TheCottage Magazine of Cottage Health System fall 2011

GRAND OPENING EVENTS INTRODUCING THE NEW SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL FEATURES

Cottage TRAUMA SERVICES 6 Cottage The Magazine of Cottage Health System Behind the scenes with trauma fall 2011 professionals…tracking and treat- CONTENTS Chair of the Board of Directors: Gretchen Milligan President & Chief Executive Officer: Ron Werft ing trauma in our community. Vice President for Advancement: Suzanne Dalston Chiefs of Staff Steady beat 14 Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital: Dennis Plesons, MD Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital: Chris Flynn, MD Finding the right treatment for Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital: Kim Peters, MD atrial fibrillation. Auxiliary Presidents Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital: Toni Straka Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital: Roberta Coyne Robotic Surgery 17 Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital: Tresha Sell New advances in surgical options to help patients recover more 2011 Board of Directors Gretchen Milligan, Chair Jon Clark quickly and easily. Edward E. Birch, PhD, Gregory F. Faulkner Vice Chair Judith Hopkinson Robert C. Nakasone, Angel L. Iscovich, MD Dear fellow community members, Vice Chair Charles A. Jackson Jeffrey L. Kupperman, MD, Alex Koper II, MD With the new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital nearing Secretary Fred Lukas Frederick W. Gluck, Robert Nourse completion on the west block of Pueblo and Castillo, so Treasurer Elliot Prager, MD many of you have asked in recent months about when we’ll P. Steven Ainsley John Romo departments J. Robert Andrews Marshall “Chip” Turner actually be opening the doors. Well, that time is approach- Margaret Baker Thomas D. Watson, MD 4 News Briefs ing. We’ve completed the most significant construction Charity care for the uninsured 8 Letter from Advancement 9 phase of the new hospital, and are now preparing to move Cottage’s charity care guidelines, part of our long history as 9 Unveiling your new patients into the spectacular new facility in February. a not-for-profit organization serving the healthcare needs Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital of the greater community, state that all uninsured patients ON THE COVER: Your new hospital! in need of emergency services will be eligible for financial 18 Volunteer Profile: Toni Straka This is your new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. With construc- Years in the planning, this critical project has involved assistance—including free or reduced payment care. We have expanded this program to include those with medi- 20 Cottage Partners: PathPoint tion complete, the transition is under way with plans to welcome hundreds of people, thousands of hours, and millions of cally necessary but non-emergent needs. To find out more, 21 Construction Update – the first patients in early 2012. Before the rooms and hallways are feel free to call us at 805-879-8900. We are here to help. dollars. Designed to meet new earthquake safety standards Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital filled with hospital bustle, we invite you to tour the building and set for all acute-care hospitals in California, the new facil- Cottage Magazine 22 Investment News join us in celebration of this important new chapter in the health ity has also allowed us to develop a vision for the future, to Editor: Janet O’Neill, public affairs director of our community. See the schedule of opening events on page 9. Assistant Editor/Design: 23 Community Health Events take advantage of today’s and even tomorrow’s technology, Colette Briere, creative services coordinator Cover Photo by Glenn Dubock and to improve significantly on how we can care for our Contributors: Colette Briere patients in a more personalized manner. Dana Goba, community health coordinator Carla Long, director of planned giving I hope you’ll join us at our community open houses on Teresa Rounds, website coordinator Ian Vorster, publications coordinator Our Hospitals January 7 and 8 [see page 9]. It will be a pleasure to share Maria Zate, marketing manager details of the new hospital with you and celebrate this Photography: Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital (SBCH) Today a 408-bed acute care 122 acute-care beds, admits 1,600 patients a year and sees 17,000 emer- Glenn Dubock, media services coordinator teaching hospital and level II trauma center, the largest of its kind gency visits. Recognized for its Breast Care Center, specialized subacute important moment in the long history of Santa Barbara Monie Photography between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area, the hospital was unit and Center for Wound Management, the hospital joined forces with Cottage Hospital. founded in 1888 by 50 women determined to provide a healthcare Cottage Health System in 1996. Comments? facility for the growing community of Santa Barbara. With annual Letters to the editor, address changes, requests to be admissions of 18,000 patients, 41,000 emergency department visits, Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) Offering acute-care added/removed from our mailing list, or other magazine and 2,500 births, the hospital is renowned for its comprehensive services to the residents and visitors of the Santa Ynez Valley since 1964, inquiries can be addressed to: maternal-child and pediatric services (Cottage Children’s Hospital), the 10-bed hospital became affiliated with Cottage in 1995, and today Cottage Magazine cardiac, neurosurgical and oncology programs, emergency and trauma continues to provide inpatient and outpatient surgery, 24-hour emergency Public Affairs Dept, Cottage Health System services, modern operating rooms, sophisticated diagnostic radiology services, and a physician office rental program that brings specialists to the PO Box 689, Santa Barbara, CA, 93102 equipment, outpatient surgery, eye center, psychiatric and chemical Valley on a regular basis. Inpatient admissions in 2010 totaled 318. There or emailed to [email protected] dependency services, and inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation were 6,200 emergency visits, and Valley residents increasingly rely on the Ron Werft services (Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital). hospital’s busy outpatient radiology and laboratory services.

