Since 2005, the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation has been able to provide more than $1.8 million in funding to the hospital’s emergency room operation.
The money supports the ER as it treats patients regardless of their ability to pay and provides funding for purchases of lifesaving equipment. The foundation’s executive committee includes Carolyn J. Stone, chair; Dr. Clinton Lane, vice chair; Tina Wolfenden, treasurer; and Barbara Nobles, secretary.
“It is standard operating procedure for the hospital to subsidize the financial losses incurred by the ER department,” said Lane. “The ER is a necessity for the community and over 90 percent of our residents respond positively to having it in the Valley.” Lane went on to say that the local ER also serves the large Kaiser community in the Valley and that Kaiser administration points up its indispensability.
“The ER is the focal point of the hospital,” said Wolfenden. “It’s what people really want.”
In March, the foundation presented a check for $21,157 to Sonoma Valley Hospital in support of the ER. In 2008 alone, the foundation provided nearly a half million dollars in support to Sonoma Valley Hospital for many different needs. The foundation also invests for growth for funding resources for the ER, and has established an endowment fund for the emergency room with Community Foundation Sonoma County.
The hospital this year has turned to the foundation to raise support for several of its departments, including the operating room, the laboratory, the labor and delivery department, the cardiopulmonary department, the occupational health department, the women’s health services department, and the physician relations department, for help with physician recruitment fees.
While the recent bond measure and funds from bonds sold will only cover certain kinds of costs, such as structural improvements, the foundation has been a steady, reliable resource for a variety of hospital needs for over 25 years, funding everything from construction projects to information technology upgrades, capital equipment, and support for a nurse navigator position.
“If the need arises whereby someone must use the Sonoma Valley Hospital ER, they can be assured of the kindest and most caring attention,” said Stone, who with her husband Bob Stone is a well-known local philanthropist. “You can count on our ER staff to take good care of you.
The foundation’s annual Celebration of Women event, May 15 at Sonoma Golf Club, will benefit women’s health services, particularly maternity services and the Carolyn J. Stone Center for Women’s Health & Wellness.
To make a contribution to the Sonoma Valley Hospital Foundation, for any particular department or for general purposes, contact Mary Caletges at 707.935.5070 or caletgesm@svh.com.
