Hospital CEO Search Is Underway

September 8, 2020

At the meeting last week, Board member Joshua Rymer, who is chairing the CEO Search Committee, reported that the committee recommended a recruiting firm to find a replacement for Kelly Mather who leaves at the end of the year. He said that the committee reviewed the credentials of six leading firms and unanimously selected WittKieffer, an executive search firm with considerable experience in recruiting hospital and healthcare senior executives. The board approved the recommendation

“This is an important decision for the Board and we want to hear from the community on what they would like to see in a new CEO,” Rymer said. He noted that the committee has set up a separate email address to encourage community comments: svhnewceo2020@gmail.com. To maintain confidentiality, Rymer said emails sent to this address will go directly to the search firm and will not be seen by either the Board or the Search Committee. He also said that the committee will work with the search firm to identify other ways and channels for the community to provide input on the search.

Hospital Foundation Report

Sonoma Valley Foundation Executive Director Dave Pier reported on the successful capital campaign completed this year which raised $21 million from our community and generous donors to build the new Outpatient Diagnostic Center.

He also reviewed the many other important ways the Foundation benefits our hospital. These include providing funds to purchase new small equipment, remodel exam and patient rooms, pay for continuing education for nurses and other SVH employees, and sponsor Project Pink, the annual program held each October to allow uninsured and underinsured Sonoma women to obtain a mammogram without cost.

Community Communications

Celia Kruse de la Rosa, Director of Community Outreach and Marketing, provided an update on the past six months and reviewed the hospital’s extensive efforts to keep the community informed about Covid-19 recommended practices and testing availability this year. This included a broad range of communications including email blasts, social media, the hospital’s website, and holding virtual meetings on Zoom. In addition, the hospital worked with many local partners to get the word out including Vintage House,  the Community Health Center, La Luz, the Chamber of Commerce and Rotary.

The hospital greatly increased bilingual communications this year and is now preparing most information materials in both English and Spanish. She also said that, given the ongoing Covid-19 situation, the hospital is planning to offer the community a virtual online tour in place of in-person tours when the first phase of the new Outpatient Diagnostic Center opens this Fall.

Covid-19 Update

Chief Medical Officer Sabrina Kidd, MD, reported that the number of Covid-19 cases at the hospital has declined in recent weeks, and the hospital remains open and has seen an increase in the number of patients seeking elective care. SVH continues to maintain strict protocols to ensure the safety of patients who visit the hospital including a no-visitor policy with only those seeking services allowed to enter.

Dr. Kidd also reported she will be updating the community on the Covid-19 situation this Thursday, September 10, in a Zoom lecture co-sponsored by Vintage House and Sonoma Valley Hospital as part of the “Active Aging” series. In this session, she will share statistical trends and report on new developments in the diagnosis, care and treatment of Covid-19. There is no cost to participate, but pre-registration is required. You can get more information or register here.

CEO Report

Kelly Mather reported that construction on the new CT scanner suite is nearing completion and is expected to be ready by late Fall. She also reported that UCSF’s Dr. Peter Carroll, a nationally known expert in managing urologic cancers, will start seeing patients in Sonoma Valley through telemedicine appointments this month. Dr. Carroll is co-director of urologic cancer at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Next Board Meeting

The next regular District Board meeting will be held on Thursday, October 1, at 6 pm. Complying with state regulations on physical distancing due to the coronavirus, board meetings are being conducted by video conferencing. The public is encouraged to participate and video conferencing details are available on the hospital website. Public comment is always welcome.

Sincerely,

Jane

Jane Hirsch
Chair of the SVHCD Board of Directors