A new 2007 agreement between the Sequoia Healthcare District and Catholic Health Care West, gave the community's healthcare programs and services a facelift. Initiatives include upgrading and expanding the capabilities of Sequoia Hospital, the HeartSafe program, community grants, a nursing education partnership, and free medical clinics.
The community grants are often directed at long term needs. In one example, as part of the Heartsafe Program, Sequoia Healthcare purchased $350,000 worth of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) and distributed them throughout the community. In a coordinated outreach effort, they are training the public to use these devices. Another long term need in the community is trained nurses. The Sequoia Healthcare District now provides funding for a unique collaboration between Canada College, San Francisco State University (SFSU), and Sequoia Hospital. Canada College provides a classroom setting for lower level coursework, SFSU provides the upper level coursework and degree, the District provides a forgivable loan, and the hospital provides training opportunities for students. This innovate partnership is a model for other communities as they face a critical shortage of nurses. The American Hospital Association recognized this program as a case example of a successful approach to workforce development challenges.
Take Action:- Visit www.nursing.sfsu.edu to learn more about becoming a nurse.
- Visit www.smcchi.org to learn more about affordable child healthcare and www.samaritanhouse.com to learn about free clinics.
- To learn more about obtaining an AED for your organization, visit http://sequoiahealthcaredistrict.com/ or contact Pamela Kurtzman, Sequoia Healthcare District's HeartSafe Program Coordinator, at (650) 367-5940.
- Resource Directory:
- Samaritan House
- Sequoia Healthcare District
- Samaritan House
Pic: http://sequoiahealthcaredistrict.com/nursing.html
