BOARD CHAIR REPORT – April 2025

April 11, 2025

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Dear Sonoma Valley Community,

Spring has sprung, and wellness is in bloom! In late March, our Strategic Offsite provided an invaluable opportunity for SVH Leadership, members of the community, and the SVHCD Board to come together and envision the future of healthcare in Sonoma Valley. This collaborative session reaffirmed our shared commitment to fostering a healthier community and advancing the essential services that support our residents’ well-being.

The Boys & Girls Club: A Vital Community Partner

We were pleased to welcome Cary Snowden, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club, who presented an overview of the club’s programs and initiatives. Serving over 1,600 youth—nearly half of the Sonoma Valley student body—the Boys & Girls Club’s focus on character, leadership, academic success, and healthy lifestyles closely aligns with our hospital’s mission to promote overall wellness. Their programs help youth achieve and maintain healthy, active lifestyles while fostering positive leisure activities, stress reduction, and environmental appreciation We continue to be inspired by the way our community nonprofits, like the Boys & Girls Club, collaborate to maximize resources and services for the benefit of all, including their partnership with the Hanna Center to provide mental health services and their merger with Teen Services.

Patient Care Services: A Commitment to Excellence

Jessica Winkler, Chief Nursing Officer at SVH, presented the Patient Care Services (PCS) Annual Report, highlighting the critical role PCS plays within the hospital. PCS comprises about 41% of our workforce and brings over 1,630 years of combined experience, with an average tenure of 17 years. Jessica shared key achievements, including the integration of the Age-Friendly Health System in 2023, which has already led to positive outcomes such as a reduction in discharges to skilled nursing facilities, increased discharges to home or hospice, and a decrease in the use of restraints for delirium. She also highlighted the dedication of our healthcare team, which includes 17 veterans, and emphasized their ongoing contributions to strengthening the community’s health and enhancing emergency preparedness.

CEO and CMO Report: Partnership and Growth

John Hennelly reported on our continued partnership with Marin Health, aimed at improving the transfer process between our hospitals, ensuring timelier and higher-quality care. The ICU renovation and Physical Therapy expansion projects are progressing as planned and will introduce state-of-the-art technology, enhancing both capacity and service quality. However, there have been delays with the Outpatient Diagnostic Center, and the Board will hold a planning session to explore strategies for moving the project forward.

New Lab Equipment Approved

John Hennelly presented the Lab Equipment Replacement Project to the Board. They identified the need to replace several pieces of lab equipment that have reached the end of their useful life. The Board approved the project, which will replace the aging chemistry and hematology analyzers. The upgrade will improve efficiency, enhance the quality of lab services, and reduce operational costs, benefiting both the hospital and the community we serve.

Financial Update

Ben Armfield, our Chief Financial Officer, reported that the hospital’s financial performance for February exceeded budget expectations. Operating EBDA for the month was $347,700, surpassing the budget by $34,900. Key revenue drivers included outpatient physical therapy, wound care, and cardiology services, which all showed strong performance. While operating expenses exceeded budget by 7%, they remained within manageable limits when adjusted for depreciation and IGT matching fees. The hospital continues to maintain solid financial health with 34.5 days of cash on hand. Overall, the hospital remains on track to meet its financial goals, with year-to-date revenues and expenses in line with expectations.

Quality Committee Update: Enhancing Patient Care

Dan Kittleson shared the latest findings from the Quality Committee, highlighting progress in sepsis care, stroke care, and patient satisfaction. These ongoing improvements, in collaboration with UCSF, ensure that Sonoma Valley Hospital continues to lead in patient care and safety. All scores remain competitive with state and national benchmarks. A recent texting survey demonstrated high patient satisfaction across all five participating departments.

Acknowledgments and Appreciation

At the meeting, there was much discussion about quality across our team—our community partners, staff, and volunteers. We are fortunate to have such dedicated individuals working alongside us and appreciate their ongoing support. We look forward to continued collaboration to improve the health of Sonoma Valley.

Thank you for your commitment to strengthening Sonoma Valley Hospital and the well-being of our community.

Warm regards,

Wendy Lee Myatt
Board Chair, Sonoma Valley Health Care District