Magazine Article
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Magazine Article
Annual Report Volume 26 Number 2 Spring 2006 Fairfield, CA Compassionate Care Advanced Medicine Close to Home Contents Modern Healthcare 2 Cancer Survivor Creates Art as Local Fundraiser 4 NICU Was Right Next Door When Family Needed It – Twice 6 Fairfield Family Benefits from Generous Senior Grant 8 NorthBay Cardiac Rehabilitation Gives Fairfield Woman a Second Chance 10 Type II Diabetes Isn’t Just for Adults Anymore 12 NorthBay Healthcare News 16 NorthBay Plays “Santa’’ to Needy Classrooms 17 Volunteer Report 18 2006 Medical Executive Committee 19 Board of Directors 20 2005/2006 Donor List 20 Anniversary Tribute Celebrates Legacy of Giving 21 NorthBay Healthcare Facts & Figures Back Community Education Cover Wellspring is published quarterly by NorthBay Healthcare, Solano County’s locally based nonprofit health care organization. Editorial Staff: Joanie Erickson Marilyn Ranson Stacey McNeill Debbie Hooks Sally Wyatt Publication Designer: Page Design, Inc. Photographer: Henry Khoo Spring 2006 Wellspring The NorthBay Adult Day Center received a generous grant from the Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa-Solano. See page 6 for story. and Timeless Compassion: A 50-year NorthBay Tradition “Compassionate Care, Advanced Medicine, Close to Home” is the mission of the locally-based NorthBay Healthcare. This statement drives our philosophy about caring for our patients and our philosophy about investing in local medical technology. Starting with one small hospital in • the mid 20th century, our non-profit The NorthBay Medical Center Neonatal Intensive Care Unit – organization has grown to encompass the only facility for ill and premature a wide variety of modern medical newborns in Solano, Napa and Yolo services that allows Solano residents to counties. remain close to home while receiving the latest medical treatments. No other • non-military hospital in Solano County offers more sophisticated medical care programs and support groups to right here in this community than does help families cope with the problems NorthBay Healthcare. This is because of dementias. NorthBay Healthcare was created by Solano residents and exists only to care for Solano residents. The NorthBay Alzheimer’s Resource Center and NorthBay Adult Day Center – essential local • NorthBay Cardiac Rehabilitation – the only certified program in Solano In this issue of Wellspring, our County. 2005/2006 Annual Report, we’ll introNorthBay Healthcare patients who feel The NorthBay Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes – fortunate to find such advanced medical a one-of-a-kind treatment and care close to home. You’ll learn more education resource for the growing about some of our most sophisticated number of people in our community services that are offered nowhere else with diabetes. duce you to some of your neighbors – in this region including: • The NorthBay Cancer Center – • If you are new to the community, or would like more information about the only cancer treatment program the many services offered by NorthBay in our county accredited by the Healthcare, including the NorthBay American College of Surgeons Center for Primary Care and our two Commission on Cancer. hospitals, NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville, please call (707) 429-7700 or log on to northbay.org. Annual Report Spring 2006 Cancer Survivor Creates When cancer survivor Heidi Marble moved with her family to Fairfield four years ago, she had one goal: To find an oncologist who believed he could help her heal. Top: Heidi Marble began decorating discarded mannequins to take her mind off her cancer recovery. Today she uses her jeweled “girls” to raise funds for NorthBay Cancer Center. Bottom: Heidi knew she’d found her patient advocate when she met Dr. James Long, director of medical oncology at NorthBay Cancer Center in Fairfield. Spring 2006 Wellspring “I wanted someone who had confidence in me and I was prepared to travel any distance to find the right doctor,” Heidi says. When Heidi met oncologist James Long, MD, of NorthBay Cancer Center in Fairfield, she knew her search had ended close to home. “I interviewed Dr. Long with my leather organizer and list of expectations laid out on the conference table,” Heidi says. “I have an attitude – don’t talk to me with your hand on the door, plan to spend at least 15 to 20 minutes with me, be ready to answer all my questions… and at the end of the interview I asked him to be my doctor.” NorthBay Cancer Center opened in 1987 to make the latest cancer therapies available to the Solano community. Prior to 1987, patients traveled to Sacramento or San Francisco for treatment – a hardship when you’re receiving daily therapy for several weeks. Heidi received her cancer diagnosis in 2000 while living in Boston – a 34-year-old teacher, wife and mother of an active toddler. Life was full, but she wasn’t feeling well. “My breasts had gone through a lot of changes because of nursing,” she recalls, “and something just wasn’t right.” Although she had a clear mammogram 14 months earlier, she had been losing weight, her breast hurt and she was tired. She had a feeling something was wrong. She pressed her doctors, “but they passed it off. I was so young. They blamed my fatigue on being a new mom with too much to do.” One day, everything just felt different, Heidi says. “After walking up a short flight of stairs, I was so tired; I knew I was not all right. I felt like I was dying.” This time, her doctor took her symptoms seriously. After an exam, a mammogram and an emergency consult with an oncologist, Heidi’s physician said, “I have very, very bad news.” The diagnosis: inflammatory breast cancer, an aggressive form of cancer with a life expectancy of about 18 months. “Within an hour after walking in to the doctor’s office, I had received a death sentence,” she says. Artas Local Fundraiser “I interviewed Dr. Long with my leather organizer and list of expectations laid out on the conference table. I have an attitude – don’t talk to me with your hand on the door, plan to spend at least 15 to 20 minutes with me, be ready to answer all my questions…and at the end of the interview I asked him to be my doctor.” About the NorthBay Cancer Center NorthBay Cancer Center is the only civilian cancer center in Solano County accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. Located in Fairfield on the NorthBay Medical Center campus, the center offers a coordinated approach to comprehensive cancer services: prevention, detection, treatment, rehabilitation and support. The two cornerstones of the cancer center are the department of radiation oncology and the department of medical oncology. Both departments feature the very latest technology and techniques, as sophisticated as care that is offered at university hospitals. The departments are led by two respected medical directors: Radiation Oncologist Florian Ploch, MD, and Medical Oncologist James Long, MD. — Heidi Marble The “whirlwind” continued with the beginning of high dose chemotherapy a short time later. Heidi eventually endured a double mastectomy. From the beginning, she was determined to beat the odds. “‘I’m going to survive for my child.’ I made this statement to myself to beat this cancer. I’m not saying it was easy; I had my ups and downs. There were plenty of times when I wanted to give up.” Throughout the course of her early treatment Heidi had made it a practice to assemble a team of physicians who had confidence in her. When she moved to Fairfield during the maintenance phase of her treatment she wanted to reestablish that supportive environment. “When I met Dr. Long at the NorthBay Cancer Center, I knew I had found the perfect physician advocate,” Heidi says. “Dr. Long is – seriously – the most compassionate man. I don’t know how he retains it, with all the heaviness of his job as an oncologist. He has such a calming presence about him. That composure is important because followup exams can be stressful. Now, with Dr. Long, they’re no longer a negative experience. “The nursing staff at NorthBay Cancer Center is amazing, too,” Heidi says. “They’re so knowledgeable about my kind of cancer. The staff maintains an office atmosphere that is light and loving, and filled with hope. This is an important component of my care – give me hope that I can survive to raise my son.” And for Heidi, that is the case. On April 12, she marked the sixth anniversary since her cancer diagnosis. Heidi’s sense of purpose, and gratitude for her compassionate care, recently evolved in an unexpected direction. To take her mind off her disease and treatment, she started decorating picture frames and mirrors with old buttons and costume jewelry to give away as gifts. While working, she says, she would fall into “a state of grace; you’re not worrying when you’re doing this. It’s a break, an escape, a positive outlet.” About three years ago, Heidi found herself in a junk shop searching for costume jewelry when she spied an old, beat-up mannequin in the corner. “It was bald, white, damaged. I saw myself in her,” she says. Heidi brought the mannequin home and started decorating it. “I re-created her, and myself, in the process.” Heidi nicknamed the mannequin “Jewels,” and, on a whim, entered the piece in a juried art show in Fairfield last fall. Jewels won an award. Word about Heidi’s work spread, and people began donating “buttons, jewelry and money” for her to use, not only to expand her mannequin collection, but also for her “Buttons-N-Dollars” fundraising campaign, which she has established to raise money for patients of the NorthBay Cancer Center. Ten pieces are in Heidi’s collection now, which is currently on display at the Fairfield Center for Creative Arts and in the NorthBay Medical