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1

Good Sports!EmployeesWeigh in

on the KeyQuestions

NFL Star, FreePhysicals are

a Big Hit

North WingTeamsEnjoy BBQ

Kaleo Schaefer, 10, a wide receiver with the Va-caville Junior Bulldogs, takes a selfie with Dallas Cowboys Safety Darian Thompson at NorthBay Sports Medicine’s first-ever free physicals program at the VacaValley Wellness Center Saturday, July 15. For a story and more photos, see Page 8. For more details and photos, visit NorthBay.org.

See SURVEY, Page 9

INSIDENew Hires 2Safety Saves 5 Subaru Donates 6 New Endocrinologist 6Father, Daughter Focus 7EBP Conference Nears 9Podiatrist Lectures Again 9

Do you feel respected by your fellow coworkers? Does your supervisor model professional behavior? Are you given the re-sources you need to do your job?

These are just a few of the questions that may appear on a future survey Human Resources is preparing, based on employee input.

The survey’s goal is to mea-sure employee engagement, according to Robert Armijo, em-ployee relations manager.

When employees are “en-gaged” — or feel involved in their workplaces — studies show they

Cooking up some camaraderie for North Wing employees and their families were (left to right) Darlene Capenhurst, Eliza-beth Scott Paulson, Jim Bollig and Jerry Wilcox. For more, see story Page 10 and 11.

Meet OurLatest

All Stars— Page 3

…Check My NorthBay, Your Employee Portal, for News in

Real Tim

e…07.17.19

2

TO REMEMBERDATES

IN THE NEWSPEOPLE

LETTERS

DATES

PEOPLE

NEW FACESWELCOMEWELCOME

LETTERS

Kelcie ArrazolaPatient Services Rep.Ambulatory Float PoolHilborn Administration Center

Myrna AsberryEnterprise Information ManagementInformation TechnologyGreen Valley Administration Center

Jason BonifacioCommunications AmbassadorNorthBay Medical Center

DeAnna BreedingCertified Nurse Assistant1-West, VacaValley Hospital

Jessa Carmelle ChattoClinical Nurse II, 1-West, VacaValley Hospital

Marisa CortezCertified Nurse AssistantUnit 1600, NorthBay Medical Center

Maryann DayritSurgical TechnologistSurgeryNorthBay Medical Center

Glorymar DortaPrimary Care Health CoordinatorAmbulatory Float PoolGreen Valley Administration Center

RaeAnna GibbonsPatient Access Ambassador IAdmitting, NorthBay Medical Center

Latwanya GiltonCertified Phlebotomy Tech. IClinical LaboratoryNorthBay Medical Center

Amanda HaraMedical AssistantAmbulatory Float PoolHilborn Administration Center

Sandra KleinInterim ManagerQuality AdministrationHilborn Administration Center

Dalauna KnoxNutrition Associate IVacaValley Hospital

Kayla LawsonPatient Access Ambassador IAdmitting, NorthBay Medical Center

Patty LaxamanaClinical Lab Scientist IIClinical LaboratoryVacaValley Hospital

Jeanine Leoncio-BacaniClinical Nurse IIUnit 1600, NorthBay Medical Center

Jennifer LunaPatient Services Rep.Ambulatory Float PoolHilborn Administration Center

Gina MartinEmergency Room TechnicianNorthBay Medical Center

Gladys MillerClinical Nurse IIUnit 1600, NorthBay Medical Center

Craig PannellEmergency Room TechnicianNorthBay Medical Center

Gerardo PerezNutrition Associate IVacaValley Hospital

Karen Anne RamosClinical Laboratory Scientist IINorthBay Medical Center

Emma RicheySurgical Support SpecialistAmbulatory Surgery Center

Nkau SaeteurnSupervisor, Patient Financial Patient AccountingGreen Valley Administration Center

Allan Louise SalazarPhysical Therapist, NorthBay Medical Center

Claise Zanarae SantosClinical Nurse IIUnit 1800, NorthBay Medical Center

Josephine SecrestTelephone Triage Registered NurseCall CenterHilborn Administration Center

Meghan SilvaCertified Phlebotomy Tech. Ambulatory Float PoolHilborn Administration Center

Jasmine SouzaNutrition Associate INorthBay Medical Center

Brianna TankersleyCertified Phlebotomy Tech. INorthBay Medical Center

Lauren UnderwoodPatient Services Rep.Ambulatory Float PoolHilborn Administration Center