President and CEO Cottage Health System Its medical staff of more than 600 includes specialists in all major clini- (Statistics from the year 2010) Cottage Health System PO Box 689 • Santa Barbara, CA 93102 • (805) 682-7111 cal areas, many of whom are involved in the training and education of www.cottagehealthsystem.org new physicians in the hospital’s internal medicine, general surgery and radiology residency programs.

NOVEMBER 2011 Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital (GVCH) Founded in 1966 to serve the growing community of Goleta Valley, the hospital today is licensed for NEWS BRIEFS remarkable note is that the surveyor requested per- self); and she was a fully committed volunteer and active mission to send many of our program elements to the cabinet member during The Campaign for Cottage Health JC home office as examples of ‘best practice’ for con- System’s philanthropic effort to support the rebuilding of New Leader for Surgical Education sideration in the development of national standards.” Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Dr. Jeffrey M. Gauvin joined us last May as the new In addition, both Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital Medical Director for Surgical Education at Santa and Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital earned the Aetna Barbara Cottage Hospital. An inspirational teacher, Institute of Quality award for knee and hip surgery. widely published author, and frequent presenter at Get a Lift: nurses in Santa Ynez love it Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital also earned this The first hospital in the Cottage system to install patient lift surgical confer- award for spine surgery. Both hospitals also earned equipment in its new medical-surgical rooms, Santa Ynez ences and meetings the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Center of Distinction Valley Cottage Hospital (SYVCH) staff are already big fans across the country, award for knee and hip surgery. of the change. Cottage Children’s Hospital Dr. Gauvin was most “Not only does it give our patients more dignity when recently associated is on Facebook we need to move them,” claims clinical manager Gayle with the UC Davis Join more than 1,100 “followers” on Mercado, “but it really increases our ability to give good Medical Center More Accolades for Facebook by typing Cottage Children’s care. At the end of a long day, our nurses may be tired but in Sacramento as Hospital in the search window, or go to The Center for Wound Management at least their backs aren’t hurting!” In place at SYVCH Associate Professor Since opening at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital this address since the new wing was completed last spring, both over- of Surgery, Program (GVCH) more than five years ago, The Center for http://www.facebook.com/ head ceiling-mounted versions and special floor/sheet lifts Director for the Wound Management has performed more than 7,700 cottagechildrenshospital. can be used to transport patients to the commode, the chair, Department of hyperbaric oxygen treatments, treated more than We invite you to log on and read the posts or the shower. Similar equipment will be installed at the Surgery, and Medical Director for its Center for 11,009 patients, completed more than 21,820 wound from families who have been touched by new Cottage hospitals in Santa Barbara and Goleta. Virtual Care. A Board-certified and highly honored care visits, and seen a 25 percent increase in patient the care we provided. If you have your own surgeon, Dr. Gauvin received his bachelor and master volume each year. The Center, the only such program Cottage Children’s Hospital story, please of science degrees in aquatic biology from Eastern on the Central Coast dedicated to providing outpa- Baby, You’re the Greatest! consider sharing it on our Facebook page. Michigan University. This was followed by his MD tient treatment for patients with wound problems, has Cottage Health System held its and his general surgery residency from Michigan also received multiple Center of Distinction awards most successful Family Fitness How has Cottage touched your life? Here’s State University, and later a GI Surgery Fellowship at for exceeding the benchmarks for healing outcomes & Baby Fair yet at Oak Park in what some of our Facebook followers had the Mayo Clinic. Dr. Gauvin has been recognized for including the time it takes for healing to occur. In September. Thank you to the to say: excellence in teaching and was named clinical faculty addition to developing individualized treatment plans hospital staff, volunteers, and 62 of the year award winner by surgical residents at for patients with wound problems, the Center offers external organizations that partici- Rachael: The whole team (MA/RN/MD/ Michigan State and UC Davis—which translates into comprehensive antibiotic therapy, nutritional coun- pated. Crowds especially enjoyed Front Desk/Dieticians) at the CCH Pediatric a huge bonus for the surgical residents here at SBCH. seling and education for patients and their families. demonstrations that illustrated GI clinic are absolutely amazing! Dr. Kelts Most recently, the Center expanded its services to the importance of a safety helmet: didn’t miss a beat when he discovered my include a satellite wound management clinic at Santa Helmet-clad eggs (more than 100!) daughter was having potentially life threaten- Orthopedic Honors Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital. A multidisciplinary and melons were dropped, showing ing symptoms caused by her reflux. With no The Cottage Center for Orthopedics has earned the team of four qualified physicians and a staff of 16 how well helmets protected these fragile items. Low-cost hesitation she was referred to Dr. Keshen and Joint Commission’s Disease Specific Certification nurses plus support staff are now providing these helmets were offered for sale. a Fundoplication was performed a week and a for Knee and Hip surgery. The Joint Commission’s much needed services for the Central Coast. half later. Great pediatric team at the clinic! Gold Seal of Approval™ for accreditation recognizes Cottage’s continuous compliance with national state- Center of Excellence Mario: Thank you cottage hospital!! My son of-the-art standards for quality and safety in hospitals. The Cottage Center for Weight-Loss Surgery recently Congratulations, Gerd! had Botulism, DEC2010, and your entire staff “In achieving Joint Commission accreditation, Cottage Health System (CHS) adds its hearty endorse- received a renewal of its designation as a Bariatric Surgery was crucial in curing him!! Without your sup- Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital and Santa Barbara ment of Gerd Jordano as the recently announced Center of Excellence by the American Society for Metabolic port and intelligence I might not have been Cottage Hospital have demonstrated their commit- Woman of the Year for 2011. This coveted annual and Bariatric Surgery. The designation recognizes surgical able to celebrate this fathers day! Thank you all. ment to the highest level of care for its patients,” award from the Santa Barbara Foundation and KEYT programs with a demonstrated track record of favorable says Mark Pelletier, R.N., M.S., executive director, honors local individuals for exceptional contributions outcomes in bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgeons at the Robyn: We LOVE our NICU nurses! We were truly Hospital Programs, Accreditation and Certification to their community. We know Gerd well: She served Cottage Center for Weight-Loss Surgery specialize in state blessed with the best. Every single one of you. Services, The Joint Commission. on our Board of Directors from 1992 to 2001 (during of the art, minimally invasive techniques, and a trained Thank you for your tender care with our son “The certifications represent a true multi-disciplin- the formation of Cottage Health System, the umbrella staff helps guide patients through every step of the weight- Hayden and for loving our family. We miss you! ary effort that has its roots in almost every depart- organization for Santa Barbara, Santa Ynez Valley loss process, from pre-surgery counseling through post- ment of the organization,” says Gary Milgram, service and Goleta Valley Cottage Hospitals); she chaired the surgery support groups. line director for Neurosciences and Orthopedics. “Of Nursing Committee of the Board (she’s a nurse her-

COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 5 4 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 Trauma centers are unique—set apart from emergency Tracking & Treating departments—by jennifer Wobig, trauma commitment of physicians and the requirements He adds, “When a person gets a services program manager, administration to trauma services, to have specialists traumatic injury they don’t have and Dr. Stephen Kaminski, director and it’s a program that takes time to shop around for hospitals. of trauma services and the surgical a lot of financial support and on call. It elevates Often they get what’s closest. So trauma intensive care unit, talk about their can sometimes drain hospitals,” care throughout here we are fortunate. Patients will first weeks with the trauma team at observes Jen. the system. not only get a designated Trauma Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Dr. Kaminski agrees. “This is Center. They’ll get an outstanding Jennifer makes time in her sched- a public resource gem,” he says. Trauma Center.” ule for an interview about the “Here’s this pristine resource in ral center for a wide swath of the Transfers from Santa Ynez Valley trauma program, as pictures of her our own backyard, ready when Central Coast and is complemen- Cottage Hospital and Goleta newborn flash on her computer you get injured. And it requires tary to other primary care hospitals Valley Cottage Hospital are seam- screensaver. Dr. Kaminski joins the support from within the hospital in the region, improving patient less and instantaneous, largely due meeting directly from his after- and within our community in outcomes. to what Dr. Kaminski observes is noon working in the County Public order to continue to excel.” The national Trauma Quality a closely knit medical staff among Health Department’s clinics, where Trauma centers are unique—set Improvement Project (TQIP) tracks the hospitals. “It helps that we he oversees education of Cottage’s apart from emergency depart- outcomes of more than 100 trauma all participate in the same profes- surgical residents (it’s a long-estab- ments—by the requirements centers nationwide, and SBCH sional education opportunities. lished affiliation and a tradition to have specialists on call. This consistently ranks among the best, We know each other by name… he is proud to continue). These are improves care for all patients, not outperforming some of the major that improves communication and two hard-working, busy people. only the hospital’s trauma pa- metropolitan teaching centers. collegiality.” And their passion for trauma care tients, because all patients have ac- “That’s who we are,” says Dr. Cottage continues to focus is clear. cess to these specialists. It elevates Kaminski. “This is a smaller com- on building and strengthening Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital’s care throughout the system. munity but the specialists we re- Trauma Services, adding a helipad Trauma Center is a care hub for Santa Barbara Cottage cruit are top-of-the-line, better than atop the new hospital opening in the Central Coast. Jen’s role is to Hospital’s trauma center does in many larger cities. We don’t need early 2012. coordinate all aspects of care nec- just that, with more than 100 to send anyone away. We can treat  BY COLETTE BRIERE | PHOTO BY GLENN DUBOCK essary for trauma patients—with physician specialists. It is a refer- all types of injuries right here.” the ultimate goal of returning them to their pre-injury state. When a trauma activation occurs, an entire interdisciplinary team responds to the call. This might THE SBCH TRAUMA TEAM IS RECOGNIZED FOR EXCELLENCE happen five to ten times each day, and Jen tracks the progress of these During the recent American College of Surgeons (ACS) survey for verifica- most severely injured patients as they work toward recovery. tion of its Level II Trauma Center, the SBCH Trauma Program was given a jennifer Wobig and Dr. Stephen “Trauma touches every depart- preliminary re-certification by the ACS site surveyors, with zero deficiencies. Kaminski stand on the site of the ment in the hospital,” observes Jen. new SBCH helipad, scheduled “We want people to know who to open in February 2012. The we are and understand the level addition of a helipad to the new hospital will eliminate the of care offered here. There are lots need for ground transport from of good things about the hospital. other landing locations, getting We’re just one of them.” trauma patients more quickly to What sets Cottage apart? “I can the care they need. tell that Cottage is really dedicated to the community. There’s a 6 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 Future Thoughts. Future Achievements.