Center lobby. They are adorned with jewelry and mementos donated by people who “want to honor a friend or someone with the disease.” All of the “girls” (as Heidi calls her bejeweled mannequins) have something in common, Heidi says. “They each have a watch and an angel, for blessings and more time.” You can view Heidi’s work and learn more about the “Buttons-N-Dollars” campaign on her website, www.buttonsn-dollars.com. Annual Report Spring 2006 NICU Was Right Next Door When Family Needed It – Twice First-time parents are nervous enough about the impending birth of a new baby. But, imagine learning that your baby will – without a doubt – be born prematurely. NICU Celebrates Its 20th Anniversay Nearly 300 NICU graduates and their families attended the 20th annual anniversary party Oct. 29 at Fire Station No. 37 in Fairfield. That’s the news Carleen De La Torre heard after her blood pressure dangerously rose to hypertensive levels during her sixth month of pregnancy. Fortunately, NorthBay Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) had the expertise right here in Fairfield that her baby would need. Carleen’s condition, called preeclampsia, is a disorder that occurs during pregnancy and can affect both mother and the developing fetus. In addition to high blood pressure, symptoms include swelling, sudden weight gain, headaches and changes in vision. Carleen was experiencing many of those symptoms. “My feet were so swollen I couldn’t wear shoes, and I was gaining five pounds a week,” she recalls. That’s when her obstetrician, Dr. Frederick Blair, told her that her hypertensive condition meant she would likely deliver her baby early. “I was worried, and I remember saying that I wanted to go all the way with it, but I was so sick and my blood pressure was so high.” Even following doctor’s orders to lie down, rest on her left side and monitor her blood pressure at home didn’t seem to help. When her blood pressure hit 170/110, her husband took her to NorthBay Medical Center where she was admitted and observed for four days. “My blood pressure never went down,” Carleen says. “So labor was induced.” Daughter Victoria was born on March 19, 2002, after seven months of gestation. She weighed just three pounds and six ounces. “Oh, she was so tiny, so small!” Because the De La Torre’s baby’s size and her mother’s preeclampsia made the delivery high risk, a NorthBay Medical Center neonatologist was in the delivering room ready to provide little Victoria with immediate life-saving care. She was then sent to the NICU, where she remained for the next 28 days. NorthBay Medical Center is the only hospital in Solano, Napa or Yolo counties that offers this kind of 24hour newborn intensive care. Being a new mother and not being able to take her baby home right away was difficult, Carleen says, but the warm and caring “The nurses are so ; they help you to understand the process and what is going on. They explain what the tubes are for and answer all your questions.” — Carleen De La Torre Spring 2006 Wellspring About the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit NorthBay Medical Center’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is a 16-bed, Level 2 facility, which means it can care for all but the most critical babies. Opened in 1975 and enlarged in 1992, the NICU cares for about 180 to NICU staff made the experience more bearable. “The nurses are so warm and caring; they help you to understand the process and what is going on. They explain what the tubes are for and answer all your questions. They even bring in a social worker if you have problems at home or have postpartum depression. They let you have privacy, and you can visit any time. I had no worries when I had to leave my daughter there to go home,” Carleen adds. Victoria recently celebrated a healthy and happy fourth birthday. Last year she was joined by Christa, who was born on May 28. Christa is herself a NICU graduate. Carleen developed the same preeclampsia symptoms during her second pregnancy, but the symptoms were worse. “Christa was born at seven and a half months, but she was smaller – three pounds and two ounces – and sicker.” She, too, stayed in the NICU for 28 days. “By this time, I was ‘old school,’” Carleen laughs. “I knew all the nurses and I live right around the corner, so it was easy to come over every four or five hours.” Every year, the De La Torre family makes a point of attending the NICU’s Halloween party, a fun and festive reunion for former NICU residents. “It’s nice for everyone to see how well the girls are doing and to get caught up with ‘old friends’ who have shared the same experience,” Carleen says. “And it’s a chance to show our support for the wonderful doctors and nurses who make it possible for premature babies to stay close to home after they’re born.” 200 babies a year. As the only NICU in Solano, Napa or Yolo counties, the NICU allows local babies to stay close to home to grow and recover. Neonatalogist Richard Bell, MD. Carleen De La Torre, seated with daughter Christa, was grateful to find skilled NICU nurses like Connie Pudlak, RN, top, and Jane Pflumm, RN, ready to help when both of her daughters were born prematurely. Annual Report Spring 2006 Fairfield Family Benefits from NorthBay Alzheimer’s Services receives $80,000 Grant Last summer, NorthBay Healthcare’s Alzheimer’s programs received a prestigious $80,000 grant from the Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa-Solano. The grant, which was available for programs with an emphasis on service to low income, minority or functionally impaired elders over the age of 60, is renewable through 2009. The grant funds are being used to enhance services at the NorthBay Adult Day Center and the Alzheimer’s Resource Center. Both programs are located on the NorthBay VacaValley Hospital campus in Vacaville and serve residents throughout Solano County. “The grant is helping several seniors attend the Adult Day Center on scholarships,” says Pat Anthony, director of Volunteer Services and Alzheimer’s Programs. “With funds from the grant, we were able to help several low or fixed income families receive supervised care for their loved ones and valuable respite for themselves.” Spring 2006 Wellspring When NorthBay Alzheimer’s Services received a generous grant from the Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa-Solano last spring, program director Pat Anthony knew just how the funds could help local families caring for seniors with dementia. The grant funds now allow the NorthBay Adult Day Center to offer more “scholarships” to seniors who could otherwise not afford its care. “Many caregivers desperately need the services our center provides, but the cost can be prohibitive, even though we keep them as low as we possibly can,” Pat says. “With funds from the grant, we were able to help several low or fixed income families receive supervised care for their loved ones and valuable respite for themselves.” The Day Center, located on the NorthBay VacaValley Hospital campus in Vacaville, provides a safe, structured environment where people with Alzheimer’s and/or related dementias can enjoy group activities which emphasize their remaining functioning. Under the guidance of program manager Sandy Perez, the center cares for up to 35 people daily Monday through Friday. Walter and Marie Conley, Fairfield residents since 1953, were among the first to benefit from the grant. Walt, 87, a retired agronomist and WWII Army veteran, and Marie, 85, a former NorthBay Guild volunteer, struggled with Marie’s worsening dementia since 1991. Walt became her full-time caregiver, with the welcome help of his daughter-in-law, Barbara Conley. With Marie usually at his side, Walt prepares meals, cares for the house, yard and laundry, pays the bills and maintains their car. Even for such a deeply devoted couple, the 24 hour togetherness is stressful. Walt joined the local caregivers’ support group and learned about the NorthBay Adult Day Center. Marie was enrolled in 2003 for two half-days a week, which was all the couple could afford. “From the start, the staff at the Day Center was marvelous,” Walt says. “It’s obvious that everyone who works there cares about their clients.” Still, caring for his wife was taking a toll on Walt’s health, and the center’s staff recognized Walt and Marie needed assistance more than just two half days a week. “When the grant became available I think Sandy recognized that Marie and I were in a downhill spiral,” Walt says. The grant makes it possible for Marie to attend the Day Center three full days a week. The Paratransit bus picks her up at home around 7:15 a.m. and brings her home at 5 p.m. “This is the greatest gift I’ve ever been given,” Walt says. “It has changed our lives immensely and I’m sure it has added to our longevity. Now I can relax and care for myself knowing that Marie is happy and safe.” Generous Senior Grant About NorthBay Alzheimer’s Services NorthBay Healthcare operates the NorthBay Adult Day Center and the NorthBay Alzheimer’s Resource Center, both located on the NorthBay VacaValley Hospital campus. The NorthBay Adult Day Center is open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. The center provides half-day, full-day and extended-day respite care to seniors with a medical diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. For further information, call the center’s manager, Sandy Perez, at (707) 454-3112. The Alzheimer’s Resource Center is located in the lobby of NorthBay VacaValley Hospital. The center is open Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. For further information, call (707) 454-3006 or toll-free 1-800-922-9922. Marie Conley, long-time Fairfield resident and NorthBay Adult Day Center client, enjoys a card game with Adult Day Care Center program manager Sandy Perez. Watching are