The Path Forward

September 8, 2021

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As you can tell from the many comments by healthcare professionals in the news media recently, there is a great deal of frustration with people who remain unvaccinated. If we would all get vaccinated and wear masks, Covid would be largely behind us. Instead, despite all the efforts and sacrifices made in the past year-and-a-half, we continue to see high levels of infection and death across our nation.

Fortunately, FDA approval of the Pfizer vaccine and a growing movement to mandate vaccinations in the workplace should help move us toward herd immunity, so there is reason for optimism about the future.

In the meantime, I can assure you that your hospital remains prepared to support our community. Like hospitals across the country, we have learned much about countering this deadly virus.

• We’ve adopted best practices for testing and treatment recommended by the CDC, including implementing quick Covid testing in-house for all patients
• We’ve implemented safety protocols to safeguard staff and patients. I’m proud to report we are close to 100 percent on Covid vaccinations among hospital and medical staff.
• We have had ZERO staff-to-staff or staff-to-patient Covid exposures.
• We’ve developed strong partnerships with community partners, such as the Health Center, to provide first, testing, and then vaccinations along with community education about safety practices.
• Early on when the pandemic was growing, we increased the number of inpatient beds to be prepared to handle a surge in patients which, fortunately did not occur. But we remain ready to respond if needed.

I remind you of this not to toot our own horn, but to acknowledge your support in ensuring that our community has excellent healthcare here at home. In far too many small towns across America, hospitals are closing or scaling back care for financial reasons. More than 75 years ago, Sonoma Valley residents came together to create a District hospital and it is testimony to the community that this hospital not only endures but has become a model for a modern community hospital.

One of the reasons I decided to come here and serve as CEO is because I knew I was joining a hospital that is very good at what it does, and one that has strong community support. I also saw that, with the growing UCSF relationship, SVH would become even better in the future. I see my role as one of ensuring that everyone in Sonoma Valley has access to excellent healthcare. And when this becomes more challenging, such as during a pandemic or a natural disaster, it drives us all to work even harder

I hope you understand that Sonoma Valley Hospital is your hospital. As a district hospital it is partially funded by your taxes, certainly. But most important, the hospital’s sole mission is to serve everyone in our community regardless of where they were born, what language they speak, or how much money they have. We are healers and we are here to promote good health in all the ways our community needs us. 

I look forward to the time when we have Covid under control and I can get out to meet with more of you in person. In the meantime, please stay safe and, if you haven’t done so yet, I urge you to get vaccinated.

John

John Hennelly
President and CEO
Sonoma Valley Hospital