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MINUTES <br /> ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH <br /> February 25, 2026 <br /> Motion to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2026, meeting was made by Dr. Davia <br /> Nickelson, seconded by Dr. Aparna Jonnal, and carried without dissent. <br /> IV. Public Comment for Items NOT on Printed Agenda <br /> None. <br /> V. Board Comments <br /> Commissioner Earl McKee <br /> Commissioner McKee commented that the county budget has a shortfall of$18M, meaning <br /> that it was likely that there would be cuts to services and additional revenue sources will need to <br /> be found, as the county is not allowed to run a deficit budget. He encouraged Board members to <br /> contact himself and the other members of the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) to <br /> advocate for their needs throughout budget season. <br /> Dr. Aparna Jonnal <br /> Dr. Jonnal shared an update on her ongoing issues with private equity firms in healthcare <br /> settings, noting that she has left her previous role as Chief Medical Director at a nearby Duke <br /> hospital after it was bought by a private equity firm and care conditions became untenable. She <br /> commented that there is a growing body of literature suggesting that outcomes are worse for <br /> patients when the hospital is owned by a private equity company. She added that she is <br /> planning to present a statement about the reason for her resignation to the hospital and said <br /> she hoped for support and encouragement, especially if she receives backlash. In answer to Dr. <br /> Royce, she said that she may request letters of character/support in the future, and that feeling <br /> kinship with the Board of Health members has been a balm throughout this experience. <br /> In response to Dr. Rodger's question, Dr. Jonnal affirmed that after the hospital was bought by <br /> the equity firm it became a Duke hospital in name only, with minimal ongoing affiliation. She <br /> added that it seems like private equity companies own most things these days and she looks <br /> forward to seeing additional literature about the harms coming out. <br /> Tony Whitaker <br /> Mr. Whitaker shared that Dr. Bruce Baldwin, Optometrist Representative, has put in his <br /> resignation from the Board of Health, as he has retired and allowed his optometry license to <br /> lapse, meaning he no longer meets the required qualifications to serve as the optometrist <br /> representative for the Board of Health. Commissioner McKee encouraged the Board to loop him <br /> in on any communications regarding recommendations for future Board members. <br /> VI. Priority Committee Updates <br /> Access to Care Committee <br /> Dr. Pickett provided the update for the Access to Care committee. The committee met <br /> earlier in February and discussed plans for how to publicize the Resolution on Immigration and <br /> S:\Managers Working Files\BOH\Agendas &Abstracts\2026 Agenda and Abstracts\ <br /> February Page 2 <br />