This fall, we’re sharing practical information to help you better understand your health, ask questions and find the care and resources you need—right here in Sonoma Valley.
Dear Friends,
Good health often begins with good information: knowing what questions to ask, understanding your options and feeling confident about what to do next.
October is Health Literacy Month, which brings attention to how people find, understand and use health information. Healthcare can be complicated, especially when you are sick, in pain or worried about someone you love. At Sonoma Valley Hospital, we want our patients and families to feel comfortable asking questions and to leave with a clear understanding of their care.
That same idea was at the heart of our recent Active Aging: Wellness series at Vintage House. Over three sessions, local healthcare professionals and community members came together to talk about digestive health, stroke response and fall prevention. In this issue, we share some of the practical advice from the fall prevention session, including ways to reduce risks at home and stay steady on your feet.
You’ll also find a reminder for Breast Cancer Awareness Month to talk with your healthcare provider about when to schedule your next mammogram.
I’m also pleased to introduce Michelle Corder, our new Chief Nursing Officer. Michelle brings more than 25 years of nursing and leadership experience, as well as a strong belief that patients and families should feel heard, informed and cared for. We are very happy to welcome her to Sonoma Valley Hospital and our community.
Finally, I hope you’ll join us at Golden Harvest on October 10. It’s a great way to meet local organizations and learn more about the health and community resources available here in Sonoma Valley.
Warm regards,
Kelley C. Kaiser
Chief Executive Officer
GET TO KNOW US | Meet Michelle Corder, Chief Nursing Officer
Sonoma Valley Hospital is pleased to welcome Michelle Corder as our new Chief Nursing Officer.
Michelle brings more than 25 years of nursing and healthcare leadership experience, including work in intensive care, emergency services and hospital operations. We asked her what first drew her to nursing, what brought her to Sonoma Valley and what she hopes patients will remember about the care they receive here.
Q: What first drew you to nursing, and what has kept you in it?
A: Growing up, I always knew I wanted to help people and make a meaningful difference in their lives. I initially wanted to become a physician assistant, but when my first child was hospitalized as an infant, I was so moved by the compassion of the nurses that I changed my major to nursing.
Nursing is much more than a profession or job to me. It’s who I am and what I feel called to do. That has kept me in nursing for more than 25 years. There is always an opportunity to learn, to help someone through a difficult moment and to make their experience a little better.
As I moved into leadership, that purpose expanded. I may not care for patients at the bedside every day, but I can influence the care of many patients by supporting the nurses and teams who do.
Q: You’ve worked in emergency departments, intensive care units and nursing leadership. What have those experiences taught you about what patients and families need most?
A: My experience in intensive care and emergency departments taught me that patients and families need more than excellent clinical care. They also need to feel safe, heard and cared for during a very vulnerable time.
Things can change quickly in those environments, and families can be overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty. One of the most important things we can do is communicate clearly, listen to what matters to the patient and family, and help them understand what is happening.
Patients often remember the staff member who sat down and listened, explained something one more time, recognized that they were scared, held their hand or simply treated them with dignity. Those moments matter tremendously.
As a leader, I’ve also learned how important it is to make sure staff have the resources and support they need. Healthcare is complex. If I can help simplify processes or remove barriers, the team at the bedside can focus on the patient and family.
Q: You’ve worke in hospitals in Southern California and Florida. What drew you to Sonoma Valley Hospital and this community?
A: What attracted me to Sonoma Valley Hospital was the opportunity to be part of a community hospital where relationships matter.
I’ve worked for large healthcare systems that taught me so much, but there is something special about a smaller hospital. You have the opportunity to know your colleagues, know your patients and really see the impact of the work you’re doing.
I was also drawn to the opportunity to contribute to the hospital’s continued growth and development. Sonoma Valley Hospital has an important role in this community, and I was excited to become part of that.
And honestly, Sonoma is a pretty special place. The community, the people and the quality of life made the decision even more meaningful for me.
Q: What does your role as Chief Nursing Officer involve, and what are you looking forward to working on with the team?
A: As Chief Nursing Officer, I oversee nursing and patient care services. Ultimately, my responsibility is to help create an environment where our nurses and clinical teams can provide safe, high-quality and compassionate care.
But I don’t see my role as simply providing oversight. I want to be a leader who listens, removes barriers and helps our teams succeed. That includes looking at patient outcomes, staffing, workforce development, patient experience, operational efficiency and the continued development of our nursing leaders.
Right now, I’m looking forward to getting to know the team, hearing what they’re proud of and learning where they see opportunities. I want our staff to know their voices matter and that leadership is here to support them.
I also want to continue building a culture where nursing and ancillary teams work together to give patients the best possible experience. Nursing may make up a large part of a hospital’s staff, but our teams in environmental services, nutrition, radiology, laboratory, physical therapy and many other areas all play a role in caring for our patients.
Q: When someone leaves the hospital, what do you hope they remember about their experience with our nurses?
A: I hope they remember that they were cared for as a person, not just as a patient. I hope they remember staff members who listened, kept them informed and helped them feel safe during a difficult time.
Most of all, I hope they remember that someone genuinely cared about them and their family. At the end of the day, it’s often that human connection that stays with patients long after they leave the hospital.
“I hope they remember that they were cared for as a person, not just as a patient.”
