A Message from Ben Armfield, Acting CEO

Dear Community,

This month, we’re celebrating progress you can see — and feel. Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, team, and neighbors, we’re nearing the finish line on several key capital projects that will continue to elevate the care we provide.

Most notably, we’re thrilled to unveil the near-completion of our expanded Hand and Physical Therapy Clinic. This project doubles our space, strengthens our team, and brings specialized services to more patients. Thank you to the many donors, through the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, who helped make this possible.

This edition also reminds us that progress isn’t only about new walls or equipment—it’s about people. In this edition, you’ll meet Kristen Esplin, RN, one of the skilled OR nurses advancing surgical care at SVH, and read the powerful grateful patient story of Garrick and Tracey—a reminder of the impact of compassionate care in critical moments.

Thank you for being part of our continued growth and care.

With gratitude,

Ben Armfield
CFO / Interim CEO
Sonoma Valley Hospital

Unveiling Progress: Physical Therapy Expansion Nears Opening

This month, we’re proud to unveil an exciting milestone in our hospital’s ongoing transformation: the near-completion of the expanded Hand and Physical Therapy clinic on Sonoma Highway, next door to the Sonoma Valley Community Health Center.

Thanks to generous community support and careful planning, this $2 million project is set to double the clinic’s patient service area—allowing us to meet growing demand with greater space, more staff, and new specialized services. Over the past year, our team has grown by five therapists, and the clinic managed more than 11,800 patient visits in 2023 alone.

“We’ve maxed out the space we have,” says Rehab Services Manager Chris Gallo, PT MSPT. “This expansion allows us to better meet our community’s growing needs.”

The newly remodeled space features:

• Dedicated areas for vestibular and balance therapy, pediatric care, pelvic health, and functional training
• A new children’s area
• Upgrades to lighting, flooring, HVAC systems, and exam room amenities

Pending final approval from the California Department of Public Health, the expanded clinic is expected to open soon—bringing renewed energy and access to one of the few local outpatient therapy centers accepting Partnership and Medi-Cal coverage.

More Progress in Action

The Physical Therapy expansion is just one of several capital improvement projects currently in motion across the hospital.

ICU Refresh – Complete
Our Intensive Care Unit has reopened at full capacity, revealing a modern, more patient-centered space for delivering high-acuity care. The new nurse station, ADA-compliant medication prep area, and new ante area to support the isolation room are now in place. New flooring in the main area of the ICU and new TVs in patient rooms complete the refresh.

Outpatient Diagnostic Center – Modernizing for Tomorrow
The 3T MRI is now in place, further enhancing our diagnostic capabilities and streamlining services for patients.

Get to Know Us: Profiles from Sonoma Valley Hospital

“Get to Know Us,” is an ongoing series where we spotlight the remarkable individuals who make Sonoma Valley Hospital a vital part of our community. As a community hospital, every staff member and patient hold a unique place in our hearts, and we’re excited to give you a closer look at the people who bring our mission to life.

Featured Profile: Kristen Esplin, RN – Operating Room Nurse

Q: What inspired you to become a nurse, and what brought you to Sonoma Valley Hospital?

I’ve been at SVH for a bit over a year but have been associated with the city of Sonoma for more than 20 years. I always wanted to help people and care for my community, and so I first got my master’s in counseling thinking that was what I wanted to do. But after completing that, I felt like I was missing something and realized that nursing was my real calling. My grandmother was an OR nurse and my sister is an ED doc, so the medical field was always a natural fit—and the OR became my passion. After gaining experience in both my job and personal life, my family eventually put down some permanent roots in Sonoma, and things finally lined up for me to apply to Sonoma Valley Hospital.

Q: What does a typical day look like for you in the Operating Room?
A typical day starts at the white board, reviewing the schedule and staff for the day. From there, I dive into getting cases going. I like to be part of the team and stay connected to what’s happening in each room. I try to be present when patients are rolled in and out to help put them at ease and support the team—especially the circulators. The rest of the day is a lot like organized chaos. I manage staffing and case planning, give breaks, and check in with anesthesia, surgeons, and PACU to make sure we’re all in sync. And as anything arises, I do my best to jump in and solve it.

