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Northridge Hospital Medical CenterSt. Bernardine Medical CenterSt. John’s Hospital CamarilloCalifornia Hospital Medical CenterCommunity Hospital of San BernardinoGlendale Memorial Hospital and Health CenterSt. John’s Regional Medical CenterSt. Mary Medical CenterA publication for Dignity Health Southern California Division - South Employees Winter 2022CONNECTInspiring Joy
CreditsJennifer Fagnani VP of Marketing & CommunicationsEditor: Natasha Shows Director of Internal CommunicationsAssociate Editor: Tracie GipsonProduction Manager: Megan MartinezDid you know?You can stay in touch and up-to-date by following us on social media. @DignityHealthSoCal@DignityHealthSC@DignityHealthSouthernCaliforniaWhen you see a QR code in the magazine, scan it with your personal smart device to watch the associated video.Dignity Health’s Southern California Division includes 17 acute-care nonprofit hospitals and one behavioral health hospital in nine counties across Central California, Central Coast, and Southern California. Dignity Health is part of CommonSpirit Health and the largest hospital provider in California, delivering health care services to diverse communities, allowing one in four U.S. residents to access care through our network of health care providers. This network of hospitals is supported by medical groups throughout the region, premier ambulatory surgery centers, technologically advanced imaging centers, outpatient services, and comprehensive home health services – all with one common goal: to provide compassionate, high-quality health care in a safe and healing environment.Inside this issue:2 Caring for Caregivers6 Puppy Love8 Miniature Horses9 The Gift of Life10 St. John’s Food Pantry12 Living our Values in Action13 High Reliability Organization14 Flowers to “Brighten Your Days”16 St. Bernardine Celebrates 90 Years18 Galaxy Health Care Heroes20 Kudoboard Corner22 Six-Word Stories Connect Quiz23 Better Together24 In the NewsBack Southern CaliforniaCover Marketing UpdateContributors:Rebecca BravoCristina CortezJazmin De La TorreVirginia HunterRami JandaliSonia SolinChristina ZicklinSt. Joseph’s Behavioral Health CenterMark Twain Medical CenterSt. Joseph’s Medical Center StocktonMercy Medical Center MercedBakersfield Memorial HospitalMercy Hospital Downtown - BakersfieldMercy Hospital Southwest - BakersfieldFrench Hospital Medical CenterArroyo Grande Community HospitalMarian Regional Medical CenterSt. John’s Regional Medical Center St. John’s Hospital CamarilloNorthridge Hospital Medical CenterGlendale Memorial Hospital and Health CenterCalifornia Hospital Medical CenterCommunity Hospital of San BernardinoSt. Bernardine Medical CenterSt. Mary Medical Center111212313414515616717818910CaliforniaBakersfieldOxnardLos AngelesSan BernardinoStockton13111412158169171018453671 2
A message from Julie J. Sprengel@Julie_SprengelDear Southern California Division Team:First and foremost – Happy New Year! I truly hope each and every one of you were able to take time during the holidays to connect with your loved ones and those you cherish in your life. A special thank you to those of you who spent the holidays ensuring our patients were well cared for – you are appreciated. I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that these are challenging times. I know how dicult things continue to be, especially for stang and burn-out, but we are not alone. Every health care provider across the country is facing these issues. I want you to know we are doing everything we can to address these concerns to provide support and solutions. We will face the challenges together and be better – for each other, for our patients, and for our communities – by sharing ideas and leveraging our skills. As we approach the two-year milestone of the COVID Pandemic, we know it has been a trying time for every member of our health care team and we want to thank you. Each of you have kept your commitment to our patients front and center. Your work has helped us focus on keeping our patients safe and providing high-quality care while improving our patients’ experience and our future. What I ask of you now is to focus on your well-being and the well-being of those around you. This edition of Connect magazine includes resources for well-being initiatives available in our hospitals and clinics across the Division. Your mission teams and human resources leaders are working closely to ensure everyone is aware of resources available.I hope that when you read the stories in the pages that follow you are reminded of why we are here and how each of you plays a role in bringing our values of compassion, inclusion, integrity, excellence, and collaboration to life in your daily work. I have had the chance over the rst six months of this scal year to visit every one of our facilities and I will tell you, I can’t wait to see what we can accomplish when we continue to work together. Please know that I am humbled to lead such an exceptional team and the best Division! Sincerely,Julie J. Sprengel President & CEO Southern California Division CommonSpirit HealthAdnan Hamid Chief Information Ocer Holly Hessel-Altman Vice President of Quality Ron Yolo Chief Nursing OcerWelcoming New Division LeadersSouthern California Division | 1
| Dignity Health Connect2 | Dignity Health Connect2Caring for Our Caregivers...You!Sometimes, thank you just isn’t enough. Health care professionals’ mental health has been tested throughout this pandemic. In fact, a survey published in the Washington Post found that of frontline workers surveyed said the pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health.Our leaders took that statistic to heart. They brainstormed ideas to ease the burden our teams have experienced since the inux of COVID cases throughout our hospitals. To help build higher levels of resilience in our sta, our Spiritual Care teams and leaders have made rounds to support and uplift our sta with blessings of the hands, holy water, rosaries, small bibles, and treat carts. What’s more, they’ve created designated meditation rooms, exercise areas, and healing spaces, much to the delight of sta across the Southern California Division.