Flordeliza UngabClinical Nurse II1-West, VacaValley Hospital

Vanessa VigoPatient Account Rep. I Green Valley Administration Center

Matthew WhiteClinical Nurse IIIntensive Care UnitNorthBay Medical Center

Amanda WilsonMedical AssistantOccupational HealthHilborn Administration Center

Charles YunPharmacy Intern, NorthBay Medical Center

Elmira ZamanpourPharmacy ResidentNorthBay Medical Center

3

All StarsShine in

ThirdQuarter

Seth Barger (holding All Star certificate) is congratulated by Cath Lab team mates (back row) Chelsea Steffen, Erik Benson, Vivian McGrath and Jimmy Olvera and (front row) Marites Cepeda, Leonora Canlobo, Kim Williamson, Anita Clifford, Shelly Navarro, Teri Bartoli and Mary Gonzalez.

Seth Barger, Anabelle Canty, Robin Miller and Alan Morales have been named to NorthBay Healthcare’s third quarter All-Star team for 2019.

Seth is a Clinical Nurse III in Cardiac Catheterization at North-Bay Medical Center. He has been with NorthBay since 2014. His co-workers told the All Star Com-mittee that he has taken on the responsibility of site management for post procedures and that he provides education to the depart-ment as well as other colleagues throughout NorthBay. They added that he instills trust with the physicians by offering advice and has assisted many times in the operating room as the expert from the cath lab, helping to im-prove the outcome for patients.

His colleagues describe him

as the “go-to” person for the growing interventional radiology program and said he is very ap-proachable and willing to help out whenever needed, never com-plains and always has a smile on his face.

His coworkers also noted that he is also currently working full time, going to school full time to get his bachelor’s degree and raising two teenagers yet still is willing to pick up extra shifts. They noted that he “exudes con-

fidence” with everything he does.Anabelle is an occupational

therapist in Outpatient Therapy at the Vacaville Wellness Cen-ter. She has been with NorthBay since 2012. Her colleagues called her an “amazing role model and advocate for the occupational therapy department.”

Her co-workers told the All Star Committee that Anabelle started in the inpatient therapy department as the only inpatient therapist treating adults and has helped build the program by promoting and advocating the services to doctors, nurses and the case managers. The program has now grown to five inpatient therapists, and continues to grow. They also noted that she assisted in building the docu-mentation template for inpatient occupational therapy and is now assisting with the outpatient electronic documentation build.

Anabelle’s willingness to float from outpatient to inpatient

Anabelle Canty (second from right) is con-gratulated by

Jim Andersen, vice president

of Human Resources;

Darshna Upad-hyaya, Rehabil-itation Services supervisor; and Keiko Sargent,

director of Musculoskeletal

Health Ser-vices.

See ALL STARS, Page 4

4

All Stars ...(From Page 3)

therapy to assist others when the case load is too large is also ap-preciated by her colleagues who said she is always willing to “edu-cate and mentor new employees and countless students.”

Robin is a Social Media/Online Specialist in Public Relations at Green Valley Administration Cen-ter, and has been with NorthBay Healthcare since 2015.

Robin’s co-workers told the All Star Committee that she has made it her personal mission to actively and positively promote NorthBay’s reputation on social media, with unrivaled zest and vigor. She is fiercely protective and determined to have any and all unfair negative comments removed. Her co-workers went on to say that she scours count-less social media sites searching for negative comments or posts, immediately contacts the posting party and offers to connect them with a resource within NorthBay who can help improve their pa-tient experience. She also puts in the time to research negative re-views to prove they are fake. Her dogged determination saved a provider’s social media reputation with her unwavering efforts. She considers it a personal success

when the posting party offers to take down their post or write a positive comment about the out-come. This relentless effort has rightfully earned her the reputa-tion of “Yelp Slayer” for righting social media wrongs. Anyone who is active on social media also knows that she is the “hostess with the mostest” on #OurDoc-Talk featuring our providers.

