El Camino Hospital Foundation - Imagine Newsletter Summer 2011

EL C A M I N O H O S P I TA L
AND GOING STRONG
YEARS A half-century of forward thinking.
Imagine
SUMMER 2011
El Camino Hospital Foundation Sapphire Soirée
Raises Record Funds for Cancer Center
E L C A M I N O H O S P I TA L F O U N DAT I O N ’ S F I R S T
A N N U A L S A P P H I R E S O I R É E WA S A S M A S H I N G
S U C C E S S , raising more than $650,000 for the El Camino
Hospital Cancer Center. Four hundred twenty community
leaders, physicians and Foundation supporters attended the
gala evening on May 14 at Sharon Heights Golf and Country
Club in Menlo Park in celebration of El Camino Hospital’s
50th anniversary.
As guests arrived, they walked the blue carpet before entering
a festive reception tent, where many purchased glasses
of champagne for the chance to win a 4.82 carat sapphire
donated by Darren McClung Precious Jewelry. A video
retrospective of the hospital was shown after guests were
seated for dinner. Then emcee Ray Taliaferro, radio host for
KGO, welcomed everyone and introduced CEO Ken Graham,
who made brief opening remarks. Following a dinner of filet
mignon the lights dimmed, champagne was poured, and
a fabulous panna cotta dessert was served in LED martini
Photos L-R: Norma Melchor and Larry Feder; Pamela Taft,
Kenny Loggins, Edward Taft; Dr. Shyamali Singhal
Imagine all we can do together.
glasses that flashed sapphire blue. Longtime
Foundation benefactor Norma Melchor made
the 50th anniversary toast. Then the focus of the
evening program shifted to cancer.
Dr. Shyamali Singhal, medical director of the El
Camino Hospital Cancer Center, spoke about
the launch and development of the six-year-old
program, explaining her team’s philosophy of
personalizing state-of-the-art patient care. She
introduced Ethel Herr, a cancer survivor, who
Continued on page 4
Inside:
» Pamela and Edward Taft:
Visionary Philanthropists
» Gala Funds Patient Navigation Program
» Hope to Health
» Legacy Society Luncheon
» Your Donations at Work
» Vision in Progress
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R EL C A M I N O H O S P I TA L
An Update from Norma J. Melchor, Campaign Chair
Board of Directors
Dear Friends,
Robert D. Adams, Chair
Mishy Balaban
It was a pleasure to see so many of you at
Ned Borgstrom, Interim CEO/CFO
Larry Chu, Jr.
Sapphire Soirée on May 14 as we celebrated El
Claudia Coleman
Camino Hospital’s 50th anniversary. We were all
Krista Conover
overwhelmed by Pamela and Ed Taft’s challenge
Marla de Broekert
gift and thrilled by the enthusiastic, generous
Phyllis Dorricott
Gunilla Follett
response to it, which has enabled the El Camino
David Francisco, MD
Hospital Cancer Center to establish a patient
Linda Heider
navigation program. It was a fantastic party, a
Mel Kahn
Uwe Kladde
bold new step for the Foundation, and a valuable
Bernis Kretchmar
reminder of the importance of philanthropy to our
Anne Kusian
hospital and our community.
Marilyn Manning, PhD
Lane Melchor
Robert Pinsker, MD
The Foundation is truly grateful for the
Norma J. Melchor
Carol Proffitt
philanthropic support of the community, which
Linda R. Rodgers
comes from many quarters. Hope to Health in
Wim Roelandts
Mountain View proudly reached the quarter million dollar mark in funds
Vikram Sahai
Russell Satake
raised to support health care programs for women. Its sister organization in
Note: Optimized
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Shah for small size reproduction
Los Gatos held an inaugural event in January and already boasts 16 members.
