Measure A has passed and I think I speak for our whole hospital community in saying, Thank you! I want each of you to know how proud I am of this community and our wonderful hospital. I see this successful result as a real vote of confidence and recognition that Sonoma Valley Hospital as an indispensable part of the community of Sonoma.
The measure succeeded by a healthy 73.2 percent, and means that we have the basic support we need to remain financially stable in these exciting times. This will enable us to keep on our upward path and continue progress on all the fronts you have supported over these last few years. If you haven’t kept track of the board meeting reports, here’s a brief update: On the physical plant improvement, you will have seen many signs already, as you walk around the hospital. And our new wing itself – for our new, state of the art ER and OR – will begin construction this spring. Our official ground breaking ceremony will be in early May, but the shovel will go in at the end of April!
Our physician recruitment – which posed such a challenge a few years ago – is now complete. Dr. Neuwirh, Urologist, and Dr. Eisenberg, Hematology/Oncology are starting this month, based in the Prima Offices, and we are expecting a new female OB/GYN to join us in July. So our physician recruitment is complete, thanks to Prima’s excellent work.
Our patient satisfaction scores – which really, is what a hospital is all about – have soared from the 17th percentile, when I came on board, to the 75th percentile. We have a great staff and they are reaching to our highest standards. I am so proud of the care we give.
And did you know that the Skilled Nursing Facility fund-raising for their “makeover” has been completed? Their committee has raised, on their own, the money they’ve needed to refurbish every room in SNF. That’s amazing. Hats off to Helen Fernandez, who spearheaded the effort and Madolyn Agrimonti, Suzanne Brangham, Peter Hohorst, Norman Gilroy and of course, the director of SNF, Melissa Evans.
Finally, back to Measure A, you may not have noticed, but we’ve not had the traditional financial code blue’s lately. No, it’s true. Our finances have been stable, and will continue to be. Thanks to you, our community. Thank you!
And special thanks to Bill Hutchinson, Lorrie Hohorst, Brock Arner and the tireless band of dedicated committee members who worked so hard to inform the community about Measure A, and why it’s so important to us. I spent one evening with them, making calls to the community, reminding people to send in their ballots, and it was really inspiring to hear so many grateful stories from people, and to feel how important the hospital is to so many. So again – I can’t seem to say it enough – Thank you!
Sincerely
Kelly