February Hospital Happenings: Caring for your heart
February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on the health of one of the most vital organs in your body: your heart. At Sonoma Valley Hospital, we are committed to helping you prioritize your heart health through advanced technology, community programs, and exceptional care. Our team is here to ensure your well-being.
In recognition of National Wear Red Day on February 7, we encourage everyone to wear red to raise awareness about heart disease—the leading health threat for women. Our SVH staff will be showing their support with a group photo in red, which we’ll share on social media.
This month, we are also proud to spotlight our Rehabilitation Services department in our “Get to Know Us” feature. We spoke with two of our incredible team members, Tracey Airth-Edblom and Rena Ribeiro, to learn more about the vital work they do in helping patients regain function and return to doing what they love. Their dedication exemplifies the level of personalized care and expertise our team provides every day.
As we enter 2025, I’m proud to reflect on how these innovations and the efforts of our exceptional team strengthen our ability to deliver outstanding care right here in Sonoma Valley. This month, I invite you to explore the resources we offer to support a healthy heart and a healthy lifestyle.
Warm regards,
John Hennelly
CEO, Sonoma Valley Hospital
Feature Article: Caring For Your Heart
February is all about heart health, and Sonoma Valley Hospital is here to help you take proactive steps to protect your cardiovascular system. Here are some simple yet impactful ways to care for your heart:
For more information on heart health resources speak to your provider about personalized heart care options.
Heart Health in Action: Explore Our Cardiopulmonary Services
At Sonoma Valley Hospital, our Cardiopulmonary Department plays a vital role in supporting your heart and lung health with a wide range of advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services. Whether you’re managing a chronic condition or seeking preventive care, our expert team is here to help.
Our comprehensive cardiopulmonary services include:
- Complete Pulmonary Function Testing to evaluate lung capacity and airflow.
- Advanced heart imaging such as Echocardiograms, Stress Echos, and Bubble Study Echocardiograms to monitor cardiac function.
- 24-Hour Cardiac Monitoring for a detailed look at heart activity over time.
- Nuclear Cardiac Stress Testing to assess blood flow and heart performance during physical activity.
- Arterial Blood Gas Testing to measure oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in the blood.
- EKGs to detect and monitor heart rhythm abnormalities.
- Breathing Treatments and Nebulizers, along with Metered Dose Inhalation Instruction, to manage respiratory health.
- Pulse Oximetry Checks to evaluate oxygen levels before and after exercise.
Our team is dedicated to providing exceptional care to help you manage your heart and lung health with confidence. If you’d like to learn more about these services or schedule an appointment, please contact the Cardiopulmonary Department today.
Get to Know Us: Sonoma Valley Hospital Rehabilitation Services
Sonoma Valley Hospital’s Rehabilitation Services team is committed to helping patients regain function, reduce pain, and return to doing what they love. Through a combination of expert care, advanced techniques, and personalized treatment plans, our occupational therapists ensure each patient’s unique needs are met.
We sat down with Tracey Airth-Edblom, OTD, OTR/L, CHT Occupational Therapist and Rena Ribeiro, OTR/L an Occupational Therapist currently training to become a CHT, to learn more about their work and the impact they make in the community.
Both Tracey and Rena work out of the SVH Rehabilitation Services Location, which is just behind Sonoma Fit on Highway 12.
Q: Can you each share a bit about yourself and your journey to Sonoma Valley Hospital?
Tracey Airth-Edblom, OTD, OTR/L, CHT:
“I’ve worked in a variety of settings throughout my career, including a university teaching hospital, and have had opportunities to practice in Canada, San Mateo, Kentfield, and Petaluma. Coming to Sonoma Valley Hospital feels like coming full circle—it’s a supportive, community-focused environment where I get to see patients through their entire recovery journey. It’s truly rewarding to be part of such a tight-knit team and community.”
Rena Ribeiro, OTR/L:
“I’ve been an Occupational Therapist for three years and joined Sonoma Valley Hospital two years ago in January. I previously worked in Santa Rosa, but what makes Sonoma Valley Hospital special is the personal connections. Everyone knows your name here, from the CEO to the patients, which makes it such a welcoming and supportive place to work.”
Q: Can you tell us more about your positions and your department?
Tracey:
“Our department specializes in outpatient hand therapy, serving patients with conditions ranging from the shoulder to the hand. Most of us are occupational therapists, and I am a Certified Hand Therapist (CHT)—one of only 7,665 worldwide. This certification allows me to provide highly specialized care, such as designing custom orthoses (splints) and creating tailored rehabilitation plans based on each patient’s unique needs and stage of healing.
