CARING Summer 2009

SUMMER 2009

REAL LIFE, REAL HEALTHI N V E N T U R A C O U N T Y

Fighting

Cancer

Together

“Our world

changed

overnight;

all three of

our daughters

had lumps.”

Gary K. Wilde President & CEO, Community Memorial Health System

“Together” is a key word in the headline of the cover story in this issue of Caring, for not only does it describes how an individual family united in the face of its own health crisis but also accurately portrays how our Community Memorial Health System “family” responds to meet the challenges of providing the highest quality healthcare to our community.

As a father, I well know how parents share many universal feelings and traits, including worrying about our children’s health and well being. Indeed, we all dread receiving a late-night phone call reporting there has been an accident or news that one of our children is seriously ill.

Fernand and Lynn Coert know all too well how a medical report can send a parent’s world spinning wildly. In a two-week span they had to deal with the reality that not just one, but all three of their grown daughters had suspicious lumps that might be breast cancer.

I am inspired by how the Coerts pulled together to support Andrea as she went through surgery, chemotherapy and radiation with a successful outcome. I am also humbled by how CMHS pulls together to assist women who do not have health insurance – women like Amber and Erica Coert – through our outreach program that provides potential life-saving screenings and treatment at The Breast Center at CMH. This free care is made possible thanks to volunteers with Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation, the Gold Dust Gala Committee, and funds provided by the Hal Wallis Foundation. I am thankful to report that neither Amber nor Erica had breast cancer and I give thanks to the entire Coert family for sharing their very personal, inspiring experience.

“Together” is an apt description of CMHS’s growing multidisciplinary approach to providing superb healthcare. A fine example is our cancer program, which you can read further about in this issue. Suffice to say, I am extremely proud to note we are the only hospital in western Ventura County to have a recognized accredited cancer program, receiving this distinction from the Commission on Cancer of the American College of Surgeons.

By making multidisciplinary medicine our hallmark we have elevated our critical care services to a new area-leading level. Indeed, in establishing our intensivist program we have enhanced the overall care we provide our patients by creating collaboration between intensivist specialists, physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dieticians, social workers and staff. Similarly, our new Palliative Care Services also employs a team-oriented care model. Both of these exciting, successful programs are chronicled in these pages.

In closing, I am enthused to share that the new Emergency Department at Ojai Valley Commu-nity Hospital will open later this summer. Enhanced emergency services has long been a priority for Ojai residents; thanks to the tireless collaborative efforts of the Ojai Foundation and Guild, along with the sincere generosity and shared commitment of countless local residents, what was once a dream is on the verge of becoming a proud reality.

As families, as a health system, and as a community, we are always better when we pull “Together.”

2 CARING | COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM

Gary Wilde President & CEO

Wilde Thoughts

Michael EllingsonVice President of Marketing and Development

Mary McCormickEditor

Stephanie Paul, Margie Stites, Woody WoodburnWriters

Community Memorial HospitalOjai Valley Community Hospital

Centers For Family Health

A not-for-profi t organization.147 N. Brent St., Ventura, CA 93003

©2009 Community Memorial Health SystemFor permission to reprint any portion of this magazine please call 805/652-5492.

Martin A. Pops, M.D, ChairGregory H. Smith, Vice Chair

Erin A. Quinn, SecretaryJeffrey D. Paul, Treasurer

Samuel D. Small, D.O.Chief of Staff,

Community Memorial HospitalJohn Slaght, M.D.

Chief of Staff, Ojai Valley Community Hospital

Shelby BauerMarc A. Beaghler, M.D.

Ralph R. BennettMichael D. Bradbury

Philip C. DrescherTimothy J. Gallagher

John J. HammerWilliam L. Hart, M.D.

John V. Hill, M.D.Fritz R. Huntsinger

Robert J. LagomarsinoHarry L. Maynard

F. Ted Muegenburg, Jr.John W. Russell

William Speitel, M.D.Gary L. Wolfe

Kay Woodburn

EMERITUS MEMBERS OF THE BOARD

Leonard OrtizJanice P. Willis

Community Memorial Health System 2009 Board of Trustees

Jann Hendry, ZestNetPhotographers

ZestNetArt Direction/Design

We are always better when we pull “together.”

contents

FIGHTING CANCERTogether . . . . . . . . . . 4INTENSIVISTS Cutting Edge Healthcare for the Critically Ill . . . . . 6FOUNDATION News . . . . 7OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTCancer Program Receives Accreditation & Commendation . . . . 10PALLIATIVE CAREImproving Quality of Life for Patients with Serious Illness . . . 11RUN with the WOLFES . . 12 ON TOP of the POPS . . . 13HEALING Arts . . . . . . 14NEW OVCH ED Opening Soon . . . . . . 16COMMUNITY@ Community . . . . . . 16

mon type of cancer in women worldwide after breast cancer. Cancer of the cervix is almost always caused by the human papilloma virus, commonly known as HPV. Through the Centers for Family Health, qualifying women can receive a Pap test which identifi es abnor-mal or pre-cancerous changes in the cervix. In addition, the HPV vaccine treatment series, Gardasil, will also be available.

Breast and cervical cancer have touched the lives of many people. Now, thanks to the expanded CMHS Women’s Outreach Pro-gram, uninsured and underinsured women in our community have access to early detection and treatment programs to battle against these life-threatening diseases.

COMMUNITY MEMORIAL HEALTH SYSTEM | CARING 3

For years, Community Memorial Health System has been on the forefront providing underserved women in our community with life-saving breast cancer exams and treatments. Last year alone, over 80 women who lacked access to screenings and treatment programs were cared for at The Breast Center at Com-munity Memorial Hospital through the funds raised by the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s annual Gold Dust Gala and the generous support of the Wallis Foundation.

Because this unique program has had unparalleled success, CMHS recently an-nounced that the services have been expand-ed to include cervical cancer screenings through a multifaceted bilingual community outreach program.

“I’m very excited that we’re now able to en-hance the program,” Becky Trevino, Assistant Director of Radiology and The Breast Center

at CMH remarked. “Expanding the program to women’s health and including a bilingual outreach program is going to be benefi cial to so many women on such a larger scale.”

“While many healthcare facilities across the nation are eliminating services, CMHS is proud to increase these much-needed screening

and treatment programs to uninsured and un-derinsured women in our community,” CMHS President & CEO Gary Wilde pointed out.

The mammography and cervical cancer screening program will be available through all nine Western Ventura County CMHS Centers for Family Health. Additionally, The Breast Center at CMH, in conjunction with the Cen-ters for Family Health, will host a number of “Mammo Days” throughout the year.

“Mammo Days” are designed to be a comfortable and confi dential way for women to have a number of key health factors screened

by a caring and dedicated staff. Women arrive at Center for Family Health where they will be weighed and have their blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked. They will also receive a Pap smear. From there, the women are transported to The Breast Center at CMH for a mammogram. The all-inclusive screenings

are free of charge to women who meet certain economic criteria.

The Outreach Program is the perfect op-portunity for women to take care of their breast health and get their annual Pap screening, Trevino noted. “These are both screening tools

that save lives.”An estimat-

ed 182,460 new cases of breast cancer occurred in the United States last year.

At The Breast Center at CMH, patients receive the most technologically advanced medical care by a specialized team of healthcare pro-fessionals in a warm, caring and supportive environment.