Southern California Division | 3Dignity Health - St. John’s Regional Medical CenterHilda Ortiz, ICU nurse, relaxes in the area of respite that overlooks the garden. Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical CenterThe hospital’s “Humankindness Patio” oers employees an opportunity to be one with nature by planting fresh herbs and owers in the garden.Dignity Health - Community Hospital of San BernardinoThe hospital’s “Big Bear Retreat Relaxation Room” oers a meditative space with massage chairs. Hospital leaders also round with snacks, including these Valentine’s treat bags, lled with cookies, tea and honey sticks, which had employees feeling the love at the height of the pandemic.Dignity Health - Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health CenterThe hospital’s “quiet room” on the th oor near the ICU.Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical CenterThe hospital’s meditation garden oers a quiet retreat for reection and relaxation.Dignity Health - St. Bernardine Medical CenterEmployees are encouraged to take in the fresh air in the hospital’s gardens and a peaceful stroll around the heart walk.Dignity Health - St. John’s Hospital CamarilloDuring her breaks, Denise Lee Johannes, a nurse in the Emergency Department at St. John’s Hospital Camarillo, likes to spend time in the healing garden to relax, recharge, and stop to smell the roses.Dignity Health - St. Mary Medical CenterThe soothing sound of water has a calming eect for employees who enjoy refreshing breaks at the hospital’s water feature.
| Dignity Health Connect4Employee Assistance Program (EAP)Dignity Health’s EAP oers free tools for emotional health and well-being hours a day, days a week. Our EAP is a free, condential service available to you and your family members and oers help for a range of challenges, including: • Stress, anxiety, and depression • Loss, grief, and bereavement • Substance abuse and addiction • Domestic violence • Financial and debt troubles • Work-related diculties Visit Anthemeap.com or call 800.999.7222. Use Company Code: dignity healthIn-Home ServicesCommonSpirit Health wants to make life easier for our employees with a free membership to Care@Work, plus ve credits for services, such as child care, house cleaning, adult care, and more. Sign-up and learn more at commonspirit.care.comWellness ConnectionThe Wellness Connection by CommonSpirit supports (and does not replace) any similar programs in your facility. This program is designed to provide resources and tips for your well-being, delivered directly to employees via gmail. Any tips provided are not intended to convey or suggest any medical advice.Stay ConnectedThe exclusive em-ployee app – connect – provides real-time updates and easily accessible links to self-care resources. Download today at: get.theemployeeapp.com/connectAimed at supporting mental well-being, CommonSpirit Health has developed a host of oerings to foster a culture of joy and wellness. A new tool called Well-being Check-in is designed to help us respond to our emotions in healthful ways. With a few clicks on your phone or computer, you’ll receive suggested resources tailored to what you are feeling. It’s fast and anonymous, with no sign-on required. Look for the Well-being Check-in icon on your computer desktop or scan the QR code below. We’ve also listed some additional wellness resources here.Your Well-being Matters
Southern California Division | 5Please Remember:• We do understand.• There are resources to help.• It’s okay to take a mental break.• YOU are what matters most.• Take care of yourself and each other.Where to Call for HelpNational Suicide Prevention Lifeline: ..National Domestic Violence Support: ..National Alliance for Mental Illness: ..Quick & Simple Deep Breathing Technique The rst rule of meditating is about trying not to process anything that comes from the outside. Instead, one must direct all resources towards something that is as internally generated as possible, which is our breath. Concentrating and focusing on each and every inhale and exhale allows us to block out everything happening outside of us. Want to give it a try?• Get into a comfortable position.• Breathe in through your nose. Let your belly ll with air.• Breathe out through your nose.• Place one hand on your belly. Place the other hand on your chest.• As you breathe in, feel your belly rise. As you breathe out, feel your belly lower. The hand on your belly should move more than the one that’s on your chest.• Take three more full, deep breaths. Breathe fully into your belly as it rises and falls with your breath.Within a few minutes, you can experience the soothing benets of deep breathing. When you have more time try minutes for even greater benets.Southern California Division | 5
Pet Therapy “dog-tors” were welcomed back as ambassadors of good cheer to spread joy during the pandemic at Dignity Health - California Hospital Medical Center and Northridge Hospital Medical Center. | Dignity Health Connect6
Southern California Division | 7A visit from a friendly dog can be just the right medicine by bringing comfort and joy – feelings that our pets can easily invoke. For over a year, our pet therapy dog-tors were kept on a short leash after halting pet therapy due to COVID concerns. Slowly though, the sound of little paws trot-ting down hospital halls is bringing joy to sta throughout Southern California Division hospitals. Accompanied by its trained owner-volunteer, these dog-tors have been chomping at the bit to deliver unconditional love to sta.A Dose of Puppy Love Brings Cheer to EmployeesResearch on the health benets of pet therapy has been widely publicized. When used in a therapeutic environment, pets have been shown to decrease blood pressure, ease pain or anxiety and improve both short and long-term memory. Psychological benets for health care providers include improved motivation and decreased stress. “I enjoy seeing the enthusiastic response from our sta,” says Ginny Mills, co-coordinator of the Paws that Refresh program at Dignity Health - Northridge Hospital Medical Center. “Everyone has such a warm and positive reaction when they see these ambassadors of good cheer coming – the eect is transformational.”These dogs are no ordinary pets. Pet therapy dogs must be aectionate and become certied therapy dogs, which requires dogs to be well-trained, good-natured and enjoy attention. The volunteer-owners and their dogs must also adhere to strict infection prevention policies through consistent grooming before and after each visit to the hospital.“I feel like we get as many blessings as we give when we bring the dogs to visit,” says Ginny. “The dog visits bring a sense of normalcy into an abnormal situation.”Now that’s something to howl about.Upper left: Northridge Hospital Staff rolled out the red carpet to welcome back their pet therapy dogs.Top right and above: Staff at California Hospital take a pet therapy break.
