Health
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Today, Adventist Health Howard Memorial has become a community treasure and has earned a reputation for quality care and patient experience scores that rival the best in the nation.
With the theme, “Celebrating 90 Years of Trust, Family and Community”, the hospital is planning a series of events to celebrate this milestone.
“We are grateful this community for making us who we are. We’ve come a long way from being a little hospital on the hill to a state of the art medical center. We owe much of our success to our community who continue to choose us to provide exceptional care for them. This truly is a celebration of not just the hospital and our 325 team members, but also for Willits as a whole, as we reflect on what we’ve been able to accomplish together,” said Jason Wells, Adventist Health Howard Memorial president.
On the hospital’s actual opening day, May 18, the community and everyone born at the hospital is invited to a birthday celebration.
The “Born at Howard” event will bring together generations upon generations of babies born at the hospital in joyous celebration of birthing an era, a hospital and most importantly, a community.
“This hospital means so much to so many people, for those who had babies born here, employees who have dedicated their lives caring for their neighbors here, to those who worked so hard to continue the original vision of our founders. This is a celebration of them, for them,” explained Arnie Mello, Frank R. Howard Foundation executive director.
The “Born at Howard” babies’ reunion is open to the public and will be held on Friday, May 18, at 5 p.m. in the lawn across from the hospital. If you are a Howard baby or know someone who is, and need more details about the event, call 707-456-3591.
As part of the anniversary festivities, the hospital is also launching a volunteer service program for its staff as a way of giving back to the community.
“We have an amazing community and this is our way of saying thanks for their unwavering support. Our staff will give 90 hours of volunteer time to our local organizations starting April 1st to May 18th. The goal is to allow our staff to follow their passion while enhancing our sense of community and dedication,” said Wells.
Also part of the celebration is a student art competition to encourage children and young people to get involved and consider the impact the hospital has on the community. “We are connected to our community in so many ways. And we thought, what better way to recognize that connection than to have our students, the next generation of bright minds, to have a piece of themselves in this hospital and allow them to help us create healing spaces for our patients and staff,” said Linda Givens, chief nursing officer.
For more information about the contest, contact Cici Winiger, communications manager at 707-456-3591.
Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital (now Adventist Health Howard Memorial) officially opened on May 18, 1928. The quest to establish a hospital in Northern Mendocino County began as a result of a heartbreaking accident.
Frank R. Howard, Charles Howard’s son and owner of champion racehorse, Seabiscuit, was critically injured in an auto accident on his father’s ranch just outside of Willits.
Without immediate, close-by emergency care, tragically, the young man succumbed to his injuries.
Young Frank’s father, a successful auto distributor, Charles Howard, along with the support of Dr. Raymond Babcock and a group of citizens, devised a plan to build a hospital in memory of Howard’s son.
Believing that Frank would have survived the accident if a hospital had been in operation close by, the elder Howard pushed for construction to begin.
Groundbreaking ceremonies were held during the 1927 Willits Frontier Days, a local rodeo celebration that continues today. The hospital officially opened a year later.
The Frank R. Howard Foundation was established in 1987 as the owner of the hospital facility. In 1986, the hospital became part of Adventist Health through a lease agreement with the foundation. In October 2015, the hospital moved to its current location on 1 Marcela Drive.
Visit www.howardhospital.org for more information.
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CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Adventist Health Clear Lake’s physicians, nurses and other staff are not the only ones who promote healing and wellness.
An important part of the team are the men and women who serve patients and visitors as volunteers.
Adventist Health Clear Lake recognized its volunteer team during National Volunteer Appreciation Week, April 15 to 21.
Cumulatively, Adventist Health Clear Lake’s volunteers have served a combined 46,785 hours, the equivalent of over 22 full-time employees working for one year.
The volunteers serve throughout the hospital and outpatient centers and are most visible at the check-in desk, where they greet patients and help them find their destination within the hospital.
