Sonoma West Medical Foundation https://sonomawestfoundation.org We provide support for medical care at Sonoma West Medical Center, research, and education to residents in Western Sonoma County Mon, 29 Nov 2021 02:21:41 +0000 en hourly 1 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cropped-swmf-32x32.png Sonoma West Medical Foundation https://sonomawestfoundation.org 32 32 Fall-Winter 2021 Newsletter https://sonomawestfoundation.org/fall-winter-newsletter-2021/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/fall-winter-newsletter-2021/#respond Mon, 29 Nov 2021 02:14:27 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1841 Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters of the Sonoma West Medical Foundation, We know you have missed our regular informational Newsletters and have appreciated our monthly Distinguished Guest Lecture Series, news of the Hospital Auxiliary, our Golf Tournament and parade floats, plus the many other activities we have traditionally provided for West County. In response to…

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Dear Friends, Neighbors, and Supporters of the Sonoma West Medical Foundation,

We know you have missed our regular informational Newsletters and have appreciated our monthly Distinguished Guest Lecture Series, news of the Hospital Auxiliary, our Golf Tournament and parade floats, plus the many other activities we have traditionally provided for West County. In response to the global pandemic, like so many other non-profits and businesses the Sonoma West Medical Foundation needed to remain dormant until live events were once again possible. However, despite being in hiatus, our dedicated board and generous volunteers have continued planning and organizing in anticipation of a normalized future. We continue our decades-long commitment to supporting West County on health-related issues.  We hope that you will join us during the coming months as we put some of our newly developed strategic planning into action for the benefit of West County residents, businesses and visitors.  If you have expertise, time or resources to share please join us in building a responsive medical service infrastructure in West County. Our Board generally meets the first Tuesday of the month from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at 285 N. Main Street, Sebastopol.

 OFFICE NEWS

In an ongoing effort to reduce our overhead costs and respond to the closing of some office spaces, the SWMF Office has moved three times in the past two years. We are now housed in the Better Homes and Garden Office at 285 N. Main Street in Sebastopol. Thanks to Board member Randy Coffman for providing the space and to Susan Moulton, Vicchi Oleski, Joan Marler and assorted volunteers for their heavy lifting in doing the actual moves.  Our more permanent mailing address is P.O. Box 2225, Sebastopol, CA 95473 and our office phone number remains the same: (707) 703-7664 as does our email: SonomaWestFoundation.org or [email protected]

Mariah Bernal continues to serve as our bookkeeper, keeping the foundation running during its dormancy with care and attention to detail.  We are extremely grateful for her continued efforts keeping our accounts in order and managing our insurance and taxes and other day-to-day accounting needs. She has helped us maintain continuity and financial stability.

Thank you and good luck in her new job to our former Office Administrator Alondra Gutting who took over last summer after our year and a half hiatus.  Recently returning to Sonoma County from the East Bay, Alondra brought a technical project management background, after studying History at U.C. Berkeley, and was key to keeping our website and daily office needs in order enabling us to move forward with our plans. She will be missed and hard to replace.  If you have office or web skills or know someone interested in a part-time office assistant job, please let us know. 

BOARD NEWS

A heartfelt thanks to Susan Moulton and Joan Marler, former President and Vice President of the Foundation for the past 4 years.  They have managed to keep the foundation running despite the challenges of COVID-19 and the transition of our local hospital from public to private ownership. Their leadership is greatly appreciated, and we thank them for their dedicated service. They were able to oversee our scaled-back operations, secure donations and cut office costs, enabling us to provide minimal functioning during the time we were forced to be dormant.  They are succeeded by Dennis Colthurst as the new President, and Gail Thomas as the new Vice President with Eira Klick-Heartt serving as Secretary/Treasurer. Both Dennis and Gail are long-time members of the Foundation and residents of West County and all three new officers previously served on the Palm Drive Health Care District Board. They are very familiar with West County medical care needs and issues and bring years of leadership in this field to the Board. We also welcome additional new Board members: Natalie McNamara and Randy Coffman. Please join us in celebrating our leadership and the infusion of new member energy on our Board, knowing it will help us to provide new avenues of medical care activity in West County on your behalf.

WHAT’S NEW IN WEST COUNTY?

SWMF has functioned as a support for a variety of medical options in West County over the years, including the need for access to Urgent Care. We are happy to announce that on August 23, SWMF Board Member, Dr. Elizabeth “Libby” Flower and her colleague, Dr. Kathleen Whisman opened West Sonoma County’s premier independent Urgent Care filling the considerable vacuum created when the Sonoma West Medical Center Emergency Room and subsequent Progressive Urgent Care were shut down.  Drs. Flower and Whisman now provide a host of services including Rapid COVID-19 testing (important for knowing our family holiday gatherings will be COVID-19 free), as well as treating injuries, illnesses, and providing family medical care.  In addition to their Urgent Care office, they offer concierge care services which allow them to spend additional time with their patients.  Their goal is to provide quality, local personal, compassionate medical care to West County where they both live.  To meet unexpected emergencies and to make themselves available for their patients, their office is open seven days a week, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday and most holidays and they also do telemedicine. Contact them at www.sebastopoluc.com or by phone at (707) 509-5961. They accept most health insurance plans and encourage you to call or stop by their new facility, the former offices of Dr. Bollinger just north of the hospital. Their Grand Opening was this last August and they were joined by Foundation members in the September 18 Apple Blossom Parade to highlight the new presence of same-day medical services in our community.  Sebastopol and West County are grateful to have the Urgent Care now available in addition to existing health care clinics in our area. For a recent review of their services see sonomaindependent.org (“New Sebastopol Urgent Care Facility Opens at 555 Petaluma Avenue”).