Robin’s co-workers also said that she is a wonderful writer who has contributed many stories to FYI, Wellspring and for local publications. She is an award-winning Toastmaster, compet-ing at the regional levels, and is currently serving as the publicity chair for NorthBay Toastmasters

All Star Alan Morales is con-

gratulated by (left to right) Greg Duncan, assistant vice

president, Facil-ities; Laquette

Leech, Environ-mental Services

supervisor; Sean Zort-

man, director, Environment of Care; and Jim

Andersen, vice president, Hu-

man Resources.

group. She enthusiastically and willingly devotes time to projects and people. “She makes it fun to come to work and tackle proj-ects, an All Star in every way!”

Alan is an Environmental Ser-vices aide at VacaValley Hospital who has been with NorthBay since 2008.

His co-workers describe him as an “efficient, amazing and ef-fective” EVS employee who keeps 1 West and 2 West shining. They added that during code capacity he never slowed down, continu-ing to turn rooms around in a fast and efficient manner.

In addition, his colleagues told the All Star committee that he never complains, always has a smile on his face and takes the initiative to remind them when learning modules are due to be completed, striving to maintain a positive working relationship with everyone.

They also said he has taken on a very important mission and actively works on ending the stigma and educating the com-munity about the challenges and rewards of parenting a child with special needs, concluding that he is undoubtedly an All Star.

All Star Robin Miller is congratulated by (left to right) Executive Assistant Sylvia Spanos, Vice President of Public Affairs Steve Huddleston, husband Matt Miller, Director of Public Relations Diane Barney and Public Relations Specialist Sally Wyatt.

5

HonoringOur Safety

Savers

Meet NorthBay’s Latest #HealthTipTuesday Winner

NorthBay Healthcare’s Safety Saves program continues to see success with presentations to employees who have taken ac-tions to improve safety for pa-tients.

Four staff members — all from obstetrics and delivery — were recently honored with presenta-tions including:

Abbie Hoag, R.N., who identi-fied a non-fitting suction adaptor to engineering for re-pair and moved the patient until it could be fixed;

Rachel Ehlers, R.N., who noticed and changed an IV pump that was pro-grammed incorrectly, preventing possible medication error;

Sarena Maligaya, R.N., who performed a timely telephone triage to help guide a patient and pre-vent delay in needed urgent care; and

Susan Pack, R.N., who noticed a co-deine-allergic patient

without a band, and added one

to help prevent a potential medi-cation reaction.

Scott Dawson, patient safety coordinator, said additional staff members throughout NorthBay are also being recognized for their Safety Saves submissions.

Plans call for recognizing one staff member at each monthly High Reliability Organization meeting, Scott said.

Amy Ciraulo, R.N., a clinical nurse leader in obstetrics at NorthBay is the June winner of the #HealthTipTuesday drawing for a $50 Amazon gift card. Amy posted a comment on NorthBay’s #HealthTipTuesday Facebook post in June and was automatically entered in the monthly drawing. You could be the July winner. Comment on and share the weekly #HealthTipTuesday posts and you will be automatically entered in our monthly drawing. Comment. Share. Win!

Scott Dawson, patient safety coordinator, (left) congratu-lates a four-some of Safety Saves winners from Labor & Delivery, (left to right) Sarena Maligaya, Rachel Ehlers, Susan Pack and Abbie Hoag.

6

Physician Joins Center for Diabetes & Endocrinology

Subaru of Fairfield once again teamed up with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society to spread some love, hope and warmth to NorthBay Cancer Center patients, by donating dozens of blankets for patients and arts and craft kits for their families.

This is the third time the local dealership has delivered blan-kets, activity kits and messages of hope. The messages were penned by Subaru customers who visited the dealership during the past several months.

“We feel so fortunate that we are supported by Subaru in this way, and are able to make this kind of donation,” said Heather Graham, controller at the local

Subaru Donates Comfort

for Patients

dealership. “We set out the blankets

before our new infusion patients come in for treatment,” explained Magi Philpot, licensed clinical social worker for the NorthBay Cancer Center. “The patients love them and they provide a sense of

comfort during a difficult time.”“The children who come to

wait while their family members are having treatment love these arts and craft kits,” added Louise Henry, clinical practice manager, Oncology. “This donation means a lot to all of us.”

Cancer Center team members (left to right) Louise Henry, Cassie Marquez, Bea Castro and Magi Philpot accept donations from Subaru’s Heather Graham and Dawn Bell of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

NorthBay Healthcare recently welcomed endocrinologist John McKenna, M.D., to the NorthBay Center for Diabetes & Endocrinol-ogy.