“The warm welcome of a volunteer creates the first impression of our hospital,” said Katie Sust, patient experience manager. “That is why we are so grateful to have such compassionate and service-minded individuals as part of our team.”
Sust and the team at Adventist Health Clear Lake have planned a full week of activities to celebrate the dedicated service of the volunteer team, beginning with dinner at the hospital’s Mountain View Café on Tuesday, April 17.
The celebration continues with a visit to the Highlands Senior Center in Clearlake on Wednesday and ice cream at Lower Lake Coffee & Cream Café on Thursday.
The festivities conclude on Friday, April 20, with the annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon at the Lake County Campus of Woodland Community College, where each volunteer is honored for their hours of service in 2017 and receives a special gift.
Ruth Knight of Clearlake has been volunteering at the hospital for 16 years. “I like to interact with people and to help them, if possible,” she said. “I also enjoy the camaraderie of working with the other volunteers.”
National Volunteer Week, April 15 to 21, is an opportunity to celebrate the work of volunteers nationwide. Established in 1974 by Presidential Proclamation, National Volunteer Week recognizes volunteers and urges a culture of service.
If you are interested in volunteering at St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake, contact Katie Sust, Patient Experience Manager, at
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These events bring together groups of people to enjoy considerable amounts of delicious and often traditional foods.
But if proper food safety steps aren’t taken, your celebration could turn into a disaster.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that in the U.S., foodborne illness causes 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths each year.
This spring, USDA is offering tips on how to properly handle, cook and store food when serving large groups of people. These tips will keep you and your guests safe from foodborne illness.
The four basic steps to food safety
Having the right kitchen equipment will make your life easier when practicing four food safety steps: clean, separate, cook and chill.
Clean hands frequently with warm soapy water, especially before and after handling raw food; thoroughly wash cutting boards, countertops and utensils with hot soapy water.
Use separate cutting boards for raw and ready-to-eat foods. For example, use one cutting board for produce and a different one for raw meat and poultry. That way, you are preventing cross contamination between raw and ready-to-eat-food.
Always use a food thermometer when cooking. Measure the internal temperature of meats, poultry, and seafood and egg products before serving to make sure they are ready to eat.
The USDA Safe Minimum Internal Temperatures chart will help you determine if your food is safe to eat:
– Beef, pork, veal and lamb, steaks, chops or roasts: 145°F and allow to rest for at least three minutes (including fresh or smoked ham).
– Ground meats: 160°F.
– Fully cooked ham (to reheat): Reheat cooked hams packaged in USDA-inspected plants to 140°F and all others to 165°F.
– All poultry (breasts, whole birds and stuffing, legs, thighs, wings and ground poultry): 165°F
Egg dishes: 160°F.
– Fish: 145°F.
– Leftovers and casseroles: 165°F.
Perishable food should not be left out at room temperature for more than two hours. At celebration gatherings, make sure your cold food is kept cold (40°F or below) by serving it in smaller portions and refilling, or by putting the food containers over ice.
Hot food should be kept hot (140°F or above); you can keep the food warm by serving in warming trays or using a slow cooker.
Grocery shopping plan
When shopping for groceries:
Pick up cold items last and bring them home immediately so they are refrigerated or frozen within two hours.
Place raw meat and poultry in plastic bags to prevent raw juices (which may contain harmful bacteria) from dripping onto other foods in your shopping cart.
Spring kitchen basics
Make sure your refrigerator temperature is set to 40°F or below and your freezer at 0°F or below. An appliance thermometer can come in handy to check those temperatures.
‘Spring clean’ your fridge for a fresh, healthy start this time of the year.
Do not wash meat and poultry. Doing so increases the risk of cross-contamination in your kitchen. Cooking meat and poultry to the correct internal temperature will kill any bacteria.
Do not thaw foods at room temperature. Safe thawing can only be done in the refrigerator, in the microwave or by using the cold-water method. If you thaw using the microwave or the cold-water method, be sure to cook the food immediately after it has thawed.