Marie’s husband, Walt, and Pat Anthony, director of NorthBay Alzheimer’s Services. Walt was able to increase the time Marie spends at the center thanks to a grant from the Area Agency on Aging Serving Napa-Solano. Greatest Gift “This is the I’ve ever been given. “It has changed our lives immensely and I’m sure it has added to our longevity. Now I can relax and care for myself knowing that Marie is happy and safe.” — Walter Conley, Fairfield resident Annual Report Spring 2006 NorthBay Cardiac Rehabilitation Gives Fairfield Woman a Second Chance Spring 2006 Wellspring Like the majority of American women, Deborah Davis, 56, of Fairfield, didn’t realize she was at risk for heart disease. After 35 years of smoking, she was sure she’d die of lung cancer. She soon learned that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, and smoking greatly increases that risk. “I didn’t know smoking affected my heart,” Deborah says. “When I found out, it was almost too late, but I quit smoking immediately, and so did my son.” She credits NorthBay’s Cardiac Rehabilitation program for guiding her along the path to improved health. The program is the only nationally certified cardiac rehabilitation program in Solano County and one of just 21 in the entire state. Deborah had just earned a degree in psychology and was preparing to become a grief counselor when her heart problem was discovered. As she was preparing her resume, the woman who had never been sick a day in her Left: Deborah Davis receives instruction on a new piece of exercise equipment from Debbie Gordon, RN, manager of NorthBay Cardiac Rehabilitation at NorthBay Medical Center. Davis credits exercise with helping her regain her health. Above: Karen Loewe, RN, records Deborah’s blood pressure at the end of her exercise session. life suddenly had trouble breathing. Her legs and feet began to swell. Within 30 days, Deborah’s health declined to the point she couldn’t walk without gasping for air. By the time she visited her doctor, Mukesh Naik, MD, in Vacaville, she was in congestive heart failure and was immediately sent to NorthBay VacaValley Hospital. She was hospitalized for nine days, where tests confirmed heart disease and Dr. Naik referred her to cardiologist Gurinder Dhillon, MD. An angiogram in NorthBay Medical Center’s Cardiac Cath lab revealed two severe artery blockages, and within a week she was at Mt. Diablo Medical Center, where Dr. Dhillon placed stents in her arteries. “Suddenly I could breathe again,” Deborah says. “But I was told there is no cure. I’ll always have congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. All I can do is learn how to manage the conditions.” And that’s where the NorthBay Cardiac Rehabilitation program stepped in. “Our program is designed to help people like Deborah control the physical and psychological effects of cardiac illness,” says Debbie Gordon, RN, who has managed the program since its inception in 1988. “Deborah is committed to improving her health and she’s done a terrific job.” Deborah joined the cardiac rehabilitation program last October. Six months later, she has completely changed her lifestyle. “It’s been a long journey to get my health back,” she says. “But since I’ve quit smoking, changed my diet and continued exercising, I’ve acquired a better quality of life.” Deborah credits Gordon and her staff, including nurses Karen Loewe, Victoria Erickson and Robin Megyeri, for giving her the skills and support she needed to change. “I’ve learned so much through the cardiac rehab program,” she says. “In the last six months I’ve gradually built up my endurance on the treadmill. The nurses carefully watch over me and are quick to help. For example, when my blood oxygen measurement dropped too low, a nurse taught me how to breathe correctly. “I found exercise opens up my lungs and gets my blood circulating,” Deborah says. “I didn’t know that proper exercise can lower your blood pressure, but it has. And although there are days when I hate to exercise, I always feel better when I’m finished.” She’s also learned how to read food labels correctly and how to plan lowfat meals. When she saw her doctor in February he was amazed at her progress. Her cholesterol was lower and she was smoke free. “Put a gold star by your name, because you’re not the norm,” Dr. Dhillon told her. “Most people recover and go right back to smoking.” But Deborah has other plans. Now firmly on the road to recovery, she is working again toward her goal of becoming a grief counselor. Dr. Jeffrey Breneisen About NorthBay Cardiac Rehabilitation The NorthBay Cardiac Rehabilitation program is located at NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield under the guidance of medical director Jeffrey Breneisen, MD, FACC. The outpatient program is designed to help individuals recover from cardiac illness while they learn to exercise, eat right and control their blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The program is nationally certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation. “Each of our patients receives a customized, individual program of exercise and education,” says program manager Debbie Gordon. “We monitor each patient closely with the goal of stabilizing or improving their condition and enhancing their quality of life.” Last year, more than 300 people graduated from the program. The program is open from 6:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday and accepts most insurance plans. For further information, call (707) 429-6960. help people “Our program is designed to like Deborah control the physical and psychological effects of cardiac illness.” — Debbie Gordon, RN Annual Report Spring 2006 Photo by Caroline Thompson Diabetes TYPE II Isn’t Just For Adults Anymore Michelle Ponce and her dad, Jaime, of Vacaville, prepare fresh fruits and vegetables as part of their diet to control Type II diabetes. Type II diabetes – once a disease Dr. Yshay Shlesinger About the NorthBay Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes The NorthBay Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes was founded in 2003 by NorthBay Healthcare and Dr. Yshay Shlesinger, the only non-military endocrinologist in the Solano community. The Center provides clinical and nutritional support and education to people with endocrine and metabolic disorders such as diabetes, osteoporosis and disorders of the thyroid, parathyroid, adrenal gland, pituitary and reproductive systems. For more information or to make an appointment, please call the Center at (707) 454-3115. almost exclusively developed by older adults – is becoming alarmingly prevalent in children and teens, mostly due to our modern penchant for fast food and sedentary lifestyles. This statistic is one that Michelle Ponce of Vacaville knows all too well. Michelle, 14, is a freshman at Will C. Wood High School. She was diagnosed with Type II diabetes as a 12-year-old seventh grader. “I was very sick when I started junior high. I was losing weight and just felt terrible,” Michelle remembers. Her parents were concerned so they took Michelle to her family doctor, Dr. Karl Moline, who made the diagnosis that shocked Michelle and her parents. “I was very surprised and scared,” Michelle remembers. “I knew diabetes was a serious disease.” healthier life “I live a now that I have diabetes, and I want my friends, and my brother and sister to know they should live a healthy life before they get diabetes.” — Michelle Ponce 10 Spring 2006 Wellspring Dr. Moline referred Michelle right away to Dr. Yshay Shlesinger, boardcertified endocrinologist and medical director of the NorthBay Center for Endocrinology and Diabetes. “As children spend less time outside playing and more time inside eating unhealthy foods, their chances of developing the disease increases,” says Dr. Shlesinger. “Genetics can also play a role, as they did in Michelle’s case.” Her father, Jaime, and his brothers also have Type II diabetes. Between Dr. Shlesinger, the Center for Endocrinology staff and the love and support of her father, Michelle is healthier than ever before. “My dad said he’d help me through it and show me what to do. He taught me to give myself insulin shots and to change the way I eat.” Today, Michelle avoids foods that are high in sugar and/or fat and makes sure she eats plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. She also exercises regularly and monitors her blood sugar three times each day. Her efforts are well worth it, Michelle says. Not only does she feel healthy and strong, she was recently able to stop giving herself insulin injections. Michelle now counsels her friends about healthy eating and about the risks of developing diabetes. She knows that being more active and avoiding “junk” foods keep her diabetes under control, and might have prevented the disease if she had made changes sooner. This is a lesson she makes sure her younger brother and sister learn through her. “They have the same family history as I do so I remind them everyday to take care of themselves,” says Michelle. “I live a healthier life now that I have diabetes, and I want my friends, and my brother and sister to know they should live a healthy life before they get diabetes.” News N o r t h B a y h e a l t h c a r e NorthBay Center for Primary Care Celebrates 5-Year Anniversary NorthBay Healthcare established the Center for Primary Care in 2001 to bring more primary care doctors – family practice physicians, internists and pediatricians – to the fast growing Solano community. Beginning with one physician, family practitioner Gautum Vadlamudi, MD, the Center for Primary Care has now grown to 13 physicians with locations in Vacaville and Green Valley. A central Fairfield location, with three new physicians, opens next winter. “The Center for Primary Care has experienced impressive growth in a