current article | news archive
Alameda Hospital and Shoe Charity Partner for Haiti Relief
Alameda residents are invited to recycle their “gently worn” shoes for people in Haiti
ALAMEDA, Calif., February 1, 2010 — Alameda Hospital and shoe charity, Soles4Souls, have joined forces to bring shoes to victims of the devastating earthquake in Haiti.
During the month of February, Alameda Hospital will help collect footwear to support Soles4Souls’ Project Haiti and their commitment to donate more than 1 million pairs of shoes to affected areas. Alameda residents will have the opportunity to drop off a gently worn pair of shoes at Alameda Hospital’s Main Lobby. All donations will directly support relief efforts as part of Project Haiti, a grassroots campaign to engage the general public in collecting gently worn footwear for earthquake victims of the Western Hemisphere’s poorest country.
Soles4Souls has partnered with other organizations on the ground in Haiti to transport and distribute the aid. More than 30,000 pairs of shoes, including work boots, rain boots, and children’s athletic shoes have already been distributed in the devastated area.
“We see this as an opportunity to help our community respond to a crisis in the world that has gripped all of our attention and empathy”, said Alameda Hospital CEO, Deborah Stebbins. “Soles4Souls is making a huge impact around the world and we saw this as an opportunity for our community to partner to give to others at a time of real need.”
“As we struggle to comprehend the magnitude of this disaster, we cannot forget how important basic necessities – such as shoes – will be in the ongoing rescue and rebuilding efforts,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. “We deeply appreciate the support of Alameda Hospital in helping us provide shoes to survivors and volunteers as they work in horrific conditions.”
For more information about the Alameda Hospital Community Shoe Drive, visit www.alamedahospital.org, or call (510) 814-4362. For more information about Soles4Souls, visit www.soles4souls.org.
City of Alameda Health Care District Board Member Leah Williams
ALAMEDA, Calif., December 11, 2009 —
The City of Alameda Health Care District Board of Directors unanimously appointed Ms. Leah D. Williams to the Board of Directors. The appointment was made at the December 7, 2009 District Board Meeting. Ms. Williams was one of six applicants that were interviewed on Monday night. Ms. Williams fills the position created when Steve Wasson resigned from his position on the Board in October of this year.
Ms. Williams is the CEO of Strategies LLC, a company that advances corporate initiatives and builds alliances through non-market solutions including: public affairs, policy initiatives, media relations, external relations, corporate social responsibility initiatives and stakeholder campaigns. Ms. Williams works with public agencies, corporations, community based organizations and foundations. Ms. Williams has legal training at Stanford Law School, business management training at UCLA Anderson School of Business and years of experience on boards, councils and commissions. Her expertise in all of these areas will be a great addition to the governing board of the District.
The District Board acknowledged the high qualifications of all candidates and thanked them for their interest in the Hospital.
Ms. Battani joins Jordan Battani, Robert Bonta, Michael McCormick and Robert Deutsch, MD to make up the 5 member governing Board of the City of Alameda Health Care District that oversees Alameda Hospital.
Please refer to the Alameda Hospital website at www.alamedahospital.org, for current information regarding Alameda Hospital.
Alameda Hospital
Financial Performance Update
Posted 8.19.09
CLICK HERE for Printable Version
As the hospital’s 2009 fiscal year concludes we felt that it was important to share with our community the significant improvements that have been made during the last year. The hospital is reporting a profit, after parcel tax receipts, of $419,000. This represents an improvement of over $2.7 million in our performance from prior year operations. We have developed a long-term strategic plan to help guide the organization in establishing short term goals and objectives over the next five years. These goals and objectives have been used to develop the hospitals operating projections for the 2010 fiscal year that is now underway. This projection is projected to generate positive bottom line results for the second consecutive year. While only a modest profit is expected to be achieved in fiscal year 2010 important changes have been made to continue this trend in future years.