MOVING AHEAD

As we adjust to challenging health issues as well as new leadership and staff, the future of the Foundation continues to evolve to accommodate changing times and medical needs in West County.  Recent strategic planning sessions have resulted in a host of new ideas for how best the Foundation might support both ongoing and emerging health care issues.  These include finding ways to bring new family practice physicians to our area; supporting uninsured and underinsured seniors; supporting health care advice and counseling for teens, seniors and families; collaborating to support medical and dental assistance for our agricultural workers; continuing our past popular lecture series on-line; collaborating with other health care related agencies on mutual projects; creating an informational on-line medical resource data base, and more.  Much work needs to be done, but the Foundation is committed and enthusiastic about moving forward. As we move into a Holiday Season and New Year with a focus on Fund Raising for critical needs in West County we hope you will join us in this effort by contributing your thoughts, ideas, suggestions and donating your time and resources. 

FINAL THOUGHTS – WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT

Emerging from our hiatus and moving forward, your involvement means more than ever.  If you would like to support our Foundation financially with a tax-deductible donation, you can do it on line at sonomawestfoundation.org or send us a check via USPS mail at P.O. Box 2225, Sebastopol, CA 95473.  For general information contact us at  [email protected] , or you can call our office at 707-703-7664.  We would love to hear from you!

Wishing you good health and all good wishes for

a safe and joyful holiday season.

Sonoma West Medical Foundation Board

Supporting Access to Local Health Care for you

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September 2019 Newsletter https://sonomawestfoundation.org/september-2019-newsletter/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/september-2019-newsletter/#respond Mon, 02 Sep 2019 19:33:30 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1755 Contained in this Newsletter:  Calendar of upcoming events July and August's Distinguished Lecture Series Our table at the Gravenstein Apple Fair New Board Members New Website CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS:  SWMF Regular Meeting, September 14, 2019; Sonoma Specialty Hospital (SSH), Conference Room, 6-8 pm. Palm Drive Health Care District Board Meeting: September 9, 2019(SSH), 5:30 pm. No…

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sept2019-2

Contained in this Newsletter

Calendar of upcoming events
July and August's Distinguished Lecture Series
Our table at the Gravenstein Apple Fair
New Board Members
New Website


CALENDAR OF UPCOMING EVENTS

  • SWMF Regular Meeting, September 14, 2019; Sonoma Specialty Hospital (SSH), Conference Room, 6-8 pm.
  • Palm Drive Health Care District Board Meeting: September 9, 2019(SSH), 5:30 pm.
  • No Distinguished Lecture in September. Watch for October’s announcement.

Dear Esteemed Colleagues, Friends and Supporters of the Sonoma West Medical Foundation and of Health Care in West County:

Sonoma County is experiencing a very warm summer this year and we hope it finds you healthy and able to enjoy cool breezes nearer to the Coast. In the interests of building awareness of Health Care options and informing residents of the services available at our hospital and Urgent Care, our Foundation has been very busy with a number of fun events.

In July we participated in Sebastopol’s Sidewalk Sale with an informational table about health care options in West County. This was a collaboration by the Sonoma West Medical Foundation (SWMF), Sonoma Specialty Hospital (SSH), Progressive Urgent Care(PUC), Palm Drive Health Care District (PDHC), and Sonoma County Healing Academy (SoCoHA). You may have been among the fortunate visitors who received a complimentary blood pressure text or discussed your concerns with the medical staff from SSH and Progressive Urgent Care who were volunteering their time over the weekend. Many West County residents and visitors are still unaware of the health care options open to them here in Sebastopol.

JULY

Our July Distinguished Lecture Series hosted our own Vicchi Oleski of SoCoHA and Gayle Swift presented The Mandala of Self Care on Thursday, July 18, 2019. The talk was lively and well attended and offered valuable insights into our own role in preventing and in responding to illness and injury. Vicchi brings these insights to our Board and is working actively to integrate services around the community.

AUGUST

August was also a busy month. We had a delightful talk Thursday, August 15 by Dr. Elizabeth Flower on: Urgent Care and Emergency Medicine: A lifetime of Dedication. Her lengthy and diverse career was inspiring and those in attendance greatly appreciated her remarkable depth of commitment to her patients with a focus on those in rural communities, particularly here at home. She is working actively with the Foundation to realize a few personal key health care initiatives.