very short time, and we’re quite proud of that,” Dr. Vadlamudi says. “Our partnership with NorthBay has proven to work well for physicians, and even more importantly, it works well for our patients.” The Center for Primary Care is distinctive in many ways. For one, all care is provided in a small office atmosphere where patients receive more personal care. The Center’s unique Open Access appointment system also ensures that patients who need care the day they call receive it. “We are growing because our patients refer their family and friends to us, which is the greatest compliment any doctor can ever receive,” Dr. Vadlamudi says. Gautaum Vadlamudi, MD For more information about the NorthBay Center for Primary Care, call the Vacaville office at (707) 455-3000, the Green Valley office at (707) 864-9999 or log on to northbay.org. The “Cure” for the Weekend Warrior Dr. Nancy Rolnik and Rehabilitation Services Open NorthBay Sports Medicine Clinic Weekends can be tough on the body. Backyard basketball, a softball game and even gardening can take a toll, and the pain come Monday can keep us from work, school or just “getting back in the game.” Quick, convenient expert help is now available at the NorthBay Sports Medicine Clinic in Fairfield for adults and children. Led by Dr. Nancy Rolnik, board-certified sports medicine and family practice physician, the clinic cares for patients on both a same-day and prescheduled appointment basis. The Sports Medicine Clinic is within NorthBay Rehabilitation Services which provides a unique benefit to patients. The advantage of the program is that most patients will be diagnosed, begin treatment and even start physical therapy, if necessary, during that first appointment. “As the Solano County community is becoming more fitness conscious, more adults and children experience sports injuries that need special treatment,” Dr. Rolnik says. “Our sports medicine clinic provides patients with a quick and efficient alternative to the emergency room or a busy doctor’s office.” For more information, or to make an appointment, call the NorthBay Sports Medicine Clinic Dr. Nancy Rolnik at (707) 429-7861. Annual Report Spring 2006 11 News N o r t h B a y h e a l t h c a r e Construction Starts for VacaValley Hospital Emergency Room Ground was broken last July at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital for a larger emergency room and new entrance. Once complete, the new emergency room will triple the size of the existing facility and give patients access to some of the most advanced medical technology available. The opening of the new $10.8 million ER will coincide with the 20th anniversary of NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in 2007. Newest PET/CT Technology Comes to NorthBay Medical Center Last September, PET/CT imaging, a medical imaging tool once reserved for research facilities, became available at NorthBay Medical Center. The service is provided every Friday by Northern California PET Imaging Center of Sacramento. PET (or positron emission tomography) produces digital pictures that can provide early detection of cancer, brain disorders like Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s and epilepsy, and certain heart diseases. A PET scan can distinguish between benign and cancerous disorders (or between live and dead tissue), unlike other imaging technologies which only confirm the presence of a mass. PET can also help physicians monitor the treatment of disease, by revealing changes in cellular activity long before structural changes can be measured by ultrasound, x-rays, CT or MRI. 12 Spring 2006 Wellspring Vascular Surgery Comes to NorthBay Healthcare NorthBay Healthcare brings vascular surgery to the Fairfield/Vacaville community with the addition of two highly-regarded surgeons to its medical staff. John Loftus, MD, and Wendell Wenneker, MD, FACS, are now caring for patients with vascular disease in their new Fairfield office. Both are board-certified surgeons. Vascular surgeons treat vessels outside the heart and brain. These include arteries that carry oxygenated blood from the heart to all areas of the body, as well as veins that return blood to the heart. Vascular surgeons treat a range of ailments from aneurysms to deep vein thrombosis and even varicose veins. Dr. Loftus is a graduate of the Mayo Medical School in Rochester, MN, where he also completed a fellowship in vascular surgery. He completed an additional fellowship in endovascular surgery at Stanford University Medical Center. Dr. Loftus is the former chief of vascular surgery at David Grant Medical Center and clinical assistant professor of surgery for the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences. John Loftus, MD Wendell Wenneker, MD Dr. Wenneker completed medical school and his residency at U.C. San Francisco and is now an associate clinical professor of surgery at the university. For more information about Drs. Loftus or Wenneker, or to make an appointment, please call them at (707) 428-6046. News N o r t h B a y h e a l t h c a r e Elnora Cameron Named President of NorthBay Health Advantage New Physician Practice Provides Special Care to Home-bound Elderly NorthBay Health Advantage, the Illness poses many challenges for the frail elderly who live in their homes. Leaving the home for needed medical care is often a particular challenge. This is why Dr. Joseph Dane opened a new medical practice especially for elderly patients who do best remaining in the home environment. House calls by a physician are the best medical care for infirm and housebound patients, Dr. Dane believes. About two million Americans are temporarily homebound and find it difficult to access outpatient medical care. Dr. Dane cared for patients at the NorthBay Medical Center and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital emergency rooms since 1987, and he is a local resident. He completed medical school at George Washington School of Medicine. Dr. Dane completed his residency at the Medical Center of Delaware where he was chief resident of emergency medicine. For more information about Dr. Dane and home medical care for the elderly, please call him at (707) 330-0247. business development arm of NorthBay Healthcare that has created new programs and facilities such as NorthBay Alzheimer’s services and the new emergency service under construction at NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, named a new president: Elnora Cameron. Cameron, an 18-year member of the NorthBay Healthcare senior management team, follows in the footsteps of former president William Hawn, who retired in February. Cameron retains her role as vice president for Managed Care and Business Development in addition to her new role as Health Advantage president. Cameron brings a great deal of education and experience to her new position. She earned her master’s degree in Social & Health Planning in addition to many years successfully developing new business for health care organizations. Her education and experience augments her in-depth knowledge about the Solano community and its unique health needs. Welcome Donald Denmark, MD, Vice President of Medical Affairs NorthBay Healthcare is pleased to welcome Donald Denmark, MD, as vice president of medical affairs. Dr. Denmark comes to Fairfield from Integris Health, a 13-hospital system in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, where he was on the active staff at Baptist Medical Center, an 800-bed Level 1 Trauma Center. He was director of clinical research as well as a medical director for Integris Physician Services, which is a primary care group consisting of more than 100 physician practices. A native of Ontario, Canada, Dr. Denmark completed his medical degree at the University of Alberta. He is currently pursuing his master’s of medical management degree from the American College of Physician Executives. Dr. Denmark is board certified by the American Academy of Family Physicians and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. Annual Report Spring 2006 13 News N o r t h B a y h e a l t h c a r e New Procedure Successfully Treats Urinary Incontinence in 30 Minutes Women’s Health Associates of Fairfield introduce a new, minimally invasive procedure that treats urinary incontinence quickly, safely and effectively. Welcome Cardiologist Milind Dhond, MD NorthBay Healthcare welcomes cardiologist Milind Dhond, MD, to the NorthBay Medical Center and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital medical staff and to the Solano community. Dr. Dhond earned his medical degree at the United Medical Schools of Guys and St. Thomas, University of London. He completed his medical internship at Hereford Hospitals and his surgical internship at Colchester Hospitals, University of London. He completed a medical residency at Oldchurch Hospitals, University of London and cardiology fellowships at the Royal Brompton National Heart and Lung Hospitals, UK, and the University of California, Davis. Dr. Dhond is board certified in internal medicine and cardiovascular medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine. Dr. Dhond’s practice is located in Fairfield. To reach him, call (707) 421-1162. 