| Dignity Health Connect8During January 2021, Dignity Health - St. Bernardine Medical Center (SBMC) was leading the Dignity Health Southern California Division in the number of COVID positive patients in-house. Sta and physicians were emotionally and physically exhausted. Hospital leaders were looking for ways to comfort and support their team.Teri Purdy, Assistant to Hospital President Doug Kleam, has spent many years training and riding horses. Teri had just met Joyce and Keith Banks from Happiness on Hooves – a non-prot organization that raises and trains certied miniature therapy horses to spread joy and love where it is needed. Prior to the pandemic, the minis had been visiting local nursing homes, schools, and the VA hospital.Interacting with animals has been shown to decrease levels of cortisol (a stress-related hormone) and lower blood pressure. Studies have also found that animals can reduce loneliness, increase feelings of social support, and boost mood. Dierent from dogs, miniature horses can be easier to approach and generate less fear. They also have the unique ability to sense human emotions like joy and sorrow.“Our certied therapy mini horses visit many facilities and events in the hopes of bringing a smile to someone’s face and making a connection with their heart,” explains Joyce. Teri suggested to the SBMC executive team that bringing the mini horses in-house could be a great morale booster for the team.“JJ” and “Mama” were the rst miniature horses to visit St. Bernardine. They’ve been trained to snuggle a person who approaches them. In fact, Mama is so calm she could go by the name “Zen Mama.”During their rst visit, Respiratory Therapist, Rebecca Avila explained, “I’ve been working with COVID patients for so long, this refreshes my soul.”Rebecca’s not alone. “Our care team was going strong, but the surge had been dicult,” shares Doug Kleam. “Hearing a little bit of laughter, knowing that they are smiling behind their masks because of this special visit, warms my heart.”The common reply from sta after a mini horse visit is,“That was the best day ever.” The mini therapy horses are so popular, since January they have visited St. Bernardine twice a month – one visit to the day sta and one visit to the night team.Miniature Horses Boost Morale, One Hoof at a TimeSt. Bernardine Medical Center COVID Unit (front, l-r) Agapita Florez and Roenalyn Robles, (back, l-r) Cynthia Ang, Josephine Nellans, Beverly Higgs, and Brittany Langdon with Mama. Executive Assistant Teri Purdy, pictured here with JJ and Mama, spearheaded the mini horse visits to uplift staff during the pandemic.
Organ donation is one of the most seless and lifesaving decisions a person can make. In the United States alone, over , people are waiting for a kidney for a second chance at life. Yet only one in ve people are healthy enough to donate a kidney, making it an even more challenging and lengthy process for those on the national waitlist.At Dignity Health – St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC), Tammy Basile, Registered Dietitian, is among the one in ve people qualied to donate a kidney. Tammy helps patients impacted by HIV at SMMC’s CARE Center. When she learned that her colleague Becky Yourex’s son, Lyle, a -year old reghter, was in desperate need of a kidney transplant during the COVID pandemic, she was compelled to take action. She oered to undergo all of the necessary testing to determine whether or not she would be a match for Lyle.While she was not an eligible match, Lyle was fortunate enough to receive a kidney from his cousin just in time. That seless act inspired Tammy to move forward in becoming a living organ donor, when she donated a kidney to a complete stranger this past summer.“When I learned that Lyle, a father of two with no preexisting health conditions, needed a lifesaving transplant, it rocked my world and made me want to help,” said Tammy. “Although I was not a direct match for him, I was inspired to donate one of my kidneys to someone I had never met and be able to give Lyle a voucher for another future transplant when the need arises.”The kidney voucher that Tammy was referring to means that she can name a family member or loved one as a kidney recipient in the future and that person would automatically jump to the top of the waitlist. This system, created by the National Kidney Registry, allows a living donor’s act of humankindness to snowball and start what is known as a kidney donor chain, in which a kidney is transplanted to a recipient who had a donor willing to give a kidney, but who was not a match. Since Lyle will eventually need another transplant years from now, Tammy selected Lyle as her voucher recipient.Becky, a nurse manager of the CARE Center Clinic at SMMC, was deeply moved by Tammy’s altruistic display for her son. Her younger son, Bryan, had passed away just two months prior to Lyle’s diagnosis, making it an almost impossible situation as a mother.“I felt completely helpless at that time and was truly praying for a miracle to help save Lyle’s life and keep him with his wife and two daughters,” recalls Becky. “All along, Tammy was willing to give up one of her kidneys for my son and demonstrated the ultimate act of unselshness when she donated one to a stranger.”Tammy and Becky remain not just colleagues, but great friends. Giving the Gift of LifeEmployee Living DonorTammy Basile, is in good spirits after donating a kidney to help someone in need.Tammy Basile, Registered Dietitian (left) and Becky Yourex, Nurse Manager, were both thrilled that Tammy’s kidney donation resulted in her getting a voucher for a donation for Becky’s son.Southern California Division | 9