Later in the month SWMF, again in collaboration with PDHC, SSH and PUC participated in the weekend Gravenstein Apple Fair at Ragle Park in Sebastopol. Thousands of apple enthusiasts attend this event every year and we thoroughly enjoyed speaking with many from West County and beyond in such a festive, open-air location. Visitors were delighted to hear about the 7 day a week Urgent Care open 9 am to 9 pm that offers about 90+% of the services provided by our former Emergency Room. They were also pleased to know that a visit to Urgent Care costs a fraction of a visit to an emergency room and there is virtually no waiting. Of course if you know you are having a heart attack or stroke, you would want to call 9-1-1 and go to the nearest hospital with extended equipment and facilities. The imminent opening of Long Term Extended Care is being heralded by the other medical care facilities in the area since this service is not offered within a 75 mile radius of Sebastopol. This coupled with the on-going laboratory, 3-D mammography, x-ray services and other traditional acute care hospital offerings make SSH a desirable and convenient facility for those of us who live in West County. The really good news is that both SSH and PUC accept most insurance (including Blue Cross/Blue Shield now!) and Medicare/Medical.

Also, this summer your Board spent a Saturday undertaking Strategic Planning to help direct the future of the Foundation and to anticipate the needs of West County in the future as we move toward a greater collaboration with local preventative and responsive health care options. Some of the topics discussed included a mobile telemedicine clinic, an idea premised on our own global telemedicine with Dr. James Gude. Other ideas being discussed are exciting, such as finding ways to fund access for the under-privileged or those without insurance, providing transportation to appointments or to Urgent Care, taking services to our indigenous peoples and learning from them how to respond given their traditional ways, and others are all under discussion as we seek to expand offerings and fund raise for diverse opportunities in collaboration with other agencies in our local area.

 

We have some new Board members who have generously stepped forward to volunteer their efforts. Robin Birdfeather, Elisabeth Flower, and Hreith Pezzo have joined our distinguished team, bringing knowledge and experience in management, organization, health, prevention and medicine that are welcome additions to our Board. Their enthusiasm, insights and contributions at our planning session were truly invaluable.

 

We are excited to invite to you check out our Facebook page and our updated website at: sonomawestfoundation.org. Melissa Geissinger, a professional web developer, has done a wonderful job reformatting and upgrading our social media. While it is a work in progress, we think you will enjoy watching it evolve.

 

WE ALWAYS WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT: Should you want to support–or continue to support–our Distinguished Lecture Series and other tireless efforts on behalf of Health Care in West County, you can offer your tax deductible donation on our website.

We will be taking a partial hiatus in September as we undergo a transition, which will include postponing our Distinguished Lecture Series until October. We expect to be back with renewed energy in October and hope you will all enjoy a safe and restorative Labor Day weekend.

Wishing you good health,

Susan Moulton, President

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Distinguished Lecture Series – June 2019 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/distinguished-lecture-series-may-2019-2/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/distinguished-lecture-series-may-2019-2/#respond Mon, 17 Jun 2019 19:04:01 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1592 The Foundation is hosting a very important lecture this week providing invaluable information that each one of us needs to know. You are welcome to attend this FREE event. Please join us and bring your friends and family! 2019 Distinguished Lecture Series RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS OF STROKE, HEART DISEASE and HEART ATTACKS in both Women and…

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The Foundation is hosting a very important lecture this week providing invaluable information that each one of us needs to know. You are welcome to attend this FREE event. Please join us and bring your friends and family!

2019 Distinguished Lecture Series

RECOGNIZING SYMPTOMS OF STROKE,
HEART DISEASE and HEART ATTACKS
in both Women and Men

Mark Blankenship RN

THURSDAY JUNE 20, 2019

Reception 5:30 PM             Presentation 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Sonoma Specialty Hospital
501 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol

FREE EVENT
Donations Gladly Accepted

Mark Blankenship RN is the Director of Nursing and Peri-Operative services at Sonoma Specialty Hospital. He has 40 years of high level healthcare experience with an extensive background in trauma, plastics, ortho, heart, and general surgeries. In 1996, Mark became the lead surgery nurse at Memorial Hospital before becoming its first surgical trauma coordinator. He helped pilot new surgical procedures there, including Aortic stent grafting which allowed a patient to avoid one of the most invasive surgical procedures done today. In 2003 Mark became the manager of Memorial's first ambulatory surgical center, and 2006-2016 he was Director of surgical Services for Healdsburg District Hospital. In 2016 he came to Sonoma West Medical Center in Sebastopol. After working in two certified stroke centers, Mark is a subject matter expert on stroke recognition, response, and treatment.

Co-Sponsored by

palm-drive
sonoma-specialty-hospital

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Distinguished Lecture Series – May 2019 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/distinguished-lecture-series-may-2019/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/distinguished-lecture-series-may-2019/#respond Mon, 20 May 2019 21:30:06 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1565 The Board of the Sonoma West Medical Foundation would like to personally invite you to attend this week's lecture with Dr. James K. Gude. Please note that although our lectures are usually on Wednesdays, this month it will be on Thursday, May 23rd. We hope to see you there! 2019 Distinguished Lecture Series Sebastopol as the…

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The Board of the Sonoma West Medical Foundation would like to personally invite you to attend this week's lecture with Dr. James K. Gude. Please note that although our lectures are usually on Wednesdays, this month it will be on Thursday, May 23rd. We hope to see you there!

2019 Distinguished Lecture Series

Sebastopol as the Hub of Global Telemedicine Providing Specialized Healthcare to Underserved Communities throughout the World

James K. Gude, M.D.