Some of the important changes that have occurred during the year include the addition of a twenty-six (26) bed skilled nursing program to the mix of services currently offered by the hospital. The addition of skilled nursing services to our continuum of care in this setting contributed approximately 40% of our fiscal year 2009 net income. We also have opened the Alameda Hospital Physicians, a Community Clinic site in the Alameda Towne Centre which includes family practice and OB/GYN physician services and will also include the addition of specialist physician services in the fields of Orthopedics, Urology, Ear Nose and Throat and others. Additionally, our lab draw station continues to operate at this location providing a convenient location for the majority of the community’s laboratory needs.
While the number of patients treated in the hospital Emergency Room has declined slightly over the last couple of years the percentage of patients that are ultimately admitted as an inpatient to the hospital has continued to increase over this same period of time. The Emergency Care Center continues to deliver the highest quality of care with some of the shortest arrival to doctor evaluation times in the Bay area.
Despite an increase in the level of activity at the hospital the payer mix for the hospital continues to be dominated by governmental programs (Medicare and Medi-Cal) who make up 53.5% of the patient revenues followed by the many different managed care payers (Anthem Blue Cross, CIGNA, Aetna, etc) at 38.1% of the total patient revenues.
In light of the continued pressures from the ever shrinking amount of reimbursement received from governmental programs (Medicare and Medi-Cal) the hospital has been able to offset these reductions through aggressive and consistent negotiations of its private insurance contracts during the last year which have assisted the hospital in reaching its net revenue goals.
The hospital's management team has continued to focus on ensuring that operating expenses are maintained at optimal levels. This includes staffing each department at appropriate levels to ensure that the highest quality of care is provided to our patients. For the 2009 fiscal year the hospitals operating expense per adjusted patient day was $1,284 as compared to the average for all Alameda County Hospitals of $2,789.
The management team of Alameda Hospital sincerely thanks the community for the support that has been extended to the hospital through its commitment to the parcel tax revenues received each year and the many financial and non-financial contributions made by so many of our fellow community members. As we progress through the course of our new fiscal year we will update this page to keep you informed about the financial performance of Alameda Hospital.
Federal Government Launches New Flu Web Site
July 9, 2009
2009 Flu Summit
Secretaries Kathleen Sebelius (HHS), Janet Napolitano (DHS), and Arne Duncan (ED), along with Homeland Security Advisor John Brennan, hosted an all-day H1N1 Flu Preparedness Summit with states to further prepare the nation for the possibility of a more severe outbreak of H1N1 flu in the fall.
For the most current information about H1N1, visit:
www.flu.gov.
The H1N1 (swine flu) virus, combines pig, human and bird viruses. There is currently no vaccine, but vaccine preparations are underway. There are every day actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory disease like influenza.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Do not go to work or school if you are sick. CDC recommends that you limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Other Links:
Alameda County Public Health Department
http://www.acphd.org
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov
CDPH swine flu hotline: 1-888-865-0564
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
H1N1 Update Regarding the Rasing of the Pandemic Alert Level
June 12, 2009
Dr. Mark Horton, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), issued a statement June 11 regarding the World Health Organization’s decision to raise the Pandemic Alert Level for H1N1 from Phase 5 to Phase 6. Click Here for the update.
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov
The H1N1 (swine flu) virus, combines pig, human and bird viruses. There is currently no vaccine, but vaccine preparations are underway. There are every day actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory disease like influenza.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Do not go to work or school if you are sick. CDC recommends that you limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Links:
Alameda County Public Health Department
http://www.acphd.org
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov
CDPH swine flu hotline: 1-888-865-0564
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Alameda Hospital Memorandum of Understanding with the SEIU Labor Union
May 19, 2009
Alameda Hospital is pleased to announce that it has reached what it feels is a win-win Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the SEIU labor union. This agreement comes after several months of deliberate and sometimes difficult negotiations and was approved by the District Board of Directors on May 4, 2009.
The MOU covers a four year term from May 1, 2008 – April 30, 2012. The hospital is pleased that the new agreement includes many changes to the employee Health Benefits program, including the addition of certain preventative health screenings and immunizations, as well as, a $500 increase in the annual coinsurance maximum. The most significant health benefits change came in the form of employee contributions towards the cost of coverage for their dependents. Employee contributions are a big step in our efforts to curtail one of the hospitals fastest growing expenses – health care coverage.