e use is 3.4”,Anil
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Singhal,
We thank the women of Los Altos Golf and Country Club’s 18 Hole and 9
Frederick St. Goar, MD
Hole Clubs who dedicated their fundraiser this year to El Camino Hospital’s
George Stanley
Pamela Taft
new High Risk Breast Center. And we salute the 800 people who attended
Lynn K. Telford
the South Asian Heart Center gala in March, raising more than $200,000 to
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El Camino Hospital
Imagine Campaign
February 25, 2010
DATE Cabinet
Norma Melchor,PROJECT
Chair Brand Identity, 2009
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William A. Reeves,
MD*, Honorary Co-chair
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Billy B. Russell*, Honorary Co-chair
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LINKS
Robert D. AdamsFONTS
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Phyllis Dorricott
Hon. Charles Gordon
Mady Kahn
Mike Kasperzak
Bernis Kretchmar
Bill Parker
Carol Proffitt
Vikram Sahai
Pamela Taft
Judith Wolken
Los Gatos Leadership Committee
Mishy Balaban, Chair
Carolyn Bing
Philip Boyce
Elizabeth Hobbs
David Knapp
Shreyas Mallur, MD
John McSorley
Pauline Nist
Barbara Olsen
Eric Pifer, M.D.,
President & Chief Medical Officer
Linda Rodgers
Ernest Thomas, M.D.
Jon Witkin
Pat Wolfram
*Of blessed memory
2
SPOT/LINE COLORS
prevent
coronary artery disease in the South Asian population.
Thanks to your donations, the Foundation has been able to underwrite
valuable programs at El Camino Hospital that might otherwise go unfunded,
including the expansion of the spiritual care program to Los Gatos,
nursing research and education, the renovation of the RotaCare Clinic, and
scholarship funds for students entering health care professions. Your gifts
also support the Creative Expressions painting classes for cancer survivors,
whose most recent work was on glorious display in the downstairs concourse
of the new hospital in February.
ECH Logo
Blue
ECH Logo
Orange
ECH
Dark Gray
Your donations and all the Foundation’s activities are stewarded by a
dedicated board of directors. Two new members joined in January. It is my
pleasure to welcome and introduce you to Linda Heider, active Auxilian and
former Auxiliary president, and Los Altos resident Russ Satake of Satake
Nurseries.
Next on the agenda will be the annual El Camino Heritage Golf Tournament
at Half Moon Bay Golf Links on October 24. There is something for everyone
at this fabulously fun fundraiser that benefits heart and vascular care at
El Camino Hospital. Please join us and continue imagining all we can do
together.
Norma J. Melchor
Imagine all we can do together.
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R E L C A M I N O H O S P I T A L
Pamela and Edward Taft: Visionary Philanthropists
PAMELA AND EDWARD TAFTS’ WILLINGNESS TO
MAKE THE FIRST CHALLENGE GIFT to El Camino
Hospital Foundation’s inaugural Sapphire Soirée is
characteristic of their approach to philanthropy. They
enthusiastically embrace creative approaches to
fundraising for worthwhile programs, with the hope
and expectation that their
leadership will inspire others
to follow.
“We felt it was important to
make a statement about how
much we value and believe
in the El Camino Hospital
Cancer Center,” Pamela
said. “We were delighted
to see that our contribution
really got the ball rolling,
motivating others to step up,
too.”
The challenge gift was the
latest of many significant
donations that the Tafts have
made to El Camino Hospital
over the past six years.
Edward and Pamela Taft
In 2005, they became lead donors to the Imagine
Campaign, pledging $1 million to fund programs and
services on the new hospital campus that was soon to be
built in Mountain View. At the time, the patient tower
existed only on blueprints and in imaginations. Their
gift launched the successful campaign, which raised $25
million in four years.
The following year they funded an electronic medical
records system for the RotaCare Clinic, which provides
free medical services to uninsured and disadvantaged
patients. The new technology expedites referrals of
patients to outside medical specialists and enables clinic
staff to more easily track each patient’s medical history.
The Tafts also embraced El Camino Hospital’s palliative
care program, which provides expert pain management
and comfort to seriously ill patients. Their gift enabled
the hospital to hire the program’s first medical director
and to expand the number of patients who benefit from
the crucial service.
This spring, the Tafts made one
of the largest gifts in El Camino
Hospital’s history, $4 million
to establish the Taft Center for
Clinical Research at the Fogarty
Institute for Innovation. The new
center will provide the resources
and infrastructure that innovators need to develop advances in
health care, benefiting not just
our own community but patients
worldwide.
In addition, the Center will
manage the hospital’s clinical
trials program and will give the
community access to the most
advanced treatments for heart
disease, cancer, and other illnesses based on the latest findings from clinical research
and patient studies.
“We felt that creating a clinical research center was the
best way to leverage our support on behalf of two great
institutions, El Camino Hospital and the Fogarty Institute
for Innovation, and improve connections between them,”
Ed explained.
