Sharon Martinez is newest LVMC Board Member

Lompoc attorney Sharon L. Martinez is the newest member of the five-person Lompoc Valley Medical Center Board of Directors. Martinez was appointed in late January by the current board to serve out the remaining months of the term left vacant by the death last December of Linual White Jr. White, who had served on the board since the fall of 2014.

“I’m really thrilled,” Martinez said. “The people on the board are all a great group of people… The board is there to do something. It’s not just about getting accolades. They’re supporting the hospital and making sure it’s successful, to make sure it’s there for the community.”

After a lengthy discussion about the qualified slate of candidates, Martinez was the unanimous choice of board members, President Ray Down, Roger McConnell, Mary Sharp and Dr. David McAninch III.

The general election for a full four-year term will take place Nov. 6 among candidates from the healthcare district boundaries.

An Orange County native, Martinez has lived in Lompoc for 27 years. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business and investment finance from the University of Southern California and was previously a business banking officer. She also spent four years as a full-time primary grade teacher at La Purisima Concepcion School.

She earned her Juris Doctorate from Santa Barbara College of Law in 1999.

For the past seven years, she has been an attorney/partner at Brooks and Ames Attorneys at Law in Lompoc. She specializes in estate planning, trust administration, contract preparation and new entity formations, among other specialties.

“I understand the importance of quality healthcare and the indispensable need for compassionate, respectful and responsive service for all; it is something that I strive for in my law practice,” she said.

She is the mother of an adult daughter.

“The connection between estate planning, financial planning, and healthcare is undeniable,” she said. “I spend a great deal of time with clients explaining how these areas come together and the importance of planning for today and the future.”

Serving the board is particularly important to her, she said, as new faces grace the rooms of the birthing center and the community ages. She wants to be part of the board committed to “continuing to provide the best in healthcare services for its community.”

“Everybody wants to make a difference,” she said. “It’s one thing saying it and another having a vested interest in doing it. I see it from my clients all the time, how much healthcare touches on what I do.”

Board members also serve on various committees within the hospital’s responsibilities. Martinez will be a member of the Finance Committee and the Lompoc Hospital District Foundation Committee.

As the LVMC Board begins its new year, President Ray Down was again elected by fellow members to continue his service as president. Roger McConnell will continue as Secretary of the Board.

Martinez’ appointment runs until the November general election. She said she plans to run for a full four-year term at that time.