Perishable food should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours (one hour when temperature is above 90°F).
When storing leftovers like large pots of soup or stew, divide them into shallow containers. Slice large portions of cooked meat or poultry into smaller portions and store in containers. Cover and refrigerate.
Consumers can learn more about key food safety practices by following FSIS @USDAFoodSafety on Twitter or Facebook. Consumers with questions about food safety can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist in English or Spanish at www.AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday.
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Larry N. Pangilinan, 54, of Fontana, has been appointed skilled nursing facility administrator at the Veterans Home of California, Barstow. Pangilinan has been executive director at Height Street Skilled Care since 2015. He was administrator at Ojai Gardens Nursing Center from 2013 to 2015 and director of operations at Golden Cross Health Care from 2011 to 2013. Pangilinan was director of operations at Affiliated Care Services from 2006 to 2011 and assistant administrator at Cloverleaf Healthcare from 2005 to 2006. He was administrator-in-training at Longwood Manor and Rehabilitation Center in 2005, school administrator at the California Career Development Association from 1997 to 2005 and administrator at Cal Care Staffing Services from 1995 to 1997. Pangilinan was director of marketing at RN Home Health Services Inc. from 1994 to 1995, service area supervisor for associated students at the University of California, Los Angeles from 1988 to 1994 and an aviation handler class E-4 for the U.S. Navy’s Naval Air Station North Island from 1984 to 1988. He is a member of the California Association of Healthcare Facilities. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $118,008. Pangilinan is a Republican.
Jay S. Caddell, 54, of La Mesa, has been appointed skilled nursing facility administrator at the Veterans Home of California, Yountville. Caddell has been administrator at Mount Miguel Covenant Village since 2007. He was a health care consultant at Manos Banbury Corporation from 2006 to 2007. Caddell was administrator at the Remington Club from 2006 to 2007 and at Paradise Hills Convalescent Center from 1986 to 2006. He is a member of Leading Age California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $137,976. Caddell is a Republican.
Edith D. Balbach, 64, of Palm Springs, has been appointed to the Tobacco Education and Research Oversight Committee. Balbach has been a professor emeritus of public health and community medicine at Tufts University since 2014, where she was a professor from 2012 to 2014 and senior lecturer in community health from 1998 to 2012. She was an assistant research policy analyst at the University of California, San Francisco from 1997 to 1998. Balbach was a visiting lecturer at the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Policy in 1997 and at San Francisco State University in 1996. She was an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Southern California, School of Public Administration from 1995 to 1999. Balbach held several positions at the University of California, Berkeley from 1988 to 1992, including assistant editor, research assistant and graduate student instructor. She was an assistant university librarian for administrative services at the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1984 to 1987, where she was executive assistant to the university librarian and director of personnel from 1978 to 1984. Balbach is chair of the California Tobacco Related Disease Research Program, Scientific Advisory Committee and a member of the American Nonsmokers’ Rights Foundation. She earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in public policy and a Master of Public Policy degree in public policy from the University of California, Berkeley School of Public Policy and a Master of Science degree in library science from the University of Illinois. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Balbach is a Democrat.
Lilia Larin, 60, of Chula Vista, has been appointed to the Dental Board of California. Larin has been owner at Lilia Larin DDS Inc. in San Diego since 1992. She was owner at Lilia Larin DDS Inc. in San Diego from 1995 to 2007, an associate at Professional Dental Services from 1989 to 1992 and a registered dental assistant at Mission Valley Dental Group from 1984 to 1989. Larin is a member of the California Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Society, Hispanic Dental Association, American Dental Association, San Diego County Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, American Association for Women Dentists, American College of Dentistry, MANA de San Diego and Damas Latinas de San Diego. She earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Universidad Autónoma de Baja California. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Larin is a Democrat.