THURSDAY MAY 23, 2019

Reception 5:30 PM             Presentation 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Sonoma Specialty Hospital
501 Petaluma Ave, Sebastopol

$5-10 Suggested Donation

James K. Gude, MD is an internationally respected specialist in Internal Medicine, who graduated with honors from Yale School of Medicine in 1965. He is a Fellow of Stanford University and is Board Certified in Critical Care Medicine and Pulmonary Disease. Dr. Gude was ICU Director and Director of Critical Care at Sutter Medical Center, Santa Rosa, for 35 years where he is an esteemed faculty member of the Family Residency Program, and is a Clinical Professor of Medicine at University of California, San Francisco. In 2006, using telemedicine, Dr. Gude co-founded OffSite Care (OSC) to provide high-acuity clinical care medicine to rural hospitals. The nonprofit Global Offsite Care was born in 2012 to extend telemedicine globally in the spirit of his mentor, Albert Schweitzer. Dr. Gude conducts internet "Grand Rounds" weekly from Sonoma Specialty Hospital to hospitals in Africa, India, Nepal, China, Philippines, Haiti, and the US.

Co-Sponsored by

palm-drive
sonoma-specialty-hospital
rotary

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Response to the District Dismantlers from Palm Drive Health Care District https://sonomawestfoundation.org/response-district-dismantlers-palm-drive-health-care-district/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/response-district-dismantlers-palm-drive-health-care-district/#respond Fri, 07 Dec 2018 18:58:11 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1508 It’s well-known that a group of Sonoma County residents have been attempting to shut-down the hospital and District for some time. They issued this FAQ sheet, and we are providing an opportunity for the District to respond (see bold text, below). Claims asserted by: Bodega Bay Against Unfair Taxation “BBAUT” FAQ – Bodega Bay Request for Detachment…

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It’s well-known that a group of Sonoma County residents have been attempting to shut-down the hospital and District for some time. They issued this FAQ sheet, and we are providing an opportunity for the District to respond (see bold text, below).

Claims asserted by: Bodega Bay Against Unfair Taxation “BBAUT”
FAQ – Bodega Bay Request for Detachment from Palm Drive Healthcare District

WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF PALM DRIVE HEALTH CARE DISTRICT (PDHCD)?

Claim: Measure W, passed in 2005, formed the PDHCD and set a property tax of $155 per year to provide an acute care hospital and emergency room. Facts: Measure W also allowed the District to provide “…other health care services…” The District is still providing an acute care hospital including and an operating room, critical care, lab, radiology, and therapies. In January will open an urgent care clinic where we can see the same kinds of patients we saw in the Emergency room for the most part. Ninety-percent of our patients were urgent care patients. Urgent care is also a lot less expensive for the patient.

WHY IS THERE NO LONGER AN ACUTE CARE HOSPITAL AND EMERGENCY ROOM?

Claim: On August 17, 2018, the PDHCD Board of Directors voted 4 – 1 in favor of a hospital management contract with American Advanced Management Group (AAMG) which results in closure of the Emergency Room and conversion of the hospital to a Long-Term Acute Care Facility and, possibly, an urgent care clinic. Facts: See above. The hospital is still an acute care hospital and you could be admitted from any doctor’s office (or urgent care clinic) directly to the hospital since it is still an acute care hospital.

WHY DO WE NEED TO DETACH?

Claim: Through two bankruptcies, PDHCD accumulated $28 Million in debt.  The losses and costs are expected to continue with AAMG.  If Bodega Bay detaches from the PDHCD now, we will not be responsible for the repayment of PDHCD’s future debt, but we will still have to continue to pay the outstanding bonds and current debt. Facts: If you detach you will save $47 per year or $4/month. We are suggesting that this money be spent on community health services in Bodega Bay. We are ready to bring health screenings, drug/alcohol rehabilitation services and others to Bodega Bay – we have spent two years in planning and are ready to go. Detachment would deny this needed service to Bodega Bay. Bodega Bay has essentially no health services. The District would partner with the Municipal Advisory Board to change this.

WHY DO I NEED TO SIGN A PETITION?

To detach from PDHCD, a petition must be signed by registered voters in the Bodega Bay Fire Protection district and presented to the Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO)

WHAT IS OUR CURRENT RESPONSIBILITY FOR PDHCD DEBTS?

PDHCD is in default on Measure W bond principal and interest payments in the approximate amount of $6 Million and anticipates incurring at least $1.7 Million more debt from its contract with AAMG.  If Bodega Bay detaches now our property tax payments to PDHCD will be reduced until the current debt is paid off. Facts: PDHCD is not in default of any bond debt. That debt is consistently paid. We do not anticipate incurring anywhere near $1.7 in debt with AAMG.

WHAT IS OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR PDHCD FUTURE DEBT?

Once detached, the accrual of future PDHCD debt to Bodega Bay property owners is stopped. If we do not detach, the $155 per year property tax payments will remain until both current and future debt is paid off.

HAS LAFCO REVIEWED THE SITUATION AT PDHCD?

