October Board Chair Report

October 10, 2024

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Dear Sonoma Valley Community, 
Our October 4th Board meeting was filled with positive energy and a focus on progress as we are now beginning to navigate an important period of transition. With three board members, including myself, concluding our terms later this year, we are determined to sustain the momentum of our work so far and ensure a seamless handoff to our incoming members.

Board Retreat and Transition 
We held a Board Retreat on September 30. It was designed to foster this smooth transition and was quite fruitful. This inclusive gathering brought together current and incoming board members, past members, executive leaders from our UCSF affiliation, invested community members, our CEO John Hennelly, and other key leaders from Sonoma Valley Hospital. The discussions were robust and strategic, laying the groundwork for our future initiatives.

Honorary Recognition
A highlight of this month was a commendation from State Senator Bill Dodd, acknowledging both Sonoma Valley Hospital and the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation for our significant contributions to community health. Senator Dodd’s recognition, as he concludes his tenure in Sacramento, reaffirms our vital role in the community and our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of the Sonoma Valley. 

Update on Age-Friendly Health System Presentation by Rebecca Spear  
Throughout my tenure, I have often discussed our commitment to the Age-Friendly Health System at Sonoma Valley Hospital, which is anchored in the 4 M’s framework—what matters, medication, mentation, and mobility—central to our approach to geriatric care. Geriatric Nurse Practitioner Rebecca (Becky) Spear provided an insightful update on how we have integrated these principles into our services. I am continually impressed by Becky’s impact during her short time at the hospital and her ability to collaborate effectively with the SVH team. 

Since her hiring in summer 2023, Becky has been weaving the 4 M’s into our hospital practices. She shared compelling data showing how these principles have positively influenced our aging patients, for example in reducing restraint episodes, a significant improvement in the mentation component of the 4 M’s. Becky is also seeing patients at the clinic, and appointments can be made by calling 707-938-3131. 

Information System and Technology Initiatives  
In his presentation, IS/IT Operations Director Bryan Lum outlined the guiding principles that shape his team’s operations, focusing on enhancing security, efficiency, and hardware to support our technological needs. Bryan highlighted several ongoing projects designed to streamline patient experiences and integrate our systems more closely with UCSF, showcasing our continued collaboration on patient outcomes and clinician interactions. 

An initiative that struck me as particularly interesting is the planned development of self-check-in kiosks at the hospital, aimed at simplifying the check-in process for patients requiring regular care. This innovation would significantly reduce wait times and enhance overall visit efficiency.

Operational Excellence and Financial Health
CEO John Hennelly reported another robust financial month in August, driven by significant contributions from the emergency department, imaging, and physical therapy services. The recent activation of our new 3-tesla MRI and the arrival of Dr. Walter, our new orthopedic surgeon, have greatly enhanced our service capabilities and financial performance. John also confirmed that the search for a new Chief Medical Officer is actively underway. 

Chief Medical Officer Transition
Dr. Sabrina Kidd delivered her final report as CMO this month. In her report, she provided updates on advancements in our imaging services, particularly emphasizing the capabilities of our new MRI machine. We are now performing advanced imaging, including prostate and breast scans—timely enhancements that align with Breast Health Month. Dr. Kidd also shared positive developments from the kickoff meeting with The Mental Health Hub at the Hanna Center and our Emergency Department representatives, which promise to enrich our mental health service offerings. 

Dr. Kidd has been a cornerstone of Sonoma Valley Hospital for the past decade, demonstrating exceptional leadership and flexibility, especially during the challenges of COVID-19. As she prepares to return to the Midwest to be closer to her family, we wish her all the best in her next chapter. 

CFO Insights
CFO Ben Armfield noted our ongoing strong financial performance, with operating margins significantly exceeding budgeted expectations and last year’s results. This sustained improvement is largely attributed to the contributions from Dr. Walter and the activation of our 3T MRI, both of which have substantially boosted our revenue. 

Outpatient services have also seen significant growth, with emergency room and MRI volumes surpassing expectations and physical therapy reaching new heights. Ben also reported that our annual audit is progressing well, with results expected to be presented at the November Board meeting. 

In Closing
As we look ahead, the Board remains committed to advancing our strategic projects and maintaining the momentum we have built. We are determined to ensure that the upcoming transitions within our Board are smooth and constructive, guaranteeing continuity in all our initiatives. 

We invite all community members to stay engaged and informed as we move forward with purpose and enthusiasm into the end of the year and beyond. Our next Board meeting will be on Thursday, November 7th. Board meeting updates and agendas will be available here as the date approaches.  For those interested in more details or unable to attend, a video recording of the October meeting is available here. 

Warm regards, 

Judy 
Judith Bjorndal, M.D. 
Board Chair, Sonoma Valley Health District