The Tafts’ philanthropy extends beyond El Camino Hospital. They generously support a wide range of institutions
across the country and abroad, including the New England
Aquarium in Boston, the Computer History Museum in
Mountain View, St. Mark’s School in Southborough, Massachusetts, and Zamorano University in Honduras.
“We felt that creating a clinical research center was the best way to leverage our support on behalf of two great
institutions, El Camino Hospital and the Fogarty Institute for Innovation and improve connections between
them.” - Edward Taft
3
Bernis and Larry Kretchmar, MD, gala chairs
Kenny Loggins
Sapphire Soirée Raises Record
Funds for Cancer Center
Continued from page 1
movingly described her battle with the disease and her experience
at El Camino Hospital. Sapphire Soirée Honorary Chairs Pamela and
Edward Taft then stunned the audience with the announcement that
they were making a $250,000 challenge gift to the Cancer Center
and hoped everyone present would help to match it. An exciting
appeal commenced. Surpassing the most optimistic expectation, the
audience gave far in excess of the challenge, ensuring that the Cancer
Center will have the funds it needs to establish a patient navigator
program on the Mountain View and Los Gatos campuses. Guests
celebrated the successful evening on the dance floor as they rocked to
the music of Kenny Loggins.
Lois and Bob Adams
“Our first annual gala Sapphire Soirée exceeded every expectation,”
said Bernis Kretchmar, who co-chaired the event with husband Larry.
“It was thrilling to see the level of support and enthusiasm and know
that the night’s results will help maintain world class care at our
extraordinary Cancer Center.”
“It was so much more than we anticipated given the economic
climate,” said Larry Kretchmar. “This community is proud of the
exceptional quality and innovation at El Camino Hospital, and they’ve
demonstrated their willingness to support its programs.”
Guests purchased glasses of blue champagne
for the chance to win a sapphire.
“Our first annual gala Sapphire Soirée exceeded every expectation,” said Bernis Kretchmar, who co-chaired the
event with husband Larry. “It was thrilling to see the level of support and enthusiasm and know that the night’s
results will help maintain world class care at our extraordinary Cancer Center.”
4
Imagine all we can do together.
Carol McClung picks the winner of the sapphire.
Marsha and Jon Witkin
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R E L C A M I N O H O S P I T A L
Ethel and Walter Herr
Claudia and Bill Coleman
Leanne and Steve Troy
Katie and Dr. Greg Morganroth
Gayla and Walt Wood
Judy and George Marcus
Maria Constantino-Roelandts and
Wim Roelandts
5
Anne Hambly made the winning bid on a
guitar autographed by Kenny Loggins.
Lindsey and Lane Melchor
Sapphire Soirée Challenge Appeal Funds Cancer
Patient Navigation Program
FUNDS RAISED BY THE SAPPHIRE SOIRÉE
CHALLENGE APPEAL are being used to launch a
patient navigation program for cancer patients on the
Mountain View and Los Gatos campuses.
practical help such as arranging transportation to and
from treatment, help with insurance and financial
issues, and function as a guide through the daunting
complexities of evaluating treatment options.”
A cancer diagnosis may involve complex decisions about
treatment options, numerous medical appointments,
and discussions with insurance companies, which all
must be negotiated while the patient is experiencing
physical pain, anxiety and exhaustion. Under the
auspices of this new program, specially trained case
managers will help patients and families thoughtfully
evaluate all treatment options, set up appointments,
coordinate communication and collaboration between
specialists, help with logistics, and answer questions
when the physician is not available. As a result, patients
will be able to focus their energy on getting well rather
than on coordinating the details of care.
“Second, they will work directly with physicians to ensure
that patients are appropriately referred to available
support services. That might include making sure that
patients’ tests and results are complete and available
to the physician, suggesting genetic testing for a breast
cancer patient, or helping identify clinical trials that
might be of benefit. “
“Patient navigators will enhance care in two ways,” says
Dr. Shyamali Singhal, medical director of El Camino
Hospital’s Cancer Center. “First, they’ll serve as patient
advocates, providing assistance to patients, survivors,
families, and caregivers to help them chart a course
through the healthcare system. They can provide
”Operating a world class cancer center involves a
balancing act,” says Dr. Shane Dormady, an oncologist
who practices at El Camino Hospital Cancer Center. “We
want to provide aggressive, multi-disciplinary treatment
using the most advanced technologies available, but we
can never lose sight of the fact that we are treating real
people. They have families, hopes and dreams. Providing
personalized support as they face the many challenges
of this disease is just as important as providing quality
medical care. This fundraising event has helped ensure
our ability to do that.”