Each year, 13,000 women are diagnosed with cervical cancer – the second most com-

“While many healthcare facilities across the nation are eliminating

services, CMHS is proud to increase these much-needed screening and treatment programs to uninsured

and underinsured women in our community.”

Caring For Women In Our Community

Reaching Out


ANDREA, AMBER AND ERICA COERT have gotten together after work at Amber’s Ven-tura apartment on a beautiful winter evening that seems like spring. Joined by their parents Lynn and Fernand, the three adult sisters are smiling and laughing. From the second fl oor they take a moment to enjoy a sunset view of the ocean. The scene was not so wondrous a little over a year ago. In truth, it was dark and frighten-ing, fi lled with tears rather than laughter. On February 15, 2008, Andrea, then 37, had surgery at Community Memorial Hospital to remove two lumps from her right breast. “I honestly thought everything would be fi ne,” Andrea recalls. “I woke up and found out I had cancer.” The news hit the tight-knit Coert family like an earthquake. Then came the fi rst aftershock: the realization that Amber, 33, might also have breast cancer. Four months earlier, after ignoring a cou-ple of lumps for two years because she did not have health insurance, Amber had mammogram and ultrasound exams at The Breast Center at CMH. Thanks to a free screening program for women in her situation the procedure was funded by the money raised from Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation’s Gold Dust Gala and the Hal Wallis Foundation. Everything looked fi ne. However, in light of Andrea’s diagnosis Amber had a needle biopsy on February 20. “It was so surreal,” says Lynn Coert. “When we found out Andrea had breast cancer we broke down. Then as soon as we dried our tears we started worrying about Amber. Is hers cancer?” Thankfully, Amber’s biopsies all came back negative. Then another aftershock: Erica, 29, found a lump in her breast. On February 26, she also had a mammogram and ultrasound at The Breast Center at CMH. Because of Andrea’s diagnosis of breast cancer, it was recommended Erica consult with a surgeon and then decided0 her lump would be removed. “Our world changed overnight,” Fernand recalls, his voice fi lled with emotion. “There was a narrow window of less than two weeks where we came to the realization all three of our daughters

“One thing I learned from all this is that

cancer does not discriminate. I was

young, I worked out and I don’t smoke or use drugs. You

think you’re healthy, you have no family

history and yet still cancer got me.

Cancer doesn’t care.”

TOGETHERFighting Cancer

THE

COER

T FA

MIL

Y

he performed a second surgery on Andrea to clear the margins around the fi rst lumps. Dr. Woodburn also did a lymphadenectomy to determine if the malignancy had spread. A to-tal of 14 lymph nodes were removed; four were positive for cancer. Adding to her anguish was the fact that chemotherapy can result in early menopause. “I struggled with that,” Andrea says. “I hadn’t had kids yet, and after hearing that I had can-cer and could go into early menopause as a result of my treatment, I realized how desper-ately I wanted kids. It was emotionally crush-ing. It was possible I could have a good out-come and not go into early menopause, or I could consider adoption as an option. I decided to go to the USC fertility program to freeze some eggs. The expected number for my age bracket was 10 eggs and I got 23 – I think it was some kind of age-group record! That was exciting and sent me into chemo feel-ing better about things.” Under the care of CMH hematologist/on-cologist Dr. Ann Kelley, Andrea began chemo-therapy on April 10 and completed her eighth and fi nal four-hour treatment on July 17. “Chemotherapy wasn’t as bad as I antici-pated,” Andrea says. “They have medications to ease the nausea and side effects.” Next came radiation therapy – fi ve ses-sions a week for seven weeks – under the care of CMH radiation oncologist Dr. Tom Fogel. “It made me tired, but other than that it wasn’t that hard on me either,” Andrea says.

had lumps. It was scary and shocking. I mean, they’re so young and there’s no family history of breast cancer on either side.” Making matters more worrisome and stressful was the reality that only two of three sisters had healthcare coverage. Andrea, who works in human resources, had full coverage, but as servers at a Downtown Ventura restau-rant, neither Erica nor Amber (who also works part-time as a speech therapist assistant for chil-dren ages 3 and under) did. Fortunately, Erica and Amber qualifi ed to receive state-of-the-art diagnostic care and treatment at The Breast Center at CMH. “We’re so very thankful for that assistance,” says Amber. “I don’t know what we would have done without it.” Nor what they would have done without one another. “We have a close family and we were going to conquer this together,” says Erica. “Together” was more than a sisterhood. The tight family bond also includes brothers Brent, 35, and his wife Tanya; brother Lance, 25, and his fi ancé Lisa; and Andrea’s husband Robert. Interestingly, all fi ve siblings were born

at Community Memorial Hospital. “And I was born at CMH when it was still Foster Hospi-tal,” Lynn notes. “I defi nitely drew strength from all their support,” Andrea says. “We were close already, but this brought us even closer.” Andrea’s ordeal began unremarkably in November 2007 when she was lying in bed one morning and noticed a small lump in her right breast. She went to The Breast Center at CMH for mammogram and ultrasound exams. “Ev-erything looked fi ne,” she explains. “Given the fact that Amber had lumps, The Breast Center said it could be hereditary. Young women tend to have dense breasts with fi broids. I honestly wasn’t worried.” Two months later, there was reason for worry. Andrea found a second lump on the side of her right breast, near her underarm. It looked like an enlarged lymph node on the mammogram, but didn’t look normal in the ultrasound. It was recommended that An-drea meet with a surgeon to discuss options of biopsy and removal. On February 15, 2008, CMH general sur-geon Dr. James Woodburn III removed both lumps. The biopsy revealed stage 2 invasive breast cancer. “I started crying,” Andrea shares. “I went into the surgery thinking I would be fi ne. After all, I was young, I took care of my-self, I had no history of breast cancer. When I heard the news, I was in tears.” On March 10, one day before Dr. Woodburn would re-move Erica’s lump (which tested negative),

TOGETHER


Continued on page 15

Left to right: Erica, Amber and Andrea Coert


Community Memorial Hospital is one of these elite hospitals with a year-old intensivist program that is raising the quality of care for critically ill patients.

“We started the program on March 1, 2008, and from the get-go we have seen mortality rates improve,” says Dr. Tom Brug-man, who teams with Drs. John Handley, Robert Bernstein, and Asghar Arfaei to run the CMH intensivist program. All four physicians – who are partners in the Ventura Pulmonology Group located across from CMH – are board certifi ed in intensivist/critical care medicine, internal medicine, and pulmonology. Additionally, Dr. Arfaei is board certifi ed in sleep medicine.

“Signifi cant data shows that if you are criti-cally ill you have a better chance of survival in an ICU with an intensivist,” notes Dr. Brugman.

“Our own results bear this out,” adds Dr. Handley. “Mortality rates have improved from the day we started this program. Quality of care is improved and length of stay is improved.”

Crucial to the across-the-board success of CMH’s intensivist program is not only the specialty of care provided, but its timeliness.

“We are here (in the ICU/CCU) and can provide the care the moment it is needed,” says Dr. Arfaei.

“The old model where doctors leave their offi ce and rush in to bring pulmonology care to the hospital is not a good system,” explains Dr. Brugman. “There are too many emergen-cies. These are the sickest patients in the hospital; oftentimes it is not good to leave their bedside.”

Therefore, Drs. Brugman, Handley, Bern-stein, and Arfaei rotate one-week service in the ICU/CCU. One of them is on hand seven days a week from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Another member of the group is on 24-hour call and can be reached directly, not through an answering service.