| Dignity Health Connect10Located at a church in an underserved neighborhood just two miles down the road from Dignity Health - St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) in Oxnard, the St. John’s Food Pantry distributes groceries twice a week to people in need. For some, the food they receive is their family’s only source of nourishment for the week. As such, the Food Pantry strives to increase the amount of daily protein and nutrient-dense foods in each pick-up to encourage families to eat more nourishing meals.Food insecurity has long been a critical health need nationally and in the community served by SJRMC. While some of the pantry’s patrons are regulars, new faces have frequented the pantry. “In the past year and a half, as businesses closed and working adults were left unemployed, the pantry has seen an increased More Than a Food Pantry: A Labor of Lovenumber of people needing support,” explains Lydia Kreil, Community Health Manager at SJRMC and Dignity Health - St. John’s Hospital Camarillo (SJHC). In the last year, the St. John’s Food Pantry distributions have beneted nearly , community members. The amount of food distributed translates to about tons, the equivalent of live oak trees or adult male polar bears.Understanding the need and importance of food security, the small but mighty St. John’s Community Health team mobilizes year-round to deliver on the hospital’s promise to better the community’s health. Be it driving around town in the pantry van to collect donated food from Food Share and local grocers to sorting and assembling bags; the St. John’s Food Pantry is truly a labor of love.Every Tuesday and Thursday, men and women – some with their children in tow –line up outside of the St. John’s Food Pantry with one common need – food insecurity. The SJRMC Community Health team works to diminish food insecurity by distributing food at the St. John’s Food Pantry. From left to right: Silvia Soria-Arellano, Translator; Josefina Laurean, Assistant Health Promotions Instructor; Lydia Kreil, Manager, Community Health; and Jessica Corona, Community Wellness Project Specialist.
The St. John’s Food Pantry has become an essential part of St. John’s Hospitals’ community outreach since it was founded in by Sr. Carmen Rodriguez of the Sisters of Mercy. Thirty-ve years later, the food pantry continues to live up to the legacy of its founding sister by being a lifeline for so many. Sr. Carmen Rodriguez at the St. John’s Food Pantry in 1986.St. John’s Food Pantry By the NumbersFounded in1986 by Sister Carmen Rodriguez of the Sisters of MercyOperates two days a weekBenefits nearly 37,000 community members with food insecuritiesDistributed 154 tons of food in the past yearSouthern California Division | 11
| Dignity Health Connect12What does it mean to live our core values? Just ask any of our Values in Action winners from Dignity Health - Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center (GMHHC) who embody our values when interacting with our patients and their fellow coworkers. They were nominated during the 2021 return of the Values in Action annual recognition program to honor outstanding employees, physicians, contractors, volunteers, and board members at GMHHC. Congratulations to the following five awardees who were selected by their colleagues for demonstrating Dignity Health’s core values. Living Our Values in ActionCarlos Cabral, Scrub Technician, SurgeryCompassion is dened as care with listening, empathy and love, and to accompany and comfort those in need of healing. Carlos was nominated for the core value of Compassion for the support he provided to his colleagues throughout the hospital during the COVID surge. In addition, his compassion for our patients and their families was and is amazing and exemplary. Charmaine Jackson, LCSWInclusion is dened as celebrating each person’s gifts and voice, and to respect the dignity of all. As a Clinical Social Worker on GMHHC’s Behavioral Health Unit, Charmaine was nominated for her trauma-informed, patient-centered care, and for the many ways she invites us to consider how we can celebrate and recognize our diverse community. Integrity Marianne Jenny, RN (Not pictured)Integrity is dened as inspiring trust through honesty, and demonstrating courage in the face of inequity. As a nurse in the Cath Lab, Marianne was nominated for her steadfast commitment in helping the ICU team during the COVID surge and for supporting her GMHHC colleagues, patients, and families.Dr. Sameer BajajExcellence is dened as serving with our fullest passion, creativity, and stewardship, and exceeding expectations of others and ourselves. Dr. Bajaj was nominated for leading the ICU/CCU team throughout the pandemic, including the surges in and . He maintains a calm presence, focus on quality, and commitment to making sure our patients’ families are kept up to date regarding their loved ones.Sophia Canete-JonesCollaboration is dened as committing to the power of working together, and building and nurturing meaningful relationships. Sophia works in the Cardiac Fitness Center as a Cardiac Fitness Therapist and ACC Escort. During the times when her department was shut down due to COVID, Sophia collaborated with many other departments across the hospital to ensure a variety of tasks and roles were lled to keep our patients and sta safe.