As the last issue of Cottage Magazine for 2011 is distributed throughout the greater Santa Barbara region, we are already looking forward to what the New Year will bring. For Santa Ynez Valley Cottage Hospital it will mean continuing to enjoy their new, well received patient care wing and moving into the final stages of renovation and retrofitting of existing portions of our small but mighty rural hospital. It serves the growing healthcare needs of our friends on the other side of the mountains and as the “gateway” to more tertiary resources in other parts of Cottage Health System. For the new Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital it will mean seeing the steel beam frame’s completion celebrated this past summer, shelled out, taking Goleta style form and being readied for the installation of electrical, plumbing, steam, medical The Oak Park Cloister at the corner of Oak Park and Pueblo gases and other internal systems. And lastly, for the new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital, it will mean officially opening the doors of “phase four” of our award-winning facility encompassing the elegant Ridley-Tree and Oak Park Pavilions and the Main Entrance and Lobby on Pueblo, and, the Junipero Pavilion housing diagnostic and treatment areas including Brittingham Family Women’s Services, the Operating Suites and McAlister Family Radiology. To help mark the Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Grand Opening, a series of celebratory events and tours is planned. Incredible community philanthropic support from individuals, foundations, corporations and businesses has been instrumental in making this healthcare infrastructure a reality for those of Please join us for a tour and celebration of us lucky enough to call this locale “home.” I hope you share my pride and satisfaction in that the new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. accomplishment that will also be true for generations to come. If I can ever be of service, please do not hesitate to let me know. Thank you for your trust and your generosity. Community Open House Events

Yours for Cottage, Saturday, January 7 9:00 am – 3:00 pm

Sunday, January 8 Suzanne Ryan Curran Dalston 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Vice President for Advancement Cottage Health System View into the outdoor Reservations are necessary: dining area and courtyard Call 1-855-CHS-WELL (1-800-247-9355) COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 9 8 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 The hospital lobby entrance on Pueblo Street COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 11

Arts in health care has become an interna- tional movement. And it’s not just about look- ing at pretty pictures. Integrating arts with the healing process transforms hospital settings into restorative and calming environments that benefit patients, visitors, and staff. Exposure to the arts aims to enhance patient care and help speed recovery. Improving the envi- ronment in this way can help to ease patient and caregiver stress and anxiety and improve overall patient satisfaction. CHS is embracing the Healing Arts by including an unprecedented collection of original works by local artists in all its facilities—the largest collection of its kind on the Central Coast. The new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital will celebrate “The Vibrancy of the Central Coast” by featuring original works in patient rooms, corridors, waiting rooms, elevator landings, lobbies, gardens, and other public areas of the hospital. The pieces include stunning landscape paintings, whimsical sculptures, mixed media collages, and much more. More than 400 Central Coast artists submitted samples of their work and concepts for consideration, of which 123 were selected to provide art for the new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. Ultimately, more than 1,200 pieces will enrich the patient experience in all CHS facilities. A number of significant pieces of what we have called the Landmark Collection have been sponsored by generous donors. Many others are available for sponsorship. Please browse some of the pieces on our website. If you would like more information about the Healing Arts Program, please contact Carla Long, Director of Planned Giving, at 805-879-8980. To see more of the artwork featured throughout the new hospital, visit our website at

www.cottagehealthsystem.org  BY TERESA ROUNDS | PHOTO OF ‘TALULAH’ BY MARTY GOLDSTEIN. THE BRONZE SCULPTURE WILL

BE INSTALLED AT OAK PARK LANE GARDEN The River of Life meanders through an interior courtyard