“When we’re in here (ICU/CCU), we don’t go to the offi ce at all,” Brugman empha-sizes. “Our entire focus is on these critically ill patients.”

Another key factor to the success of CMH’s intensivist program is its multidisci-plinary approach. Intensivists meet daily with fellow physicians, nurses, pharmacists, dieti-cians and social workers.

“A multidisciplinary approach is very important,” says Dr. Brugman. “The hospitalist team has been very supportive; all the medical staff has been supportive. We’re here to assist with the care of a patient and I think the other doctors appreciate that. The shared goal of everyone is to provide the highest quality care for patients and have the best outcome.”

Adds Dr. Arfaei, “We work as a team to ensure that we cover all of a patient’s needs. One important part of doing that is providing communication with the family. For example, do they want heroic intervention?”

Meeting the highest standards of ICU/CCU care is an evolving art. “Our protocols are constantly changing,” explains Dr. Handley. “They are based on state-of-the-art medicine, on evidence-based medicine. As medicine changes and advances, we change our protocols.”

Indeed, CMH’s intensivists are continually looking at and improving patient management protocols and standards to ensure critically ill patients are treated in precisely the most effec-tive and effi cient manner each and every time. Two key areas they have focused on are proto-cols for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) and detecting, monitoring and treating sepsis.

“Community Memorial Hospital’s in-tensivist program is cutting edge in Ventura County,” Dr. Brugman says proudly, with Dr. Handley adding: “The intensivist program has been a real driving force to save lives.”

more and more hospitals are recognizing the value of an intensivist-led intensive care unit. However, because there are

fewer than 6,000 board-certifi ed intensivists in active practice, studies reveal that less than 15 percent of ICUs in the United States have these dedicated programs.

Nationwide,Providing Cutting Edge Healthcare for the Critically Ill

Intensivists

PICTURED ABOVE (left to right) Robert Bernstein, M.D.; Tom Brugman, M.D.; John Handley, M.D.; Asghar Arfaei, M.D.

Helping CMH in its continuous effort to offer the best healthcare possible by consistently investing in the newest technology, education and training.


hours, the Auxiliary donated over $800,000 last year.

That contribution under-scores how essential the Auxil-iary is. “We’re instrumental in at least 10 vital areas of the hospi-tal,” Shelby pointed out. “From the gift shop, front and back desk information, PACU, the emer-gency department, the phar-macy… we’re involved with just about every service.”

Staffi ng those areas is one of the new president’s goals. “I’d like to see that for every service we offer we have a full staff in that area.”

Additionally, Shelby would like to expand some services. “I’ve asked the palliative care provider to look at bringing in a new program in the healing arts, specifi cally Reiki for can-cer patients. We’re also looking

She has proudly logged over 5,000 volunteer hours, has chaired the Maternity Ser-

vice, and has served as fi rst and second vice president. And now, as she celebrates 17 years as a member of the CMH Auxiliary, Shelby Bauer has been elected president of the nearly 400-strong group.

“I’m very honored, and I’m looking forward to working with all of our auxiliary members, the hospital staff and administration,” she said.

Shelby began her term in February at the CMH Auxiliary Installation and Awards Lun-cheon where she presented a $145,000 check – representing the money raised by the Auxil-iary in 2008 – to CMHS Presi-dent & CEO Gary Wilde. When combined with the volunteer

duties and the Auxiliary’s month-ly board meetings, she is a voting member on the CMHS Board of Trustees and attends all of their meetings; she welcomes new and prospective members at the Auxiliary’s monthly orientations; writes a column in the Auxiliary’s publication, Helping Hand, and attends as many service work-shops as she can.

“It’s really something that I like doing,” she humbly said, quickly pointing out that the vol-unteers’ work is greatly appreciat-ed. “We are very, very lucky that our administration completely supports the Auxiliary. Gary Wil-de comes to every meeting and shares information with us. We’re very blessed.”

Her volunteer spirit reaches outside of the hospital as well. Every Saturday, Shelby and hus-band, Jim, spend time with the Bova quintuplets. “It’s a very spe-cial thing we do,” she said, noting that they have been helping the family since the children were born at CMH eight years ago.

The couple, who lost their oldest son to cancer nearly three years ago, has four children, three grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. Somehow in be-tween all of their volunteer hours (Jim is a state-licensed long-term care ombudsman) they fi nd time to be avid supporters of and very involved with the women’s basketball program at Ventura College.

“It makes me feel honored to be able to give the time I can,” she said, especially working with the dynamic Auxiliary volunteers. “We’re a close-knit group and we go hand-in-hand. Whether it’s a brand new volunteer or someone up the ladder, every person is treated with the same respect.”

at a pet therapy program which would be a great benefi t for our patients.”

The Virginia native fi rst be-came a member of the Auxiliary in 1992. “My fi rst service was in patient care. That’s no longer available, but it was an absolutely great experience and I loved it.” She went on to work in Same Day Surgery before moving to the Maternity Department, chair-ing that service for eight years.

As president, Shelby’s re-sponsibilities are many: In addi-tion to a bevy of administrative

“It makes me feel honored to be able to give the time I can.”

SHELBY BAUER, Community Memorial Hospital Auxiliary President

The Spirit of Giving


Proceeds benefi t Community Memorial Hospital’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

For registration or sponsorship visit nicugolf.org or call 805/667-2881.

FRIDAY, JULY 31, 2009Sterling Hills Golf ClubCamarillo, California1:00 p.m. Shotgun Start

The CMH Neonatal Intensive Care Unit has become the foremost perinatal center in the county. Because of your generous support of events such as the NICU Golf Tournament, the CMH NICU has become a distinguished leader, capable of successfully handling high-risk infants with state-of-the-art equipment.

Please join us for a day of golf at the Community Memorial Healthcare Foundation NICU Golf Tournament

PLATINUM NUGGET SPONSORCommunity Imaging Medical Group, Inc. K-HAY RadioZestNet

GOLD NUGGET SPONSORGrossman Imaging CenterHub International of California Insurance Services, Inc.T & T Truck and Crane ServiceV3Ventura County StarVentura Emergency Physicians

SILVER NUGGET SPONSORSAlston & BirdBoston Scientifi cCommander Printed ProductsClearPoint Companies, Inc.Epcor - Oxnard Energy FacilityLife Line Medical TransportMullen & HenzellRabobank, N. A.

Santa Barbara Bank & TrustSound Inpatient PhysiciansTom Grether FarmsVictoria, Glenwood, Camarillo Healthcare Centers

TURQUOISE SPONSORSS.K. Abul-Haj, M.D.911 MAPP David & Debbie BayerBubbette University Bus Boosters AssociationCabrillo Radiation Oncology CenterThomas Fogel, M.D.Jeffrey Rodnick, M.D.California Cardiovascular & Thoracic SurgeonsDominic J. Tedesco, M.D.Lamar J. Bushnell, M.D.Joseph L. Romolo, M.D.Peter G. Gaal, M.D.David and Maryellen GlyerKaiser PermanenteRAS, Inc.The Renaissance Group

Ventura Anesthesia Medical GroupVentura County OB GYN Medical GroupRichard Reisman, M.D.John Gustafson, M.D.Steven Coyle, M.D.Michael Green, M.D. Scott Changchien, M.D.Eric Wallace, M. D.Dr. Jim and Kay Woodburn III

