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Hazel Hawkins Memorial Hospital did not renew Dr. Nick Gabriel’s contract that ended Nov. 22, according to a notice shared with BenitoLink.
The notice was sent to Gabriel, a general surgeon, on Nov. 6, a day after Gabriel won a seat on the San Benito Health Care District Board of Directors, which governs the hospital.
Gabriel, who was the lone candidate for the District’s Zone 5, has been a vocal opponent of the proposed sale of the hospital to Insight Health. In the same election that sent Gabriel to the board, voters approved Measure X, which allowed the sale to go forward.
Insight is proposing to purchase the hospital’s assets and lease the hospital’s operations for five years with an option to purchase operations after the lease term ends.
The letter sent to Gabriel came from Daniel Little of the law firm Noland, Hamerly, Etienne & Hoss. It said the health care district would not be renewing the professional services agreement with Gabriel.
“Effective November 22, 2024 you will no longer be scheduled to provide clinic services or hospital call coverage,” the notice states, adding that Gabriel will be paid for all of his services on or before Jan. 5.
When BenitoLink contacted the hospital to confirm the news, Frankie Gallagher, director of marketing and community relations, said Gabriel was still an active member of the staff.
“[He] retains medical staff privileges to treat patients and perform surgical services at the hospital,” she said
Gallagher did not say whether the health care district gave Gabriel notice that his contract would not be renewed. She said in order to obtain a copy of his contract, BenitoLink needed to submit a public records request or ask Gabriel, which BenitoLink did on Nov. 14. On Nov. 20, the hospital provided a copy of the non-renewal notice and his contract.
Gabriel confirmed with BenitoLink he had received the notice but said he could not discuss it further. He also has a private practice.
According to the contract, Gabriel began providing services in the county in 2022 and had a 2024 base salary of $536,000.
At the BenitoLink general election candidate forum, Gabriel said he had performed about 800 procedures and recruited physicians to Hazel Hawkins.
At the Nov. 21 San Benito Health Care District meeting, two community members spoke in favor of renewing Gabriel’s contract. County resident Elia Salinas said at the recent hospital meeting that the decision was a response to his position on selling the hospital.
“He was not afraid to speak his mind, to speak his ideas and based on retaliation his contract was not renewed,” she said.
Gallagher told BenitoLink the hospital does not comment on issues of contracts or personnel. She did say the hospital does have other surgeons available, are always recruiting physicians and that there will be no loss of services.
In addition to Gabriel, the health care district board will have another new member, Victoria Angelo, who voiced support for the Hospital’s sale at BenitoLink’s election forum.
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