Dear Sonoma Valley Community,
As the summer winds down, we shift our focus to the exciting and busy back-to-school season. This is always a significant time for families, and here at Sonoma Valley Hospital, we are committed to supporting our community in every way possible.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of our new hospital wing, including the Emergency Department and advanced Surgery Suites. As we reflect on this milestone, we are reminded of the continuous improvements and innovations we strive to bring to our healthcare services in Sonoma. Our new Emergency Room team is primarily comprised of physicians who live in Sonoma, raise their families here, and are part of the larger community. To learn more about our exceptional ER team, please visit our website here.
We are proud to be part of the community we serve, which was beautifully illustrated at the recent Back-to-School Health Fair at Altimira Middle School. The event was a tremendous success, with our staff administering immunizations, distributing backpacks, and engaging families in health and wellness conversations. It was heartening to see so many smiling faces and to know we are making a difference right here in our neighborhood.
Our commitment to community health is unwavering, and events like the Back-to-School Health Fair underscore the importance of being present and proactive in meeting the needs of our community. Be sure to check out the photos from the event below to see the wonderful moments we shared.
Warm regards,
John Hennelly
CEO, Sonoma Valley Hospital
Recap of the Back to School Health Fair
The annual Back-to-School Health Fair, held at Altimira Middle School on August 3rd, was a tremendous community success, impacting hundreds of students and their families.
Our hospital team, led by Dawn Kuwahara, Chief of Ancillary Services, contributed by donating nearly 70 backpacks and assisting in the distribution of close to 600 more at the fair. The Sonoma Valley Health Center provided Tdap vaccinations, which our team administered, while the Lions Club conducted vision screenings. Dawn Kuwahara emphasized the importance, stating, “There is a direct link between education and health, as well as access to healthcare. That’s why we’re committed to equipping students and their families with the tools needed to unlock educational opportunities. These include vaccines, backpacks, and school supplies, along with knowledge about other community resources that support students throughout their educational journey.”
Booths at the fair offered information about various health services, including Medi-Cal enrollment, emergency preparedness, financial literacy, and resources related to food, legal, recreational, educational, and mental health services. Interactive activities included games, face painting, an agility course, and arts and crafts, ensuring a fun and informative day for all attendees.
Importance of Immunizations
As we prepare for the school year, it’s essential to ensure your child is up to date on their vaccinations. Immunizations are vital for protecting your child and our community from infectious diseases. They help prevent outbreaks and protect those who cannot be vaccinated due to medical conditions. Please review the recommended immunization schedule for your child’s age group and visit your healthcare provider to stay current.
In Other News
Sonoma Valley Hospital Named Most Socially Responsible
We are proud to announce that Sonoma Valley Hospital has been named the second most socially responsible acute care hospital in California and 10th in the nation by the Lown Institute Hospitals Index for 2024-2025. This prestigious recognition is based on over 50 metrics across health equity, value of care, and patient outcomes. The Lown Institute evaluated more than 3,500 hospitals nationwide and awarded us an “A” grade, reflecting our dedication to providing high-quality and equitable care to all members of our community.
John Hennelly, Sonoma Valley Hospital president and CEO, expressed his gratitude, stating, “SVH is committed to serving the whole community and we are pleased to receive recognition for our commitment to provide excellent care. We are extremely proud to have maintained “A” grades in Social Responsibility, Value of Care, and Cost Efficiency for 3 years running.” Read the full press release here.
New 3T MRI Update
Our new 3T MRI has passed inspection and we began seeing patients on Tuesday, August 6th. This state-of-the-art technology is a valuable addition to our community, offering high-quality imaging for improved diagnostics.
Dr. Adam Nevitt, Chair of Radiology at Sonoma Valley Hospital, shares, “The 3T MRI provides faster, more efficient scanning of multiple organs compared to traditional MRIs. With higher resolution and shorter scan times, it allows us to perform non-invasive studies of the prostate and rectum, and it typically has twice the strength of standard MRI machines, which helps in detecting more abnormalities.”
For our patients, this means greater comfort with a larger, less intrusive bore and quicker scan times. Dr. Nevitt adds, “Having a better MRI and the benefit of a less claustrophobic design lends itself to better healthcare and a better patient experience.
We are immensely grateful to the donors who supported this project. Read the full press release here.
Orthopedics Department News
We are delighted to welcome Dr. Walter to the community, the new orthopedist with an UCSF clinic at SVH. Dr. Walter recently met with community members at the Vintage Houses’ Soup’s On event on July 12th, where he answered questions, and met our community members. Dr. Walter is now seeing patients and his office is located in Sonoma Valley Hospital. Dr. Walter’s bio and contact information can be found at Christopher A Walter DO (mymarinhealth.org).
Upcoming Events
Active Aging: Wellness. Fridays in September, at Vintage House, 3:00-4:30 (9/6, 9/13, 9/20, 9/27)
Golden Harvest Senior Wellness & Resource Fair. Saturday, September 28th, 10-2 at Sonoma Community Center
Stay tuned for more information on our upcoming events, including our September newsletter where we will highlight our emergency medicine group and other exciting updates.
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