Dr. McKenna earned his medi-cal degree at University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston and is board-certified in internal medicine as well as endocrinol-ogy, diabetes and metabolism.

A native of Montana, he served in the U.S. Air Force in

the late 1990s and since then has worked as an endocrinologist in Utah, Montana and Roseville.

He said he has a pas-sion for caring for his patients.

“I like talking to my patients. I find I get as much out of it as hope-fully they get from me,” he said.

“My style of medicine involves

being an educator. Most of what I do is teach people about what their disease is and how they are going to take care of it. At the end of the day I can’t be there to help my diabetic patients choose the right food and exercise and take their medicines properly.

I have to teach them how to do those things for themselves.”

John McKenna, M.D.

7

Technology and medicine are working hand-in-hand at North-Bay Healthcare to help heart failure patients avoid readmis-sions. Just ask cardiologist Milind Dhond, M.D., and his daughter, Maya.

Maya, a Davis High School junior, and Aedan Enriquez, a freshman at U.C. Berkeley, were both involved in research projects at NorthBay over the summer and winter breaks that showed the success of a pilot project involving 30 patients using a new digitally based monitoring system called Kencor for patients with congestive heart failure.

“Maya collected all of the data and analyzed it and I was amazed. It looked like there was a big reduction in readmissions so I told her to do what is called a T-test, to look at the statistics,” Dr. Dhond said. “She did all of that and it showed a 40 percent reduction.”

Heart failure occurs when the heart muscle doesn’t pump blood as well as it should. Certain con-ditions, such as narrowed arter-ies in the heart (coronary artery disease) or high blood pressure, gradually leave the heart too weak or stiff to fill and pump efficiently. It is characterized by shortness of breath, fatigue and weakness, swelling of the legs, ankles and feet, and belly swell-ing, among other symptoms. The health care costs associated with the disease exceed $30 billion annually in the United States.

Reducing readmissions is vital, cardiac experts agree.

Through Kencor, a mobile ap-plication is uploaded to a pa-tient’s smart phone. The app is Bluetooth connected to a digital scale and blood pressure cuff. Each morning the patient opens the app on their phone, steps on the scale and takes their blood pressure. The data is collected and transmitted back to North-Bay’s congestive heart failure clinic where caregivers can review it and reach out to the patient, if changes in their care plan are needed.

Both Maya and Aedan’s re-search papers were presented at the American Federation of Medical Research National meet-ing in Philadelphia in March and both were published in the April edition of the Journal of Investi-gative Medicine.

In addition, Maya accompa-nied her dad to the meeting and did an oral presentation that was selected as the winner of the best research abstract for the meeting.

Dr. Dhond is rightfully proud of his daughter, and supervised the research, signing on as the senior author of the paper.

“Maya collected all of the data and analyzed it and I was amazed,” he said. “But Maya is one of those people who is self-driven and that is the key to suc-cess in all of your life.”

Maya’s mother, Theresa Whit-ley, M.D., is a physician at the NorthBay Center for Primary Care in Vacaville, and also justly proud of her daughter’s achievement. “I am not surprised that she won that honor, as she always gives whatever it takes to do a good job,” she said.

Technology Keeps Patients on TrackFather, Daughter Share Focus

Milind Dhond, M.D., (left) with daughter, Maya Dhond, and U.C. Berkeley freshman Aedan Enriquez, pose for a photo with a display of their research.

8

Free Physicals a Hit with Sports CommunityNorthBay Sports Medicine

scored a homerun Saturday, July 13, with a special day of free sports physicals at the VacaValley Wellness Center.

“This is just great,” said Fair-field High School football coach Matsu Matsukado. “We really appreciate everything NorthBay is doing for our students, and it’s also a great opportunity to get the coaches together.”

The clinical teams — includ-ing seven providers — saw more than 100 students between 8 a.m. and 3 p.m.

Vallejo High School Coach Michael Wilson brought more than a dozen of his players. A

highlight of the event was the op-portunity to meet and get a photo-graph with Darian Thompson, safety for the Dallas Cowboys. Darian, son

of orthopedic tech Shannon Thompson, said he was happy to do it. See My NorthBay for more.

The NorthBay Sports Medicine team (above) gathers around Dallas Cowboy’s safety Darian Thompson to celebrate a successful first event. Orthopedic surgeon Neil Pathare, M.D., (at right) checks out brothers Nathan and Justin Biggs.

