Sonoma Valley Hospital – May 2025
May has been a meaningful month at Sonoma Valley Hospital—one of both celebration and transition. As we mark National Nurses Week and Hospital Week, we take time to recognize the incredible people behind the care at SVH—our nurses, clinical staff, and every team member who helps make our hospital a place of healing and health.
Internally, we’ve celebrated our nursing team with the DAISY, ROSE, and PHIL Awards, which honor excellence in care, collaboration, and presence. Enjoy a few photos from this week of appreciation.
This month also brings a change in leadership. John Hennelly has stepped down as CEO, and we are deeply grateful for his leadership and contributions over the past four years. Ben Armfield, our Chief Financial Officer, has been appointed Interim CEO, providing steady guidance as we continue our work to serve the community.
Thank you for your continued support—we hope you enjoy this month’s edition of Hospital Happenings.
5th Annual Women’s Health Symposium: Exploring the Science of Stress and Aging
On May 6, the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation hosted its 5th Annual Women’s Health Symposium, welcoming an engaged audience for a compelling discussion about women’s health and longevity.
Keynote speaker Dr. Dena Dubal, from UCSF explored the impact of stress on the aging process—explaining the difference between helpful and harmful stress, and how toxic stress in particular can undermine long-term health. She emphasized that exercise is one of the most effective ways to support healthy aging.
Dr. Elissa Epel shared insights on how to manage stress in a healthy way, encouraging attendees to adopt a more positive mindset, practice deep rest, and reconnect with nature as tools for resilience. Audience questions brought added depth to the conversation, reflecting the strong interest in proactive, community-based wellness.
If you missed the event or would like to revisit the conversation, you can watch the full symposium recording here:
ROSA: A Leap Forward in Orthopedic Care at SVH
Sonoma Valley Hospital is proud to offer the ROSA® Robotic Surgical System, bringing cutting-edge joint replacement technology to our community. ROSA provides real-time data during surgery, giving our orthopedic surgeons the ability to customize procedures with incredible precision. For patients, this means improved accuracy, better fitting components, faster recovery, and improved outcomes—all without leaving the Valley.
“The ROSA system enables us to deliver care with exceptional accuracy,” says Dr. Christopher Walter, orthopedic surgeon with a clinic at Sonoma Valley Hospital. “It’s a major advancement for our program, and it allows patients to get the care they need right here at home.”
Provider Spotlight: Dr. Christopher A. Walter, DO
A specialist in Orthopedic Sports Medicine, Dr. Christopher Walter is passionate about helping patients of all ages return to the activities they love. He brings expertise in arthroscopy, joint replacement (including anterior hip replacement), and fracture care, with a focus on minimally invasive techniques.
Dr. Walter now uses the ROSA Robotic Surgical System to offer personalized join replacement procedures with greater precision. “I treat every patient like family,” he says. “My goal is to help them stay active and feel their best.”
Since Dr. Walter started seeing patients, he has quickly become a valuable resource for the community, speaking at local events like Vintage House’s Soup’s On and on KSVY, Wednesday, May 14 morning show (at about the 40 minute mark), and has already built a busy and thriving practice. We are thrilled to have Dr. Walter in Sonoma and look forward to the continued positive impact he will have on the health of our community. For any questions, you can reach out directly to his office here.
Dr. Walter completed his medical training at Touro University in Vallejo, where he earned his degree in osteopathic medicine. He is board certified by the American Osteopathic Board of Orthopedic Surgery. He completed his fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Lake Tahoe Orthopedic Institute. Outside of work, he enjoys skiing, cycling, carpentry, and exploring the outdoors with his wife, children, and dogs.
Community Connections at SVH
Celebrating Our Community Partnership with First Responder
Sonoma Valley Hospital will honor our partnership with first responders during National EMS Week, May 18-24, a time to recognize and thank emergency medical services personnel for their vital role in keeping our community safe and healthy.
Join us on Tuesday, May 20, at the Sonoma Farmers Market, where we’ll be celebrating alongside our partners at the Sonoma Valley Fire District. Together, we’ll highlight the essential work of our local EMS teams and the strong collaboration that supports emergency care in our Valley.
We’re very grateful for the commitment and service of our first responders.
Highlighting Our Partnerships: Student Climate Health Art at SVH
Sonoma Valley Hospital is proud to support local youth and community collaboration through the student Climate Health Art Showcase. Organized by the Sonoma Ecology Center and the Boys & Girls Club of Sonoma Valley, this exhibit features artwork created by Sonoma students reflecting on climate and community health. The student art is now on display in the hospital, and we’re honored to provide a space where their creativity and message can be seen and appreciated. Stop by SVH, grab a sandwich in the cafe, and take a moment to enjoy.
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