Finley stated, "It is with a heavy heart that I have made a decision to leave county service. I am proud of the work that the Health Services Agency has done over the past years. I have been privileged to work with a group of people who share my values - the employees, physicians, volunteers and Foundation members. Together we have made a difference in the community. I have enjoyed my participation in the culture changes that the Board and CEO's office introduced. I am proud of our successes in developing partnerships with community organizations, in taking health care to the communities where people live, and in operating a county hospital that made money. I look forward to the transition to a new phase in my life where my focus will be to enjoy life with my childhood sweetheart, my husband, Peter, my biggest supporter."

Pat Paul, chairperson of the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors stated "the Board has really appreciated her long dedication to the people of Stanislaus County. She has poured her heart into caring for the indigent community."

Finley has long been an advocate for healthcare services benefiting the underserved and all residents of Stanislaus County.

Congressman Gary Condit noted, "Bev Finley will be sorely missed. She has been a tenacious advocate for community health care in Stanislaus County. Whenever public health was debated, you knew Bev Finley always stood first for patient's health care access and the community. She truly represents the best in public service."

Finley was recruited to Stanislaus County in 1990 as the Chief Executive Officer of the financially struggling Scenic General Hospital. After many years of financial losses, the hospital was budgeted to lose between $3 million – $6 million upon her arrival. Finley worked with her management team to turn the ailing institution around to post positive financial results during each year of her tenure as CEO. Volumes as at the hospital increased and equipment was improved during this time.

Tom Ciccarelli, a community leader and former chairperson of the Stanislaus Medical Center hospital advisory board stated, "I would put her as one of the top five people I’ve ever had the pleasure to work with during all of my volunteer service. She is innovative, a consensus builder and a tireless advocate for the underserved."

Relationships with the Scenic Faculty Medical Group (SFMG) were also strengthened during Finley’s tenure. SFMG is the main group of teaching physicians participating in the county’s physician residency program. They also provide primary care medical services at many of the county’s medical offices. The group has increased from 16 physicians to 28 physicians since Finley rejoined the county in 1990.

The Stanislaus Family Practice Residency Program, a physician training program, has grown from 21 residents to 29 residents during Finley’s tenure. Forty-six family practice physicians working in Stanislaus County have been trained in this residency program. The program has developed into a partnership between HSA and Doctors Medical Center, and continues to be affiliated with the University of California, Davis School of Medicine.

The expansion of outpatient health services throughout the county began during Finley’s administration. The goal of overcoming transportation barriers to patients drove a new strategy of decentralized services and the increased number of medical offices throughout the community. The number of county operated medical offices increased under Finley’s leadership from 3 offices in 1990 to 9 medical offices now located in Modesto, Empire, Turlock, Ceres, Hughson and Salida.

A new medical office for West Modesto is getting ready for construction. In the early 1990’s, the HSA also entered into a partnership with the Doctors Medical Center Foundation and the local Soroptomists for mobile medical services that travel to locations throughout the county. HSA continues to provide staff to support these services in local communities where there is need. Finley was also instrumental in getting a Health Professional Shortage Area designation for certain parts of Stanislaus County. This federal designation better allowed the HSA to recruit physicians to underserved areas of the County through a physician loan repayment program.

During 1994, the Public Health Department and the hospital were integrated into the newly formed Health Services Agency division of Stanislaus County. One of the major goals of this

effort was to better coordinate public health services and to decentralize services into outlying communities of Stanislaus County. As a result, programs such as childhood wellness checkups and immunization services became available throughout county medical offices. Sexually transmitted disease (STD) testing and treatment also was decentralized to local medical offices.

In the fall of 1997, the Stanislaus County Board of Supervisors voted to close Stanislaus Medical Center (the county hospital). During the closure, it was expected that 226 persons would lose

their jobs as a result of the closure. Under Finley’s leadership, jobs were found for all full-time employees with other healthcare providers or within other county departments. After the closure of the hospital, changes in state and federal funding caused dramatic financial hardship to the HSA. Finley spearheaded internal operational teams to reconfigure how the HSA operated. She also worked with county and state officials to seek legislative changes that would restore lost funds to the agency. She, and other county officials, are currently working with Assemblymember Dennis Cardoza to get healthcare funding returned to Stanislaus County.

Assemblymember Cardoza stated,"Ms. Finley has worked tirelessly to improve health care and the quality of life for the residents of Stanislaus County. She has worked closely with me to develop good public policy that improves and protects health care. Most recently she has worked with me on the development of Assembly Bill 963. Rural areas throughout California are facing a health care crisis. AB 963 will help to keep rural hospitals open and health care available to California’s rural communities. Ms. Finley has been a key figure in the development of this legislation. She is an irreplaceable resource and friend to health care in the Central Valley. She will be missed by myself and all of the folks that have had the honor of working with her throughout the years."

According to Duane Dauner, president of the California Healthcare Association (CHA), "I would say that Bev Finley has been a giant in the healthcare community in California. She has exhibited extraordinary leadership in Stanislaus County and at the regional, state and national levels. She served as a trustee and officer of the California Healthcare Association and provided outstanding leadership on behalf of counties and county hospitals. Her contributions will be felt for many years. It has been a pleasure to work with such an accomplished healthcare professional."

Finley’s list of awards and accomplishments include: recipient of the California Healthcare Association Award of Merit as the Outstanding California Health Care Administrator; Equal Rights Award for Stanislaus County; Public Health Leadership Institute Scholars Program; National Association of Public Hospitals Management Excellence Award; Who’s Who in Health and Medical Services and the Elite Who’s Who Among Outstanding Female Executives.

Finley is an adjunct professor of healthcare with California State University, Stanislaus and member of numerous boards, commissions and community organizations.