In addition, employee wages increased by 18% over the four year term of the agreement. However, the net financial impact to the hospital is mitigated by the changes to the health benefits program mentioned previously. The new agreement incorporates many language clarifications and revisions that provide for better interpretation and application of the MOU. Overall, the net financial impact of this MOU is consistent with previous agreements at just over 3% per year and is in line with wages and benefits provided by other hospitals in the East Bay.
SEIU is one of five labor unions at Alameda Hospital and represents the Environmental Services employees, Dietary employees, Certified Nursing Assistants, Licensed Vocational Nurses, Central Supply and Sterilization employees, Unit Secretaries, Instrument Technicians, Surgical Orderlies and Nursing Services Technicians (NST).
May 15 , 2009
Alameda Hospital continues to work closely with the Alameda County Public Health Department to address the evolving H1N1 (swine) flu virus. We are also receiving regular updates and guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in order to remain current with this evolving situation.
The California Department of Public Health has activated a public hotline for callers with questions about the current outbreak of H1N1 flu (swine flu):
CDPH H1N1 Hotline: 1-888-865-0564.
Click HERE to download the flyer.
As of May 14, 2009, Alameda County Public Health Department is reporting a total of 9 cases in the county (7 confirmed, 2 probable).
Alameda County Pubilc Health, like other health jurisdictions, is in daily contact with the State Department of Public Health to lessen the impact of this new virus.
Check back often for updates.
The H1N1 (swine flu) virus, combines pig, human and bird viruses. There is currently no vaccine, but vaccine preparations are underway. There are every day actions that can help prevent the spread of germs that cause respiratory disease like influenza.
- Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-based hand cleaners are also effective.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs spread this way.
- Try to avoid close contact with sick people.
- Do not go to work or school if you are sick. CDC recommends that you limit contact with others to keep from infecting them.
Links:
Alameda County Public Health Department
http://www.acphd.org
California Department of Public Health
http://www.cdph.ca.gov
CDPH swine flu hotline: 1-888-865-0564
Center for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu
Local Physician Steps in for Colleague
Dr. Michael Zimmerman to cover patients of Dr. Daniel Kliman
ALAMEDA, Calif., February 27, 2009 — After the sudden and tragic death of Dr. Daniel Kliman in November 2008, Alameda Hospital was left with the challenge of finding the right doctor to care for his patients. With the community still grieving over their loss, Alameda Hospital began a search and were able to identify Michael Zimmerman, M.D., to take over this practice.
Dr. Michael Zimmerman, a Board Certified Family Practice Physician, had left his practice at the Alameda Family Physicians in 2007. After working for some time for a medical group in San Francisco, Dr. Zimmerman wanted to return to Alameda. The tragic death of Dr. Kliman and Alameda Hospital’s desire to continue to provide access to care for his patients has resulted in a new collaboration between the hospital and Dr. Zimmerman. Representatives of the hospital worked with the family of Dr. Kliman and offered to step in and provide the support that was needed to make a transition to a new provider possible.
“Recent reports have indicated that patients in Alameda are experiencing difficulties in accessing care in Alameda”, said Deborah Stebbins, Alameda Hospital’s Chief Executive Officer. “We need to do our part to help improve access. Assisting Dr. Zimmerman in covering Dr. Kliman’s practice is one way we can help”.
Dr. Zimmerman, a Bay Area native, completed his undergraduate degree at University of California, Berkeley. He attended medical school at Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, Ohio and completed residency in Family Medicine at the Ventura County Medical Center in Ventura, California.
“I’m excited about coming back to Alameda and being part of this community”, said Dr. Zimmerman. “I am glad I can help in this situation”. Sharon Dela Cruz will continue as Dr. Zimmerman’s medical assistant. Dr. Zimmerman, trained in Family Medicine, provides care for the entire family, including patients of all ages from newborns to seniors. His special interests include preventive medicine, the treatment of diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and asthma.
Dr. Zimmerman can be reached at (510) 749-4909. Alameda Hospital also provides a physician referral service at (510) 522-7058.