“Our patients come from a variety of referral sources. About a third are directly post-operative, while the rest include fractures, sprains, arthritis, nerve repairs, joint replacements, and chronic pain cases. We even see some neurological patients. For a small community, we’re fortunate to have access to this level of expertise.”
Rena:
“I’m currently training under Tracey to become a CHT, which is an intense process requiring 4,000 supervised hours and passing a rigorous exam. It’s a lot of work, but it’s incredibly rewarding to gain this level of specialization and contribute even more to our patients’ care.”
Q: What does a typical day look like for you?
Tracey:
“We start early, usually before 8 a.m., by preparing charts and planning for the day ahead. Each day is different, and while we may have a plan for each patient, things often change. It can be chaotic or smooth, depending on the cases. We typically see 6–8 patients a day, with a maximum of 10–12. Our focus is always on meeting patients where they are and adapting to their needs in real time.”
Q: What do you find most rewarding about your role at Sonoma Valley Hospital?
Rena:
“Working with patients to regain hand function is deeply personal and emotional. Hands are such an integral part of daily life, and helping someone recover that ability feels incredibly meaningful. Seeing a patient move from frustration to confidence is one of the most rewarding parts of this job.”
Tracey:
“For me, it’s seeing patients through their entire journey—from post-operative care to returning to work, school, or their favorite activities. That continuity is why I chose this field. It’s a privilege to watch someone recover and regain their life.”
Q: What do you enjoy most about working in Sonoma Valley?
Rena:
“The sense of community here is unmatched. You feel supported, both professionally and personally. It’s special to work in a place where everyone knows each other, and you’re not just another face in a crowd.”
Tracey:
“It’s the supportive environment that stands out. Sonoma Valley Hospital has the same atmosphere as a teaching hospital but with a more personal, community-focused feel. I’ve worked in many places, but this is by far the best work family I’ve ever been part of.”
With expertise, dedication, and a personalized approach, the Rehabilitation Services team at Sonoma Valley Hospital is here to help patients achieve better function and fuller enjoyment of life. Whether it’s designing a custom splint, teaching adaptive techniques, or guiding someone through recovery, their commitment shines through in every interaction.
Advanced Imaging: No Wait Time With Our New 3T MRI
Sonoma Valley Hospital is proud to offer advanced imaging with our new 3Tesla MRI scanner, now available with no wait times. This cutting-edge technology delivers:
- High-resolution imaging for clearer images.
- Shorter scan times reduce overall procedure length.
- A larger bore design to reduce claustrophobia and make procedures more comfortable.
The new 3T MRI brings world-class imaging to Sonoma Valley, ensuring our community has access to exceptional diagnostic care close to home.
Coming Up: Innovation in Orthopedic Surgery
Exciting news from Sonoma Valley Hospital! The ROSA Robotic Surgical System is revolutionizing joint replacement surgeries. This advanced technology enhances precision with customized pre-operative planning and minimally invasive techniques, leading to quicker recovery and improved outcomes for patients. Dr. Walter, our orthopedic surgeon, explains, “The ROSA system allows us to deliver care with exceptional accuracy, aligning with the highest standards of modern medicine.” Stay tuned for more updates as we bring cutting-edge orthopedic care to Sonoma Valley
Have You Read Our 2023 Report to the Community?
The Sonoma Valley Hospital 2023 Annual Community Report highlights key milestones, including the expansion of specialist access in Orthopedic Care, advancing diagnostic excellence with our 3T MRI, and progress on our expanded Physical Therapy facility, opening this fall.
It also celebrates partnerships with local organizations, reflecting our commitment to a healthier, stronger community. Read the full bilingual report on our website or pick up a copy at Sonoma Valley Hospital.
In Case You Missed It
On January 8, SVH Sterilization Tech Bill Rishell joined KSVY to discuss his role and the importance of sterilization in healthcare. Missed the conversation? You can listen to the full segment here (starts around the 41-minute mark).
News You Need
Mark your calendars! February 7th is National Wear Red Day, a day dedicated to raising awareness about heart disease—the leading health threat for women. Join us by wearing red to show your support! SVH staff will also be taking a group photo in red to share on social media.
Plus, tune in to KSVY on February 12 at 8:40 AM to hear Tracey discuss Occupational Therapy and its role in patient care.
Stay informed, stay heart-healthy!
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