Understanding Our Journey as a High Reliability OrganizationMonica, a registered nurse on a progressive cardiac care unit at Dignity Health - St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton, was preparing to administer a medication used to control bleeding. The medication was in three separate boxes and had to be mixed before it could be given to the patient. As part of the process before giving any medication, she carefully reviewed the medication and checked the dosage. By Paying Attention to Detail, Monica discovered that her calculations for what is considered the appropriate dosage were dierent from the pharmacy’s calculation. She Had a Questioning Attitude and called the pharmacy to express her concerns. “It’s instilled in you as a nurse that you are responsible for your patients,” explains Monica. “Every patient is someone’s mom or loved one. Patients put their trust in you and take what medications you give them. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.”Monica’s unit charge nurse and unit director encouraged her to contact the Pharmacy. Monica took the medication boxes to the Pharmacy department and asked the pharmacist to show her how the calculations for the dosage were done. Together, they went over the medication calculations and it was determined that Monica’s calculations were correct.Throughout the process, from rst pulling the medications out of the Omnicell to the point of administering the medication to the patient, Monica’s actions demonstrated many of the skills taught as part HRO. Monica received a “Good Catch” award for her actions, but more importantly, her actions ultimately led to discovering an error and preventing potential harm to the patient. This good catch from Monica is a great indicator that HRO behaviors are integrated in everyday actions and have helped to create a culture of safety.We are all working together to become a High Reliability Organization, one which prioritizes patient safety in our ever changing environment, but many may still ask ‘what does High Reliability really mean?’ A High Reliability Organization or HRO has fewer than its share of error events by prioritizing safety and adopting a culture where we consistently do the right thing for our patients and sta. We empower our people to ask questions, we organize our leadership around safety activities, and we all commit to studying and improving our process to look for opportunities to be safer. Other organizations, such as the airline industry, that have become HROs, have done it through having every member of the team adopt safety as their number one priority. It is not enough to have the president, directors or managers say we are going to be safe, safety is everyone’s responsibility and we all must align around it to truly advance our culture. To date, the progress we have made is nothing short of inspiring. Across many of our hospitals we have named our HRO initiative, Safety by Choice, Not by Chance, but your hospital may have chosen a unique name to represent the unique culture of where you work. While names may vary, the outcomes are all the same. Across all of our Southern California Division hospitals we are seeing a new focus around safety at our hospitals. On a daily basis, stories like the one you just read above are exemplifying an increased mindfulness on patient safety, a closer collaboration across disciplines, and an atmosphere of trust that heightens our day-to-day sensitivity to operations. While each of our hospitals is at a dierent place on their journey to high reliability across our entire division we are all making progress forward. Over the next months, we are aiming to have every employee participate in High Reliability methods and skills training. For some this will be the rst time they are seeing this material and for others this will be a refresh of training they did years ago, but for all of us, it will be yet another important step forward towards creating a consistent culture of safety. Simultaneously, we will be rolling out leader tools that will augment how we huddle, how we round, and how we share stories that prioritize safety.I am grateful for your partnership and enthusiasm. I believe our collective commitment will lead to our long-term success, as we strive to make our division’s hospitals the safest in the nation by consciously practicing High Reliability practices and encouraging our teams to do the same. Thank you for doing your part on our journey to becoming highly reliable.Nicholas Testa, MD Chief Physician ExecutiveSouthern California Division | 13
Oftentimes, we look to others for inspiration, advice, or to simply cheer us up. The eect that a sunny disposition or a warm smile can have on a person is immeasurable. When the going gets tough, like it has been for many of us throughout the COVID pandemic, we naturally seek out bright spots around us that help ease our stress while keeping us grounded.At Dignity Health – Northridge Hospital Medical Center (NHMC), one of those bright spots has come in the form of nurse, Elma Gaerlan, who has been part of the Medical-Surgical team for years and was named “Nurse of the Year” in for her kind heart and patient-centered care. She has spent countless hours providing nursing expertise to help some of the hospital’s sickest patients, while shining her one-of- a-kind outlook on life to everyone she encounters. Since the beginning of the pandemic, she has treated numerous COVID patients, many of whom were unable to have family and friends around during their time of need. Over time, Elma noticed how members of her own team and frontline sta from other departments were overwhelmed with the number of patients.Flowers toElma is always camera ready, looking for images to bring joy to others. | Dignity Health Connect14
Southern California Division | 15“Brighten Your Days”Elma displays the photo album her team created to thank her for the inspirational photos she shared on Facebook. Photo albums of Elma’s nature pictures are shared with patients and on display in Administration for all to enjoy.That’s when Elma decided to do something to lift the spirits of patients and sta alike. While at home, she began spending more time with her husband, an avid gardener, in their backyard. While doing so, she realized she had been missing out on the simple beauty of the owers in their own garden. One particular dandelion caught her eye and led her to take a photo, which she later posted on her Facebook page. Almost immediately after sharing the picture, a urry of positive comments and feedback came rushing in from family members, long-time friends, former high school classmates, and NHMC colleagues. Elma was caught o-guard by the positivity that one post generated, leading her to continue posting owers.“I was so amazed the pictures I was taking of owers around me were making others feel better,” shared Elma. “I began hearing from friends I hadn’t spoken to since high school, who shared that I was brightening their days with each post.”Little by little and day by day, Elma had created a following that had come to anticipate her daily posts. In fact, due to its popularity, she decided to post a picture of a dierent ower every single day and ultimately named this project, “Brighten Your Days.” With each post, Elma wrote a message of hope to frontline workers, like herself, who could use the daily dose of optimism in their lives. She also asked her followers to guess the identity of each ower.Three hundred days after she began taking these photos, Elma’s sister from Maryland took it upon herself to create a photo album of every single post along with the comments that people had left behind. She gifted the album to Elma, who was taken aback by the gesture, and it soon made its way to her colleagues at NHMC. It became such a hit that her sister printed two additional albums, one of which is currently shared with patients and the other, which is housed in the Administration oce for any employee who needs a quick pick-me-up.Elma’s streak of consecutive oral Facebook posts currently stands at , and she doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. “I will continue sharing photos of the beauty that surrounds us all, and use it as an educational opportunity for people while also making them smile,” says Elma.At a time when so many of us have been in need of a bright spot, Elma has showered those near and far with snapshots of owers that have blossomed in popularity.
