Health

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Written by: Arian Dasmalchi

Published: 15 April 2015

LAKEPORT, Calif. – There aren’t any formal historical records that show how long the Sutter Lakeside Auxiliary volunteers have served Lakeside Hospital, but rumor has it the first “pink ladies” walked the hospital corridors in the 1970s.

Regardless of how long the auxiliary has served the hospital, Sutter Lakeside leaders, staff and patients agree that no other volunteer group deserves a bigger “thank you” during this National Volunteer Week from April 12 to 18.

“Our auxiliary volunteers are cherished community members who bring a unparalleled amount of experience, support and caring to Sutter Lakeside,” said Sutter Lakeside Chief Administrative Officer Siri Nelson.

In the past few years alone, the auxiliary has donated more than $127,000 toward life-saving medical equipment and technology. The auxiliary also funds health care-related scholarships.

Auxiliary President Sharon Brasher leads approximately 25 individuals who volunteer a total of 450 to 500 hours each month to help patients and hospital staff members.

For example, they run the gift shop; organize bake sales; assist patients and family members; and deliver gift baskets, flowers and books.

“The auxiliary is a dedicated, reliable group of volunteers who make a real difference in our community,” Brasher said. “We’re all proud to help with important health care programs and support staff and patients.”

The auxiliary is best known for its busy gift shop in the hospital lobby, which is run by Alberta Knoll.

Since she started volunteering in 2001, Knoll has devoted more than 9,600 hours of her time revitalizing this small shop and more than quadrupling its earnings.

All gift shop proceeds support Sutter Lakeside programs and services.

“I owned and operated a local community store before I retired, so when I walked into the original hospital gift shop I recognized a huge potential to raise more money for Sutter,” Knoll recalled. “I’m pleased to use my retail skills to give back to the community.”

Another auxiliary volunteer, Leah Taylor, has volunteered for more than 5,100 hours since 2000.

She started at the surgery center front desk and later moved to the gift shop, where she’s volunteered for more than 10 years.

“I started volunteering at the hospital when I was about 65, after my husband had been in the hospital a few times and I got to know the nurses,” Taylor said. “I love interacting with people and I like to work; I started babysitting at age 12 for 25 cents an hour.”

“We can’t thank Sharon, Alberta, Leah and all of our wonderful auxiliary volunteers enough,” Nelson said. “Because of them, we’re able to provide services that otherwise would be impossible.”

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Written by: Editor

Published: 06 April 2015

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Sutter Lakeside Hospital will host “Diabetes Day” on Wednesday, April 15.

The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the hospital's community clinic, 5196 Hill Road East, Lakeport.

Are you, a friend, or a family member affected by diabetes? Join them to learn the basics about diabetes
to optimize health and improve quality of life.

There will be free diabetes screenings (blood sugar checks), healthy snack samples and recipes, on-the-spot nutrition education and counseling, and helpful resources for diabetes self-management.

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Written by: Editor

Published: 31 March 2015

LAKEPORT, Calif. – Monday, March 30 was National Doctors’ Day – the perfect opportunity to thank Sutter Lakeside physicians for their dedication and service.

“The lives of so many people in our community have been touched by our remarkable physicians,” says Sutter Lakeside Chief Administrative Officer Siri Nelson. “Doctors are committed to maintaining our health and well-being. They support us during milestone moments in our lives by delivering babies; treating sickness; and helping us stay healthy through wellness checks, screenings, immunizations and education.”

In 2015, the residents of Lake County have access to more local doctors than ever before. In 2014, Sutter Lakeside added new physicians to the Emergency Department and Hospitalist Group to meet the community’s health care needs.

One of these new physicians is John Stein, M.D., who practices emergency medicine in the Emergency Department. He joined Sutter Lakeside in July 2014.

“I welcomed the opportunity to work in a rural environment while helping Sutter provide better regional care for our patients,” he says. “The Sutter Lakeside medical staff is wonderfully collegial.”

The Hospitalist Group is now part of Pacific Inpatient Medical Group. Hospitalists are board-certified physicians who specialize in caring for hospitalized patients. They are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to evaluate and treat patients admitted to Sutter Lakeside Hospital.

“Our Hospitalist Group is committed to providing the highest quality of care to our patients,” says Hospitalist Director and Chief of Staff James Pretorius, M.D. “We follow the latest protocols and participate in ongoing education to provide the same care at Sutter Lakeside that a patient would receive at a larger hospital. When we can't provide the level of care a patient needs, we facilitate transfer to the best specialists available. We also coordinate all of the hospital care with the local primary care physicians and clinics.”

At a time when Lake County residents are seeking more physician services than ever before, the Sutter Lakeside staff is ramped up and ready to meet the challenge.

“We thank our outstanding physician team members for everything they do for our patients,” says Sutter Lakeside Director of Medical Affairs Diane Pege, M.D. “We’re fortunate to have a highly skilled team of doctors who are dedicated to providing the highest level of care for our community.”

To learn more about Sutter Lakeside, please visit www.sutterlakeside.org/ .