Claim: Sonoma County’s LAFCO recently conducted a review of the PDHCD.  LAFCO’s recent review noted deficiencies in PDHCD’s governance and fiscal decision-making and called for corrective actions. No or inadequate corrective actions have been taken by PDHCD. Facts: This is incorrect. One of the primary recommendations from LAFCO was to consider changing the model of care at the hospital so it could be more fiscally sound. That is exactly what we are doing.

WHY ARE WE SUBSIDIZING A “FOR PROFIT” BUSINESS?

Claim: AAMG is a private, for-profit enterprise, which will be competing with other private medical care facilities in the area. AAMG should not be protected against business losses by our tax dollars. If we don’t detach, we will be paying their losses until they become profitable. Facts: No tax money is going to AAMG to subsidize their operations. We are paying for management services like anyone would do. We are putting money into community health efforts like homeless housing, senior programs, disaster programs, BP screening at Farmer’s markets, helping BODEGA BAY FIRE DISTRICT ($47,000), a teen center, anti-bullying program, fall prevention programs and many more.

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Our community hospital – beloved by patients and employees alike! https://sonomawestfoundation.org/community-hospital-beloved-patients-employees-alike/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/community-hospital-beloved-patients-employees-alike/#comments Mon, 09 Jul 2018 23:07:26 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1479 Sebastopol is Passionate about Their Community Hospital Written by John Beilharz, posted by Anya Concoff Residents of Sebastopol and West Sonoma County are increasingly enthusiastic about their community hospital. The many positive and supportive comments coming from the folks the hospital serves is underscored by the enthusiasm of hospital healthcare providers and staff alike. As…

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Sebastopol is Passionate about Their Community Hospital
Written by John Beilharz, posted by Anya Concoff

Residents of Sebastopol and West Sonoma County are increasingly enthusiastic about their community hospital. The many positive and supportive comments coming from the folks the hospital serves is underscored by the enthusiasm of hospital healthcare providers and staff alike.

As one of the largest employers in town the quality of healthcare provided at SWMC is nothing less than exceptional. COO and Chief Nurse Executive Barbara Vogelsang says patients get personalized care here that isn’t always available at other hospitals. “This quality of care is ingrained in the staff. All of the doctors and nurses choose to work here because they are passionate about the work they do and the services they provide.” Vogelsang holds two masters degrees and has 30 years of nursing and health care experience. She is also board certified as a nursing executive. Vogelsang’s passion for the hospital combined with her high level of expertise is characteristic of the entire staff. “I could work in any city in the country but I choose to work here. That’s typical of everyone who works for SWMC.”

Melissa Horve is SWMC’s Human Resources Director. She says that SWMC truly is a hometown hospital. “Patients who come here are on a first-name basis. We recognize the family members coming in and we know their names. I know every single person I’ve hired here, and I am familiar with their families.” This sense of community is what has helped the staff weather some recent bad press recently that has misinformed the community and caused confusion about the hospital.

The Back Story

Sonoma West Medical Center re-opened in October 2015 after its predecessor Palm Drive Hospital closed in April 2014. “People still associate us with Palm Drive Hospital, but that is a misconception. SWMC is an all-new organization under new management with a new board of directors,” explains Horve. The hospital is currently owned and operated by Palm Drive Health Care District and managed by a governing board and the District Board.

As a new business, getting the hospital on-track has been a challenge. As a result, the District Board recently issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to explore the potentiality of acquiring a new investor or expanding into a partnership for the organization. This action will help to safeguard the future of the hospital and ensure that it will be available to serve the community well into the future.

“This hospital has always been known for its quality of care,” says Alanna Brogan, who is the executive director of the District. “Rural hospitals generally tend to suffer from low occupancy and struggle for adequate revenue. We are looking for a partner that can invest in the organization and help bring in more patients, more business. And the good news is that the revenue cycle has increased, although there is still a small gap in managing expenses.”

While the hospital is governed in part by the District, the hospital is an independent entity. Discussions that have cropped up in the local media recently regarding government bonds – specifically the Russian River area detachment and residential property taxes, are issues belonging to the District and do not concern the hospital. “We are technically operating separately from the District, but they help to govern the hospital. Ultimately SWMC is a District tenant and nothing more,” Vogelsang explains.

As the District only partially funds the hospital, financial solvency is crucial for ongoing stability.  “[Previously], the billing systems and electronic health records were not synchronized so they weren’t billing and collecting for the care that was provided,” she says.  “Ultimately, the problems we inherited were easy to resolve and we have overcome most of our financial problems. We have restored our revenue cycle process and have increased billing and collections by almost 100 percent. Financially, we will be fine but we need a partner who can get us closer to where we need to be.”

Shedding Light on the Controversy

The hospital got a much-needed financial boost from a toxicology program, in partnership with Insurance Carrier Anthem Blue Shield, testing urine samples. This insurance carrier has recently accused the hospital of not conducting the toxicology tests that were billed to Anthem. The truth is that the hospital had performed every single test that was charged to Anthem. The issue between Anthem and SWMC is more a communication breakdown than a case of over-billing. “Federal regulations allow rural hospitals to bill for these types of toxicology tests at a higher rate than larger hospitals. This program was put into place by the government to help support rural hospitals,” Vogelsang explains. “We did everything our contract with Anthem stipulated. All of the documentation is in order and clearly demonstrates that fact.”