Q: You’re one of the nurses working with the new ROSA technology. What has it been like to help bring this advancement to our surgical team?
It’s been really exciting to have this new technology at SVH. We’re a small hospital and don’t always have access to the latest tools, so bringing in something like ROSA has been a big deal. Other hospitals I’ve worked at didn’t even have robotic systems—so to be part of this here, and understand how it works and how it benefits patients, is pretty amazing.

Q: What’s something you wish more people knew about OR nurses or surgical care?
I wish people understood just how much goes on behind the scenes. It might look like we’re just sitting at the computer, but that’s only after we’ve finished a thousand other tasks. When we sit down, it’s to recharge, document, and gear up for the next thousand things. OR nurses are the patient’s advocate while they’re under anesthesia—we care for people in their most vulnerable moments. We manage high-pressure situations and navigate complex personalities with the goal of delivering the best care and experience possible.

Q: What’s your favorite part about working at Sonoma Valley Hospital?
I love that I get to do the job I was meant to do. Being an OR nurse is the perfect fit for me, and SVH makes it easy to enjoy coming to work. The people here are different from other places I’ve worked—we’re a close-knit team, we help each other out, and we have each other’s backs. That sense of camaraderie is something really special.

ROSA Knee Surgery: Technology That Moves With You

The ROSA® Knee System (Robotic Surgical Assistant) is designed to help surgeons perform knee replacement procedures with greater precision and alignment. By using real-time data and detailed mapping, ROSA allows for a more personalized surgical approach tailored to each patient’s unique anatomy.

While not every patient is a candidate for ROSA, it’s part of our commitment to offering advanced tools and techniques that support better outcomes and smoother recoveries. To learn more, speak with your provider or contact our Surgical Services team.

💛 The “My Hospital” Campaign: Your Stories Matter

This month, meet Garrick and Tracey.
Just nine months after getting married, Tracey suffered a sudden, life-threatening brain aneurysm at home. Garrick called 911, and she was rushed to Sonoma Valley Hospital, where the Emergency Department team worked quickly to stabilize her.

“They were honest with me—it was serious—but they also spoke with kindness and compassion,” Garrick recalls.

Tracey was later transferred to UCSF for advanced care, but those first moments at SVH stayed with them. Months later, they returned to say thank you—and to show how far Tracey had come.

Read the full story on the Hospital Foundation website

Celebrating 10 Years of Supporting Student Wellness

The Sonoma Valley Back to School Health Fair marked a major milestone this year—its 10th anniversary! For a decade, this event has brought together community partners, volunteers, and healthcare providers to support local students with essential resources for a healthy start to the school year. Sonoma Valley Hospital was proud to sponsor the event once again and donated 60 backpacks to support local families.

The celebration took place on Saturday, August 9, 2025, at Altimira Middle School, bringing the community together in a wonderful show of collaboration, generosity, and commitment to student wellness.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Active Aging: Wellness
Join us for four Friday afternoons of inspiring talks from local health experts, all focused on staying healthy and active as we age. From navigating loss to getting better sleep, each session offers practical tips you can use right away.

Fridays, Sept. 5–26 | 3–4:30 PM | Vintage House

Sept. 5: Bereavement & Loss – Kristie Walthard M.A. AMFT APCC, Hanna Center

Sept. 12: Age Friendly Health System: What Matters – Rebecca Spear DNP, ARNP, AGNP-C, GS-C, Geriatric Nurse Practitioner

Sept. 19: Sleep & Weight Management – Rafael Sepulveda MD D-ABOM, Sleep Fit Medical

Sept. 26: Aging with Strength, Wellness & Grace – Danielly Rocha-Lanter NSM, Danielly’s Fitness