St. Bernardine Stands as a Beacon of Hope and Healing for 90 YearsSt. Bernardine Medical Center in 1930 (top) and today (above).1930The ocial groundbreaking for a -bed hospital with ve surgery rooms was held on August .1960In the summer the million South Wing opened and inaugurated the now-renowned Inland Empire Heart and Vascular Institute.1956Community fundraising campaign that raised nearly , for an additional beds at the hospital.1931The hospital ocially opened its doors on October and the rst patient, Louise Landry, honored her daughter’s birthplace by naming her Bernardine.1930 1931 1956 1960 | Dignity Health Connect16
For years, St. Bernardine has fullled the mission and vision of its founding Sisters, to advocate for those who are poor and vulnerable, while oering healing - both inside our hospital and in the community. The hospital has served as a beacon of hope and healing - providing high-quality care to meet the diverse needs of the residents of San Bernardino. In the ’s, San Bernardino experienced a rapid population growth. The small community of , residents grew to nearly , by . Concerned about the lack of hospital facilities for this booming population, a local surgeon, Dr. Philip Savage Sr. , shared his dream of building a faith-based hospital with Father Patrick Dunn, pastor of St. Bernardine Catholic Church, and Mother Mary Placidus Mulcahy, superior general of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word in Houston, Texas. The vision of the founders of St. Bernardine Hospital was to build a rst-class hospital that cared for a patient’s body, mind and spirit. "I am proud of the St. Bernardine team of sta, physicians, and volunteers who have carried out the mission of the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word for the past years,” says Doug Kleam, President, St. Bernadine Medical Center. “Every day I witness their amazing dedication to our patients and the community."Cindy Bean in 1979 when she became a nurse in pediatrics and now in 2021 in her role as the Senior Nursing Director. One longtime team member, Cindy Bean, currently a Senior Nursing Director in Hospital Administration, has worked for St. Bernardine for years. In , her father Robert Matthews, the hospital’s Chief Administrative Ocer, encouraged Cindy to volunteer as a candy striper at the hospital while she attended nearby San Gorgonio High School.Cindy became a CNA at SBMC in and eventually became a registered nurse working in the pediatrics and transitional care units at the hospital. “I have grown up at St. Bernardine,” Cindy shares. “I had my kids here and was treated for breast cancer here. I can’t think of a better place to receive medical care.”Over the years, Cindy has worked in various leadership roles and now leads patient experience and employee engagement. “The SBMC team is my family, and has been for a long time,” she says. “This hospital is my second home.”St. Bernardine Medical Center continues realizing the dream of Dr. Savage, the Founding Sisters of Charity, and our committed community leaders of providing high-quality care that is delivered with humankindness to our most vulnerable populations across the Inland Empire. 2021Today St.Bernardine is a -bed hospital celebrating years of service to the community.2002Expansion continued with a . million Critical Care Unit, an expanded Cardiac Catheterization Laboratory, and OB services. 1996Catholic Healthcare West (now known as Dignity Health) announced its plans to acquire the assets of St.Bernardine from Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, a Houston-based Catholic hospital group. 1990A six-story patient tower was built to house the Matich Conference Center, a new cafeteria, and outpatient services. 1981St.Bernardine celebrated its th anniversary and was serving over , patients a year.1970Hospital built and opened a $ million nursing tower and the capacity of the hospital increased to beds.1970 1981 1990 1996 2002 2021Southern California Division | 17
| Dignity Health Connect18The LA Galaxy and Dignity Health teamed up to honor health care heroes during home games of the 2021 LA Galaxy season. LA Galaxy is honored to partner with Dignity Health and grateful for all of our health care heroes. Congratulations and thank you to all of our heroes!Hermalinda Nava California Hospital Medical CenterHermalinda is a member of the EVS team and was nominated for having moral ber, courage, and compassion for her patients as well as her colleagues. She demonstrates humankindness by going above and beyond, including lending patients her phone to call their loved ones. She also went so far as to collect food for a patient’s family because he was the sole breadwinner and his wife and kids did not know he was a patient. Hermalinda went above and beyond after work and went to his home to deliver groceries to the man’s family. Meredith Temple Community Hospital of San BernardinoMeredith is an EKG Technician who has been helping patients for years as part of the medical imaging team. Meredith is a true team player who was instrumental in the success of the hospital’s COVID vaccine clinic to protect its patients, sta, physicians, and the local community. Her positive energy and humankindness is felt by everyone she encounters on a daily basis.Gloria Cordero Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health CenterGloria is the evening shift lead for Environmental Services. Without her, there is no patient ow as she directs the sta on room discharges and works closely with the nursing supervisor on room priority. As a member of the EVS department at Glendale for years, she works well with the sta and is highly respected by everyone. She is the muscle of the department leading the sta all night long.LA Galaxy Names Health Care Heroes of the Game