12 COTTAGE MAGAZINE SPRING 2011 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 13 Pedalling to a Steady

At age 60, Martin W. feels like his heart is in great shape again after suffering for many years with an irregular heart Beat beat called atrial fibrillation (Afib). His symptoms started about seven called a cardiologist. The diagnosis chambers, called the ventricles. In years ago while he was on a bike was atrial fibrillation. order to reach the ventricles, electri- ride near his home in Ventura cal impulses must pass through the County. An avid cyclist who would Atrial fibrillation is an irreg- atrioventricular, or AV node. pedal more than 100 miles per ular beating (arrhythmia) Atrial fibrillation occurs when a week, Martin made it a habit to storm of electrical impulses spreads of the heart. Either the upper wear a heart monitor to help push through the atria in a chaotic and or both upper and lower cham- himself during workouts. disorganized pattern, causing the bers of the heart beat rapidly and “At that time, I felt like I was in atria to begin rapidly contracting. that can lead to lightheadedness, the best shape I’ve been since I was As a result, the ventricles may also palpitations, shortness of breath 30 years old,” says Martin. “I was begin contracting faster. When the and tiredness. But some people can at the same weight I was when I heart is in atrial fibrillation, the have atrial fibrillation and feel fine was 30. I felt great. Life was great.” body can’t receive the blood and without any symptoms. But one day, while he was resting oxygen it needs, causing symptoms. A normal heartbeat is about after his usual ride, Martin was The chances of having atrial fibril- 70 beats per shocked by what lation are relatively high, states Dr. minute. But in a he saw on his heart Martin wore a heart Brett Gidney, an electrophysiologist heart with atrial monitor. His rest- at Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. monitor to push himself fibrillation, the ing pulse was 178 Between the ages of 40 and 95 a during workouts. One upper chambers heart beats per person has about a one in of four day it revealed some- can race to 600 minute. chance that during their lifetime thing out of the ordinary. beats per minute. “Seeing that they will have the condition. Physicians per- number scared me “This is an enormous health bur- form a test called an electrocardio- so much that my heart rate went den. And Afib is the most common gram to determine if a person has up to 188 from all the adrenaline,” cause of stroke,” Dr. Gidney says. atrial fibrillation. Martin recalls. “I rode my bike into While the exact cause of the condi- A steady heartbeat is controlled a nearby park and told the ranger tion is unknown, some factors that by electrical impulses that travel what was happening and to keep can contribute to it are high blood through the heart, first through an eye on me in case I passed out.” pressure, coronary heart disease, the upper chambers, called the When his heart rate returned to damage from a heart attack or sur- atria, and then through the lower normal, Martin rode home and gery, sleep apnea, and aging.

COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 15 14 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 Sometimes episodes can be trig- a next generation 3-D mapping gered by substances like alcohol, system with magnetic navigation Expanding Arms of Robotic Surgery tobacco, and caffeine. An episode technology. A catheter is inserted Have a may last just a few seconds, where into a special IV called a sheath Traditional surgery involves who have thyroid surgery no a person is aware of a rapid heart- and then into the femoral vein at hearty laugh an open incision. Laparoscopic longer have a scar across their beat. Or episodes can last several the groin. Patients are only under a surgery uses small incisions necks; instead only a small minutes to all day long. Symptoms light anesthetic. Unlike other pro- As we’ve all heard, laughter but, until recently, was general- lateral incision is made under can appear once a year to every- cedures that can take about seven is the best medicine. Here ly limited to simple procedures. the arm. day. hours, Dr. Gidney performs the are some ways humor helps Now more complex surgical More and more physicians Even with mild symptoms, atrial procedure in three to five hours. your heart: procedures can be accom- and other hospitals outside fibrillation needs to be treated, or “The new technology allows the plished with a robotic system of the region are embracing serious complications can develop. physician to track the catheter in • Laughing burns approxi- using the smallest of inci- the technology and request- If left untreated, atrial fibrillation the patient, similar to a GPS sys- mately 50 calories in 10–15 sions—often through a natural ing certification and training can cause blood clots that can lead tem,” Dr. Gidney explains. minutes. orifice—meaning less pain, at SBCH. The Cottage team is to a stroke. Over time, a rapid Dr. Gidney uses 3-D mapping • Laughing can raise your heart minimal or no visible scar- more than willing to help in heart rate can also weaken the and intracardiac echocardiography and respiratory rates along with increasing oxygen con- ring, shorter hospital stays and this collegial sharing of infor- lower chambers of the heart, caus- of the left atrium to perform pul- sumption, which is similar to faster recovery for patients. mation among hospitals. ing other health problems. monary vein isolation using radio- your body’s reaction during The “daVinci Team” Mary Meola, administrative For seven years, Martin tried frequency ablation to cure atrial aerobic exercise. at Santa Barbara Cottage director of surgical services various ways to manage his atrial fibrillation. • Laughing exercises the dia- Hospital is a group of operat- at SBCH observes, “What’s fibrillation. He took prescription The simple explanation of the phragm, abdominal muscles, ing room specialists dedicated unique to Cottage is that it medications, which helped for procedure: “It’s like putting electri- and even the shoulders. to minimally invasive robotic has the best of both worlds. a while but eventually lost their cal tape around the four pulmo- • Laughing helps the lungs surgical procedures. They are It’s a teaching hospital and it’s effectiveness. He also had two nary veins of the heart so that the release more air which leads highly trained and many have been involved in the community-based. We have all of the sophisticated procedures involving ablation, electrical signal (that causes the to a cleansing effect, similar program since its inception. The program began technology here but also we have staff being one surgical and one by catheter, irregular heartbeat) can’t get out,” to that of deep breathing. with one daVinci robot purchased with the help of empowered to make decisions and give feedback to in which a small amount of Dr. Gidney says. • Laughing improves the func- generous community support to the Santa Barbara improve processes.” heart tissue is scarred by a high- He is one of only a few physi- tion of your blood vessels Cottage Hospital Foundation. Currently the hospi- What’s on the horizon? A new robotic system frequency current. cians in the region who performs and increases blood flow tal has the third generation, state-of-the-art robotic enabling surgeons to perform procedures with a single But his atrial fibrillation came this procedure, which can dramati- which can help protect system and offers more minimally invasive procedures incision. And for the new Santa Barbara Cottage back. Again he returned to using cally reduce and even cure atrial against a heart attack or other than ever before. Hospital scheduled to open in early 2012…a centrally medications, but he was frustrated fibrillation while exposing patients cardiovascular problems. • Laughing strengthens your The benefits are countless and the technology is located robotic surgical suite that will provide easy that he could not be cured of his to much less radiation than other immune system. advancing rapidly. Dr. Phillip West recently performed access to the operating room for various service lines. condition. ablation treatments. • Laughing relaxes your mus- Cottage’s first robotic esophageal myomectomy to BY COLETTE BRIERE | PHOTO BY GLENN DUBOCK Then Martin’s doctor referred “Here the average X-ray expo-  cles for up to 45 minutes. correct a patient’s restricted esophagus. And patients him to Dr. Gidney. Dr. Gidney sure is six minutes. In other places, (pictured) performs ablations using the patient gets exposed to 45 to Ways to fill the laughter an advanced technique involving 50 minutes of X-ray,” Dr. Gidney prescription: emphasizes. • Watch a funny movie with With support from the highly trained team at Cottage, surgeons are Physicians currently performing Martin was very pleased with family or friends. performing minimally invasive procedures including these: robotic assisted surgical procedures at the results after having the abla- • Post cartoons around you Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital: tion performed by Dr. Gidney in that make you chuckle. • Tumor Removal Dr. Carin Craig, Gynecology October 2010. • Participate in fun activities • Urological Procedures: Dr. Margaret Echt, Gynecology “I’m finally cured of my Afib,” like karaoke and bowling. Prostatectomy – to remove an enlarged prostate causing urinary problems • Go to a laughter yoga class. Dr. David Raphael, Gynecology said Martin, who is back on his Partial and total nephrectomy – kidney removal • Look for humor in everyday Dr. Ann Rodriguez, Gynecology bike and riding up to 50 miles per Pyeloplasty – kidney reconstruction activities. week. “I don’t have to take medi- • Gynecological Procedures: Dr. Ralph Quijano, Gynecology cations for it anymore and I’m not • Spend time with children Dr. Benedict Taylor, Thoracic Surgery doing something silly. Hysterectomy – removal of the uterus restricted in my activities. Now Myomectomy – removal of uterine fibroids Dr. Phillip West, Thoracic Surgery I just have to work on losing Endometriosis treatment Dr. Daniel Curhan, Urology some weight.” • Video-Assisted Thoracic Surgery (VATS) to diagnose and treat conditions in the chest and lungs Dr. Alex Koper, Urology  BY MARIA ZATE | PHOTO BY GLENN DUBOCK Dr. David Laub, Urology 16 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 VOLUNTEER PROFILE sons, Todd and Matt. Toni then retired from teach- Fifty years later, there’s no talk of retirement for ing to raise their boys, but continued volunteering on Toni. She recently added caregiver to her roster of du- Wednesday afternoons, trading babysitting with other ties when husband Bill suffered a stroke, but he’s re- moms she knew. “I felt it was important to keep the covering well with the support of all those he’s grown Toni Straka: contacts at the hospital,” she acknowledges, “and I to know at Cottage through the years. “We continue needed to have adult contact!” to meet staff in the hospital who say they were one of Well-known throughout the community, Toni’s Bill’s students years ago. It really feels like family.” The 50-Year other major involvement has been with First United Toni also likes to point out to that family, five Methodist Church on Anapamu Street. She served as decades after she first visited SBCH, that the entrance the education director for the Sunday school pro- to the new hospital will face onto Pueblo Street once