The provider team (left to right) included Neil Pathare, M.D., Robert Peterson, M.D., Angela Brennan, M.D., Elizabeth Milne, P.A., Michael Ginsberg, M.D., Kevin Miller, D.P.M., and Jo-seph Mashinchi, P.A. NFL Cowboy Darian Thompson (at right) signs a fan’s car.

Football players from Vallejo High School showed up with their coaches to complete their physical requirement.

9

Employees at North-Bay Medical Center took a moment to vote for questions they’d like to see on an upcoming survey.

Survey ... (From Page 1)

Early bird pricing is still avail-able for NorthBay Healthcare’s 6th Annual Evidence-Based Practice and Nursing Research Conference.

The conference is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 23, at NorthBay Healthcare’s Green Valley Admin-istration Center.

It is open to all healthcare professionals who are interested in exploring the challenge of delivering evidence-based care and attempting to keep pace with the latest recommendations for excellence in clinical practice.

This year’s keynote speaker is Dr. Sharon Tucker, Ph.D., R.N., director of the Translational/Implementation Research Core for the Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for Evidence-Based Practice at Ohio State University.

Conference participants will learn strategies to translate evidence into practice and have an opportunity to discuss a wide variety of clinical issues that will be presented.

The goal, say organizers, is to come away with a better under-standing of how implementation practices can impact patient care and clinical outcomes.

Early bird special pricing is $75 (20 percent savings for NorthBay employees). Student pricing is $45.

Visit www.NorthBay.org/con-ference for additional information or to register for the conference.

Early BirdDeals Still

Available forConference

Achy joints, tender toes and painful arches can all affect how we go about our activities of daily living. What’s the prognosis for people who have foot and ankle pain?

Kevin Miller, D.P.M., NorthBay Healthcare podiatrist, discusses what can be done to help people on July 25 at Green Valley Adminis-tration Center, Room No. 154 in Fairfield.

Registration is at 9:30 a.m., followed by a lecture from 10 to 11 a.m. Another presentation is from 10:30 a.m. to noon on Sept. 18 at NorthBay VacaValley Wellness Center, 1020 Nut Tree Road. Reservations are requested at www.NorthBay.org/Footpain or (707) 301-4062.

Podiatrist Plans Another Lecture

are typically happier, not just at work but overall, noted Robert. “When staff are engaged, it infuses everything they do with

purpose, energy and enthusiasm,” he said, “and studies have shown it also reduces staff turnover, improves productivity and ef-ficiency, and retains patients at a higher rate.”

Human Resources invited employees to get involved in the pro-cess earlier this month, by encouraging them to visit one of four forums where they could vote for the top five questions they’d like to see on the next survey, out of 23 possible ones.

“Those who stopped by seemed appreciative that we were ask-ing for input. Now we’re going to tally up the votes and incorpo-rate those top questions into the survey that we plan to distribute in October,” according to Tina Jackson, director, Human Resources.

Past surveys — particularly those for Great Place to Work — created changes for the better, Bob noted, including improved parking lot lighting, increased security, more convenient café hours, and some additional benefits.

“However, this year’s survey is different from the Great Place to Work surveys from years past,” he noted. “This one will be short and to the point, focusing solely on employee engagement. Our goal will be to understand what we are doing well, and what we need to do to improve.”

10

See WING, Page 11

North WingOpens for Families

Wearing specially designed “The North Wing Tour” shirts, dozens of em-ployees from the various departments that will work in the new building were

Surgery’s Adam Jensen, R.N., (left) brought his wife and three daughters to explore where he works, and two of them (above) hammed it up while check-ing out Central Sterile’s shiny new racks.

Surgery’s Chris Johnson, R.N., (right, in photo at left) explains how advanced the equipment is in the hybrid operating room to a group of visi-tors. Nel De Guia, R.N., (below, left) invites a group in to see how 2 North’s new patient rooms are set up, with equip-ment that includes lifts above all beds and showers in every room.