A Much Brighter Future

Regardless of recent bad publicity and inaccurate reporting concerning SWMC’s outstanding debt, hospital officials expect to be breaking even soon. With the combination of a hard to beat emergency department and a recently reopened operating room that is open around the clock, SWMC is dedicated to serving a community that has fought a valiant fight to have a local choice in healthcare. “Ultimately, Sonoma West Medical Center is here to stay, and we will be serving the community of Sebastopol well into the future,” says Brogan.

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A Life Saved Through Emergency Treatment https://sonomawestfoundation.org/life-saved-emergency-treatment/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/life-saved-emergency-treatment/#respond Tue, 27 Feb 2018 18:48:24 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1416 Hello there, my name is Nicole Rutkowski, a mother of two, and a baker at family owned Flour Creations Bakery in Cotati. Allow me to tell my story about how, on a late Sunday afternoon, Palm Drive Hospital (now the Sonoma West Medical Center) saved my life. Several years ago, I was a vendor at…

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Hello there, my name is Nicole Rutkowski, a mother of two, and a baker at family owned Flour Creations Bakery in Cotati. Allow me to tell my story about how, on a late Sunday afternoon, Palm Drive Hospital (now the Sonoma West Medical Center) saved my life.

SeveNicole at the marketral years ago, I was a vendor at the annual Celtic Festival at the Sebastopol Community Center. Near closing time, my baby had just been dropped off by their father to stay with me; I knew several vendors there who could help me with him if necessary. I started to pack up my baked goods when something very unexpected happened. I was picking up a crate of muffins when a bee flew down my throat! I was able to cough it up, but not before it stung me in my mouth! I was in immediate pain.

The vendor next to me saw what had happened and screamed, “I need DRUGS!” And with these words, she had everyone’s attention. She began to yell for “Benadryl!” “Ice!” My face was beginning to swell at a fast pace, feeling tighter and tighter. The vendor handed me a piece of paper and asked me to write down my emergency contacts, then quickly flagged down a vehicle in the parking lot to take me to the hospital.

Only a few minutes had gone by. My baby and I were loaded into a complete stranger’s vehicle. I was in shock, my baby screaming, and I was being raced to Palm Drive Hospital with horn honking, hazard lights on, driving the wrong way down Healdsburg Avenue.

Upon arrival at the ER entrance, I was immediately seated and asked “What’s the emergency?” Not being able to talk, I lowered the towel full of ice from my face and I was rushed into the back room where I was given several shots in my arm to treat me for anaphylactic shock. I felt paralyzed by pain, the distress of my child, and the Doctor on-call telling me “This would be a helicopter ride in any other circumstance.” When the symptoms subsided some, I was able to convince the staff to bring me my baby, who’d been crying hysterically the entire time.

I’m thankful for everyone’s quick thinking, and so grateful that there was a hospital nearby for treatment. It truly saved my life.

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To Keep the Record Straight https://sonomawestfoundation.org/keep-record-straight/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/keep-record-straight/#respond Tue, 21 Nov 2017 22:44:53 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1269 November 20, 2017 Just to keep the record straight, I would like to respond to the opinion piece by Sandra Bodley and Sukey Robb-Wilder which the Press Democrat published on Friday.  In this the authors decry the possibility of the Palm Drive Health Care District taking over management in a restructuring of Sonoma West Medical…

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November 20, 2017

Just to keep the record straight, I would like to respond to the opinion piece by Sandra Bodley and Sukey Robb-Wilder which the Press Democrat published on Friday.  In this the authors decry the possibility of the Palm Drive Health Care District taking over management in a restructuring of Sonoma West Medical Center.

While the central claims are false, and I will get to that, first I want to make an observation:  Ms. Bodley was elected as a Director to the Palm Drive Health Care District in November of 2012 and served until December 2016 when the new board was seated.  When she was elected, Palm Drive Hospital had shown a $5 Million profit in 2010 (in part from the bonds and taxes) and a very slight loss (less than $100,000) in 2011.  However the hospital over which the District Directors maintained control and oversight, had not grown business since 2010 and by Ms Bodley’s end of first year, was showing over a $1 Million loss, had grown management salaries such as to have salaries and benefits over 60% of net revenue (a responsibility of the Directors) and supply costs almost double the industry average and the actual costs in 2010.  Putting it bluntly, those directors squandered the $5million and never recovered but they did allow costs to rise exponentially.  Not a financially sound management plan.

In 2014, this Board of Directors had so mismanaged the District that they had to declare bankruptcy and close the hospital they were charged with running.  Director Bodley stated at a public meeting that the community needed to just accept it because “the new normal “ was not to have small community hospitals. And, in negotiations with the Palm Drive Healthcare Foundation to keep the hospital open, as one of the two Board Directors assigned to the negotiations, Director Bodley personally rejected an offer of $1.5 Million just to keep doors open while problems were addressed.

During the period from 2010 which showed a $5 Million profit and 2014 hospital closing in bankruptcy, the Directors never proposed new lines of service, opportunities to grow the business, nor reorganization of management or supplies to cut costs.  Never once did they acknowledge their responsibility for keeping a hospital in the community through their strong oversight.