Rosalinda Olague, 28, of Rancho Cucamonga, has been appointed to the Dental Board of California. Olague has been regional back office manager and registered dental assistant at Pacific Dental Services since 2015. She was lead assistant and registered dental assistant at Pacific Dental Services-Monet Dental Group from 2008 to 2015. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Olague is a Democrat.
Joanne Pacheco, 58, of Fresno, has been appointed to the Dental Board of California. Pacheco has been director of the Dental Hygiene Program at Fresno City College since 2017, where she has held several positions since 2000, including academic chair, full-time faculty and allied health chair. She has been a registered dental hygienist in private practice since 1985. Pacheco was a registered dental assistant in private dental practices from 1979 to 1985. She is a member of the American Dental Hygienists’ Association and the California Dental Hygienists’ Association. Pacheco earned a Master of Arts degree in organizational behavior from Alliant International University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Pacheco is a Republican.
James Yu, 60, of Fremont, has been appointed to the Dental Board of California. Yu has been a dentist at James K. Yu DDS since 1984, where he has been an acupuncturist since 2008. He has been a radio talk show host at AM 1450 since 2000 and radio talk show president and owner at the Chinese Today Radio Station since 2015. Yu is Bay Area leader of Medical Services International and a member of the American Dental Association, California Acupuncture Association, San Francisco Dental Society, Application of Acupuncture in Dental Practices, Northern California Chinese Media Association, San Francisco Chinatown Salvation Army, American Association of Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture and the American Society of Chinese Medicine. He earned a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry and a Master of Science degree in acupuncture from the University of East-West Medicine. This position does not require Senate confirmation and the compensation is $100 per diem. Yu is a Republican.
Erland K. Andersen, 75, of Cottonwood, has been appointed to the California State Independent Living Council. Andersen was a rehabilitation teacher and counselor at the Vision Resource Center from 2003 to 2008. He was a social worker at Dignity Health Golden Umbrella from 1995 to 2003 and a program coordinator and group facilitator at Easter Seals from 1990 to 1992. Andersen earned a Master of Science degree in agency counseling from the University of Nebraska Omaha. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Andersen is a Republican.
Ligia P. Andrade Zuniga, 37, of San Mateo, has been appointed to the California State Independent Living Council. Andrade Zuniga has been a director of sexuality and disability education at Sexability and an independent advocate for reproductive health for disabled women of color since 2013. She was a coordinator of the Stepping Stones Program at the Silicon Valley Independent Living Center from 2010 to 2012. Andrade Zuniga is a member of the San Mateo County Health Commission, San Mateo County CalMedi Connect Advisory Committee, San Mateo County Public Authority Advisory Committee, Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities Board of Directors and the San Mateo County Commission on Disabilities. She earned a Master of Public Administration degree in public administration from Notre Dame de Namur University. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Andrade Zuniga is a Democrat.
Carole Goldsmith, 53, of Fresno, has been reappointed to the California Partnership for the San Joaquin Valley, where she has served since 2012. Goldsmith has been president at Fresno City College since 2016. She held several positions at the West Hills Community College District from 1998 to 2002, including president, vice chancellor of educational services and workforce development and director of strategic planning. She was vice principal III at the César E. Chávez Adult Education Center from 1999 to 2003. Goldsmith served as adjunct faculty and director of faculty training at the Bakersfield, Visalia and Fresno campuses of San Joaquin Valley College from 1998 to 1999. She was a teacher for the Washington Colony Elementary School District from 1996 to 1998, an instructor at California State University, Fresno from 1995 to 1998, adjunct business faculty at the Heald College Schools of Business and Technology from 1995 to 1996 and program director at Social Vocational Services in Visalia from 1991 to 1993. Goldsmith is a member of the Task Force on Workforce, Job Creation and a Strong Economy Board of Governors. She earned a Doctor of Education degree from the joint doctoral program offered by California State University, Fresno and the University of California, Davis. This position does not require Senate confirmation and there is no compensation. Goldsmith is a Democrat.