COPPER SPONSORSLoye Barton and John WilliamsChampion AdvertisersClinkenbeard Ramsey & Spackman LLPMichael EllingsonFausset PrintingJordan Actuarial ServicesHaady LashkariLifeCare SolutionsLivingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association & HospiceBarbara Meister - Barber Automotive Group

Metro Med, Inc.Ron and Barbara RoseSouthern California Reproductive CenterMargie and John StitesTWIW Insurance ServicesMr. and Mrs. Marion Donavon WhiteheadGary and Cheryl Wilde

DONORSS.K. Abul-Haj, M.D.Mr. Lauren E. AlexanderAnonymousMr. Stuart G. BerggrenColorburst Design ConceptsMs. Juanita N. GibsonJim and Mary HarrisonMr. and Mrs. Fritz R. HuntsingerMrs. Florence A. MeisenheimerWilliam R. Meixner & SonsPerennial DesignsMs. Denise RinconMr. Norman WeitzelMr. Casimir A. Wojnar


Over 600 people attended this year’s Gold Dust Gala on April 18th at Seaside Park, featuring country recording artist Keith Anderson. We would like to extend our warm appreciation to the sponsors of this event which helped raise the funds to support breast and cervical cancer screenings and treatments for women in need in our community.

Thank YouThank You

Helping OVCH in its continuous effort to offer the best healthcare possible by consistently investing in the newest technology, education and training.


It has been said that a quiet, sunny garden corner can be a place of refuge when healing is needed.

“We love the gardens.” said Sally, who regularly visits her father in the Continuing Care Center at Ojai Valley Community Hospital. “My dad enjoys strolling down the quiet path that winds around by the cactus garden. Now in his nineties, it gives him a chance to get out and commune with nature. He loves telling me about all of the interesting plants.” She adds, “The cactus garden is a peaceful sanctuary for all to enjoy. It is a pleasant quiet place in the sun to think, hope and dream.”

Master gardener, Brenda Farr spotted a scrubby little plot of land on the northeast side of OVCH’s property when she and her husband Gary attended the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new engineering building. It was

a bare, dusty space that measured approximately 30 by 40 feet. As Ojai residents and active sup-porters of the hospital, Gary and Brenda envisioned a cactus garden in the unimproved lot. They talked it over and decided they could do something to help the hospital by landscaping the little space into a cactus garden, similar to the one just planted at their own home. “Both Brenda and I feel that our local hospital is very important to our community and that all of us in the Ojai Valley have a stake in it,” explained Gary. “Putting in the garden was another way for Bren-da and me to show our support.”

For the next several weeks Brenda and Gary transplanted suc-culents from their own plot to the site at OVCH. Striving for a more natural look, they even hauled boulders from their yard to the new desert garden. Brenda enlisted

the professional services of Rich-ard Bogart from Desert Images in Ojai to help with the overall plan of incorporating about 20 suc-culents into the area. Brenda and Gary filled the garden with native plants that would require very little ongoing care. The garden contains cacti, euphorbia, agave and aloe which will attract hummingbirds and add to the overall beauty of the garden. A casual woodchip garden floor surrounds the plants to keep the area clean and hold in the precious natural water supply from rain and condensation. In addition, a commemorative plaque

honors the inception of the garden.Through hard work and

dedication, Brenda and Gary, who initially watered and cared for the new little plants personally, cre-ated something beautiful for their community. Now that the cacti and succulents have become es-tablished in their new home, Gary and Brenda expect the “pricklers” to grow and flourish through natural propagation by bats, moths and birds. To complete the project, they are currently looking for a comfortable bench that will give the hospital staff and visitors a peaceful spot to enjoy nature.

“Our local hospital is very important to our community and all of us in the Ojai Valley have a stake in it.”

A Place IN THE Sun


c mmunityGiving Backto

the

At Ojai Valley Community Hospital, opportunities to give back to the commu-

nity and support the hospital are numerous. Ojai residents contrib-ute hours and monetary dona-tions that benefit staff, visitors and patients. For example, planting a tree, attending a fundraising effort, volunteering in the gift shop and helping out during a party at the Continuing Care Center (CCC), allow patrons to support their local hospital and make an in-

vestment in the future for all Ojai residents.

A Memorial and Tribute Gar-den was recently was established to invite patrons to plant a citrus tree in memory or honor of a loved one. So far, trees have been planted in memory of Chilant Sprague and Thomas Menaugh. A third tree stands in honor of Joan Kemper for her service to the hospital and OVCH Founda-tion Guild.

In addition, the Foundation

has established the Legacy Cir-cle to acknowledge donors who have remembered the hospital in their will. When construction is finished in the hospital lobby, do-nors will be honored with an at-tractive personalized sand-carved Corian plaque to be displayed on the Legacy Circle Wall.

Other ways to help include a donation of time. “There are so many ways to help, like at the bingo and Yahtzee games that take place once a week here,”

says Caroline Damas, activities helper at the CCC and OVCH employee for the past 38 years. Opportunities also exist for musi-cally talented volunteers to assist with entertainment at the CCC. On occasion, Dr. Rasiah, hospital psychiatrist, entertains patients with soothing opera music. Pa-tients are also appreciative of vol-unteers who donate time to play the piano and keyboards.

In addition to the personal fulfillment that giving back brings, there’s fun for everyone. Donors and volunteers contribute to the local community by supporting hospital improvements that make goals possible. For more informa-tion on how you can help call the OVCH Auxiliary 805/640-1401 or Foundation 805/640-2317.

At the press of a button, patients at Ojai Valley Commu-nity Hospital are now in direct communication with a staff member or nurse, thanks to the new state-of-the-

art patient call system that was recently installed throughout the hospital. The updated system was put into service in January of this year since replacement parts for the old system, a relic from the 1960s, had become scarce. In addition, the de-pendability of the old call system was poor, especially after a power failure. The patients and staff are smiling now that it has been replaced with a streamlined model that includes many features! The new system is equipped with a two-way intercom that connects 18 patient rooms with the nursing station. By allowing instant communication with patients, nurses are able to provide more immediate care with increased efficiency. Patients can also call the nursing station to ask a question or alert their nurse to a pressing need. The ease of communi-cation reduces the stress level of the nurses, and at the same time, comforts patients who can now convey their needs to a nurse with the convenience of push-

ing an intercom button. Besides having an updated look and smaller overall size, the new patient call system allows nurses

to obtain vital information specific to their patient with-out leaving their station. Modernizing the call system was a necessary improvement

toward the completion of the ongoing renovations at OVCH.

Money to initiate the purchase and instal lation of the patient call system upgrade was

made possible through a generous donation from Ojai resident and long-time supporter of OVCH, Peggy Stiegele.

Additional funds were raised from the successful 2008 Wild West Night, an annual fundraising event. The OVCH Foundation

was able to provide the remaining monetary support necessary to complete the upgrade through donations. All of the nurses agree that the new patient call system has made a positive impact on their job and improved the ability to care for their patients. “It’s been such an improvement and is really user-friendly,” notes a staff member. “We love the new call system.”

“In addition to the personal fulfillment that giving back brings, there’s fun for everyone.”

Keeping Connected:NEW PATIENT CALL SYSTEM IMPROVES CARE

Frankie & Mia’s Wedding, the madcap reality dinner show that highlighted this year’s spring event for the Ojai Valley Community Hospital Guild was a tremendous success. Some 200 persons attended the event that raised funds for the Hospital’s Continuing Care Center.

