Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits names Dr. Ace Barash medical officer

Dr. Ace Barash, a longtime physician in Mendocino County, has been named medical officer at Adventist Health Howard Memorial Hospital in Willits.

Barash will also continue his role as director of inpatient care, Adventist announced Tuesday.

Barash has worked as a physician in the region for nearly four decades. Early in his career, he cared for patients in the Howard Memorial emergency department. After several years in private practice, Barash returned to the hospital in 1998.

His experience in the emergency department has made him attuned to current gaps in mental health care. Barash is now part of the Measure B Citizens Oversight Committee, which is making recommendations to the Mendocino County Board of Supervisors on the implementation of the mental health initiative approved by voters last year.

“I felt guilty that I could not do more for my patients. I felt like it was my job to not only address their health issues but also address the underlying mental health issues,” Barash said in a statement released by the hospital.

You can reach Staff Writer Martin Espinoza at 707-521-5213 or martin.espinoza@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @renofish.