14 Spring 2006 Wellspring The procedure, called TOT, represents a breakthrough for women with one type of incontinence called Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI). “When coughing, laughing or sneezing puts pressure on the bladder and causes you to leak urine, the most common diagnosis is SUI,” says Pantea Pahlavan, MD, Women’s Health Associates gynecologist/obstetrician. “Fortunately, the TOT procedure provides an excellent minimally invasive option that is successful for the vast majority of women.” TOT employs a “tension-free” sling that doesn’t require anchors or sutures, common with other procedures. A sling is created using a synthetic mesh ribbon-like strip that is surgically inserted through the vagina to provide support to the urethra (the tube that allows urine to flow from the bladder). The sling helps the urethra remain closed even during the stress of laughing, sneezing or coughing, and during exercise or other physical activities. TOT is a simple outpatient procedure generally completed in 30 minutes or less, under local anesthesia. Even more importantly, the procedure offers patients an excellent safety record and a high success rate. In a recent study, 98 percent of women experienced no leakage or Marlene Freeman, MD & Pantea Pahlavan, MD significantly less leakage seven years after the procedure was performed. This is good news for the more than 14 million women nationwide who experience urinary incontinence, says Marlene Freeman of Women’s Health Associates. “Many women come to us thinking that urinary incontinence is just part of growing older. The fact is urinary incontinence is not a condition anyone has to live with,” she says. “Most women with incontinence can be successfully treated with non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures.” For more information about TOT, incontinence or other gynecologic or obstetric health issues, please call Women’s Health Associates at (707) 438-7600. News N o r t h B a y NorthBay Healthcare Partners With Pacific Union College Last fall, NorthBay Healthcare and Pacific Union College began a partnership to offer a two-year program leading to a bachelor of science in nursing degree (BSN) on the NorthBay Medical Center campus. The program is for registered nurses with associate degrees in nursing. “We’re an organization that values education for our nurses,” says Kathy Richerson, NorthBay Healthcare Group vice president and chief nursing officer. “We understand the importance of education in achieving excellent clinical outcomes for our patients.” To help nurses earn their BSN degrees, NorthBay has pledged to adjust work schedules so nurses can attend classes and continue to work. Once nurses have earned their bachelor’s degree, they become eligible for NorthBay Healthcare’s loan repayment program. Pacific Union College is an accredited liberal arts college located in Angwin, 70 miles north of San Francisco in upper Napa Valley. h e a l t h c a r e NorthBay Healthcare Foundation Board Member Tina Benedict serenades some lucky children during her winter benefit concert. Tina is a popular local singer who has staged a number of shows to benefit NorthBay Alzheimer’s Services. Photo by Terrell Van Aken, MD, NorthBay Center for Primary Care Cancer Center Nurse Named Outstanding Educator of the Year NorthBay Cancer Center’s Oncology Clinical Nurse Specialist Keni Horiuchi, RN, was named “Outstanding Educator of the Year” during a ceremony Nov. 8 in honor of National Health Educator Week. NorthBay patient Kelly Bezzerides, of Fairfield, received the “Road to a Healthier Nation Award.” She was selected as one of the patients who successfully made changes in her lifestyle which resulted in leading a healthier life. Horiuchi, who has worked at the Cancer Center for 12 years, has devoted her career to the treatment and prevention of cancer. “I cannot begin to explain the difference Keni makes in the lives of patients and their families,” her nomination read. “She spends countless hours educating them, ensuring that they understand how their disease affects their lives, and how to live with both. Patients and families have voiced their appreciation for her educational style, her sense of humor, kindness and compassion.” Horiuchi also promotes cancer education outside the hospital, coordinating the community “I Can Cope” class, assisting medical oncologist Dr. James Long with community lectures, and representing NorthBay Healthcare at numerous health fairs to discuss cancer prevention. Keni Horiuchi, RN, left, and Kelly Bezzerides of Fairfield, display the awards they received in honor of National Health Educator Week. She has also helped establish the inpatient chemo credential program, becoming an educator and mentor for over 40 nursing staff members. NorthBay Medical Center patient Kelly Bezzerides was honored for the healthy changes she has made as a result of kidney disease. Since 1986, Kelly has had multiple hospitalizations related to her disease and has worked hard to use what she has learned, including losing 115 pounds. She has impressed NorthBay Medical Center’s staff with her willingness to learn what she needs to know and the courage to take important steps to build better health. The education awards were part of the celebration of National Health Educator Week. Annual Report Spring 2006 15 SANTA to Needy Classrooms “ NorthBay Plays “Dear NorthBay,” began the thank you letter from a 4th grade Bransford Elementary School student. “Thank you for giving us a party. You are the best people and the best hospital in the world. Your friend, Marcos.” In celebration of the 2005 holiday season, NorthBay Healthcare and our more than 1200 employees helped about 2000 local children get in the holiday spirit through the “Adopt a Classroom” program and other winter community projects. NorthBay departments and individual employees “adopted” 84 classrooms, fulfilling the wishes of teachers and children alike. The adopted classrooms are at Bransford Elementary in Fairfield and Padan Elementary in Vacaville, two of our community’s most economically challenged schools. “Most of our children come from homes where the parents are struggling to meet their family’s basic needs,” says Bransford Principal Justine Turner. “We often don’t have the resources for simple things like paper and staplers, and our parents aren’t able to help at the same level as parents can at other schools.” Traditional celebrations – with cupcakes and decorations – are rare in these schools. “Support from other adults in the community is so important to our students,” Turner says. “It makes all the difference.” Each NorthBay Healthcare department and nearly every employee committed to helping at least one classroom by hosting a holiday party for the children and purchasing items from each teacher’s “wish list.” The items ranged from reams of paper to calculators to CD players. The classroom celebrations included cookies, cupcakes, presents for the 16 Spring 2006 Wellspring ” children and teacher – and even a surprise visit from a jolly man in a red suit. “The looks on the faces of the kids when we walked in with our baskets made all our effort worth it,” says Terri Bartoli of the NorthBay Medical Center cardiac catheterization laboratory. Bartoli and her co-workers adopted a Bransford 3rd grade class and were greeted with cheers and hugs and enough heartfelt appreciation that many left their parties with happy tears. Now that the holiday season is over, several NorthBay Healthcare departments are developing year-long rela- tionships with classrooms to help in other ways, including volunteering with students and sponsoring field trips and other learning opportunities. “These children will soon be our workforce,” says NorthBay Healthcare President/CEO Gary Passama who helped out at many of the classroom parties. “We feel it’s our responsibility to do what we can to support our schools.” For more information about how your family or your business can make a difference to a local classroom, call your school district about the “AdoptA-School” program. NorthBay Healthcare employees devote thousands of hours to community service projects throughout the year. Like many in our community, they find the holidays to be an especially inspired time to give. In addition to the Adopt-A-School classroom parties, NorthBay Healthcare employees and physicians also throw a December party for all the children born through our ABC Prenatal Program and play “Santa” to many additional children through the Vacaville Christmas Wish program. Volunteer Report NorthBay Guild Golf & Tennis Classic is July 10 The 22nd Annual NorthBay Golf & Tennis Classic is Monday, July 10, at Green Valley Country Club. This year’s committee chair is Barbara Lum. The event, which is a NorthBay Guild volunteer fund raising project, donated $52,000 to the NorthBay Healthcare Foundation last year. For more information about registration, sponsorships or donations, call the NorthBay Healthcare Foundation at (707) 426-6708. 