grams for 20 years, and has a long history of coor- again.  BY JANET O’NEILL | PHOTO BY GLENN DUBOCK Volunteer dinating weddings and events at the Church. More recently, her outreach activities have extended to the July 8, 1961. That was when today’s Auxiliary Prime Time Band, a weekly gathering of concert band president began volunteering at Santa Barbara lovers aged 50+. Husband Bill was in at the beginning Cottage Hospital. of the informal gathering more than 16 years ago, Toni Saadi, a new kindergarten teacher at Garfield with Toni subsequently joining the group and today School on Padre Street (today’s Schott Center), was Make a Difference playing the timpani and other percussion while serv- off for the summer. She’d recently been introduced to ing as the official band manager. the hospital because part of the school’s curriculum Make a difference in your life and the lives encouraged teachers to learn more about their com- of others. Consider volunteering at one of Fifty years later, how does this feisty lady main- munity. The hospital’s main entrance at the time faced our hospitals. tain her enthusiasm and drive? Director of volunteer onto Pueblo Street. So Toni had walked her class of services Patricia Dooley asks the same question. “She’s 18 students up the street for a hospital tour. And she so full of energy. It’s like she’s beginning her first year.” If you have some time to spare and a heart loved the connection. Adds Steve Warner, president elect of the Auxiliary, to share, please know that your skills, smiles Now, with school out, Toni wanted to maintain “Santa Barbara is a better place because of Toni.” that link. Thus began her extraordinary fifty years of and compassion can make a big differ- “There’s no question that you get more back than volunteer service to the hospital. They began at the ence in people’s lives at our not-for-profit you give,” Toni says about volunteering. “If I can help information desk in the main lobby, moving to the hospitals. We have many opportunities for somebody’s day be better, that’s great. And there’s surgery information area where Toni today still con- people of all ages—whether retired, cur- always someone thankful that you came to work that tinues to act as a liaison between the operating room day. It makes a difference.” rently employed, or in school. staff and the families of patients undergoing surgery. Toni is among those eagerly awaiting the transition She has also delved into pediatrics, helped out with to the new hospital. “The surgical waiting rooms are Download an application: community health fairs and events, become involved going to be really great,” she promises, aware that in Spiritual Care, and for the last six years has been www.cottagehealthsystem.org families often need to stay there for two, three hours available as a docent and tour leader. Her leadership Email us: or more while their loved one is in the operating skills have seen her elected president of the Auxiliary [email protected] room. “We’ve made such progress over the years not once, but twice: in 2003/2004 and now as the Call us: with how we treat our visitors and patients. One current president, helping to guide Auxiliary members Napa family told me recently that other hospitals 805-569-7357 through the complex preparation of moving into the don’t compare. We get frequent comments about our new Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. cleanliness and friendliness and the fact that someone We’d love to have you as part of our family. During those initial years, Toni continued to vol- actually picks up the phone when you call the unteer on Sunday afternoons during the school term. hospital. The Cottage philosophy of putting patients She met her future husband, Bill Straka, also a teacher first really makes a big difference.” at Garfield. The couple married in 1964 and had two 18 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 Creating Paths to Mental and Physical Health

An important partnership on the synergy, PathPoint director tions for clients and CPR training in Santa Barbara helps individuals Jennifer Newbold says, “In my 25 for caseworkers.” with disabilities or disadvantages years with PathPoint I have found Funding for the programs comes overcome barriers to employ- this to be a significant improve- from the Alcohol, Drug and Men- ment or independent living. Called ment in the way we deliver services tal Health Services Department of PathPoint, it relies on countywide to seriously mentally ill people. Santa Barbara County, from the teamwork to provide physical As medical [Cottage] and mental St. Francis Foundation and from and psychiatric services including health [PathPoint] care providers Cottage Health System. The Paths health and medication management we have similar goals in diagnosing to Recovery program helps to as well as community living skills and treating illness early and there- decrease the number of emergency such as cooking, hygiene, safety, fore avoiding crisis care wherever room visits and extended hospital- banking and money management. possible.” izations, and it has been an impor- Cottage is proud to support the Nurses will also assist case- tant factor in combating homeless- partnership, helping PathPoint workers by providing education ness. clients via its Parish Nursing on physical illness. “We will take What does her involvement Community Outreach Program. a client’s vitals and measure blood in the program mean to Cori Supporting the Paths to Recovery sugars, provide nutrition and dia- Beveridge? “As a team, we all initiative within the Mental Health betes education, and educate case- pull together when a client Division of PathPoint, Parish workers,” says Parish Nurse Kim declines, and we move quickly. Nursing serves 130 clients with Madden. “It’s our role to advise This has been a huge factor in approximately 13 staff, includ- and assist clients on accessing help the success of the program, as ing a psychiatrist, lead clinician, in the community with referrals or we act both proactively and registered nurses and case manag- suggestions from a medical posi- reactively to care for a client.” ers, one of whom specializes in the tion, and we provide flu vaccina- Clients have progressed from treatment of substance living on the streets and abuse disorders. being severely psychotic, to Serving as hinge points securing housing, finding in the partnership, case- a job, taking classes and workers help individuals reconnecting with family. reach their highest level of “I couldn’t be more independence in the com- pleased with this partner- munity. This varies from ship and look forward to client to client since some having more nurses in- have jobs and some take volved and reaching more classes, while others have clients,” says Jennifer New- Building a new Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital cognitive impairments or bold. Cori adds, “When I mental illness that requires pull up to a house where more careful intervention. some of our clients are liv- Cottage nurses man- ing, I find a common and Construction Progress age medications for clients enthusiastic question—‘Are The landscape is changing daily at the site of the new Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital on Patterson Avenue. who need that service; they you here to see me?’ This Check out the webcam and follow the progress: www.cottagehealthsystem.org, click on Building for the administer intramuscular shows me how much they Future. Scheduled for completion by late 2013, the new 52-bed hospital will place greater priority on psychiatric medications value and appreciate us.” the patient-centered experience, while expanding its emergency department, surgery suites and wound and they go into homes to  BY IAN VORSTER | PHOTO BY GLENN DUBOCK management program, and increasing its medical/surgical beds (in all-private rooms). provide care. Commenting Pictured: COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 21 20 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 Cori Beveridge (l) and Kim Madden (r) Community Health Programs Healthy Balance Diabetes Classes: Living Well Weight Management Clinic Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Ashton Conference Room 8-week weight-loss program focusing on healthy choices First Tuesday of the month, 10–11:00 am for nutrition and exercise. Second Wednesday of the month 3–4:00 pm (class in Spanish) Call for next orientation meeting date. 805-569-7201 Third Tuesday of the month, 6–7:00 pm Fourth Tuesday of the month, Noon–1:00 pm The New Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital: Learn about diabetes prevention and management. Community Open House Free and open to the public. Saturday and Sunday, January 7 and 8, 2012 Information: 805-681-6441 9:00 am – 3:00 pm Reservations required: 855-CHS-WELL Childbirth & Breastfeeding Information: 805-569-8229 Healthy Joint Wellness Seminar Thursday, January 19, 2012 Community CPR Information: 805-569-8229 INVESTMENT NEWS 3:00 – 4:30 pm Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital, Ashton Center Smoking Cessation Classes Information: 855-366-7246 Take the Worry out of Retirement Income Call for schedule. 855-CHS-WELL Whether you are currently retired or planning to retire sometime in the near future, the economic downturn Charitable Gift Annuity Payment has affected nearly everyone’s retirement expectations. Access Cottage’s online calendar: www.cottagehealthsystem.org Fluctuations in retirement and other asset values have made it more difficult than ever to predict exact levels Single Life Joint Life Cut card along dotted line. Secure with tape before mailing. to meet both USPS regulations and automation compatibility standards. Special care must be taken to ensure FIM and POSTNET bar IMPORTANT: DO NOT ENLARGE, REDUCE of retirement income, a scenario that makes some soon- August 23, 2011 Layout: sample BRM Env with IMB.lyt Artwork for User Defined (3.75" x 6.125") Age Rate Age Rate to-be retirees nervous about the next phase in their 60 4.8% 60 4.3% SANTA BARBARA CA 93102-9985 PO BOX 689 SANTA BARBARA COTTAGE HOSPITAL FOUNDATION

