A Message From Kelley Kaiser, President & CEO
February is American Heart Month, a time to focus on the health of our hearts—and on the people who care for them. At Sonoma Valley Hospital, heart health isn’t just about a single test or appointment. It’s about teamwork. From the moment a patient arrives, through diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and rehabilitation, care happens through connection.
Healthcare truly is a team sport. Behind every patient experience is a coordinated group of professionals—clinicians, technicians, therapists, and support staff—working together with a shared purpose. Communication, compassion, and collaboration allow us to deliver safe, high-quality care 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
In this issue, you’ll read a patient’s-eye view of how that teamwork comes together across departments, meet members of our leadership and care teams who help make it all possible, and learn how our community can take part in supporting heart health this month. In our Get to Know Us feature, Dawn Kuwahara, RN, Chief Ancillary Officer, shares what “healthcare is a team sport” looks like in practice—from both a leadership and patient-care perspective.
Thank you for trusting Sonoma Valley Hospital with your care. We are honored to serve this community and proud of the teams who show up every day with skill, heart, and dedication.
Warm regards,
Kelley Kaiser
President & CEO, Sonoma Valley Hospital
American Heart Month
Caring for Our Patients: A Patient’s Journey Through Sonoma Valley Hospital Healthcare Is a Team Sport
Good healthcare doesn’t happen because of one person. It happens when an entire team works together—each role playing its part, all focused on the same goal: excellent patient care.
To illustrate what that teamwork looks like, Dawn Kuwahara, RN, Chief Ancillary Officer, often shares a simple but powerful example.
A grandmother has a fall at home and is brought to the Emergency Department by ambulance. She’s greeted by a nurse and checked in by admitting staff. An X-ray technician takes images that reveal a broken hip. A physician evaluates her condition, explains the plan of care, and admits her to the hospital.
From there, the team expands. Nurses manage pain and monitor vital signs. A phlebotomist draws blood, and an EKG is performed. Pharmacy reviews medications. Dietary staff make sure she’s nourished. When surgery is scheduled, transporters, operating room nurses, surgeons, anesthesiologists, and surgical technicians coordinate to ensure everything is ready.
After surgery, recovery nurses monitor her closely before she returns to her room. Respiratory therapy steps in when breathing support is needed. Physical therapy helps her regain strength and mobility. Social workers begin planning for her needs after discharge. Environmental services keep her room clean and safe, and nurse managers check in to ensure her care meets the highest standard.
And this care continues—24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Behind the scenes, engineers keep the hospital running, lab scientists process specimens, central sterile technicians prepare instruments, IT teams support systems, and patient accounting staff manage the details patients never see. Every role matters. Every handoff counts.
“If one person isn’t on their game, it impacts the patient’s experience,” Dawn says. “That’s why we give 110% every day. It takes a team.”
Get to Know Us: Dawn Kuwahara Healthcare Is a Team Sport
“I have had the honor of working at this hospital for 29 years, and each day I walk through those doors I feel the same pride that I did on my first day.”
Dawn Kuwahara, RN, Chief Ancillary Officer for Sonoma Valley Hospital, is a Sonoma Valley native whose executive leadership and nursing career spans more than 29 years in service to our community. As a member of the hospital’s leadership team, Dawn, and the teams she leads, play an essential role in the heart of our hospital, helping ensure that compassionate, coordinated care is delivered every day.
Q: When you think about Sonoma Valley Hospital, what does the phrase “healthcare is a team sport” mean to you?
A: Good healthcare does not happen because of one person. Just like on the football field, it works best when everyone does their part working together. On a team, you have all these different positions working together to win. Our team is made up of doctors, nurses, the pharmacist, phlebotomist, dietician, X-ray tech, Physical Therapist and many more. No single person has the full picture and communication and coordination matter. Outcomes are better when everyone is working toward the same goal: to provide excellent patient care and in doing so we achieve our hospital mission -to restore, maintain, and improve the health of everyone in our community.
