Photo, left: Aaron J. Byzak, Interim CEO, Grossmont Healthcare District
Updated March 11, 2025 with comments from Christian Wallis.
March 10, 2025 (La Mesa) -- The Grossmont Healthcare District’s communications strategy consultant Aaron J. Byzak is adding a title, acting for a short time as the public agency’s interim CEO.
At a GHD Board of Directors special meeting on Monday, March 10, the board voted 5-0 to appoint Byzak in the role effective immediately.
Byzak, 47, will advise and help the board find the successor to its most recent CEO, Christian Wallis, whose contract was not renewed by the GHD board last week during a closed session on March 4.
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January 8, 2025 (La Mesa) – Dozens of public speakers at yesterday’s Grossmont Healthcare District meeting urged the board to move its 9 a.m. meetings to evenings in order to accommodate people with full-time jobs. The proposal was made by newly elected director Nadia Farjood, a working mother who says her new full-time job at the District Attorney’s office prevents her from attending daytime meetings.
The district represents about 520,000 residents. Around 271 people signed a petition in support of Farjood’s proposal, and around 40 showed up in support at yesterday’s meeting. But despite testimony from union representatives, healthcare workers, district residents and local elected officials, Farjood’s proposal failed, with no other director in support.
Some speakers voiced concern not only for Farjood, but for the potential chilling effect on would-be candidates who may be persuaded from running for office if they have full-time day jobs.
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Click audio links to hear our 4-part series of interview with GHD candidates
By Miriam Raftery
Photos: Art Madrid, Virginia Hall, Bob Ayres, Jimmy Parker, Michael Emerson, Priscilla Schreiber
October 15, 2016 (La Mesa) –In a series of interviews, we caught up with each of the six candidates running for the Grossmont Healthcare District Board, which oversees Grossmont Hospital. The field is diverse, and each candidate brings their unique perspectives and priorities for the public’s health.
Topics ranged from easing congestion in the hospital’s busy emergency room to oversight of new construction project, from protecting patient privacy to preparing for the impacts of ballot measures such as an initiative that could legalize marijuana.
Audio:
Art Madrid, Grossmont Healthcare District candidate interview
Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
September 1, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is soliciting public input as part of its strategic planning process. The public is requested to provide input at a 7 p.m. meeting on Monday, Sept. 10, at the GHD Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Refreshments will be served.
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Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.
By Miriam Raftery
September 1, 2012 (La Mesa) – The Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is soliciting public input as part of its strategic planning process. The public is requested to provide input at a 7 p.m. meeting on Monday, Sept. 10, at the GHD Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St., La Mesa. Refreshments will be served.
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