Health
UKIAH, Calif. – On Feb. 21, the 18 nursing students who make up the 2013 graduating class surprised their instructors with a donation of $1,000 to establish “The Florence Fund.”
According to their vision statement, the fund was created to “Strengthen the Profession of Nursing by Supporting the Academic Achievement of our Future Colleagues.”
The 2013 Nursing Class President Kristy Hosford and Vice President Karen Kennedy led the charge to create the fund and actively fundraised to their families, friends and local communities in obtaining the $1,000 donation.
The Florence Fund was created by the class of 2013 to thank the Nursing Faculty at Mendocino College for their exceptional instruction, guidance and support.
The fund will offer emergency grants-in-aid to future nursing students who are facing a one-time financial need that could potentially force them to leave the nursing program.
“The 2013 class exemplifies what it means to be philanthropic. They are a unique mix of students who really care and want to help others. They have graciously decided to look outside of themselves and their individual needs to consider the needs of future generations of nurses,” said Barbara French, director of Nursing at Mendocino College.
According to French, “We often have nursing students who have considerable struggles with housing, finances, transportation. Sometimes by simply providing a hot meal and a motel room for a night before an examination can make all the difference towards their success. This fund will allow me and other nursing faculty to provide financial assistance to students who find themselves in challenging emergency situations.”
For more information about the Mendocino College Nursing Program, contact Barbara French at
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LAKEPORT, Calif. – A stroke support group will meet on Monday, March 25.
The group will meet from 1:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Sutter Lakeside Hospital conference room, 5176 Hill Road East, Lakeport.
Strokes can happen to anyone, regardless of age.
If you or a loved one has experienced a stroke and you need access to specific services, as well as a community who understands, join the group to provide input about ways they can meet your needs.
For more information, call Ruth Lincoln, clinical nurse and staff educator, at 707-262-5032.
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WILLITS, Calif. – In response to patient requests for more parking around the hospital, Frank R. Howard Memorial Hospital (HMH) has developed new programs to free up parking spaces near key service areas.
HMH will now actively monitor and enforce the timed parking spaces in the front of the hospital, also known as the “Lion’s Entrance.”
The goal is to keep spaces available for short-term patient visits for services such as lab work or medical imaging.
When available, security can provide wheelchair assistance for patients with limited mobility to registration, lab or medical imaging.
Patients who are planning to stay at the hospital for an extended period of time are asked to park on Madrone or Poplar Streets.
In addition, HMH is rolling out a program to encourage employees to park in designated areas labeled “HMH Permit Parking Only.”
“These new plans will help relieve some of the stress of parking until we move to the new hospital where ample parking will be available,” HMH Chief Executive Officer Rick Bockmann said.
HMH established a tradition of continually striving to improve patient-centered care many years ago and the tradition lives on through the efforts of our leaders, employees and staff.
The hospital has partnered with Planetree, a program designed to enhance and improve the patient experience in our quest to reach the next tier of excellence.
“With our Planetree initiative, our goals are to enhance every patient’s experience and to provide individualized care and service,” Planetree Coordinator Diane Moratti said. “We have empowered employees and staff to anticipate patient needs and take ownership of providing excellent care, including making hospital services easier to access.”
The Mendocino Transit Authority (MTA) has added a local bus route that makes frequent stops at two locations near the hospital, Babcock Park and Little Lake Health Center.
For more MTA route information, call 707-459-9038.
Also, the Willits Senior Center provides a shuttle that runs to and from the hospital. For senior center shuttle information call 707-459-5556.
Schedules for the MTA and information about the senior center shuttle are available at the HMH information desk and the security office.
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LOWER LAKE, Calif. – On Sunday, March 24, Unity Clear Lake Center will host a presentation by naturopathic physician Dr. Steven West, ND.
West, who is a naturopathic, nutritional and ayurvedic practitioner, will facilitate a workshop on “Read Your Body’s Messages” at 12:30 p.m. at the center, 15898 Kugelman St. off Highway 53 in Lower Lake.
The suggested cost per person is $20.
Call 707-921-9805 or 995-1419 for more information.
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