Southern California Division | 19Select Dignity Health employees saluted Landon Donovan in this fun video in celebration of his induction into the Ring of Honor at Dignity Health Sports Park. Thank you to the heroes and our Galaxy superfans Matthew Soskins, Corporate Counsel, Karlyn McGarry, SMMC ER RN, and Veeken Kassabian, NHMC Radiology Tech for your enthusiasm and willingness to participate. To watch the video, scan the QR code below.Ilyne Maglalang Northridge Hospital Medical CenterIlyne is a great example of compassionate care, specically serving the San Fernando Valley. At the beginning of the pandemic, Ilyne was instrumental in volunteering to tend to the ICU patients battling COVID – even when little was known about the virus. Her bravery in working with this patient population eased patient and sta concerns. As part of the Respiratory Therapy team, Ilyne remains greatly involved in the ght against COVID.Matt Salazar St. Bernardine Medical CenterAt the height of the pandemic, San Bernardino hospitals were experiencing a daily increase in COVID positive patients, at a faster rate than LA County. As the number of critical care patients rose, all of the beds for COVID patients in the hospital’s isolation areas were lled. There became an immediate need for structural changes to provide high-quality care. As such, Matt was part of a facilities team that worked around the clock to design and build new areas of the hospital to care for more patients while safely protecting patients and sta alike. Poh Ang St. Mary Medical CenterPoh Ang, RN, CIC, is an Infection Control Ocer dedicated not just to St. Mary Medical Center, but the entire Dignity Health organization as an invaluable resource during the pandemic. She is highly regarded for her knowledge, expertise, and true commitment to improving all patient care. The local community is fortunate to have Poh leading the infection control program.
| Dignity Health Connect20Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health CenterJust a part of our great surgery team! — From Juan Garcia PabloCalifornia Hospital Medical CenterThank you for the collaboration between Dietary, Nursing, Spiritual Care and Patient Experience #values #time for gratitude — From Nathan PelzCommunity Hospital of San BernardinoNorthridge Hospital Medical Center3FARR night-shift celebration NO CAUTI FY2021. Wonderful achievement! — From Miwha EomSt. Bernardine Medical CenterTea For the Soul! — From Melinda HagerKudoboard CornerKudos to everyone recognized on our hospital Kudoboards.
Southern California Division | 21Want to post on Kudoboard? Scan your hospital’s QR code and get posting.California Hospital Medical Center (CHMC)Community Hospital of San Bernardino (CHSB)Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health Center (GMHHC)Northridge Hospital Medical Center (NHMC)St. Bernardine Medical Center (SBMC)St. John’s Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) and St. John’s Hospital Camarillo (SJHC)St. Mary Medical Center (SMMC)St. John’s Regional Medical CenterEVS Team, Thank you for all you do to keep our hospitals clean and safe! St. Mary Medical CenterThank you to our NICU for meeting the stretch Patient Experience goal for FY21.
| Dignity Health Connect22 “Humbly delivering kindness,patience, and Juanita De La Cruz, Food Service Worker - SBMC“Providing excellence at my second home.” Maria Robles, Food Service Worker - GMHHC“Work means family, teamwork, and blessings.”Maria Perez Food Service Worker - NHMC“Family, understanding,community, compassion and love.” Naciale Foster, Diet Clerk - CHMC“Connectingcommonality and compassion through nutrition.” Candice Neeri, Clinical Dietitian - CHSBSix-Word Stories from Food ServicesOur Southern California Division hospitals’ Food Services Departments play an integral role in helping our patients, visitors, community members, and staff stay well-nourished and healthy. These teams of food and nutrition professionals consist of food service workers, cooks, store room attendants, diet clerks, dietitians, and food service management leaders. We checked in with members of these incredible teams and asked them what working at Dignity Health means to them in just six words. Here’s what they had to share.“Multidisciplinaryteamworkto help patients heal.” Kelly McHugh, Patient Services Manager - SJRMC“Serving humankindness on every single plate.”Carlos Valderrama, Cook - SMMC“Showing compassion intimes of need.”Juan Amezcua, Senior Food Service Worker - SJHCEnter to Win an Amazon Gift CardTest Your Connect Knowledge Enjoy reading this issue of Connect? Take the quick quiz on stories covered in this issue and you’ll be entered to win a $100 gift card to use at Amazon. Get started by scanning the QR code.compassion.”
