SCV Wellness Foundation holiday gala recognizes SPH nurses, Auxiliary

December 12, 2007
Santa Paula News

The Marriott at Ventura Beach was the scene of the 2nd annual Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation (SCVWF) holiday gala to support Santa Paula Hospital (SPH), a party that drew supporters from throughout the county.

By Peggy KellySanta Paula TimesThe Marriott at Ventura Beach was the scene of the 2nd annual Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation (SCVWF) holiday gala to support Santa Paula Hospital (SPH), a party that drew supporters from throughout the county. Co-sponsored and hosted by Limoneira Co. - the Adams Preserve and Santa Paula Times were Sapphire Sponsors, along with other jewels of generosity - the gala celebrated the contributions of SPH nurses as well as the former Santa Paula Memorial Hospital Auxiliary Pink Ladies.The Auxiliary recently contributed $30,000 to the SCVWF, which offers equipment support to Santa Paula Hospital, now a campus of the Ventura County Medical Center. The Pink Ladies donation by the renamed Santa Clara Valley Healthcare also seeded the hospital’s Alan M. Peterson Scholarship Fund.The Wellness Foundation is at the forefront of healthcare initiatives that impact the communities of Santa Paula, Fillmore and Piru.Limoneira Board President Alan Teague welcomed the crowd, noting, “Your participation is very much appreciated.” Teague said he had a written message from Dr. Sam Edwards, father of Limoneira Co. President/CEO Harold Edwards.Known affectionately as Dr. Sam, Edwards was instrumental in the reopening of the hospital in July 2006, after it had been shuttered and bankruptcy declared in December 2003. “I’m so grateful, without the staff and physicians none of this would have been possible,” wrote Dr. Sam. “Cheers” to the SCVWF for their dedication. And, he cautioned, “Never take our Hospital on the Hill for granted.”
“Tonight we honor the nursing staff at Santa Paula Hospital,” which will benefit from a refurnished lounge, courtesy of the SCVWF, said Board President Martha Gentry. The lounge is where nurses “can relax, recharge” and reflect on their service to the ill.Gentry also thanked Limoneira for their $10,000 Title Sponsor donation, and the former Auxiliary Pink Ladies for their gift and dedication to the then-Santa Paula Memorial Hospital. Former SPMH Auxiliary members were asked to stand as Gentry noted, “This group of women volunteered from the very beginning to the closure” of SPMH, not only staffing the Pink Parasol Gift Shop, but also creating handmade items greatly appreciated by patients.The Auxiliary received rousing applause, as did SPH nurses for their healthcare contributions when they were asked to rise.Harold Edwards noted that his father, Dr. Sam, was “so dedicated to this cause.”“The support has been so wonderful and important,” said Supervisor Kathy Long, but “to keep our doors open people must know that” services include everything from simple surgeries to orthopedic care. “It’s great that people are increasingly using Santa Paula Hospital for tests, but it has so much more to offer,” she noted. “It is a top rate facility in a wonderful setting,” offering magnificent views of the Santa Clara River Valley.



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