2006 NorthBay Guild President Pam Reeder of Fairfield is president of the NorthBay Guild for 2006. Other officers include: Helen Vineyard, vice president; Gay Luiz, secretary; Helene Falk, treasurer; Gary Hayes, assistant treasurer; C.J. Chadbourne, parliamentarian; and Ann Kokalis, immediate past president. NorthBay Hospice Volunteers Twelve active hospice volunteers provided 750 hours of support to NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement clients in 2005. Hospice volunteers receive 20 hours of training and provide services from respite care for families to program support and help with special projects and community education. If you are interested in volunteering with hospice, please call (707) 429-7758. Student Volunteers The student volunteer program grew to 29 members and contributed 640 hours of service last year. Student volunteers range in age from 14 to 18 and can be found in a variety of hospital departments. For information about becoming a student volunteer, please call (707) 429-7910 or email Maureen Allain at mallain@northbay.org Volunteers Earn President’s Service Award Seven NorthBay volunteers earned national recognition as 2005 recipients of the President’s Volunteer Service Award. The awards are given to recognize the best in the American spirit and to encourage all Americans to improve their communities through volunteer service and civic participation. Those receiving awards were Meir Horvitz, Paws for Healing (pet therapy); and NorthBay Guild volunteers Caroline Chuck, Dianne Cravea, Helene Falk, Jewel Schoffstall, June Spangler and Helen Vineyard. NorthBay Guild Donates $185,000 in 2005 The NorthBay Guild, which for 10 years operated with branches and leadership split between Fairfield and Vacaville, reunited as one organization last year. Under the leadership of president Ann Kokalis, the 215-member Guild donated $185,000 to the NorthBay Healthcare Foundation. If you are interested in joining the Guild, please call (707) 429-7910. Paws for Healing Volunteers Paws for Healing volunteers bring canine comfort to patients with regular hospital visits. Last year, 11 volunteers and their friendly dogs spent 402 hours visiting the patients at NorthBay Medical Center, NorthBay VacaValley Hospital and NorthBay Adult Day Center. Knights of Pythias members Vernon Johnson, Jesse Mattos and George Jordan (back row with Kathleen Smith, pediatric rehabilitation supervisor) receive grateful thanks from the staff of NorthBay Pediatric Rehabilitation and some of the young patients they serve. The Vallejo group donated $20,000 to the pediatric rehabilitation program. Knights of Pythias Support Pediatric Program NorthBay Pediatric Rehabilitation was recently honored with a $20,000 donation from the Knights of Pythias, a Vallejo lodge that has been meeting and serving the community for many years. The local gentlemen’s lodge awarded the gift after taking a tour of the pediatric rehabilitation unit and meeting with several staff members. NorthBay Rehabilitation Services Director Vicki Gregg says this will help ensure that staff has the necessary resources to help their young patients progress in their rehabilitation. The program’s specially trained therapists work with infants and children who have physical, communication or cognitive difficulties, helping them achieve the highest possible level of function. “The Knights’ only stipulation was that we use the donation in a way that will directly benefit the patients, and we’re always happy to do that.” Gregg says. “For pediatric rehabilitation, this is a huge gift and we’re very grateful for it. This is clearly an altruistic group of gentleman who’ve met their goals of doing what they can to help the community. Their generous gift will benefit our patients and their families for years to come.” Annual Report Spring 2006 17 2006 Medical Executive Committee How to Reach Us NorthBay Medical Center For more information about physicians who practice at NorthBay Medical Center and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital, log on to NorthBay Healthcare’s website at www.northbay.org. (707) 429-3600 NorthBay VacaValley Hospital (707) 446-4000 NorthBay Center for Pain Management (707) 429-7766 NorthBay Center for Endocrinology & Diabetes M. Tracy Johnson, MD, Chief of Staff Thomas E. Erskine, MD, Vice Chief of Staff David R. Gilliam, MD, Secretary/Treasurer, Chair, Department of Family Practice Richard E. Bell, MD, Immediate Past Chief of Staff, Chair, Department of Pediatrics Joseph J. Dominguez, MD, Chair, Department of Anesthesiology James F. McMahon, MD, Chair, Department of Diagnostic Imaging D. Craig Dennis, MD, Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine Terrell Van Aken, MD, Member at Large, Department of Family Practice Kathryn Amacher, DO, Chair, Department of Medicine Merle R. Sogge, MD, Member at Large, Department of Medicine Samuel J. Santoro, DO, Chair, Department of Obstetrics/Gynecology Robert Takamoto, MD, Chairman, Department of Surgery (707) 454-3115 NorthBay Center for Wound Care (707) 454-3096 NorthBay Rehabilitation Services (707) 429-6702 NorthBay Occupational Health (707) 429-7701 NorthBay Center for Primary Care Green Valley (707) 864-9999 Vacaville (707) 455-3000 NorthBay Speakers’ Bureau (707) 429-7952 NorthBay Healthcare Foundation (707) 426-4273 NorthBay Adult Day Center (707) 454-3112 NorthBay Alzheimer’s Resource Center (707) 454-3006 or toll-free 1-800-922-9922 NorthBay Cancer Center (707) 429-6989 NorthBay Health at Home (707) 429-7756 NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement (707) 429-7758 Visit our website: www.NorthBay.org 18 Spring 2006 Wellspring (Not Pictured) Robert A. Lanflisi, MD, Member at Large, Department of Surgery James B. Bronk, MD, CMA, OMSS Representative Board of Directors NorthBay Healthcare System G. Ben Huber, Chair (A) Stephen J. Power, Vice Chair (B) Russell Albers, Secretary-Treasurer (C) Archie Humphrey (D) Mary Mancini, MD (E) James F. McMahon, MD (F) Mark Sievers (G) Gary J. Passama (QQ) A B C D E F G H I J K L NorthBay Healthcare Group Archie Humphrey, Chair (D) Mark Sievers, Vice Chair (G) Wayne Senalik, Secretary (H) Donald Doyle, MD (I) Gary Falati (J) David Gaw (K) M. Tracy Johnson, MD (L) Gwendolyn Runnels (M) Murray Woolf, MD (N) Gary J. Passama (QQ) NorthBay Health Advantage M N O P Q R Sandy Rigby-Person, Chair (O) Brian Chikowski, Vice Chair (P) George Weston, Secretary-Treasurer (Q) Russell Albers (C) Beverly Dorsett (R) Steve Huddleston (S) Kathy Parsons (T) Gary J. Passama (QQ) NorthBay Healthcare Foundation S T U V W X Y Z AA BB CC DD EE FF GG HH II JJ KK LL MM NN OO PP QQ RR SS TT Michael Paulik, Chair (U) Joe Della Zoppa, Vice Chair (V) Dennis Landis, Treasurer (W) Garland Porter, Secretary (X) Donna Antonelli (Y) Tina L. Benedict (Z) Gerry Brenner (AA) Brian Chikowski (P) Robert L. Erwin (BB) Gary Falati (J) Bill Fell (CC) Jim Hopkins (DD) Frank Jackson (EE) Rebecca Kendall (FF) Jim Lawrenz (GG) Sheila Lewis (HH) Mary Mancini, MD (E) Noreen O’Regan (II) Candy Pierce (JJ) Scott Reynolds (KK) Pam Schemke (LL) Wayne Senalik (H) Albert Shaw (MM) Jaye Thompson (NN) Skip Thomson (OO) J. Peter Zopfi, DO (PP) Gary J. Passama (QQ) NorthBay Healthcare Leadership Gary J. Passama, President/CEO NorthBay Healthcare (QQ) Deborah Sugiyama, President NorthBay Healthcare Group (RR) Elnora Cameron, President NorthBay Health Advantage (SS) Brett Johnson, President NorthBay Healthcare Foundation (TT) Annual Report Spring 2006 19 2005/2006 Donors Leaders in local healthcare, from left, George Tomasini; Brett Johnson, president of the NorthBay Healthcare Foundation; Mike Paulik, chairman of the board of NorthBay Healthcare Foundation; and Gary Passama, president/CEO of NorthBay Healthcare. Anniversary Tribute Celebrates Legacy of Giving Just over 50 years ago, a fund-raising dinner at Green Valley Country Club kicked-off a campaign to build the first 24-hour hospital in Solano County. The goal soon was realized with construction of Intercommunity Memorial Hospital. With expanding needs of a growing community, a continuing drive eventually led to the development of a complete healthcare system to better serve county residents. In recognition of this success, community leaders recently gathered again at Green Valley Country Club on February 25 for the 50th Anniversary Tribute, honoring those who continue the philanthropic tradition. NorthBay Healthcare Foundation Chairman Mike Paulik recognized local leaders whose vision culminated in what has become NorthBay Healthcare. “From the dream of a handful of Fairfield residents we now have two hospitals, a medical group, and provide many medical services to the residents of Solano County that are available nowhere else in the community.” The evening’s ceremonies honored major donors, physicians, staff, and special guest George Tomasini. “In 1956, George Tomasini was AWARD RE C I P I E N T S : named campaign chairman of Tomasini Award: B. Gale Wilson what was to become the most and Russ Albers pivotal fund drive in the history of Business Leadership: Genentech and local non-profit healthcare,” said Sacca Family (dba Burger King) Paulik. “George’s efforts mark the Physician Leadership: John P. Zopfi, DO true beginning of our mission of and Terrell Van Aken, MD providing the best possible care Employee Humanitarian: Joanie Erickson to all in need, regardless of their and Pat Anthony ability to pay.” Founder’s Club Members (Individuals or Gary Passama, NorthBay organizations who have made cumulative gifts totaling $100,000 or more): Healthcare CEO, emphasized that as a not-for-profit, independent Steve Acord hospital system, NorthBay’s comBryan Braker Funeral Home and Fairmont Memorial Park mitment to improving health care in the community will continue. “With the generous support of our community, we can all look forward to more advanced medical services, particularly in the areas of cardiac, orthopedic and emergency care,” Passama said. “NorthBay plans to continue offering expanded services and facilities, and making them accessible to those who need them.” First Northern Bank Genentech The Reporter Sacca Family (dba Burger King) Solano Garbage Vacaville Sanitary New Endowment Funds - In honor of Walter B. Graham, by his wife, Carol Graham. Legacy Circle (recognizing individuals making a significant planned gift in their estate): Ann and Pete Kokalis 20 Spring 2006 Wellspring Pam Aberson Mitchell Abila Diane Abrew Kristine Ackerman Peggy Acosta John Adams Yolanda Addiego Russell Albers Paul Alcala Evangeline Alire Jean Allen Charles Almany Daniel Alvarez Kathryn Amacher John Amaral Michael Ammann Charles Anderson Joyce Anderson Sharon Anderson Leslie & Virginia Anderson Trust Fund Anonymous Patricia Anthony Donna Antonelli Nelson Arana Beth Armstrong Donna Armstrong Laura Avery Frank Avila Sharon Azevedo Vicki Baffa Caroline Bailey Barbara Baker Dora Baker Elizabeth (Betsy) Baker Howard Baker Johnnie Baker William Balamut Edward Ballerini Anna Bardy James Barnes Douglas Barr Carlanne Barrett Theresa Bartoli Robert Bascochea David Bast Linda Bates Cherie Bauer Kim Beadleston Antoinette Becker Earl Bedard Lucy Bell Margo Bell Robin Bell Alice Bender Tina Benedict Lupe Bengel Roger Bennett Gary Benveniste Clara Bergstrom John