“Providing personalized support as they face the many challenges of this disease is just as important as providing
quality medical care. This fundraising event has helped ensure our ability to do that.” - Dr. Shane Dormady
6
Imagine all we can do together.
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R E L C A M I N O H O S P I T A L
So far this year, the Foundation has allocated $364,350 to underwrite valuable services that would not otherwise be funded.
Your Donations at Work
UNRESTRICTED DONATIONS TO EL CAMINO HOSPITAL FOUNDATION FUND MANY WORTHWHILE
HOSPITAL PROGRAMS. So far this year, the Foundation
has allocated $364,350 to underwrite valuable services
that would not otherwise be funded.
The El Camino Hospital Auxiliary received $20,000 in
honor of its five million volunteer hour milestone. The
money will be used to fund scholarships for full time
students who are attending an accredited California college
or university and are pursuing degrees in health care
professions.
The RotaCare Clinic received $100,000 to underwrite
expanded services and the renovation of its facility. The
Clinic, which provides free medical care to disadvantaged
and uninsured residents of Silicon Valley, has seen demand
for its services grow dramatically and anticipates that its
patient load will increase 35% this year. This allocation
will help RotaCare accommodate a growing patient base,
including geographic expansion into the Los Gatos area. It
will fund the construction of new examination rooms that
meet current privacy standards. And it will underwrite
increased pediatric services and immunizations to
compensate for the decline of other community providers.
El Camino Hospital Los Gatos is now able to offer
spiritual care to patients, families and staff thanks to
funding from El Camino Hospital Foundation. Run by
Chaplain Maryellen Garnier (pictured above, center),
this program offers crisis intervention, spiritual
assessment, conflict resolution, end-of-life care, and
emotional support. In addition, the spiritual care
liaison educates staff about faith and cultural traditions
that impact clinical services and serves as an advocate
for patients and family members.
Funds from El Camino Hospital Foundation are also
helping to ensure continued high quality nursing care
at El Camino Hospital. The Nursing Research Council
received an allocation to expand implementation of
evidence-based practices, which will help the hospital
maintain Magnet status and support the achievement
of such goals as the reduction of medication errors and
of patient falls. The idea is that by empowering nurses
with the skills and knowledge to understand and engage
in nursing research, El Camino Hospital patients will
receive better care. The Foundation is also funding El
Camino Hospital’s participation in the NICHE program
to train nurses to better meet the special needs of
elderly patients.
The RotaCare Clinic, which provides free medical care to disadvantaged and uninsured residents of Silicon Valley,
has seen demand for its services grow dramatically and anticipates that its patient load will increase 35% this year.
7
Jane Gibson and friend
Tehila and Dr. Saul Eisenstat
Creative Expressions paintings on
glorious display
Glory in the Flower: Creative Expressions
Students Showcase Paintings
The artwork of Creative
Tehila lives every day by
Expressions students, all cancer
Picasso’s words, “Art washes
survivors, was on glorious
away from the soul the
display in the downstairs
debris of everyday life.”
concourse of the hospital
Sharing that outlet with
February 23 through March 2.
her students has become
Each artist painted a beautiful,
her passion and their joy.
colorful floral arrangement.
She was honored for her
The result was “Glory in the
devotion to her students
Flower,” a parade of artfully
at the Cancer Support
displayed canvases depicting
Community Silicon Valley
luscious bouquets of roses,
gala on March 3, where
daisies, and hydrangeas, among
she received a 2011 STAR
Tehila
Eisenstat
with
Creative
Expressions
students
other blooms, that were set in a
caregiver award.
variety of vases. Each painting
had at least one red flower, symbolic of love, which was
Creative Expressions, painting classes for cancer
especially appropriate during Valentine’s Day month.
survivors, is part of El Camino Hospital’s Healing Arts
program. Classes meet in the Park Pavilion twice a week,
At the exhibit’s opening reception on February 23, the
on Tuesday evenings from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. and
art students expressed their admiration for and gratitude
on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
toward their teacher Tehila Eisenstat, the professional
No painting experience is required. The class, funded by
artist who founded the Creative Expressions program.
donations to El Camino Hospital Foundation, is free of
“Thank you for bringing so much color and light to our
charge and all supplies are provided.
darker days,” Jennifer Ebrahimi, told her.
