision of “equitably connecting Coachella Valley residents to health and wellness services and programs through philanthropy, health facilities, information and community education, and public policy.

“I am proud of the role I played in the expansion of the District to include the entire Coachella Valley,” he added. “Residents who live east and west of Cook Street often work, eat, play and seek healthcare on the other side of Cook Street. I believed then (and I believe now) that we cannot have a healthy Coachella Valley unless all District residents have equitable access to health services — having the opportunity to achieve optimal health at all stages of life. I am also proud that I have helped the District focus its strategic goals on funding programs and organizations that increase access to medical and behavioral health services — especially (but not exclusively) for those underserved in our Valley.”

Zendle said he believes he will be leaving the District Board of Directors at the right time. New perspectives, as well as opportunities for others to serve their community, are healthy for any organization, he said.

“We have almost concluded negotiations with Tenet Health for an historic new lease/purchase of Desert Regional Hospital (beginning in 2027) – allowing the hospital to meet the legislative requirement for seismic compliance and providing the District with funds to continue and expand its grant program and other healthcare related services, Zendle said. “I strongly believe that it is our grant program rather than who manages the hospital that has and will continue to make the greatest impact on the health and wellbeing of District residents. I urge the voters of the District to support the agreement once it is placed on the ballot.”

We have also just selected Chris Christensen as our CEO, Zendle said. His decade of experience with the Desert Healthcare District/Foundation, overseeing critical administrative and financial services, as well as his reputation of honest and ethical leadership and service, makes him the right leader at the right time.

Zendle said he plans to continue volunteering his medical services as a physician at Coachella Valley Volunteers in Medicine — as he has done since February of 2011.

The board is made up of seven directors: four face reelection this fall. They are: