November Board Chair Report

November 14, 2024

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Dear Sonoma Valley Community, 

This month’s Board meeting was especially significant, as it marked the last regular meeting for me, along with fellow members Bill Boerum and Susan Kornblatt Idell, who are stepping down at the end of our term. In December, new members Ed Case, Dan Kittleson, and Dennis Bloch will be sworn in, joining Denise Kalos and Wendy Lee Myatt as continuing members. 

It has been a true privilege to serve on this Board for the past four years, with the last two as Chair. I’ve deeply appreciated working alongside such a dedicated and collegial group of individuals, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to the Hospital’s progress. The responses I’ve received to my letters have been especially gratifying, and it’s clear to me that our community is genuinely engaged in the work we’re doing at the Hospital. This will be my last monthly letter, and I feel so fortunate to have had the chance to connect with you in this way. 

On a personal note, I first joined Sonoma Valley Hospital as a member of the Medical Staff in the 80s when I was a practicing pediatrician. It has been remarkable to see the Hospital’s evolution, and it’s been an honor to re-engage with the staff and to interact with our talented and hardworking administration. I have been truly blessed. 

Community Partner Presentation – Valley of the Moon Post Acute 
Ryan Goldbarg from Valley of the Moon Post Acute provided an update on their skilled nursing facility, which cares for patients recovering from acute conditions but not yet ready to return home. Since taking over operations two years ago, the facility has made significant improvements, performing 50% better than the California average for deficiencies. They have also made strides in reducing antipsychotic use and improving UTI prevention, which is particularly crucial in skilled nursing settings where UTIs can lead to complications like increased hospital readmissions and longer recovery times. Valley of the Moon’s success has kept them fully booked, though patients can also be accommodated at their Broadway facility.  

Marketing and Community Outreach 
Dawn Castelli, our Community Outreach and Marketing Manager, presented the COM’s Annual Board Report, updating the Board on the Hospital’s marketing efforts. She highlighted recent community outreach and communication initiatives, such as the Back-to-School Health Fair, advertising campaigns, and internal department support. These initiatives help engage with our community and drive patient volume. The marketing team has worked diligently to ensure our materials reflect the Sonoma community and align with the needs of those we serve. 

Ms. Castelli emphasized that the core focus of our communication efforts is to be an active and visible part of the community, amplifying our voice, and celebrating our achievements. We’re proud of the partnerships we’ve built with local organizations and excited about the positive impact these efforts are having within Sonoma Valley. 

Update on UCSF Affiliation 
John Hennelly reported that our ongoing partnership with UCSF is progressing well. We’ve been meeting with UCSF leadership to establish priorities, and we are seeing more traction than before in moving those priorities forward. We look forward to continuing this partnership and bringing more services and expertise to Sonoma Valley. 

CEO Report 
CEO John Hennelly provided an update on the audit, which was thorough and completed with the leadership of CFO Ben Armfield. Dr. Chris Walter’s practice continues to grow, and we’re seeing an increase in volumes in related areas as his clinic expands. Our search for a new Chief Medical Officer continues, with two slates of candidates already reviewed. Once a qualified candidate is identified, a selection committee will help determine the best fit for the position.  Meanwhile, Dr. Seric Cusick, MD, FACEP, and Medical Director of Sonoma Valley Hospital Emergency Department has generously agreed to take over as acting CMO. 

Finance Report – Ben Armfield, Chief Financial Officer 
Ben Armfield reported that despite a slight dip in some areas compared to July and August, the Hospital’s financial performance in September exceeded both budget and prior-year results by more than 10%. This positive trajectory is largely driven by increased revenues from outpatient services such as physical therapy, MRI, and emergency room visits. September’s performance exceeded expectations, despite being historically a softer month for the Hospital. For the first quarter of the fiscal year, key financial metrics have been exceptionally strong, and the financial outlook for the rest of the year remains solid.  

Audit Committee 
I would like to extend my thanks to the Audit Committee and Ben Armfield for their hard work in completing the audit. The final results were presented and approved. 

In Closing 
The ongoing support from our community is a true testament to the incredible work being done at Sonoma Valley Hospital. Thank you for the privilege of serving as your Board Chair. It has been an honor, and I am excited to see what the future holds for Sonoma Valley Hospital. 

Warm regards, 
 

Judy 
Judith Bjorndal, MD 
Board Chair, Sonoma Valley Health District