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Board waives 180‑day rule to rehire retired chief nursing officer for CNA contract talks

3413749 · May 20, 2025

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Summary

The board approved a one-time waiver to rehired retired chief nursing officer Jaspreet Benipal on a part‑time basis to assist with California Nurses Association contract negotiations, while daily nursing leadership remains with the interim nursing officer.

The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously on May 20 to waive the 180‑day rehire restriction and permit the part‑time reappointment of retired Contra Costa Regional Medical Center chief nursing officer Jaspreet Benipal to assist with upcoming collective‑bargaining talks with the California Nurses Association.

The nut graf: County hospital leaders said Benipal’s past experience as chief nursing officer and her familiarity with the current CNA memorandum of understanding would assist management during negotiations; hospital leaders said she would serve in a consultant capacity and not return to day-to-day nursing leadership.

David Culberson, CEO of Contra Costa Regional Medical Center and the health centers, recommended the temporary rehire. “I'd like to recommend that we go ahead and... recommend Jaspreet Benipal RN MSN, a recent retiree... to be brought back on a part time basis to assist with the upcoming contract negotiations with the California Nursing Association,” Culberson told the board.

Culberson said Benipal retired in March after a long leadership tenure and has in recent contract cycles represented management in sessions with the CNA. He told the board Benipal “will not be involved in the day to day leadership of the nursing team at Contra Costa Health because these duties are and will continue to be directed by Helena Marty, interim nursing officer at CCRMC.”

The item drew no public comment. A motion and second were made for the waiver and the board voted unanimously to approve the action.

Ending: County health leadership said Benipal will consult on contract development for the CNA agreement that expires Sept. 30, 2025, and the hospital will return to the board with routine operational updates during the contract period.