Hospital Board — Northern District, Seat 1: Delores "Dee" McFarland

Age: 66

Hometown: Monroe, La.

Occupation: Retired health plan manager

Previous political offices: None

About: Delores McFarland, or Dee, as she likes to be called, is a retired HR professional who moved to Sarasota from Michigan in 2011. Dee serves the Sarasota community as a board member of the Sarasota Democratic Club and treasurer of The Newtown Nation and is active in her church. Dee retired from General Motors Corporation in Detroit, where she spent most of her career in health care administration. She served on several boards, including Winans Academy of Performing Arts, Health Plus of Michigan and Delta Dental Plan of Michigan. Dee brings a wealth of experience from the payor side of health care in terms of expectations for the hospital to provide quality care to the citizens of Sarasota in a cost effective manner. She is a graduate of Southern University (BA) and Central Michigan University (MBA).

“I’ve always had a passion for health care, and I’m running for Hospital Board Northern District Seat 1 because I can bring a wealth of experience from the payor side of the health care equation. A sound and viable quality assurance program is essential for Sarasota Memorial Hospital to maintain and even improve its national rankings.”

Why do you want to serve on the hospital board?

It is a unique position in which I can serve the citizens of Sarasota County.

What qualifies you to oversee the fiscal health of the Sarasota Memorial Health Care System (SMHCS)?

As a health care manager at General Motors Corporation, I was responsible for three lines of coverage offered to GM employees, retirees and their families. This included adhering to internal controls to assure accuracy of claims administration, quality assurance standards and operating within a budget. Monitoring quality of care and effective cost containment were key components of my job. My health care background at a large corporation more than qualifies me to serve on the SMHCS board.

What is your position on how the hospital board should use and manage its taxing authority? Do you have a position on whether the current millage rate should be raised or lowered?

I don’t have an opinion regarding whether the current millage rate is sufficient. The board’s authority to levy ad valorem property taxes, set by Florida legislation and approved by Sarasota County voters, is reviewed and set annually. I look forward to participating in this annual process as a board member to assure that SMH upholds its ongoing commitment to provide quality health care to the citizens of Sarasota County, and to continue to provide a safety net to all those in need.

If elected, what do you believe should be the top priority of the board during your term?

Continued expansion in south county, continue to attract premier medical professionals from all over the US, maintain its community hospital status and improve safety and quality rankings.

A proposed hospital in Venice is just one of the ways SMH has attempted to grow over the past few years. Do you favor or oppose pursuing a hospital in Venice? Why?

I strongly favor pursuing a hospital in Venice. South county needs more hospital beds and access to SMH care in their community.

What is your position on building a hospital in Sarasota County's largest city, North Port?

I am fully supportive of a North Port hospital.

What is your position on doing what Venice and other communities have done — selling and privatizing the hospital system and using the proceeds in a community foundation?

I strongly oppose hospital privatization and will stand to keep SMH a community hospital that serves the citizens of Sarasota County.