lives. Some of Cottage’s friends are combining chari- FIRST-CLASS MAIL

table gift planning with retirement planning, a creative 65 5.3% 65 4.7% BUSINESS REPLY MAIL strategy that provides an opportunity to fulfill meaning- 70 5.8% 70 5.2% TheCottage Magazine of Cottage Health System Fall 2011 ful philanthropic goals while at the same time securing POSTAGE WILL BE PAID BY ADDRESSEE 75 6.5% 75 5.7% a reliable retirement income stream. How does it work? You transfer assets to the Santa 80 7.5% 80 6.3%

Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation now. You get 85 8.4% 85 7.4% PERMIT NO. 355 a charitable tax deduction for a portion of the assets 90 9.8% 90 8.8% now. The Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Foundation contractually agrees to pay you a specific dollar amount

each year beginning at a time of your choosing. Your The figures here are sample rates and are for illustration OR MOVE the FIM and POSTNET barcodes

Foldhere. future income is guaranteed regardless of what happens purposes only. Please call us and your advisor to see if a gift SANTA BARBARA, CA annuity is right for you. in the market and, in certain cases, a portion of your future income may be tax-free. Many of our friends For more details on this Cottage program or for a U.S. Postal Service, Serial # (c) 1993-2009, Endicia, (c) Produced by DAZzle Designer, Version 9.0.05 find Cottage’s rates an attractive alternative to the low complimentary, no-obligation proposal, call: code are actual size AND pl rates currently available on CDs and other traditional Carla A. Long, Director of Planned Giving income-producing investments. This gift vehicle is Cottage Health System called a charitable gift annuity. 805-879-8987 How might a gift annuity fit into your plans? The or [email protected]. chart at the right shows the rates we offer at various representative ages for an annuity that begins paying You may designate the Cottage Health System www.E aced properly on the mail piece immediately. Often the rates for a deferred annuity hospital and program of your choice as a . They are only valid as printed! ndicia.com UNITED STATES NO POSTAGE (where the payout is deferred for at least one year) can beneficiary of your generous gift. NECESSARY IF MAILED be even higher. To read more news from Cottage, IN THE scan this code with your smart phone or go to: www.cottagehealthsystem.org 22 COTTAGE MAGAZINE FALL 2011 Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital Post Office Box 689 Pueblo at Bath Street Santa Barbara, CA 93102-0689

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Reader Comments: Fall 2011 In future magazines, I’d like to read more stories about the following: We’d like to hear from you. If you have a com- ment or question, please fill out this form and  Santa Barbara Neuroscience Institute mail it postage-free, call us at 805-879-8980, or at Cottage Health System email [email protected].  Medical Education  The Cottage Emergency/Trauma Center Name  Nursing  Cottage Women’s Services Street address  Healing Arts  Cottage Children’s Hospital CiTY/STATE/ZIP  Rebuilding SBCH Foundation Assets  Cottage Rehabilitation Hospital

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