The central point, here, is that the person complaining about the prospect of hospital financial mismanagement is the same person who oversaw the mismanagement decisions leading to the bankruptcy in 2014.

It is difficult, therefore, for any of us working hard at reopening and supporting a hospital which provided a community resource in the recent wildfire crisis to take as credible the comments of a Director who not only oversaw the bankruptcy and closure, but who also refused to accept help to keep open and who personally, as one of 2 Directors negotiating with the Foundation to set conditions for reopening, insisted on the “firewall” which has led to the IRS issue requiring restructuring.  The “firewall” provided assurance that the Directors actually had no real responsibility for the hospital or its management. The IRS problem stated by former Director Bodley was of her making—she would not agree to any reopening without this “firewall.”

Now to the simple facts:  The District Directors have these choices: to reissue bonds as taxable bonds which would cost the District over $5 Million (according to our bond attorneys and advisors) or to make some simple changes in the management agreements to retain the current tax-free bonds.  These bond positions were thoroughly outlined at a public meeting which included the bond advisors and legal advisors.  The public was there and encouraged to participate.  Nothing was hidden. Between paying $5million and roughly $50,000 penalties while we resolve the technical language seems, to me, a “no brainer.”  The District certainly cannot afford $5 Million while still working to solve the bankruptcy brought on by the actions or lack of oversight by former Director Bodley and her colleagues.

The changes WILL require that the District take financial responsibility for the hospital…something that the public should expect of the elected Directors anyway.

The present District Board has looked into multiple opportunities for increasing income and keeping costs under control.  At the moment the hospital is showing more than a $500,000 monthly profit much of this (although not all) due to our new toxicology lab and we intend to expand to add more advanced laboratory services while investigating a number of important services for our community—all of which will produce income.

The hospital in Sebastopol has had a number of people trying to close it for several years—allegedly because they see no real use for it or they object to the community voted taxes.  And it is certainly true that the District was ill served by former Boards of Directors.  Several communities successfully detached from the district although hospital records show that Sonoma West Medical Center is still serving approximately the same number of patients from those areas.  During the fire, SWMC saw 544 patients in 10 days of which 51 were from the detached areas.

It is discouraging to find a few people noisily decrying this hospital which faithfully serves West County and anyone who needs help.  It is particularly discouraging to have a former Director who was specifically responsible for the last bankruptcy mismanagement as one of the noise makers.

As an elected District Director, I intend to work hard to keep a hospital in our community and hopefully we will succeed.  It is not easy but even with the 4 small community hospitals in Sonoma County, our county still has fewer beds than are needed for our population.

Sonoma West Medical Center has annually received the highest patient satisfaction rating in Northern California—and did again this year.  We are trying to build a medical facility which can provide a community resource and give the care for our patients which allows healing and good health outcomes.

So—don’t believe everything you read by people whose agenda is to close the hospital.  The taxes will not go up.  The Board of Directors is working tirelessly to create a financially viable hospital and serve the community that voted in 2000 to have a public hospital.

Gail G. Thomas, Director
Treasurer, Palm Drive Health Care District

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Letter to the editor by Mark Blankenship, SWMC Director of Perioperative Services https://sonomawestfoundation.org/letter-editor-mark-blankenship-swmc-director-perioperative-services/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/letter-editor-mark-blankenship-swmc-director-perioperative-services/#respond Mon, 13 Nov 2017 20:21:52 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1258 By Mark Blankenship RN, Director of Perioperative Services/Supply Chain October 13, 2017 SWMC Board, SWMC Administrators, and most of all, SWMC Staff: I came to Sonoma West after ten years looking for what I once had up north, a sense of care and commitment that only a small rural, and often distressed hospital has to…

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By Mark Blankenship RN, Director of Perioperative Services/Supply Chain

October 13, 2017

SWMC Board, SWMC Administrators, and most of all, SWMC Staff:

I came to Sonoma West after ten years looking for what I once had up north, a sense of care and commitment that only a small rural, and often distressed hospital has to offer. A sense of priority and the realization that none of us will ever get rich in such a small place with such a high cost of living. To say, rich, in a monetary sense. The wealth one accumulates in these small facilities does not have a monetary figure attached. It is a wealth of soul and purpose. A wealth of commitment and fulfillment not possible in a corporate health care environment where the only priority, it seems, is about the paycheck.

I started here about a year ago and have sat through some of the most bizarre and insulting board meetings I have seen in nearly forty years of health care. Although I have never stood to speak, I wanted to on so many occasions. However, I realized my drive to speak was all too frequently out of anger and disappointment at those who seem determined to see this special place fail. I first realized in my nursing program that surgery was the place I was meant to be after training. I first realized that in an operating room at Palm Drive Hospital in 1987.

I was part of an exodus about six months ago when the future here looked very bleak. I left because I was afraid of the potential loss of income I feared was about to materialize, and I did so with a heavy heart. Before I left, I had several influential people here offer that if Kaiser didn’t work, I had a place to come back to. When I realized that Kaiser and I were just not a good fit, I called John. I had other options, but it was clear where I was to return.