Q: What’s one moment in that journey where collaboration behind the scenes really makes a difference—something patients might not even realize?
A: One powerful moment is when a patient has a critical lab or imaging result. The Lab Scientist or Imaging Tech calls the doctor to notify them. The doctor reviews the results and quickly determines next steps. This will likely result in more tests or additional treatments. For example, a patient has a low blood count that requires a transfusion. An order is submitted, the patient has a lab draw, and a unit of blood is hung. In this situation, the patient’s team was the Lab Scientist, the doctor, nurse, and phlebotomist, all working together to manage a critical lab result. This is a serious situation that stresses the importance of collaborating, communicating clearly, and acting quickly.
Q: Is there a specific example or story that illustrates how teamwork at Sonoma Valley Hospital directly improved a patient’s experience or outcome?
A: A patient came into one of our clinics for treatment for an injury and the Medical Assistant noticed the patient seemed to be off, their gait was unsteady, speech slurred, difficulty understanding what we were saying. She alerted me and the provider. We suspected some type of neurological deficit. We called in the patient’s family to explain our concerns, ordered testing and referred the patient to a specialist. By acting quickly, we were able to help this patient and his outcomes were good. It was Great Teamwork!
Q. From a patient’s point of view, what do you hope they feel as they move through the hospital—from check-in, to care, to recovery?
A: I tell all new employees at hospital orientation the importance of exemplifying our values with everyone they encounter. My expectation is that everyone who walks through our door feels welcomed and respected. This includes a warm smile, being addressed by name, asking how we can help them, active listening, conveying compassion. During their care we hope they feel confident and reassured knowing that our teams are working together to help them. Finally, as they recover, we hope that they feel supported, comforted and hopeful, with clear communication and compassion guiding them every step of the way. We want all our patients to feel that they were treated as a person, not just a patient, and that they matter.
Q: If you could share one message with our community about the people caring for them here, what would it be?
A: I want our community to know that behind every visit there is a team of people who truly care. Our doctors, nurses, techs, therapists, and support staff are here 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. For us, it’s not just a job, we all share a deep sense of responsibility and commitment. And behind the scenes there is constant collaboration and dedication happening to ensure our patients are safe and well cared for. It truly is an honor to be a part of the Sonoma Valley Hospital Team, and I am inspired by my colleagues and all they do to care for our community.y Report for a deeper look at the progress and impact across our hospital and community.
Mark Your Calendar
National Wear Red Day® – February 6, 2026
National Wear Red Day® is the signature day of American Heart Month. On the first Friday in February, we invite our community to wear RED and help raise awareness of cardiovascular disease which is the No. 1 killer of women.
Every heart tells a story. On Wear Red Day, we stand together to ensure women of every age and stage of life are seen, heard, and supported. Go Red for Women also reminds us that anyone can be a lifesaver. Knowing CPR and being willing to act can make a critical difference before professional help arrives.
Learn more at WearRedDay.org and GoRedForWomen.org.
Proud to Host: OR SCR Training with Dr. Teruhisa Mihata
February 20, 2026
Sonoma Valley Hospital is proud to host a rare, live training opportunity with world-renowned surgeon Dr. Teruhisa Mihata. Led locally by SVH orthopedic surgeon Dr. Roache, this specialized OR SCR training brings advanced education directly to our community.
We are honored to support continued learning and collaboration that strengthens care for our patients.
Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation My Hospital Campaign: Katie’s Story My Hospital Campaign: Healing Here at Home
Katie has long known Sonoma Valley Hospital as a trusted community partner through her work with Vintage House. But after a biking accident landed her in the Emergency Department, she experienced the hospital in a new way, as a patient.
In a busy ER during flu season, Katie was met with calm, compassionate care, clear communication, and a team that made her feel safe, seen, and supported when she was most vulnerable.
Read Katie’s full story on the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation website here and see how calm, compassionate care makes a difference in life’s most unexpected moments.
E-Mail