The OVCH Foundation Guild sponsors the annual Springtime Fling, and Frankie and Mia’s Wedding was a bold departure from the previous Wild West Night theme. For the past 6 years, Wild West Night has been a successful fundraising event that raised more than $135,000. Proceeds from this year’s wacky nuptials will go toward improvements in the Continuing Care Center at OVCH.

In addition to the Springtime Fling, the Foundation Guild also sponsors the October Classic, formerly the October Classic. This annual fitness event takes place over a weekend and brings together athletes of all ages and skill levels. Join the fun with fresh air and sunshine at this walk, run or roll event. Separate age divisions compete in 5k and 10k events for prizes with all proceeds going to benefit OVCH. Call 640-2317 to register for the race.


II

States and Puerto Rico. This represents roughly 25 percent of all hospitals.

Since the center’s opening, the entire committee – comprised of physicians, hospital administration and personnel, oncology nurses, a nutritionist, a palliative care provider and a spiritual services minister – were all dedicated to receiving CoC accreditation.

“The entire team was committed to gaining approval from the College of Surgeons,” CMHS President & CEO Gary Wilde commented. “With this commendation, our cancer patients will have peace of mind knowing that they have access to an extensive, wide-ranging program.”

The CMH Cancer Program includes comprehensive care with state-of-the-art ser-vices and equipment; a multi-specialty team approach coordinating the best treatment op-tions; information about ongoing clinical trials and new treatments; access to cancer-related information, education and support; a cancer registry that collects data on types and stages of cancers and treatment results; lifelong patient follow-up; ongoing monitoring and quality care close to home.

“Patients don’t have to go 30, 40 or 50 miles away to get care at an approved cancer program,” Horton added. “It’s very important for cancer patients to know that we are an accredited facility because that means we are

striving for excellence. Cancer has the second highest mortality rate. It’s vital that these pa-tients are well taken care of.”

And the program is just not for patients. Horton quickly pointed out that the program has key elements to assist family members and caregivers as well.

“The center is here for everyone, and you don’t have to be a patient at CMH,” she said, adding that the program has partnered with The Wellness Community and American Can-cer Society to provide educational programs and support groups for patients, family mem-bers and caregivers.

The CMH Cancer Resource Center is located directly across the street from the main entrance of the hospital near the corner of Brent Street and Loma Vista. For more in-formation, please call the center directly at 652-5459.

n January, the Cancer Program at Community Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Re-source Center received a three-year approval with commendation by the Commission on Cancer (CoC) of the American College of Surgeons.

This pivotal commendation distinguishes CMH as the only hospital in the West Ventura County to have an accredited cancer program. Moreover, the commission recently awarded the hospital the 2008 Outstanding Achieve-ment Award for new cancer programs.

“We’re very excited, thrilled and relieved,” Cancer Program Manager Kathleen Horton remarked. “The team worked very hard. I’m so proud of them.”

The CMH Cancer Program offi cially began in January of 2006, and that’s when Horton and the cancer committee, chaired by Dr. Lynn Kong, began the lengthy process of accreditation. “There are 36 standards you have to comply with and then prove that you have met them for two years before you can be allowed to be surveyed for accreditation,” Horton explained.

An on-site evaluation is then done by a physician surveyor who looks at the level of

compliance and standards throughout the en-tire program – cancer committee leadership, cancer data management, clinical services, research, community outreach, and quality improvement.

“We were surveyed by a New York surgeon who really thought our program went above and beyond. He was very impressed with the dedication of our group, which varies from fa-cility to facility,” Horton noted.

Established nearly 100 years ago by the American College of Surgeons, the CoC is a consortium of professional organizations dedi-cated to improving survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients through standard-setting, prevention, research, education and the monitoring of comprehensive quality of care. Its membership includes Fellows of the American College of Surgeons and 42 national organizations that refl ect the full spectrum of cancer care.

There are currently a little more than 1,400 CoC-approved cancer programs in the United

“It’s very important for cancer patients to know that we are an accredited facility because that means we are striving for excellence.”

PICTURED ABOVE (left to right) Thomas Fogel, M.D.; Gary Wilde, CMHS President & CEO; Lynn Kong, M.D.; Kathleen Horton, RTT, CTR

OutstandingAchievementCommunity Memorial Hospital’s Cancer Program Receives Accreditation & Commendation


EXCELLENCE IN OUR COMMUNITY


therapists and pharmacists are also called upon as needed. “We’re utilizing an enormous reser-voir of expertise already present in our hospital,” says Dr. Hornstein. If there were any doubts about the defi ni-tive need for a comprehensive Palliative Care Service at Community Memorial Hospital, they were put to rest very quickly. In the fi rst six months, the service has grown steadily, mostly due to the enormous support of the hospital community. The program has also ben-efi ted greatly from the positive and constructive feedback it has received from professional col-leagues, patients and their families. “By helping patients and families cope with the stresses of illness and by focusing on improv-ing the quality of our patients’ lives, our Palliative Care Service is another way CMH is committed to responding to our ever-increasing healthcare needs,” says Dr. Hornstein. “I am very proud of the very forward-looking commitment of our hospital to further improve the lives of patients, their families and our community.”

single person,” explains Dr. Hornstein. “Instead, an interdisciplinary approach with an integrat-ed team can more completely and effectively serve the patients and their families.” “Communication is vital to the success of our program,” explains CMH Palliative Care Clinical Coordinator, Diana Jaquez, RN. “We hold team briefi ngs daily to discuss current patient situations as well as any new develop-ments. We use a team approach to assist in the coordination of a comprehensive and individu-alized plan for each patient to ensure quality

care. Of course, we love to work alongside all of the excellent bedside nurses, social workers and case managers to achieve this goal.” “Healthcare is very complex today so we seek to add an extra layer of support, commu-nication and coordination for the patients and their families during hospitalization,” explains CMH palliative care social worker Janine Coro-nado. “We look at the patient holistically from a medical, emotional and spiritual standpoint. In end-of-life situations this includes offering bereavement support.” In addition to Dr. Hornstein, Jaquez and Coronado, the palliative care core team in-cludes Chaplain Curtis Hotchkiss; administra-tive director Bonnie Subria, MSW; a physician group including Dr. Lanyard Dial (medical director of Livingston Home Hospice), Dr. Charles Pankratz (medical director of Assisted Hospice), and Sound Hospitalists, Drs. Tara Snow and Debby Carlson. Furthermore, pain management special-ists, dietitians, physical therapists, occupational

THE WORD PALLIATIVE derives from Latin, meaning to ease or relieve. While the practice of medicine has always sought to pro-vide these comforts to patients, palliative care brings a new focus and broader approach to the quest. Palliative care is the newest specialty in medicine, gaining formal recognition in 2006, and Community Memorial Hospital has dedi-cated itself to being at the fi eld’s forefront by creating its own interdisciplinary program fo-cusing on improving the quality of life for pa-tients with serious illness. One common misconception about pallia-tive care is that it is only for patients who are terminally ill. “Palliative care is much broader than end-of-life care,” explains Dr. James Hornstein, longtime Ventura family practice physician and the new Medical Director of CMH’s Palliative Care Service that began inpatient service in September, 2008. “It’s important for people to know that palliative care is appropriate for any patient with a serious illness.” For example, cancer patients coping with the physical or emotional burdens of their dis-ease might benefi t from palliative care, as can those recovering from heart disease or most any other serious or chronic illness. In addition to physical discomfort and pain, palliative care takes a comprehensive and holistic approach to addressing other symptoms such as shortness of breath, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite and diffi culty sleeping. The ultimate goal of comprehensive pal-liative care is to offer patients the best possible quality of life during their illness. Doing this for each individual patient requires the expertise of many healthcare professionals. “Dealing with a patient’s medical, psycho-logical, economic and spiritual issues is often too complicated to be provided by any one

alliative CareImproving Quality of Life for Patients With Serious Illness

“Healthcare is very complex today so we seek to add an extra layer of support, communication and coordination for the patients and their family during hospitalization.”


has become.”The Wolfes not only played roles in this

unifi cation, they are poised to continue doing so as the synergy further develops.