ACTIVE AGING SERIES | Bringing Health Conversations into the Community
This September, Sonoma Valley Hospital joined Vintage House to present Active Aging: Wellness, a three-part community series focused on practical information for living well as you age.
The sessions brought local experts and community members together to talk about digestive health, what happens when someone may be experiencing a stroke, and ways to reduce the risk of falls.
The conversations were lively, the questions were thoughtful and the sessions offered information people could take home and use. Thank you to Vintage House, our presenters and everyone who joined us.
The Series Included
- A Healthy Gut
- Every Minute Matters: A Community Conversation on Stroke Response
- Fall Prevention
FALL PREVENTION: Small Steps That Help You Stay Independent
At the final session of our Active Aging: Wellness series on September 25, Lisa Bell of Sonoma Valley Hospital Rehabilitation Services talked with community members about balance, mobility and reducing the risk of falls.
Lisa explained that fall risks can come from both personal factors, such as changes in strength or balance, vision problems, medical conditions and medications, and surroundings, such as poor lighting, loose rugs and cluttered walkways. Often, several factors are involved.
More than one in four adults age 65 and older falls each year. But falling is not an inevitable part of aging. Identifying risks gives you and your healthcare team a place to start, whether that means working on strength and balance, reviewing medications or making a few changes at home.
If you’ve fallen, feel unsteady or have begun avoiding activities because you’re worried about falling, tell your healthcare provider. You can work together on steps that help you keep moving and doing the things you enjoy.
Five Ways to Reduce Your Fall Risk
- Keep moving. Activities that build strength and balance can help you feel steadier on your feet.
- Review your medications. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist whether any prescriptions or over-the-counter medicines could affect your balance or make you dizzy.
- Check your vision and hearing. Changes in either can make it harder to move safely through your surroundings.
- Choose supportive shoes. Wear shoes that fit well, have low heels and stay securely on your feet.
- Speak up about a fall. Even if you weren’t hurt, let your healthcare provider know. It’s a chance to look at what happened and how to reduce your risk of another fall.
Take a Fresh Look at Your Home
A few simple changes can make everyday paths safer:
- Add brighter bulbs or nightlights, especially between the bedroom and bathroom.
- Move furniture and electrical cords out of walking paths.
- Remove loose throw rugs and secure carpeting.
- Keep floors clear of clutter.
- Pay attention to steps, thresholds and changes in floor level.
IS IT TIME TO SCHEDULE Your Mammogram?
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a good time to check whether you are up to date on your breast cancer screening.
Mammograms can find breast cancer before it is large enough to feel or cause symptoms. When breast cancer is found earlier, it may be easier to treat.
Screening needs aren’t exactly the same for everyone. Your age, family history, personal health history and other risk factors can all affect when and how often you should be screened. Talk with your healthcare provider about what is right for you.
Sonoma Valley Hospital provides breast health and diagnostic imaging services, including 3D mammography screenings.
Contact your healthcare provider if you notice a new lump or thickening, a change in the size or shape of a breast, skin changes, nipple discharge or another change that concerns you. Don’t wait for your next scheduled mammogram to have a new concern checked.
HEALTHY LITERACY Month
Understanding Your Care Starts with Asking Questions
A medical appointment can come with a lot of information. There may be unfamiliar terms, test results to understand, medications to manage or instructions to follow at home. Add in the worry that often comes with a health concern, and even straightforward information can be difficult to take in.
That is why health literacy matters.
October is Health Literacy Month, a time to focus on helping people find, understand and use health information. At Sonoma Valley Hospital, that can be as simple as making sure a patient knows how to prepare for a test, understands why a treatment is being recommended or knows what to do after leaving the hospital.
Health literacy isn’t about how well someone reads or how much education they have. Anyone can have difficulty understanding health information, especially when they are sick, in pain or worried about someone they love.
Clear communication is a shared responsibility. Healthcare professionals need to explain information in a way that makes sense, and patients and families should feel comfortable speaking up when something isn’t clear.
Asking a question doesn’t mean you weren’t listening. It means you want to understand your care.
Before You Leave, Ask:
- What is the main thing I need to know?
- What do I need to do next?
- Why is this important?
- How and when should I take this medication?
- What side effects or warning signs should I watch for?
- When should I expect to feel better?
- Who should I call if I have questions?
- Could you explain that in a different way?
One of the most helpful things you can do is repeat the information back in your own words. You might say, “I want to make sure I understand. When I get home, I should…” This gives your healthcare team a chance to clarify anything that may have been misunderstood.
A Little Preparation Can Help
Before an appointment:
- Write down your questions.
- Bring a current list of medications, vitamins and supplements.
- Take notes or ask whether you may record the instructions.
- Bring a family member or trusted friend if you would like support.
- Ask how you can access test results and instructions afterward.
You don’t have to understand everything the first time you hear it, and you should never feel uncomfortable asking someone to slow down or “say it simply.”
Good care includes making sure you understand what comes next.
COMMUNITY RESOURCES | Join Us at Golden Harvest
Sonoma Valley Hospital looks forward to participating in Golden Harvest on October 10.
This community event brings together local organizations and resources that support healthy aging, independence and well-being in Sonoma Valley. Stop by, meet members of our team and learn more about services available through the hospital and throughout the community.
Golden Harvest Senior Resource & Wellness Faire 2026
Oct 10, 2026 from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Sonoma Community Center, Sonoma, CA
Let us know you’re coming by and RSVP here. We hope to see you there!