Southern California Division | 23As we push through the pandemic, there is a threatening “silent sub- epidemic” resulting from our communities delaying much-needed medical care.To ensure that our communities avoid serious health consequences, Dignity Health has launched an educational campaign along with ve of Los Angeles County’s other largest nonprot health systems, including Cedars-Sinai, Kaiser Permanente, Keck Medicine of USC, Providence, and UCLA Health. The campaign, titled “Better Together,” is our united mission to encourage community members to put their health rst and access care when needed.Perhaps you’ve seen our public service announcements with themes that “Life may be on pause. Your health isn’t,” “Thanks L.A. for doing your part,” and “Get care when you need it.” The campaign launched after concerned health care professionals reported seeing people who failed to Better TogetherLA Consortium Encourages Timely Medical Careseek timely, preventive, and life- saving services, health screenings, and medical assistance. Such delays can result in late-stage cancers, advanced heart disease, debilitating strokes, and other serious medical conditions.The campaign features 11 famous names who overcame health chal-lenges as a result of timely access to preventive care. They include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, NBA all-time leading scorer who beat two cancers; Padre Abdias, a priest who survived lung cancer; and narration from the legendary former Dodgers’ broadcaster Vin Scully. To ensure we reach those in our diverse communities, ads are featured in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, and Korean.The goal is to encourage people to care for their health care needs – including emergency, primary, specialty, and urgent care. “We know many patients who in the past dialed for life-threatening emergencies are now not accessing these vital services quickly,” says Julie Sprengel, President, Southern California Division, Dignity Health Hospitals. “We are instead seeing patients who delayed or cancelled care coming to emergency departments with serious conditions that should have been treated far earlier. We believe it is our duty to let people know we are open and committed to maintaining the health of the communities we serve – and saving lives.” That’s why this campaign is so important. We’re tackling head on what could become the next public health crisis.You can see the campaign on multi-language TV and radio, billboards, buses, malls, newspapers, magazines, digital, and social media. To learn more, visit bettertogether.health.
| Dignity Health Connect24In The NewsThe Dignity Health Southern California Division communications team tracks breaking news, and quickly responds by inviting physicians to offer insight on a health topic discussed in the media. By doing so, we show that Dignity Health is a knowledgeable community resource for health and wellness. Glendale Memorial Hospital and Health CenterThe Los Angeles Times featured Glendale Memorial Hospital’s Nancy Sumner, RN, ED, in an article on the resiliency of nurses during the pandemic. The article focused on ways nurses across the city deal with stress and the emotional toll the pandemic has taken on health care workers. California Hospital Medical CenterHope Street Margolis Family Center was featured in New America online publication to discuss the signicant role the center has played throughout the pandemic in keeping local communities safe, while continuing to provide essential educational and recreational resources for at-risk youth and families.Community Hospital of San BernardinoMental health continues to be a concern during the pandemic. Dr. Ricardo Whyte was featured on Good Day L.A. to answer questions concerning mental health, and how people can cope with stress and anxiety.Northridge Hospital Medical CenterDr. Richard Kang, Medical Director of the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, joined KABC Channel News to discuss the benets of the COVID vaccine for youth, ages to , as the hesitancy among parents to vaccinate their children continues.
Southern California Division | 25St. Bernardine Medical CenterThe Fontana Herald, Newsbreak, and the Daily Advent featured the hospital’s 90th Anniversary and history, which started with Dr. Philip Savage Sr. () who dreamed of building a faith-based hospital on a vacant lot near Waterman and Highland Avenues, which was a dirt road anked by farms and elds.St. John’s Hospital CamarilloAs the public seeks out hard-to-nd at-home COVID tests, Dr. Ramsey Ulrich, Internal Medicine Specialist, weighed in on their accuracy on FOX News. St. Mary Medical CenterThe Long Beach Press Telegram shared the remarkable story of a rare set of MoMo twins, Raul Damian and Adan Leonardo, born at St. Mary Medical Center. This type of twin pregnancy occurs in only one in , births and carries high risks due to the twins sharing the same amniotic sac and placenta.St. John’s Regional Medical CenterThe NICU read-a-thon was featured on KABC Channel 7 News. The read-a-thon was held to encourage parents and the NICU clinical team to read a book to the babies every day to create and strengthen neuro connections during this critical period of development. With humankindness at the heart of our hospitals, we also share positive stories that illustrate our employees’ dedication and generosity. The following news features are just a sampling of our successful media coverage.
330 N. Brand Blvd., Suite 400 Glendale, CA 91203Univision Maternity Campaign on Facebook LiveIn partnership with Univision and KLOVE . FM, Dignity Health SoCal participated in a series of Facebook Lives with host Argelia Atilano for our Maternity Campaign. The events featured Dr. Camero, Pediatrician at Dignity Health - Community Hospital of San Bernardino and Dignity Health - St. Bernardine Medical Center; Dr. John Cabrera, OB/GYN at Dignity Health - Glendale Memorial Hospital; and Dr. Ramirez, OB/GYN at Dignity Health - St. John’s Regional Medical Center. Viewers from across Southern California tuned in with questions for our doctors who addressed several topics, including women’s health, the importance of receiving the COVID vaccine, precautions parents should take as children return to school, and a reminder for viewers not to delay necessary medical care. The cross promotion eorts of Univision, KLOVE . FM, and our Dignity Health Facebook pages reached more than half a million people with over , video views, both live and recorded. To watch the live recordings, visit our hospital Facebook pages. Community Hospital of San BernardinoGlendale Memorial HospitalSt. Bernardine Medical CenterSt. John’s Regional Medical CenterJohn Cabrera, MD 16 de JulioRegreso a Clases Felipe Camero-Amortequi, DO 27 de AgostoSalud en la Mujer Edwin Ramirez, MD 24 de Septiembre