Our Board of Directors
Beyond the daily operations of your community hospital lie the long-range issues governing patient care, finances and planning. The all-volunteer Board of Trustees works closely with the hospital's administrative and medical staffs to address these long-range issues.
They help to ensure that Sutter Coast Hospital continues to enhance the health and well being of the citizens of Del Norte and Curry counties, as well as visitors seeking our services.
Meet the Sutter Coast Hospital Board of Directors
Eugene F. Suksi, Sutter Coast Hospital CEO, previously served as Chief Operating Officer of Cascade Medical Center in Leavenworth, Washington. Suksi holds Master of Healthcare Administration and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Washington and a Master of Counseling degree from the University of Idaho. He has worked in health care administration for more than 20 years.
Kevin Caldwell, M.D. is Chief of Staff at Sutter Coast Hospital. Dr. Caldwell and his wife, Donna Sund, D.O., have been on the medical staff for over 25 years. Dr. Caldwell is active in the community and serves on the board of the Wild Rivers Community Foundation.
Michael J. Cohill has been a member of Sutter Health’s leadership team for more than 20 years. Mr. Cohill possesses experience in hospital and physician organization management and integration, as well as a thorough knowledge of Northern California’s unique and challenging health care environment.
Nancy Ehorn has held numerous positions with the National Park Service including project manager, park planner and assistant superintendent. She received her bachelor’s degree in biology from Colorado State University and obtained a Master of Forest Science degree from Yale University. Since 2003, she has served with the Redwood Parks Association, a non-profit organization that supports interpretation and education activities for Redwood National and State Parks.
Kevin Hartwick is a partner in Cholwell, Benz & Hartwick Accountants and Consultants. He has held positions on numerous boards including the Humboldt Area Foundation, North Valley Bank, Six Rivers Bank, and is a founding board member of the Wild Rivers Community Foundation. Mr. Hartwick received a bachelor’s degree with honors from California State University, Chico. He and his wife Gayle have two daughters.
John Jacobson, D.V.M. and his wife, Amber, moved to Brookings in 1993 so they could live by the ocean and he could be a small-town veterinarian. They are raising their two daughters here and appreciate being in a place where everyone knows their neighbors. As a veterinarian, Dr. Jacobson has a unique perspective on healthcare. He feels that the main focus at Sutter Coast Hospital should be on providing exceptional care and service. As a resident of Curry County, Oregon, Dr. Jacobson also wants to be an advocate for unifying healthcare throughout the community.
Andrew Ringgold, past superintendent of Redwood National and State Parks, moved to the area in 1995. He retired in 2003 after 36 years with the National Parks Service. He served in many parks across the country, and early in his career he provided emergency medical treatment to park visitors and residents as an EMT (emergency medical technician). He and his wife, Barbara, live in Hiouchi and have two grown children.
Thomas Polidore, M.D., is board certified in General Surgery. Dr. Polidore has not only been a surgeon, but also a patient at Sutter Coast, so he knows firsthand that he is working with caring and dedicated professionals. Dr. Polidore views his service on the Sutter Coast Hospital Board of Trustees as an opportunity to be part of the process locally to ensure that his patients get the care that they need and deserve.
Philip Schafer is a retired judge. He served on the bench for 12 years, first in municipal court and then in superior court, and is a former Del Norte County district attorney. He is currently a judge on assignment, presiding over numerous cases as needed.
Board members' terms last for three years, with a bylaw option of serving up to nine consecutive years.