Doreen Lacey (center) is the 10,000th patient treated at Tulare Regional Medical Center's recently reopened emergency department. Photo via TRMC

The emergency department at Tulare Regional Medical Center (TRMC) celebrated the treatment of its 10,000^th patient since reopening their doors last October.

The news was announced via press release from Adventist Health, which took over administration of the hospital last year. Despite feeling under the weather, the 10,000th patient, Doreen Lacey, joined some of the ED staff that treated her for a photo.

The Tulare Local Healthcare (TLCHCD) District Board of Directors voted last June to enter into a contract with Adventist Health after eight months of bankruptcy and the termination of their contract with Healthcare Conglomerate Associates (HCCA). Under HCCA, the quality of care at the hospital dramatically declined and vendors and employees stopped being paid.

According to California State Auditor Elaine M. Howle, the terms of the contract were highly unfavorable to the hospital, including a management fee of $225,000 a month to CEO Yorai “Benny” Benzeevi, and provisions to act as sole employer of TRMC’s personnel.

The TLHCD filed for bankruptcy in 2017 and their contract with HCCA was ended the next month. Benzeevi and his company are currently under investigation by Tulare County District Attorney Bill Ward.