Building sustainable health care funding

In response to the Healthcare Foundation and Healdsburg District Hospital “at odds” article, the foundation would like to emphasize that we are committed to raising funds for healthcare in Northern Sonoma County – it is our mission.
The foundation was originally formed as an independent organization to raise funds for the hospital and completed a very successful capital campaign to revitalize the hospital and also help our clinics (Alliance Medical Center, Alexander Valley Healthcare and PDI Surgery Center) with targeted projects.
As the campaign ended we needed a new plan for moving forward for the hospital and our clinics. We moved to a multi-year Kalmanovitz Match for technology at the hospital that has provided millions of dollars in funding for a CT Scanner, C- Arm, Fluoroscopy Technology and digital x-ray. We currently have funds for a second digital x-ray being installed while we raise funds for the next key technology upgrade, an MRI machine.
In 2014 we provided over $600,000 in grants to Healdsburg District Hospital (HDH). Over $300,000 was for new operating room equipment, which has provided quality care for patients and increased revenues to HDH. The hospital is on stronger financial footing thanks, in part, to the upgrades the foundation and community have provided – new CT Scan Technology, the renovated Wetzel Family Emergency Department, the Ray and Patti Chambers ICU, the Kozel Stroke Center and other upgrades. We’ve invested in the hospital for a decade – well over $13 million dollars.
We’re not going anywhere; we’ve stood with the hospital through thick and thin and we will again. Yes, there are disagreements and big discussions on how and when to move forward. Funding healthcare in today’s environment is not for the faint of heart. But we all share a common goal: quality healthcare close to home.
The past two years have been years of designing, building and expanding a sustainable plan at the Healthcare Foundation for continued healthcare funding. We have that in our Wine Country Cares giving plan, combined with our Wetzel Community Awards Luncheon and Wine Women & Shoes. It’s a winning combination. We’re well positioned for moving forward.
Our community has responded very generously to fund hospital upgrades and contribute over $400,000 of new funds and grants to our clinics over the past two years through our Clinic and Healthy Farm Worker Families Fund and our Wine Country Cares General Fund. Our new event, Wine Women & Shoes, builds on the great success of Girlfriends for a Cure as an event, bringing hundreds together to fund the Healthcare Foundation and our Clinic Fund, and as the event grows we’ll be able to expand funding even further. We’re excited. Thank you, community.
The past few years have been very challenging for the hospital, with changing leadership and addressing important systems in their administration. The new CEO has put in an executive team that is bringing new levels of best practices and professionalism; this coupled with the talented and compassionate nurses, doctors and staff at the hospital provides not only quality care, but more sound fiscal footing.
We ask the community to stand with us. Let’s keep investing in the hospital, Alliance Medical Center, Alexander Valley Healthcare and PDI Surgery Center through the Healthcare Foundation. This is our network of care that keeps our community healthy; it serves your family, neighbors, and co-workers.
Our Wine Country Cares current projects are:
MRI for Healdsburg District Hospital, and each dollar you give will be matched. We’re in our final push for $ 1 million raised and matched to purchase an MRI. This is an important addition to our hospital’s diagnostic tools, as well as a revenue source. In this rural community, time matters in how quickly you are diagnosed and treated.
Clinic and Healthy Farm Workers Family Fund – funding projects at Alliance Medical Center, Alexander Valley Healthcare and PDI Surgery Center
Scholarship for Family Nurse Practitioners at Sonoma State University who live in Northern Sonoma County and want to stay here to practice.
Schools programs – teaching healthy choices to school children
You decide where to help. Together we’ve made a big impact on our healthcare facilities and treatment. We have more to do. Together, we’re keeping quality healthcare close to home.
Linda Bertauche and Herb Liberman, Healthcare Foundation Board Co-Chairs
Pat Callahan  Healthcare Foundation Executive Director