Gary Wolfe, a Certifi ed Public Accoun-tant at Vance, Thrift & Biller LLP in Ventura, joined the CMH Board of Trustees in 1979. He served as Chair for the CMHS Board the past four years before stepping down in January; before that, he served as Vice Chair for eight years. He remains on the Board and is enthu-siastic about incoming Chair Dr. Martin Pops.

“Marty brings a tremendous amount of experience and energy,” Gary praises. “There is no question he will do a terrifi c job moving us forward.”

Coincidentally, Tim, who has served as the Treasurer of the OVCH Foundation since its inception four years ago following the merger, is replacing Barbara Pops – Marty’s wife – as OVCH Foundation Chair.

“I was asked six months ago,” Tim con-fi des. “I look forward to maintaining the wonderful leadership and dedication that Barbara brought.”

Barbara Pops’ legacy includes helping OVCH’s new Emergency Department become a reality: it is scheduled to begin service in the summer. This accomplishment is but one of many testaments to the strong family created through the Ojai merger, Tim allows, pointing out that CMHS provided matching funds for

the Emergency Depart-ment construction.

Furthermore, the new ER promises to further strengthen the bond between the Ojai Valley community and its hospital.

“There is always the fear of losing the Hospital,” explains Tim, an Oak View resident whose son, Taylor, 16, and daughter, Abby, 13, attend school in Ojai. “But everyone’s much more comfortable now, especially with the new ER. Things are working

out well since the merger and we just have to continue being advocates for the Ojai Hospital.”

As CMHS Chair, Gary was focused on this advocacy. “We have embraced Ojai and will continue to,” Gary says. “I made it a point to go to as many Ojai events as possible and


It is said that the strength of the pack is in the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is in the pack. On Saturday mornings an entire pack of Wolfes – including outgoing Community Memorial Health System Board Chair Gary Wolfe, and Ojai Valley Community Hospital Foundation’s incoming Chair Tim Wolfe – can be found sharing breakfast in the Ventura home of their parents.

“We’ve been getting together almost ev-ery Saturday morning for more than 25 years,” says Gary, the eldest of six Wolfe siblings who all grew up in Ventura. “Dad makes pancakes. Always pancakes.”

“A lot of pancakes,” adds Tim. “We once fi gured out well over 100,000 pancakes have been fl ipped.”

The breakfasts are revealing; shared pancakes are outnumbered by the number of laughs shared. “We’re an extremely close family,” Gary shares, with Tim echoing: “Very tight-knit.”

This closeness extends well beyond the six siblings – Gary, Terry, Larry, twins Tim and Tom, and Mary. In truth, the core of this Wolfe pack numbers eight “siblings” because cousins Paula and Kim came to live with the family after their mother died at a young age.

“Six kids became eight,” allows Gary, who interestingly is the father of the fourth set of twins – John and Becky, 22 – in their ex-tended family, as well as Todd, 37. “With Paula

and Kim, we became a bigger family that was very close.”

This strong sense of family, in particu-lar blended family, is a valuable characteristic Gary and Tim have brought to CMHS. In-deed, both brothers have played key roles in the blending of Community Memorial Hospital and Ojai Valley Community Hospital into the shared family of Community Memorial Health System. Like wolves, CMHS gains strength in unity.

“Both hospitals, and communities, have ben-efi ted from the merger,” says Gary. “For example, Ojai was struggling and was not getting the patient volume to make a profi t. Now it’s profi table. Also there’s seamless care for patients between the two hospitals.”

“Ojai Valley Community Hospital probably would not be here otherwise,” Tim, CEO at M.F. Daily Corporation in Camarillo, adds of the merger. “The closer we (OVCH and CMH) have worked together, the better the System

Run WolfesWolfes

with the

“We have embraced Ojai and will continue to...

the feedback about how the people

in Ojai feel about their hospital is

all positive.”


After graduating from medical school in 1960, Marty served a one-year internship and a three-year residency in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA Medical Center. He went on to serve on UCLA’s facul-ty – from professor to dean, involved with teach-ing, research and seeing patients – for 30 years until retiring in 1996. Today he is a professor emeritus.

In 1999, Marty joined OVCH’s Board of Advisors and within two years was part of a community group that secured local fi nancing to purchase the hospital for $2 million. Next, he served on the newly formed OVCH Board of Trustees and was its Board Chair in 2004 when the hospital merged with CMH.

As evidence of Marty’s tireless energy and commitment to community, he is on the Rotary Board and as President last year helped initiate its successful “Fit Kids, Fit Ojai” program.

Meanwhile, in 2001 Barbara and Peggy Rus-sell started the philanthropic OVCH Guild. It was a role for which Barbara, who earned a de-gree in Bacteriology from USC, was well pre-pared; for 13 years she was Director of Volun-teers at UCLA Medical Center in charge of a small army of 1,300. “Her offi ce at UCLA was bigger than mine and had windows!” Marty shares, laughing.

“We saw an opportunity to provide support and get the community involved,” recalls Bar-bara, proudly noting the Guild’s original mem-

bership of 30 has grown to more than 120 today.

Following the merger, Barbara accepted the po-sition as OVCH Founda-tion Chair. With her term limit up this past Janu-ary, Barbara handed the leadership reins to Tim Wolfe, who says of accept-ing them: “To be honest, it was a challenging decision because Barbara did such a spectacular job. She’s a very tough act to follow.”

Asked to refl ect on her own leadership tenure, Barbara replies: “It’s very rewarding how the com-

munity responded. I’m especially proud to see the new emergency room go up.”

Meanwhile, Barbara and Marty’s new roots continue to grow deeper. “We love being part of this community,” Barbara says. “In LA all those years we hardly knew our neighbors.


Longtime Los Angelenos Barbara and Marty Pops fell in love at fi rst sight with the Ojai Valley, bought a lovely home here fi fteen years ago...and have been deeply committed to their new community ever since. Their own love story be-gan even quicker and has lasted much longer.

When Marty came home on spring break during his fi rst semester of medical school at the University of Chicago in 1957, his father shared the news that Barbara – the daughter of family friends – had a new car, specifi cally a sporty ’56 Thunderbird with a removable hard top.

“My dad said, Why don’t you call her up and ask her out,” Marty recalls. “I didn’t have a car, so it sounded like a good idea.”

Barbara not only agreed to go out for cof-fee, she let Marty drive her T-Bird.

“And that was that,” Marty says, smiling at the dear memory with Barbara sitting at his side.

Indeed it was. The following evening, the two went out to dinner and dancing on the famed Sunset Strip.

“On our third date the next night,” Marty continues, “I proposed.”

Three months later they wed and after a brief honeymoon in Yosemite, the newlyweds “began our new life together” by driving to Chi-cago for Marty’s second year of medical school.