Students expressed their admiration for and gratitude toward their teacher Tehila Eisenstat, the professional
artist who founded the Creative Expressions program. “Thank you for bringing so much color and light to our
darker days,” Jennifer Ebrahimi, told her.
8
Imagine all we can do together.
Marilyn Spiegel, Mike Paioni,
Madeline Chaleff, Linda Yee and Gene Strom
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R E L C A M I N O H O S P I T A L
Bob Worcester, Vincent Reilly
and Sara Turner
Dan Haley, Betty Latta, Olivia Haley,
and Chuck Hebel
Legacy Society Luncheon Honors Donors
EL CAMINO HOSPITAL FOUNDATION
HOSTED ITS ANNUAL LEGACY SOCIETY
LUNCHEON AT THE MENLO CIRCUS CLUB
on June 7. Donors who have made planned gifts
to the Foundation, and members of the Planned
Giving Council who advise them, were feted and
thanked for their generous support.
Madeline Chaleff, director of gift planning
welcomed the guests, mentioning in particular
the new Legacy Society members in attendance.
Mike Paioni started the program on a high note,
singing a medley of beautiful love songs from a
bygone era. Guests then heard a brief update
of the hospital’s recent accomplishments
from Chief Nursing and Operating Officer
Diana Russell. She discussed the institution’s
impressive fiscal recovery and highlighted
several new programs that have been, or are
in the process of being launched, including
clinical trials, the Men’s Health Center and the
Rehabilitation Center in Los Gatos, and the
Center for CyberKnife and Radiosurgery, the
Senior Center, and a new treatment program for
patients with severe asthma in Mountain View.
Lunch concluded with a video montage
of historic and new hospital photos, an
acknowledgement of the hospital’s 50th
anniversary milestone.
Maggie Patch and Marla de Broekert
Ed and Jane Seaman
Marie Piozet and Bernard Meseth
Judie and Peter Wolken
9
Leanne Stanley and Margaret Capriles demonstrate how
to make delicious, homemade soups.
“Soupfest” took place at the home of H2H member Sherron Kalbach.
Hope to Health Mountain View Reaches
$250,000 Mark
ON FEBRUARY 15, HOPE TO HEALTH MEMBERS
GATHERED FOR A “SOUPFEST “AT THE HOME
OF SHERRON KALBACH during which they enjoyed
a cooking demonstration by Margaret Capriles and
Leanne Stanley and feasted on the delectable soups the
two women prepared. The organization’s 2010 grant
recipients gave a year-end report on the various ways
they used their H2H funding to improve the health of
women in our community.
Barbara Avery, executive director of the RotaCare Clinic,
told stories of the women who benefited from the chronic
illness case management program and from the blood
pressure cuffs they were able to take home to monitor
their hypertension. Women’s Hospital Executive
Director Michele Van Zuiden reported that 60 El Camino
Hospital staff members have signed up to participate in
the cardiovascular screening and therapeutic lifestyle
education pilot program for women at high risk of
cardiovascular disease. She also noted that 850 women
attended Day of Dance, the Women’s Hospital’s annual
heart health screening program.
In May, members attended a luncheon hosted by
Norma Melchor during which they presented checks
totaling $45,000 to their 2011
grantees. The recipients are the
Health Library and Resource
Center, which will use the funds
to promote the physical and
mental health of older adults
and to provide resources and
support for families involved in the care of aging parents;
the RotaCare Free Clinic for its gynecological services
program; the Women’s Hospital for a new Pelvic Health
Program; and the Stroke Center, for the development of a
new, multi-lingual stroke education program.
Members thanked outgoing president Donna Whitney
for her year of service, during which Hope to Health
celebrated reaching the $250,000 fundraising mark.
Incoming president Phyllis Dorricott, vice president Judie
Wolken, and secretary treasurer Peggy Dent began their
terms later in the month.
“Hope to Health has made impressive accomplishments
in just a few years,” says Development Director Lea
Morgan. “We look forward to further growth as we
continue to support women’s health services at El
Camino Hospital.”
Barbara Avery, executive director of the RotaCare Clinic, told stories of the women who benefited from the
chronic illness case management program and from the blood pressure cuffs they were able to take home to
monitor their hypertension.
