Adventist Health

I am excited to recognize Adventist Health Howard Memorial for receiving the Overall Hospital Quality Five-Star Rating from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the highest possible rating a hospital can achieve.   This amazing achievement is one that is owned by our entire team and wouldn’t be possible without all of their incredible work, and commitment to patient-centered care. Every team member plays a part in this incredible acknowledgement and award, and their commitment to excellence is truly inspiring. We are here for our patients and community to provide the best quality care possible to each person who walks through our doors.   According to CMS, the Overall Star Rating summarizes a variety of measures across five areas of quality into a single star rating for each hospital. The measures include Mortality, Safety, Readmission, Patient Experience and Timely & Effective Care. Each hospital has a star rating that ranges from one to five stars, with five stars signifying the highest quality.   Of the 4,600 hospitals evaluated by CMS, Adventist Health Howard Memorial is one of only two hospitals in the Northern California area to achieve this five-star rating. Only 10% of hospitals nationwide have earned five stars.   I am so proud of our team for all their work as a critical access hospital to achieve this rating and are grateful to our community for trusting us with your care. 

I was thrilled to welcome our first cohort of family medicine residents to Sonora today! A first in our region, Adventist Health Sonora is now home to an accredited graduate medical education program. The Hanford Sonora Family Medicine Residency Rural Training Track provides resident physicians with comprehensive training and guidance from experts with real-world experience in rural healthcare. Having completed the first year of their training in Hanford, our residents will now spend the next two years caring for patients and receiving specialized training in inpatient and outpatient settings throughout our organization. I am excited about their growth as physicians and about the ways this program will improve healthcare in our community for years to come! Pictured with me here are Matthew Personius, MD, Associate Residency Program Director; Alem Abraha, MD; Stephanie Sanders, DO; Robert Verghese, MD; Jeremiah O’Connor, DO; and Carlene Maggio, Residency Program Coordinator.

I'm so proud of #AdventistHealthUkiahValley for being #4 on the list of Most Socially Responsible Hospitals in the nation and #1 in California. This recognition reflects our team's continued commitment to improving the well-being of the communities we serve. All the credit goes to our team for their dedication to responding to our community's needs, often times beyond the four walls of our hospitals and clinics. Thank you Lown Institute for recognizing our team's efforts. Adventist Health

The Bond of Survivorship Reflecting on Cancer Survivors Month, I’m inspired by the St. Helena Hospital, Martin-O’Neil Cancer Center team. The bond of survivorship unites patients, families, friends, and healthcare professionals into a powerful support community. Though I haven’t faced cancer, I’ve seen its significant impact on those involved. Cancer is an unchosen experience forced upon individuals. Those affected find themselves on an unimaginable path, facing the shock of diagnosis, grueling treatments, endless doctor visits, and emotional turmoil. Yet, amidst these challenges, I’ve witnessed extraordinary resilience, strength, and bonding. Survivors are not only those who’ve fought cancer but also their families, friends, and dedicated healthcare professionals. At St. Helena Hospital, this collective fight creates an inspiring and humbling network of support. The physicians and hospital staff are more than caregivers; they are guides and pillars of strength, offering medical treatment, hope, and compassion. Their dedication showcases the power of human connection and personalized care. Cancer survivors exhibit quiet yet profound heroism, reshaping their lives and forging deeper connections. Their stories of resilience highlight the capacity to find light in dark times. Support survivors who stand by their loved ones are also heroes. They provide emotional and practical support, enduring fear and uncertainty, often putting their lives on hold. The cancer journey involves becoming part of a community built on strong connections, where friendships grow and life is deeply appreciated. This community demonstrates remarkable resilience and support. As we honor Cancer Survivors Month at St. Helena Hospital, let’s celebrate the collective strength and courage of all survivors and their supporters. Their journeys and resilience inspire us all.