11

Wing ... (From Page 10)

Clockwise from top left, Andrea Francis, R.N., (center) proudly invites visitors to explore the PACU, while Farzaneh Rezapour, R.N., (above) happily greets co-worker Michael Richerson, surgical tech. Proud mom Aimee Brewer captures a photo of her son, Aiden, as he prepares for surgery (below), while it was all grins for (far left) 2 North’s Janae Lawson, R.N., son Ashley, and Kelly Gee, R.N., following their tour.

invited to bring their families and check out all the bright, gleam-ing spaces. Tour guides from 2 North, Central Sterile, Surgery and Diagnostic Imaging were on hand to explain all the bells and whistles to be found in each of their departments.

Central Sterile, for example, is

typically a place were few outside the department venture, but on this day guides explained how much larger the new space is compared to their old one, and how state-of-the-art equipment will make their jobs much easier.

Up in surgery, children were invited to wear masks, gloves and caps before entering surgery and then given lollipops on their way out. Hot dogs, chips and beverages awaited when their tours were done.

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TO REMEMBERDATES

IN THE NEWSPEOPLE

LETTERS

DATES

PEOPLE

NEW FACESWELCOMEWELCOME

LETTERS

07.19.19 NorthBay Guild Golf Classic, Eagle Vines07.27.18 NorthBay Day at the Ballpark, Raley Field08.06.19 Day-in-the-Life Drill, North Wing, NorthBay Medical Center, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.08.06.19 Retirement Plan Meeting, GVAC Room 16008.07.19 Retirement Plan Meeting, VacaValley Health Plaza, Suite 29008.09.19 Retirement Plan Meeting, NorthBay Health Plaza, Suite 20408.13.19 Disaster Day Drill, North Wing, NorthBay Medical Center08.20.19 Day-in-the-Life Drill #2, NorthBay Medical Center

If it’s summer, it’s time for baseball and North-Bay’s Activities Committee has a game for you and your family.

NorthBay Healthcare’s Day at the Ball Park is set for July 27 at Raley Field in Sacramento. The River Cats play the Tacoma Rainiers in this game that gets under way at 7:05 p.m. A fireworks show follows the game.

Discounted tickets are $10 each, with a limit of five. All employees, Guild volunteers, physicians, contracted employees and family members are wel-come to participate. Wear your NorthBay blue and come enjoy a fun evening! Look for places and times to purchase tickets now posted on ShareSpace.

Get River Cat Tickets for NorthBay Day

NorthBay Medical Center has received the American College of Cardiology’s NCDR Chest Pain — MI Registry Gold Performance Achievement Award for 2019. It is one of only 30 hospitals na-tionwide to receive the honor.

This marks the sixth year for the Fairfield hospital to be hon-ored with this award. It recog-nizes NorthBay’s commitment and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that the hospital has reached an ag-gressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guide-lines and recommendations.

To receive the award, North-Bay had to demonstrate sus-tained achievement in the Chest Pain — MI Registry for eight consecutive quarters and perform at the top level of standards for specific performance measures. Full participation in the registry engages hospitals in a robust quality improvement process us-ing data to drive improvements in adherence to guideline recom-mendations and overall quality

Hospital Earns Gold Chest Pain Award

of care provided to heart attack patients.

“As a Gold Performance Award recipient, NorthBay Medical Center has established itself as a leader in setting the national standard for improving quality of care in patients with acute myo-cardial infarction,” said Michael C. Kontos, M.D., chair of the NCDR Chest Pain – MI Registry Steer-ing Subcommittee. “By meeting the award requirements set forth in the registry, NorthBay has demonstrated a commitment to providing reliable, comprehen-sive treatment for heart attack patients based on current clinical guideline recommendations.”

“It takes a highly trained and cohesive team to provide optimal care for heart attack patients,” said NorthBay Healthcare Presi-

dent and CEO Konard Jones. “We are pleased that our hard work in delivering life-saving care is rec-ognized with this award, which is also a testament to our mission to provide compassionate care and advanced medicine, close to home.”

“This is a great honor and tan-gible evidence of the hard work and commitment of our entire Heart & Vascular team to deliver the highest quality in cardio-vascular care to our patients,” noted NorthBay Healthcare Group President Aimee Brewer.

“It is a great achievement and a prodigious way to show patients and their families the strides we are making in provid-ing quality care,” added Justin Hovey, Cardiovascular Patient Care Program Manager.

The Center for Disease Con-trol estimates that more than 700,000 Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Treat-ment guidelines include admin-istering aspirin upon arrival and discharge, timely restoration of blood flow to the blocked artery, smoking cessation counseling and cardiac rehabilitation, among others.