10
Imagine all we can do together.
Women and heart health was the topic of
H2H Los Gatos’ program at Testarossa Winery.
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R E L C A M I N O H O S P I T A L
Susie Brenner and Marsha Witkin
Lauren Boyle and Linda Rodgers
Hope Blooms in Los Gatos
as H2H Expands
HOPE TO HEALTH LOS GATOS HELD I TS
INAUGURAL EVENT AT SUR L A TABLE on January
31. Twenty-five women sat around the table in the
demonstration kitchen and enjoyed a healthy cooking class
taught by the “Doctor Chef,” internist Julie Quakenbush.
Dr. Quakenbush, a graduate of Campbell’s Pacific Culinary
Institute, prepared vegetarian recipes centered on whole
grains, fruits and vegetables. During the class, she spoke
of the relationship between “what you eat and how you
feel,” sharing ideas the women could take home to
improve their families’ overall health.
Dr. Julie Quakenbush demonstrates healthy
cooking at Sur La Table in Los Gatos.
The theme of the group’s second event was women and
heart health. It took place at Testarossa Winery in Los
Gatos on May 19. Attendees enjoyed wine tasting, small
bites, and an informative presentation by Dr. Catherine
Collings on the distinct ways heart disease presents in
women as compared to men and what women need to do
to keep their hearts healthy as they age. She, of course,
recommended drinking red wine, which everyone enjoyed
throughout the evening.
Hope to Health Los Gatos now has 16 members and
eagerly anticipates reaching its membership goal of
20 by the end of the year.
A capacity crowd enjoyed Dr. Quakenbush’s
healthy cooking tips.
11
Standing up station at the Center
Beth Hobbs, Douglas and Barbara Broyles
Jim de Broekert and Barbara Olson
Vision in Progress Evening Introduces Los Gatos
Rehabilitation Center to Community Leaders
At a Vision in Progress evening on April 27, 50 community
leaders enjoyed the opportunity to tour and learn about El
Camino Hospital’s new, 30-bed rehabilitation center, which
is located on Dardanelli Lane in Los Gatos. Just down the
street from the hospital, the facility is one of only three in
the West Valley/San Jose area that provides comprehensive
treatment for patients suffering from neurological and
complex orthopedic disorders including stroke, brain injury,
multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord
injuries.
After enjoying a delicious wine and hors d’oeuvre reception
in the lobby of the beautifully refurbished building, Dr.
David Padgett, the center’s medical director, introduced
some of the members of his team, which includes doctors,
nurses, physical and occupational therapists, and social
workers. They work together, he explained, to keep patients
healthy as the patients regain lost skills.
Physiatrist Mario Giorgianni spoke of the team’s vision
for the continued development of the facility, particularly
the creation of a healing garden that will utilize “the great
outdoors of the campus.“ “Our dream is to take every bit
of available space and turn it into therapy space,” he said.
Just being outside is healing to patients, he explained. The
garden would have raised planters that patients could tend
without bending or kneeling. Its paths would give them the
chance to practice walking with a walker or ambulating a
wheel chair outdoors, in a real life environment.
12
The most dramatic presentation of the evening was by a
grateful patient, KJ, the father of four young children who,
in September 2010, had a hemorrhagic stroke that left him
paralyzed on the left side. After being treated at El Camino
Hospital he moved to the Rehabilitation Center to begin
physical, occupational and speech therapy. “Dr. Padgett
helped me realize this isn’t the end of the world and taught
me to make the best of the situation. The entire staff
treated me like family. They taught me the skills that allow
me to be me.” Seven and a half months after his stroke, KJ
became an outpatient, progressing from a wheel chair to
walking with a cane, eagerly anticipating driving and walking
cane free. “The rehab center allowed me to be a dad and a
husband again,” he gratefully concluded.
Following the presentations, guests were able to experience
various aspects of rehabilitation for themselves at
stations prepared and facilitated by Center staff. There
was a low vision station with glasses that helped the
wearer understand challenges caused by a range of
eyesight impairments; a self care station complete with
a specially equipped kitchen and tools to help patients
dress themselves; a “standing up station” with motorized
equipment that helps patients practice rising to standing
position from sitting in a wheelchair; and a wheelchair
obstacle course. The demonstrations gave guests an
opportunity to interact with members of the Rehabilitation
Center team, learn about the tools they use to rehabilitate
patients, and understand the challenges patients must
overcome on their way to recovery and self-sufficiency.