At 3 am Monday morning, October 9th, while I stood outside my parent’s house slamming my fist on their door, I looked all around me and the entire city that I love was ringed in the eeriest red glow I have ever witnessed. As soon as I realized my entire family was safe, all I could think about was where I had to be. I had to be here. I got here around eight am to a parade of ambulances and vans transporting patients from nearby evacuated facilities. The hall ways were packed. A patient who tried in vain to rescue his daughter was intubated and on a ventilator in our ICU. Night shift staff never left. Staff not on duty appeared. Staff from other hospitals showed up offering whatever help we could identify. Staff who lost everything but family, worked alongside those of us much luckier.

Not only did SWMC see an influx of walk in patients, we filled our beds with fresh post-op patients. And not just routine post-op care was needed. We had a recovering open-heart patient from Sutter’s open heart program. We had a post-op thoracotomy patient walking the halls with chest tubes attached. The last time this facility saw such an acuity level was…. probably never. We took in severely medically compromised patients from Sonoma Developmental Center, the facility I began my career in 1979. What I saw was not even controlled chaos, it was simply controlled.

As we rolled through the week, keeping a close eye on newly evacuated areas and family. And we kept coming to work, many of us worked incredibly long shifts with very little rest. But we kept coming to work. In my career, I have been so rewarded with the results of so many projects and outcomes. I have worked as a staff nurse and a leader and have had the privilege to work with countless of this industry’s biggest heroes. I am certain that what I have seen and experienced here this week will be a highlight of my career. I have long recognized that I am privileged to be in this field. From my perspective, working with and caring for surgical patients is one of the highest callings in health care. We care for and keep safe patients who will never be as vulnerable as when they come to our operating rooms. They depend on our wisdom, talents, and experience to keep them safe from harm.
SWMC keeps patient from harm, and cares for those unfortunate enough to have not been able to avoid it. It is shameful that some in this room are too ignorant or involved in their own agendas to not realize the value and worth of such a facility. I do not recall many times in my life and career where I felt such shame for those who are so guilty of these actions and ideations. Many of us in this room truly wish you would just simply go away and stop detracting from the incredible actions and dedication of those of us who care and have dedicated our lives to caring for others less fortunate than ourselves.

Mark Blankenship RN
Director of Perioperative Services/Supply Chain

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SWMC’s response to the October fires https://sonomawestfoundation.org/swmcs-response-october-fires/ https://sonomawestfoundation.org/swmcs-response-october-fires/#respond Mon, 13 Nov 2017 20:15:55 +0000 https://sonomawestfoundation.org/?p=1256 By SWMC CNO Barbara Vogelsang On the morning of October 9th, SWMC had four Med Surg patients and one ICU patient. There was a total of six registered nurses in house. When we received word that Santa Rosa was burning, those nurses who had been there for a 12-hour shift didn’t leave. They’d work for…

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By SWMC CNO Barbara Vogelsang

On the morning of October 9th, SWMC had four Med Surg patients and one ICU patient. There was a total of six registered nurses in house. When we received word that Santa Rosa was burning, those nurses who had been there for a 12-hour shift didn’t leave. They’d work for hours into the day shift. Our Nursing Director came in at 3 am and the CEO was here by 5am. The day shift nurses arrived with their pets and family members who had been evacuated from their homes to care for an unknown number of patients who would be arriving from local hospitals that were threatened by fire.

The patients arrived via ambulance and by bus. Patients came to the Emergency Department with burns and life-threatening conditions that could not be cared for at SWMC but were not turned away. They were stabilized in our ICU and prepared for transport by helicopter to tertiary care centers. While weather conditions prevented their extraction by air, two critical patients were sent to San Francisco for further life saving care. They were saved only by the response of the staff in the Emergency Department at SWMC and the ICU physician and staff.

The single housekeeping staff member on site (because the others either lost their homes, or were fleeing from the fire with their families) and the facilities manager began preparing the patient rooms to accommodate two people each as the patients arrived in buses.

At the end of the first day, SWMC admitted 21 patients, saw 51 patients in the Emergency Department, triaged and discharged 12 patients, many of whom were newly homeless and required special arrangements to shelters.

Over the next 12 days:
• Volunteer nurses, physicians and lab personnel came to help.
• Our auxiliary arranged extra coverage, worked in the kitchen with nursing leaders and assisted with providing clothing for patients who had none. They partnered with our HR team to establish an on-site child care for employees whose children were not able to go to school.
• The hospital cared for three & four times the average number of patients for these 12 days. This meant continual monitoring of medical gases, linens, beds, patient food, and supplies, all of which were frequently in short supply.
• Hospital employees made trips to other facilities to acquire necessary supplies like IV pumps, tubing and specialty items to care for patients that we don’t normally see.
• SWMC with the help of the Foundation provided assistance to six employees and their families who lost their homes and provided replacement vacation hours for those missing work due to the fires.

The fires and SWMC’s response to the fires has proven that this hospital is absolutely, necessary in this community. The outpouring of support from the numerous community businesses in the form of food for employees working long hours exemplifies the community’s passion behind having the hospital in place.

Lives are saved here daily. Compassionate care is provided to patients from all walks of life here daily. And on October 9, 2017, Sonoma West Medical Center excelled in providing a community with quality care when others could not.

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