“Our fathers predicted it wouldn’t last be-cause we hardly knew each other,” Marty adds, laughing because they celebrated their 51st

wedding anniversary last September 1st. In ad-dition to three children – Pam, Richard and Kenneth (and four grandchildren) – their union has produced a long com-mitment to volunteerism that remains vibrant today and has helped create a successful merger between Ojai Valley Community Hospital and Community Memorial Hospital, which resulted in the formation of Community Memorial Health System.

In January, Dr. Martin Pops became Board Chair of Community Memorial Health System.

“Marty brings a tre-mendous amount of expe-rience and energy,” prais-es Gary Wolfe, outgoing Board Chair. “There is no question Marty will do a terrifi c job moving us forward.”

Even before he assumed the role of Board Chair, Marty brought his amiable leadership skills, enthusiasm and a deep well of healthcare experience to the task of turning Ojai Valley Community Hospital into a modernized com-munity-owned treasure.

Longtime Los Angelenos Barbara and Marty Pops

Keeping Up Pops Popswith

the

“When you get involved with

volunteerism, I think you actually

receive more gratifi cation for yourself than the people you serve.”

Healing Arts


Jim Stewartpaced the hospital corridors hoping to get good news. There were compli-cations with the birth of his fi rst baby and his wife was not well. In a state of fear, he waited to hear about her condition. While anxiously shuffl ing back and forth, Jim noticed pho-tographs hanging throughout the hallways. The positive reassuring faces in the pictures smiled back at him. Faces of children, life and hope reminded him of happier days. As the hours passed, the uplifting visual im-ages calmed Jim’s mind and transformed his thoughts to a more peaceful state, encouraging him to remain positive while he waited. Art can soothe the soul and help heal the patient. For centuries, physicians have ac-cepted the premise that a patient’s mental state infl uences diseases and healing. Art previous-ly called cathartic for patients with a variety of conditions is now being offered more and more as a healing tool by health professionals. The use of art and color provide a soothing im-age for patients and their families by creating a reassuring visual environment. In an ongoing process, works of art by local artists have been placed throughout Community Memorial Hospital and the Cen-ters for Family Health. Images at the Centers for Family Health refl ect the culture of our area through the lens of three local photog-raphers. Eight other photographers from this area light up the walls in the hospital and

create a sense of community throughout. Registered nurse and commercial designer Sue Pollack brought in local photographers by asking them to submit one photo of Ventura Landmark Two Trees and one photo of the Ventura Pier. By investing in the community, the project is an opportunity for local artists to sell their work and have it displayed for the public. The permanent collections, on fl oors 2, 4, 5 and 6 present hometown interpretations from famous local spots, such as “Two Trees” by Jose Vertin. In addition, when the renovation of the medical offi ce building across the street is completed, fi ve local artists will have their art represented throughout the building. Designers continued the hometown theme on the second fl oor of CMH, in the Maternal Child Health Center, by having four photogra-

phers take pictures of the children of employ-ees. The children pictured range in age from newborn to teens. Ojai Valley Community Hospital has also created a therapeutic art legacy for patients, with a generous donation from the Burns fami-ly and a successful fundraising effort. Thanks to Operation Picasso, an OVCHF guild program, there are over 200 original works of art from different media. Ojai Valley artists produced

the majority of pieces hanging throughout OVCH and the Continuing Care Center locat-ed adjacent to the hospital. Operation Picasso co-chairs Barbara Hirsch and Neva Williams worked with artists and patrons to place the art. “The goal,” says Chris Rock, Executive Director of the OVCH foundation, “was that every person who visits has a better day be-cause the walls are fi lled with the uplifting spirit of original art.” Future plans for Op-eration Picasso may include expansion into the new emergency room upon its comple-tion. Ideas for a fi rst fl oor public art gallery at CMH were inspired by the extensive art collection at OVCH. Once the interior fi rst fl oor lobby was remodeled, Haady Lashkari, Assistant Vice President at CMHS, worked with the City of Ventura, Buenaventura Art

Association (BVAA), Leadership Ventura, the Chamber of Commerce and hospital commit-tees to bring an improved aesthetic appearance to the CMH community for patients, families, guests and staff to enjoy. The hospital founda-tion was extremely supportive of the idea and provided a grant to purchase, among other things, a track system with wires so the art could be rotated without damaging the frames or walls. With an enduring vision of being

Art can soothe the soul and help heal the patient.

Healing Arts


sion would be if they thought they really pulled Auntie’s hair off. Moments like that were a big help in getting through the whole ordeal.” Andrea received wonderful news this past March 16. Her one-year MRI, along with mammogram and ultrasound tests, came back clear. “What a blessing!” she says. “One thing I learned from all this is that cancer does not discriminate,” Andrea empha-sizes. “I was young, I worked out and I don’t smoke or use drugs. You think you’re healthy, you have no family history and yet still cancer got me. Cancer doesn’t care.” Echoes Erica: “Breast cancer really can happen to anyone. You don’t want to be par-anoid, but now it’s always in the back of our minds. We’re all defi nitely doing our self-exams each month and will get yearly screenings.” Lynn marvels at the way her oldest child responded to the health crisis. “Andrea was so courageous and positive. It was so scary. As a mother, you want to change places with her. I didn’t want to see her go through such an or-deal. But Andrea didn’t feel sorry for herself and didn’t ask, ‘Why me?’” Quite the contrary. “I’d never want to see Mom or my sisters go through it,” Andrea says sincerely. “If any one of us had to go through it, I’m glad it was me. I really am, because I had the strength for it.” Andrea pauses, smiles at Amber and Er-ica seated beside her on the couch, and then looks across the family room at her parents, and adds: “With God as our lead, you were all my strength.”

“I have to say all my doctors were fantastic. I can’t say enough good things about Dr. Woodburn, Dr. Kelley and Dr. Fogel.” In an effort to minimize the emotional valley from the side effect of losing her hair as a result of the chemotherapy, Andrea preemp-tively buzzed off her beautiful shoulder-length natural curls. “I didn’t want to go through having clumps of hair on my pillow in the morning or watch-ing my hair go down the drain,” she explains. “It was hard to do, but I knew it was the right choice for me. Plus, I had some pretty good-looking ‘dos’ waiting to be worn.” Prior to starting chemotherapy, Andrea went shopping for wigs. “I thought it would be depressing, but it wasn’t thanks to Amber, Erica and my mom,” Andrea recalls. What began as a dreaded afternoon out-ing turned into an afternoon memorable for its giggles. “They’d bring me the most hideous-looking wigs,” Andrea continues, laughing at the memory. “I’d try them on and we were just cracking up. I ended up with two new ‘haircuts’ that I really liked!” The laughter continued at a family gath-ering when Andrea was playing with her two young nephews. “They didn’t know about my cancer or my wig, so I’m on the fl oor wres-tling with them while using one hand to hold my wig on,” she relates. “Part of the fun was the wrestling, and the other part was trying to keep my hair on for fear of what their expres-

recognized as a premier art community, the City of Ventura encouraged the project that would further its goal of tapping into the local artist community and identifying public loca-tions to display that art. In addition, the BVAA was able to gain gallery space for local artists through the collaboration. “It has really been a pleasure,” refl ects Haady, “not only as an em-ployee, but as a member of the community to be part of this collaboration.” In April, Community Memorial Health-care Foundation hosted an open-house on the fi rst fl oor of the hospital for the current show titled “Healing Art.” The next show, entitled “The Lazy Hazy Days of Summer” debuted in June. There are four fi rst fl oor shows per year, each with an artist’s reception where patrons can meet the artist and have a photo taken. Later this year, CMH and BVAA will host another show titled “Our Stimulus Package” where art will be priced affordably. In the future, collaboration between CMH and BVAA is possible for an eighth fl oor gal-lery where the auditoriums are located. Work by local artists would be for sale with a portion of the proceeds being donated to the hospital auxiliary for maintaining the project. Can art heal? Scientifi c studies tell us that art heals by changing a person’s physiology and attitude. Art and music put people in a dif-