Imagine all we can do together.
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R E L C A M I N O H O S P I T A L
LAGCC 18 and 9 Hole Clubs Donate Funds
to El Camino Hospital Foundation
EVERY YEAR, MEMBERS OF LOS ALTOS GOLF
AND COUNTRY CLUB’S 18 HOLE CLUB AND 9
HOLE CLUB HOLD A FUNDRAISER LUNCHEON
TO BENEFIT A WORTHY ORGANIZATION. This
year, for the first time, they chose El Camino Hospital
Foundation to be their beneficiary, earmarking their
$5,000 gift to help fund El Camino Hospital’s new High
Risk Breast Clinic.
Dr. Jessie Jacob, El Camino Hospital’s director of breast
imaging and intervention, explained the purpose of
the program to club members at their luncheon on
April 21. “The High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic will help
to ensure that women who face a higher than average
risk of contracting breast cancer will be identified
early, which will dramatically improve their chances of
survival,” she told the group.
The clinic will provide all services in one place so that
women can get screened and, when necessary, referred for
follow-up care with the least stress possible. The center
will also offer genetic testing and counseling, preventative
services like tamoxifen when appropriate, and regular
surveillance using state-of-the-art technology such as
breast MRI and digital mammography. The overall goal is
to make women’s experience seamless, so that those who
are at highest risk can be monitored, counseled, diagnosed
and treated in one place by specially trained experts.
The event was organized by Chris Herzog, Barb Lessing and
Woon Lee, with support from 18 Hole Club president Jimi
Barnholt and members who are also friends of El Camino
Hospital Foundation, including Gunilla Follett, Dorothea
Gordon, Donna Whitney, and El Camino Hospital Chief
Nursing Officer Diana Russell. The gift was funded by the
individual donations of the clubs’ members.
“The High Risk Breast Cancer Clinic will help to ensure that women who face a higher than average risk of
contracting breast cancer will be identified early, which will dramatically improve their chances of survival,”
Dr. Jessie Jacob told the group.
13
New Office for
El Camino
Hospital
Foundation
El Camino Hospital Foundation
has moved. The new office is
located in the Park Pavilion, the
YMCA building on North Drive
across the street from the Willow
Pavilion. The space has been
beautifully refurbished and
visitors may enter from a new
entrance on North Drive.
Guests should continue to park
in the garage down the street at
the corner of Hospital and North
Drives or leave their cars with the
hospital valet.
While the office space is new, the
Foundation’s contact information
is staying the same. Staff phone
numbers have not changed and
mail can continue to be addressed
to 2500 Grant Road, Mountain
View, CA 94040.
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Welcome New Board Members
Russell J. Satake
Russ Satake is the president of Satake Nursery Inc., a family-owned and
operated business founded by his father on land purchased by the family
in 1941. The federal government required the family to leave California
during World War II and they relocated to Delta, Utah. When they
returned to California they sold the majority of the land to a developer and
established a wholesale nursery on the remaining six acres in 1955.
A graduate of UC Berkeley, Russ served on the board of the Peninsula
chapter of the California Association of Nurseries and Garden Centers
and is currently treasurer of the organization. He is a past president of
the Associated Bedding Plant Growers, a group of Northern California
wholesale nurseries, and recently joined the advisory committee for the
newly formed California Center for Urban Horticulture at UC Davis.
Russ currently serves as an advisor and consultant to Coyote Valley
Nursery, which is run by former employees who lease land in Morgan Hill
from the Satake family. He coaches high school and youth basketball and
is a tutor/mentor through the Partners for New Generations Program. He
and his wife Anita live in Los Altos.
Linda Heider
Linda Heider is a lifelong resident of Silicon
Valley and members of her family have been
patients at El Camino Hospital since it was first
built. Following a four-year stint as a civilian
recreation specialist for the United States Army
in Europe from 1967-1971, Linda became the
administrator of Stanford University’s Psychology
Department, responsible for managing a sixstory building, faculty, staff, graduate and
undergraduate students, a large operating
budget and many research grants. After retiring
in 1991 she became the president of the
Linda Heider
board of directors of the Woodgate Townhouse
Association. She joined the El Camino Hospital Auxiliary in 2001 and her
involvement rapidly spiraled. She staffed the information desk, served
on the Scholarship Committee, taught orientation, eventually becoming
vice president and then president of the organization. She now serves as
director of recruitment and placement. During her tenure as president,
Linda represented the Auxiliary on the Foundation board of directors. She
joined the Gala Committee at that time and continues to volunteer in
that capacity as well as at the golf tournament. A resident of Sunnyvale,
Linda’s other interests include travel, reading, music, movies and theater,
and landscape design.