Bibler Charlotte Biggs Catherine Billecci Bob Birr Janet Black Bettye Blackburn Donna Blaich Henry Blank Stella Bleigh Tina Blythe James Bobo John Bolosan Garland Bonner George Bonnici Lori Bornstein-Lorenz Jim Boston Kristen Boteilho Kimberly Bowes-Cowart Roy Bradeson James Breen Eileen Brennan Dan Brewington Meredith Briggs Sheryl Briggs Dan Broadwater Bonni Brown Gerri Brown Kenneth Brown Rowella Brown William Brown Beverly Brun Thana Brunges Joyce Bruno Craig Bryan Roger Bubak Linda Bucaojit Veronica Burget Robert Burrell Donald Burris Lucile Burton Mary Lou Busenbark Frank Buss Heidi Butler Brook Byerley Dorothy Byrd Louis Cadorin Joyce Cahalan Donna Callison Anthony Camarata Ruth Cano Pat Carpenter Adele Carr Kathleen Carroll Steven Case Dora Castleman Orville Cester Debbie Challburg Courtney Chambers Sharon Chambers Eleanor Cheechov Margaret Cheney Odette Chenoweth Judith Cherry Brian Chikowski Larry Chouinard Robert Christensen Christa Christian Arnold Clark Kim Clark Lu Verne Clark Carl Clausen Pearl Clayton Suzette Clement Barbara Jean Cleveland Don Clyde Nancy Coelho Lyndell Coffey Jesse Coffman Maria Coldiron Constance Collins Celeste Concannon Michael Conner Cindy Conyers Gerald Cooley Pat Cooper John Copeland Oretta Cortland Kathryn Cowden Gail Coyner Dianne Cravea Donald Cross Lois Cross Norma Cross Bonnie Cummings Sandra Curran Eugene Curtis Rosalie Curtis Jacqueline Custock Sheryl Cutler Donna Dabeck Dyana Dacosta Dorene Carville Lawrence Davis Stanley Davis Bess Day Esther De Vries Heather De Vries Frank Deanovic Robert Deatherage Bernice DeBoyce Ann Delavara Betty Delcour Dave Della Zoppa Joe Della Zoppa John Demsosz Jeanette Demma Barry Denis Fred Dentinger Marlene Dessel Rita Diaz Mary Dickey Robert Dickey Harold Dietrich Shirley Dingley Harrison Dodini June Dorsey Donald Doyle Robert Drennon Dennis Drew Alice Droast Richard Dubs Katherine Dugoni Beverly Duncan Minnie Durbin Betty Dwyer Marilyn Eagles James Edman Fred Edwards Carol Elliott Patricia Elmore Robert Embry Holly England Keith Erdman Joanie Erickson Robert Erwin Manuel Escano Julie Eseed-Kim Gertrude Esenbise Monica Espinosa Janet Essman Dorothy Estes Georgean Evans Katherine Evans Jutta Evanson Judy Eyolfson Eileen Falati Gary Falati Gladys Farbina Joanne Fashauer Karen Felipe Rudolph Felipe William Fell Peter Fernandez Raymond Ferrando Robert Ferrante Sonia Ferrer Dorothy Figaniak Inez Finden Christopher Fitz Teresa Fitzgerald Diane Flowers-Urquiza Marie Fogarty Darryl Fong Joseph Fong Kathryn Fong Melvin Fong Tom Foon Galia Fortney Johnnie Fortune Holly Fosnight Betty Fowler Amelia Franklin Whitney Fraser Joan Freer Alan Frerichs D. Janet Dry Elizabeth Fry Sharyn Fuller Colleen Furnish Margaret Furst Sheila Furukawa Marilyn Ga Sandy Gannon Manuella Garcia Richard Garcia Fred Gardiner Al Gardner Cecelia Gardner Patrick Garner Michael Garver Terry Gasper Dale Gearing Linda Geraci Elizabeth Giacomelli Cynthia Giaquinto J.L. and A.V. Gibbons Russell Giggey Joel Gillespie J.L.Godsey Vera Godwin Lawrence Goldsmith Michael Gonzales Jose Gonzalez Mary Goodin James Goodland Todd Gould David Graham LeRoy Graham William & Lauretta Graham Christine Grant Paul Gravelle Nanette Gregg Vickie Gregg Ronald Grenier Richard Griffin Aimee Griffiths Mary Groulx Hazel Grubb Linda Guenther Betty Guglielmoni Shannon Gunther Anita Guzman Sally Guzman Fred Haderman Harry Haley Clarence Hall A. Halverson Ross Hamilton Mary Anne Hampton Bernice Hancock Carole Hannigan Gloria Hansen Henrik Hansen Chris Hansford Lois Harper Delbert Harris John Harris James Harrison Toni Harvey Russell Hatch Michael Hayden Gary Hays Jennifer Healey Joseph Hearin Jamie Hearn Fred Hearne Jim Heath Victoria Heid Carol Heinz Rebecca Henrickson Robert Henry Susan Henry Rod Herman Eleanor Hernandez Jane Herndon Lisa Higgs Mark Hilberman Jon Hilliard Paul Hindman Edna Hinojosa Douglas Hinton Lloyd Hinton Quang Ho Gail Hobza Carla Hodge Linda Hoffmann Diane Hohn Janet Holderness Daniel Hom Justine Honsinger Christina Hoover James Hopkins Keni Horiuchi G. Ben Huber Norma Hudson Therese Humbert Archie Humphrey Bertella Humphrey Kathy Ann Humphrey Glenn Hunt Donald Husbands Gretta Iglesia Chita Ilomin Reden Infante Frank Inn Frank Jackson Maureen James Behrouz Jamnani John Jansen Lorie Jarvis Jose Jauregui John Jee Sue Jensen et al Sarah Jewel Anna Johnson Brett Johnson Dorothy Johnson Frank Johnson Margaret Johnson Nancy Johnson Stacy Johnstone Clara Jones Morris Jones Rose Jones Shirley Jones Victor Jones Kimberly Joseph Edwin Junes John Kakacek Christine Kallagis Allison Kane Lance Kaneshiro Nanette Kappl Helen Kelly Rebecca Kendall Jonathan Kendler Jim Kennedy Denny Kidwell Susan Kiefer Jennifer Kimmel Cathy Kincaid Joseph Kinelski James Kirkpatrick Theresa Klaus Jeanne Klocow Vernon Knudsen Randal Knudson Ann Kokalis Gayle Korn Lori Kornblatt Michael Kramer Patricia Kramer Lois Kratzer Duane Kromm Diane Kudsk Joan Lacy Dennis Landis Kathleen LaPlante Kiyoko Lapointe Michael Larsen Jennifer Larson James Lawrenz Dennis Lechak Velma Lee Stephanie Leibowitz David Lennon Mildred Leonard Becky Lessler Tami Leutholtz James Lewis Sheila Lewis Jacquelyn Lillis Sandra Lim Peggy Lind Lynne Linne Susan Linnell Alfred Linton Linwood Little Kathyrn Logan Ryan Loney James Long Anita Lopez Beverly Losado Debbie Lothe Walter Louie Caroline Low Henry Low Robert Lown Pablo Luat Antonina Lucido Karen Luke Sonya Luke Barbara Lum Charles Lum Robert Lum John Lund Vicki Lynn Austin Lyons Doug Machado Wayne Madden Velma Maddox Linda Maglia-Batista John Magno Ernesto Maligaya Mary Mancini Rudy Manfredi Mary Mann Alex Marquez Janice Marsh Rosie Marshall Clelia Martin-Crabtree Tracy Martinez Gino Martinucci Betty Mason Jerry Massie Gary Matsumura Michael Mattice Linda Mattos Lee McAlister Mary McClain Carol McCord Judy McCoy WM McCulloch Sharon McDaniel Anne McGillicuddy Christine McGlasson Beverly McGrew Robert McKay Verna McKeeman Lois McLaughlin Richard McNamer Joseph McNeill Carrie Meadowcroft Wilfred Melanson Linda Melsheimer Rogelio Mendoza Seth Merewitz Avylonne Messerli Howard Messerli Patricia Metcalfe Eric Mezger Rita Micjenka Bernadette Mignone Dennis Miller Jacqueline Miller Margaret Miller Ellen Mills Gail Mitchell Gordon Mitchell Stanley Mitchell Joseph Modos, Jr. Shirley Moiseff Evanelle Molde Eileen Mols Bruce Moore Marilyn Moore William Moore Deborah Moranion Bryant Mori Gina Morrow Shannon Morton Anna Moscarelli Jerry Muck Ted Muto Yoshiko Muto Ed Myhre Edward Nagayama Dorothy Nash Clifford Neal Alice Nelson Gloria Nemson Ralph Netzer Jane Neufeld Mary Neville Stephen Newman Irma Newton Jay North Mary Nourot Alan Novak Carl Novosel John O’Connor Marlowe Oberti Linda O’Connor William O’Donnell Sumi Okahara Susan Olds Maria Olive Melissa Oliver Juanita Olsen Joyce Olson Preceptor Omicron Nu Noreen O’Regan Barbara Orloff Becky Ornellas Toni Pacheco Keith Packer Susie Paedon Viola Paolini Pasquale, Judith or Gary Parenti Kenneth Parker Majory Parker Yvonne Parrino Donald Parsons Scott Parvin Gary Passama Maria Pastorello Louise Patrick Emaleen Patten Michael Paulik Dorance Peats Suzanne Perez Dennis Perry Phyllis Perry James Persinger Sandra Person Helen Peterson Jack Peterson Kellie Peterson Nedra Peterson Jane Pflumm Brenda Phillips Sharon Picciano Candice Pierce Phyllis Pierce Robert Pisani Mari Pitts Carolyn Pleasant Colleen Ploch Karen Plumbley Gerald & Charlotte Pollard Mary Polson Garland Porter Daniel Potts Scott Povey Lynne Powell Stephen Power Phyllis Pratt Robert Pretel Sharon Pribula Carl Pullen Judith Pullen Dianna Putnam John Putnam Kay Quillie Alice Kay Quillin Meshan Rachal John Raffety Joe Rainwater Marilyn Ramberg Carmen Ramirez-Brooks Victor Ramos Marilyn Ranson Betty Rawlinson Carl Recknagel Roberta Reed J.M. Regan Ruth Reid Fred Relyea Donna Remus Gayle Remus G. J. Reynolds Scott Reynolds Ginger Richardson Melanie Richardson Kenneth Richerson Sharon Riggins Sylvia Rivera Marcus Roach Amy Robertson Margie Rodgers Candy Roeker Albert Rohleder Sarah Rohrs Mary Rollison Wilma Romary Tonya Roschen Bert Rouleau John Rowen Susan Rubio Cynthia Ruff Scott Russell Winston Russell William Ruth Kelly Ryan Dana Ryder Cathy Sacca Joseph Sacca Sylvia Sacca Dominick Saccullo Serafino Saccullo Marylane Sales Linda Salmon Shari Salomon Doris Sams Therese Sanders Anita Santos Elaine Santos Nancy Santos Lawrence Sauer Kathy Saukko Pamela Schemke Walter Scherff Jane Schilling George Schoch Robert Schoffstall Melinda Scholten Elise Schreiber Walter Schroeder Maurice Schueler Ervin Schwarcz Robert Schwartz Howard Scully Charles Seabrook Lisa Seeno Patricia Siefert Wayne Senalik Maybelle Senft Kathleen Sepulveda R.M. Serrano Marlene Shafer Gregory Shaver Albert Shaw Steven Shaw Kathryn Shea Janice Sheets Warren Sheldon Gary Shellenberger Dawn Shepherd Robert Sherman Deane Shimabukuro Juanita Shimada Sylvia Shively Christine Sia-Escort Stanley Siefert Rick Siefke Evelyn Silag Stanley Silverman Janis Simmons Terry Simmons Don Simon Ken Simonin Joe Simpliciano George Simpson Lenora Skoglund Sherie Smalley Kristine Smircich Gregory Smith Kathleen Smith Mary Smith Renee Smith Christopher Somers Irene South Shirley Spadorcio Gregg Spanos Volney Sparks Robert Spencer Maryon Squaglia James Stacey Barbara Staffen Mary Stagnaro C. Robert Staib John Stallings Gordon Stankowski K. E. Stansbury Deborah Stapinski John Stevens Christine Stevenson Robert Stough James Strachan David Stroud Donald Suetta Deborah Sugiyama Gloria Sullivan John Sword Robert Takamoto Linda Tapio Jill Tarap W. Tawzer Geraldine Taylor Norma Taylor Brian Thiessen Alice Thivierge Kimberley Thomas 2005 NorthBay Healthcare* facts & figures Admissions to the hospitals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8,086 Average length of each stay . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4.2 days Babies born . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,578 Surgeries performed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3,674 Emergency room visits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54,373 Number of employees . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,245 Number of volunteers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 245 *NorthBay Healthcare includes NorthBay Medical Center in Fairfield and NorthBay VacaValley Hospital in Vacaville. Virginia Thomas Diane Thompson Edgar Thompson Jaye Thompson Lynn Thompson Skip Thomson Kim Thorn Brian Thorpe Lucille Thyrring Marilyn Tigner Edward Times Constance Tipton Peery Tischer Meredith Tofield David Tong Marc Tonnesen Charlette Torkelsen Michael Torrence Sandra Tosti Shin Tower Amy Toy Joann Trolinger Patricia Trost Norma Turnage Bryan Turner Daniel Tuse Timothy Tyrrell Vera Unger Scott Urie Richard Van Duzer Mary Van Eck Douglas Van Order Robert H. Van Vranken Donald Vande Venter James Vanderdasson Richard VanVeen Harold Vanwieren Sharon Vaudrin Jane Vaughan Lora Velardo Dwight Vettel Pamela Vierling Ambrose Villa Crisologo Villanueva Crisostomo Villanueva John Vogeli Norbert Voit Ben & Phyllis Volkhardt Melvina Vollmer Tisha von Ting Vicki Walberg Margaret Walbolt Ruth Waldron Beverly Walker Evangeline Walker Janet Walker Patty Walsh Lisa Walters Jamie Wangeline Xanthia Warren Ronald Waslohn Wendy Wasserman Kellogg Pamela Watson Shirley Watson Fran Weaver David Weldon George Weston Mary West-Saxon Ruth Weyman Thomas Whalen Ray Wheelus Beatrice White John White John White Michael White Ruth Whitehouse Laura Whitman Diane Whitmire Helen Wiley James Wiley Mary Lee Williams Shelia Williams Verna Williams Denise Williamson Robbie Wilson Lillian Wirth Dick Wolfe Fong Wong Annie Wood Karen Wood Yvonne Wood Zelma Wood Evelyn Woodruff Wanda Woods Murray Woolf Janet Wright Phyllis Wright Theodore Wright Larry Wurzbach Marian Wynn Tonya Yared Donna Yaws Sunni Yoon Patsy Younger Carol Yount Donna Zaier Del Ziegler Ann Marie Zoimek John Zopfi Adhere Advocates for the Arts AHC, Inc. Ahere, Fremont Al Anon Family Group District Alarmtech Alkar All Bay Mill & Lumber Co. Alza Corporation Alzheimer’s Association Amgen, Inc. Anheuser-Busch Companies, Inc. Aramark Corporation Automatic Bar Controls, Inc. Bank of America - United Way Campaign Bank of the West Basic American Foods Basic Founders Club Bay Cities Racing Association BFHL Architects, Inc Bryan-Braker Funeral Home Cain Brothers California Service Bureau CBSJ Financial Corp Cerner Corporation ChevronTexaco Employees’ “People Making a Difference” Campaign Chevys, Inc. CMT Federal Credit Union Community Banker Services Corporation Credit Bureau Associates Curves for Women Deloitte & Touche Dixon Senior Citizens Dominion Environmental, LLC Downtown Ford Duke Energy Endsmeet Enterprises Epsilon Financial Group, Inc. EZ Ship Fairfield Hearing & Speech Center Fairfield Suisun Rotary First American Title Co. First Northern Bank First Northern Bank of Dixon Gail P Ramos Lung Cancer Foundation, Inc. Gaw, Van Male, Smith, Myers & Miroglio Genentech Gold’s Gym - Vacaville Hearn Construction Heritage Financial Corporation Hitzeman & Associates, Inc. Hoffman Foundation International Proinsurance Services LLC IPC The Hospitalist Company Jelly Belly Candy Company JIMBABWE Development & Design Jones Bros. Carpet One L & D Fuller Enterprises Law Office of Honeychurch & Finkas Law Offices of Stephenson, Acquisto & Colman Lessler Group Liberty West Mortgage, Inc. Lincoln Financial Advisors Made In The Shade Canopy Rentals Maritime Academy Foundation Marti Nelson Foundation Cancer Research McGraw Hill Medic Ambulance Service, Inc MedImmune, Inc Millennium Medsearch Mission Solano Rescue Mission, Inc Mortgage Resource Network, Inc Murphy Austin Adams Schoenfeld LLP NARFE Chapter 903 Nolte Associates, Inc Norm’s Hytech auto NorthBay Guild - Fairfield NorthBay Guild - Vacaville NorthBay Neonatology Assoc. Inc. Northern Solano County Association of Rea Northern Solano Lodge #2534 Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation Owens-Minor Pacific California Realty Pacific Valley Development Company LLC Page Design Inc. Pearson’s Warehouse PG&E Corporation Potrero Hills Landfill, Inc Pricewaterhouse Coopers LLP Reporter Repworks Rotary Club of Cordelia S & S Worldwide, Inc Sandy’s 101 Omelets SBC Communications, Inc. Schultz Collins Lawson Chambers, Inc. Seattle Aircraft Certification Office/ Federal Aviation Admin Seebreeze M.H.P Showcase Properties Sir Speedy Printing Center Solano Bank Solano Children’s Health Alliance Solano Community Foundation Solano County Solano County Superintendent of Schools Solano Garbage Company Solano Garbage Company Solano Imaging Medical Associates Sonoma Children’s Cancer Foundation Suisun Lodge SuperGen Thatcher Enterprises Third Millennium Healthcare Systems Tile Works Toyon Associates, Inc Travis Credit Union Triage Consulting Group Tulocay Partners United Way of the Bay Area Unity Church of The Valley Vaca Valley Volks Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre Vacaville Unified School District Valley Oak Orthopaedics Wal-Mart Foundation Wang Urology Clinic WestAmerica Bancorporation WestAmerica Bank Western Health Advantage Women’s Cancer Awareness Group Your Home Nursing Services Donors Annual Report Spring 2006 21 Community Education The Art of Breastfeeding—Learn the “how to’s” of breastfeeding. This class addresses the health benefits for mom and baby, the role of the father, the working mom and more. Cost: $15. Call (707) 399-6437. Newborn Care—Expectant parents are instructed on daily care, nutrition, safety, and development for the first few months of life. One-session course. Cost: $15. Call (707) 399-6437. Brothers & Sisters To Be—Prepare children ages 3–9 for the arrival of a new baby. Cost: $10 per family. Call (707) 399-6437. Parenting in Today’s World*—This course covers the emotional needs of children from birth through 19 years. Call (707) 421-4155. C-Section Preparation—Individual counseling available to women delivering at NorthBay Medical Center who may require a C-section. Cost: Free. Call (707) 399-6437. Parenting Strategies*—A social skills program for parents and care-givers of children preschool age through junior high. Call (707) 421-4155. Diabetes Self-Management Training — Comprehensive Diabetes and Nutrition Education provided by a Registered Dietitian and Certified Diabetes Educator through NorthBay Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology. Individual appointments by doctor’s referral only (Those with Medicare or a NorthBay physician). Call (707)-454-3115. Parenting the Young Toddler (15–24 months)*— This class helps parents understand the unique needs of a toddler. Call (707) 421-4155. I Can Cope—An educational series for cancer patients and their families. Cost: Free. Call (707) 429-7961. Labor of Love—A six-week prepared childbirth class for moms and dads or coaches; register in fourth month of pregnancy or earlier. Cost: $75. Call (707) 399-6437. Labor of Love in Review—One-session childbirth refresher course for moms and labor partners. Pre-requisite: previous attendance in a prepared childbirth education course. Cost: $20. Call (707) 399-6437. Look Good, Feel Better—A program to help women currently undergoing cancer treatment cope with appearance-related side effects of treatment. Cost: Free. Call (707) 429-7961. Maternity Orientation and Tour—A tour of the NorthBay Medical Center’s maternity unit. Information about hospital registration, birth certificates, and available birthing options provided. Cost: Free. Call (707) 399-6437. c/o NorthBay Healthcare Group 1200 B. Gale Wilson Boulevard Fairfield, CA 94533-3587 Telephone (707) 429-7789 www.northbay.org Parenting the Older Toddler (24–36 months)*— Topics include development, problem solving, nutrition, books and games, as well as toilet training. Call (707) 421-4155. Marti Nelson Breast Cancer Support Groups— The Newly Diagnosed Group is for women recently diagnosed with breast cancer or are receiving treatment. The Moving On Group is for those who have completed treatment. Cost: Free. Call 429-7961. Parent Project Sr. (11–18 years)**— A highly structured parenting skills program created to help parents prevent and intervene in the most destructive of adolescent behaviors. Call (707) 428-7327. SAND (Support After Neonatal Death)— Friendship and understanding for parents experiencing grief over the loss of a pregnancy or infant. Cost: Free. Call (707) 429-6996. Siblings’ Birthing Preparation—Parents who are considering having children present during delivery can have one-on-one counseling. Cost: Free. Call (707) 399-6437. Twins and Triplets Socialization—Solano Parents of Twins and Triplets offer socialization and support to the parents of multiples in Solano County. Cost: Free. Call (707) 427-0461. Caregivers’ Support Group—Anyone involved in caring for a loved one with Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related illness is invited to participate. Monthly. Cost: Free. Call (707) 454-3006. Cancer Care Support Group—A support group for adults living with cancer. Cost: Free. Call (707) 429-7961. Grief and Bereavement Support Groups— Adult support group is on-going. Cost: Free. Call (707) 429-7758. Teen and Children’s Bereavement Support Groups—NorthBay Hospice & Bereavement offers free bereavement support groups for teens, age 13 through 17, and children age 6 through 12 on an as-needed basis. Cost: Free. For a schedule and more information, call (707) 399-3705. *These classes are offered by the Fairfield-Suisun Adult School in collaboration with NorthBay Healthcare. **These classes are offered by the Fairfield Police Department in collaboration with NorthBay Healthcare. Non-Profit U.S. Postage Paid Permit #333 Sacramento, CA