ferent brain wave pattern that positively affects their autonomic nervous system, their hor-monal balance and their brain neurotransmit-ters. Art can affect every cell in the body to create a healing physiology that changes the immune system and blood fl ow to all the organs. Art and music affect a person’s percep-tion of their world. Neurophysiologists know that art, prayer and healing all come from the same source in the body. They are all associ-ated with similar brain wave patterns. Mind and body changes are all deeply connected in feeling and meaning. “The fact that Community Memorial Health System has made the commitment to have permanent and rotating gallery exhibits throughout their hospitals is recognition of the power of art to heal, to soothe and to help all of us through diffi cult and emotional times,” says Sue Pollack, designer for the hospital. “CMHS is an incredible partner in the city of Ventura’s efforts to weave art into everyday life in all segments of the community and for the betterment of our citizenry.”

TOGETHERContinued from page 5

PopsContinued from page 13

In Ojai, you see people you know everywhere.”“We like that,” adds Marty.They see many of their neighbors each

morning while taking their two Australian Shepherds, Abby and Mattie, for an hour walk. Their active retirement also includes Marty swimming 2,000 meters daily in their beautiful backyard lap pool while Barbara enjoys garden-ing and Pilates.

Of course, Barbara and Marty Pops put their energy into enriching their community.

“When you get involved with volunteer-ism,” Marty shares as Barbara nods her head in agreement, “I think you actually receive more gratifi cation for yourself than the people you serve.”

WolfeContinued from page 12

the feedback about how the people in Ojai feel about their hospital is all positive.”

Positive also describes the Wolfes’ vol-unteer efforts within the community. Gary is a former president of both the CPA Society and Salvation Army Board, and also serves on the Rotary Club Board. Tim, meanwhile, is a current Board member and former president of Casa Pacifi ca, as well as a former president of the Ventura County Taxpayer’s Association.

And, of course, both do their share contrib-uting to pancake consumption each Saturday morning.

“I probably eat the most,” Tim confesses.Gary laughs at his kid brother in full

agreement.

Art can soothe the soul and help heal the patient.

CA

RIN

G F

OR

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FUTU

RE In keeping with our mission to provide Ventura County with quality healthcare in state-of-the-art medical facilities, the process has begun to build a new Community Memorial Hospital and modernize Ojai ValleyCommunity Hospital.

• A new, and larger, location within the hospital• A total of six private treatment bays• Private consultation area• Appropriate clinical support space• New admitting and waiting area• New ambulance bay connected to the department• Latest technology and equipment

NEW OVCH EMERGENCYDEPARTMENTOPENING SUMMER 2009


Every month, Community Memorial Health System offers a variety of support and informational meetings. Please verify meeting date and location with the contact person listed. Sometimes meetings may be cancelled or rescheduled.

Meetings & Support Groups at CMH147 N. Brent St., Ventura

Bariatric Support GroupGeneral: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., 4th Thurs.Lap Band: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., 1st Tues.Contact: Nancy Barber (805) [email protected]

Bariatric Surgery Seminar6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Selected MondaysContact: Nancy Barber (805) [email protected]

Better BreathersAmerican Lung Association3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., 2nd Wed.Contact: Juanita Trine, RRT-NPS (805) 652-5346, [email protected]

Caregivers Support Group3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m., 2nd Fri.Contact: Marilyn Beebe (805) 445-1181

Diabetes ClassesNutritional management classes.Classes vary, please call for dates & times.Contact: Heather Gilliam, Registered Dietitian(805) 652-5066

Diabetes UpdateDiabetes technology update for patients who take insulin. Call for class dates & times.Contact: Jacquie Berg (805) [email protected]

Heart-Healthy Nutrition Classes (for HeartAware patients)5:15 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., 1st Wed.Contact: Andrea Ricketts, NP (805) [email protected]

ICD & Bi-Ventricular Device Support GroupPresented by Dr. Ishu Rao, Cardiac Electrophysiologiston staff at CMH.5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Wed., Aug. 12 & Nov. 4Contact: Andrea Ricketts, NP (805) 477-7310, press [email protected]

Joint Replacement Education ClassA FREE class with guest speakers for patients and their family/caregivers planning to have hip or knee replacement.2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m., 2nd Tues.(805) 652-5036

Mended HeartsFacilitated by the American Heart Association.6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., 1st Tues.Contact: Dick Hiser, President (805) 646-4636

Prevention Strategies for Heart DiseaseTopics vary each month.6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., 3rd Thurs.Contact: Andrea Ricketts, NP (805) [email protected]

Restless Leg SyndromeSupport group & relevant seminar topics.1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Selected Sun.Contact: Dave Hennerman (805) [email protected]

Stop Smoking Class10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., Monday’s or6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Thursday’sContact: Kathy Cook (805) 652-3231

Walking Fitness ProgramA FREE class. Participants should check with a physician prior to beginning any exercise program. 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m., Tues. & 8:30 a.m. - 10:00 a.m., Thurs.Kimball Park, VenturaContact: Andrea Ricketts, NP (805)[email protected]

Meetings & Support Groups at OVCH1306 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai

Stop Smoking Class5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m., Call for class dates.Contact Erika Mendez (805) 640-2203

Meetings at Cancer Resource Center184 N. Brent St., VenturaContact: Kathleen Horton, (805) 652-5459• Breast Cancer Self-Help Group - Facilitated by a breast cancer survivor.• Breast Cancer Support Group • Cancer Support Group• Head & Neck Cancer Support Group• Kids Circle - For children with a parent or grandparent with cancer.• Look Good Feel Better - Free skin care & cosmetics for current cancer patients.• Man to Man Prostate Cancer Support Group• Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction - 8 week course for men or women undergoing cancer treatment.

• Spanish Language Cancer Support Group• Yoga for People Affected by Cancer• Yoga for HeartAware & MS Patients

Meetings at Maternal Child Health House129 N. Joanne St., VenturaContact: Sheila Dedrick, RN, CLC (805) 658-BABY (2229)• Baby & Me - Various weekly discussions and breastfeeding support.• Babysitting 101 - Children 11 years and older learn to be responsible babysitters and how to administer CPR to an infant or child.• Natural Childbirth Course, Prepared Childbirth and Refresher Courses (English & Spanish sessions)• Maternity Orientation, Sibling Class, Infant/Pediatric CPR • Prenatal Yoga• Breastfeeding Support Group

Community Memorial Hospital of San Buenaventura147 N. Brent St.Ventura, CA 93003

Non Profit OrgUS Postage

PAIDCommunity Memorial

Hospital of San Buenaventura

PROGRESS UPDATE:We are happy to report that the construction is on schedule. The framing has been completed and the electrical and plumbing lines are installed. The construction crew has replaced the old fl ooring and installed the med-gas system.

The area for the new generator, which will serve both the hospital and the skilled nursing facility, is prepared and ready for the equipment to be installed. The interior drywall installation and ambulance bay area are currently being completed.

Documents

CARING Summer 2009