Imagine all we can do together.
SAHC Executive Director Ashish Mathur with Sheetal
Singhal, Priya Dharan, Rita Sharma, and Sujatha Suresh
T H E C A M PA I G N F O R E L C A M I N O H O S P I T A L
Girish and Datta Shah
U.S. Rep. Mike Honda
Scarlet Night, an Affair of the Heart
Eight hundred people attended the South
Asian Heart Center’s third annual gala at
the San Jose Convention Center on March
12. The event raised more than $200,000,
which will be used to combat the high
incidence of coronary artery disease in the
South Asian population.
of the pioneering program. Spirited
bidding for five live auction items then
commenced. Priya Dharan made a
personal appeal to the audience to join the
Top Heart Club. Many raised their paddles
giving donations that ranged from $5,000
to $100. Everyone enjoyed a delicious
Indian buffet dinner.
As the evening commenced, the reception
area outside Ballroom A swirled with
The successful evening was planned by
women clad in elaborate, colorful saris,
a large committee of volunteers headed
accompanied by men in dark suits or
by Sheetal Singhal, Rita Sharma, Priya
Dr.
Anil
and
Sheetal
Singhal
more traditional formal attire. Purple, the
Dharan and Sujatha Suresh. “The work
thematic color of the night, predominated.
of the South Asian Heart Center is critical
Guests enjoyed poker and roulette in the casino, the first
to the health of the community,” says committee
fundraising activity of the evening, as they sipped wine
co-chair Sheetal Singhal. “The Center’s main goal is
and nibbled on delicious hors d’oeuvre.
to raise awareness in the South Asian and general
communities, especially among doctors who treat
Then the doors opened to the spectacularly decorated
South Asian patients. We are thrilled that so many
ballroom. Guests watched a video that featured moving
people came out to support us and raise the funds we
testimonials by grateful patients and impressive
need to sustain the program and reach out to more
information by the doctors who are at the forefront
people.”
Leave a legacy that keeps us all healthy
YOU’VE BEEN GENEROUS TO EL CAMINO HOSPITAL FOUNDATION for years. Why not consider a gift to the
Foundation that expresses your values within your estate plan. Your donation will help El Camino Hospital continue to
provide state-of-the-art health care to our community, now and in the future. It will ensure the hospital’s ongoing ability
to purchase the most advanced equipment and develop the leading-edge programs that make us an award-winning
institution. To learn about making a legacy gift to El Camino Hospital Foundation, contact Madeline Chaleff, director of gift
planning, at 650.962.4904, email [email protected] and ask for our brochure on planned giving.
15
F O R YO U R E Y E S O N LY
16 TH ANNUAL EL CAMINO HERITAGE GOLF TOURNAMENT
YOUR MARTINI WILL BE SHAKEN, NOT STIRRED
AT THE 16 TH ANNUAL EL CAMINO HERITAGE
GOLF TOURNAMENT ON OCTOBER 24 .
Join us at Half Moon Bay Golf Links and The Ritz Carlton, Half Moon
Bay, for a day of fun and celebration as we raise money for heart and
vascular care at El Camino Hospital.
The fabulous fundraiser offers something for everyone – golf on the
outstanding Ocean Course, a luxurious afternoon of pampering at
the Diamonds Are Forever Spa, or, new this year, an exciting License
to Kill casino experience complete with poker, blackjack, roulette,
craps, and even martini school. Everyone will join together for the
reception, celebration dinner and live auction at the end of the day.
Early arrivals can start the festivities on Sunday at the From Russia
With Love pre-golf dinner. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is offering highly
discounted rates to all participants who wish to stay overnight and
valet parking fees are waived this year.
Register online at www.regonline.com/elcaminogolf11
or contact Krys Fritz for more information at 650-988-7694,
[email protected].
EL C A M I N O H O S P I TA L
AND GOING STRONG
YEARS A half-century of forward thinking.