Dignity Health Dominican Hospital Endorses Greenway

Santa Cruz County, CA - June 22, 2017—Dignity Health Dominican Hospital, one of the largest employers in Santa Cruz County, today endorsed the plan advocated by the Santa Cruz County Greenway organization as the safest and healthiest transportation option for the Santa Cruz County community. The Dominican Hospital endorsement follows last week’s announcement that more than 150 doctors and medical professionals support Greenway.

“The Greenway plan offers an excellent opportunity to help people get active and stay healthy in our county,” said Nanette Mickiewicz, MD, Dominican Hospital president. “We do not have sufficient corridors running north and south to commute and provide recreation in a safe, healthy and environmentally conscious way. Greenway will connect to Monterey County’s trail and enhance our local recreation and transportation options.”

The Greenway plan calls for a contiguous multi-use pathway on the existing (and largely unused) Santa Cruz Branch rail line from Davenport to Watsonville, while preserving future transit options with railbanking. It connects our community via separated pathways for fast-moving and slow-moving users, with lanes for cyclists and pedestrians/runners/wheelchair users. It does not detour onto busy and unsafe streets at local trestles and bridges. The Greenway is the most environmentally conscious plan that retains trees and landscaping in the corridor and has the lowest greenhouse gas emissions. Because it is wide and uses the entire corridor, it provides for scalability as Santa Cruz County transforms itself into a world-class active transportation community.

“We are grateful that Dominican Hospital has endorsed the Greenway plan,” said Gail McNulty, Executive Director of Santa Cruz County Greenway. “We need to start thinking about the future we want, not the past. Our mission is to create a spectacular Greenway as the backbone of a safe, scenic, and efficient active transportation network. As one of the largest employers in the county and a key provider of health care, Dominican is well positioned to understand why the Greenway proposal is a step toward better health.”

Many communities throughout the US and the world have learned that people will get out of cars when they have safe and convenient routes for walking, running, cycling, skateboarding, and e-biking that connect to the places they need to go. Investing in people-centered infrastructure supports community health and happiness. 

About Santa Cruz County Greenway

Santa Cruz County Greenway is a nonprofit which advocates for a scenic, safe, and functional 32-mile bicycle and pedestrian path from Davenport to Watsonville. Greenway’s vision is to transform Santa Cruz County into a world-class active transportation community.

Contact:  Gail McNulty, gail.mcnulty@sccgreenway.org, 831-824-4563

About Dignity Health Dominican Hospital

Dignity Health Dominican Hospital has been caring for the Santa Cruz County community for 75 years. Dominican offers emergency services and is a Certified Stroke Center. Dominican’s services include the only comprehensive Cancer Center in Santa Cruz County, a Total Joint Replacement program, advanced neurological and endoscopic services, and an expert heart and vascular team treating some of the most complex cardiac cases in the Monterey Bay area. Dominican has received national recognition for superior patient safety, cardiac care, and stroke treatment from Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals. Dominican also has received several awards for environmental excellence.

Contact:  Claire Henry, Claire.Henry@DignityHealth.org, 831-462-7864