Pacific Union Recorder

At Adventist Health, healing isn’t just about medicine and treatments. It’s also about enriching the lives of employees, patients and the communities in which they live and work. Several hospitals throughout the organization have created unique programs to do just that. By rousing employees to action, educating the community and acknowledging stand out care, Adventist Health is making a difference.

“Scrubbing In” for Change

Simi Valley Hospital recently instituted a project that signifies its commitment to the Southern California community. The hospital’s new Scrubs Program encourages employees to get more involved in their neighborhood by volunteering at approved local charitable organizations. Employees can take off one day per year to volunteer and then be reimbursed for the pay they would have earned at work.

According to Chase Spenst, director of Decision Support for the hospital and founder of the program, if 40 percent of the hospital’s 900 employees volunteer, it would translate to at least one employee assisting in the community every day of the year. The hospital’s goal is to have at least half of its employees actively involved in the program.

“This is a great way for the hospital to encourage employees to get involved in their community,” said Spenst. “Hopefully, through this experience employees will discover that they enjoy giving back through community service.

Informing to Transform

Visiting Napa Valley anytime soon? Then stop in at St. Helena Hospital’s Well Now Showcase, a healing media gallery where residents and tourists from all over the world can learn about the destination health programs offered at the hospital. Located on Main Street in St. Helena, the Well Now Showcase occupies a 1,900-square-foot storefront that has been remodeled to create a one-of-a-kind health education experience.

The space features an interactive information kiosk and specially trained client service advisors who educate visitors about programs for knee and hip replacement, weight loss, smoking cessation, diabetes control, heart health, cancer prevention and wellness, and addiction recovery.

According to Terry Newmyer, president and CEO of SHH, the Well Now Showcase is in line with the hospital’s 132-year history of providing health and wellness programs, and just another way to help the community get and stay healthy.

Seeing Angels

Ukiah Valley Medical Center recently debuted a philanthropic endeavor focused on recognizing outstanding care. The Guardian Angel Program allows patients and their families to make donations to the hospital in honor of a staff member who provided excellent service. When employees are recognized, they receive a special “wings” pen to put on their uniform to signify that they are a guardian angel.

“This is a way for patients and their families to recognize excellent care when they see it,” said Allyne Brown, director of philanthropy at the Northern California hospital. “It is an opportunity for them to see the meaning in what we do, and our mission reflected in the care they receive.”

To date, 80 UVMC team members have been given their “wings” and the program has raised approximately $20,000 that has been put back into the hospital to benefit future patients and the community.