PROCLAMATION
Alameda Hospital Day
Alameda Hospital Announces the Expansion of Skilled Nursing Care
ALAMEDA, Calif., August 12, 2008 -
The City of Alameda Health Care District announces that Alameda Hospital will be expanding its current capacity to provide skilled nursing care to the community. Alameda Hospital owns the building adjacent to its parking lot (625 Willow Street), and since 1981, has leased the building to independent operators, who currently run the South Shore Convalescent Hospital. Alameda Hospital has valued and enjoyed its long relationship with the convalescent hospital, but as part of its strategic direction to enhance the continuum of care and services provided, especially to seniors, Alameda Hospital gave notice in February 2008 that it would assume direct responsibility for operation of the convalescent hospital effective approximately August 17, 2008. As the largest health care provider or services to senior on the island and Alameda's aging population, refining this continuum of care is essential to meeting the changing need of the community.
Alameda Hospital plans to maintain the long tradition of high quality care provided to the residents of South Shore. It is the Hospital’s intent to use its resources to improve the overall resident experience by enhancing the facility and scope of services available. Current employees of South Shore have provided quality care for many years and have the opportunity to continue to do so. Due to the Hospital’s status as a District Hospital, and in accordance with hospital policy, Alameda Hospital has a defined process of posting all available positions. Available positions have been posted and current employees of South Shore were urged to apply for employment as an employee of Alameda Hospital. Alameda Hospital looks forward to working with many of the health care providers who have cared for South Shore patients over the years. It is also the Hospital’s plan to maintain and, in many cases, improve the wages and benefits South Shore employees currently enjoy.
Special meetings were held for South Shore employees, residents and their families with hospital management to discuss this transition and to answer questions that they had.
In addition to it’s full range of acute care services, Alameda Hospital currently offers a unique 35-bed subacute inpatient program for seriously ill patients who require, often long term, specialized services. Many residents are ventilator dependent. The care is generally more intensive than skilled nursing care and less than acute hospital care and is one of only a handful of subacute care programs in the East bay. An increase in skilled nursing capabilities will provide our patients with greater access to specialized care.
Alameda Hospital is excited about this opportunity and is committed to the continuation of providing high quality and compassionate care to the community.
Alameda Hospital Awarded for Excellence in Heart Care
ALAMEDA, Calif., April 29, 2008 — The American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association has awarded Alameda Hospital a Performance Achievement Award for excellence in the care and treatment of Coronary Artery Disease (CAD). Get with the Guidelines (GWTG) is the largest national hospital-based quality improvement program for the American Heart Association and the American Stroke Association. This premier program empowers healthcare provider teams to consistently treat heart and stroke patients according to the most up-to-date evidence-based guidelines.
Performance Achievement Awards recognize hospitals that demonstrate at least 85 percent compliance in each of the six core GWTG-CAD measures. The different levels of awards reflect the amount of time for which the hospital demonstrates performance. The management and staff at Alameda Hospital are very excited about participating in this unique quality improvement program. The Bronze achievement award is just the first step towards sustaining excellence in the treatment and care of heart disease.
Alameda Hospital’s achievement will be recognized in the July 2008 “Best Hospitals” issue of U.S. News and World Report.
“Alameda Hospital’s commitment to excellent care will be celebrated during this year’s ‘Hospital Week’, says CEO, Deborah Stebbins. “Our medical staff, health care professionals, and volunteers deserve our congratulations as we continue to make strides towards providing the exceptional, high quality and personalized care our patients deserve.”
In addition to this premier recognition award, Alameda Hospital has recently received “Five Star” recognition for outstanding clinical excellence in Cardiac Care, Pulmonary Care, Stroke Care, and Critical Care by HealthGrades. HealthGrades analyzed discharges from every U.S. hospital and published its results in The Tenth Annual HealthGrades Hospital Quality in America Study (2007).
HealthGrades’ star rating system tells consumers whether a particular hospital’s performance is “best” (5-star), “as expected” (3-star), or “poor” (1-star) on a particular procedure or condition.
Alameda Hospital to Provide Inpatient Care to Veterans
ALAMEDA, Calif., February 19, 2008 —
Alameda Hospital is pleased to announce it has entered into an Agreement with Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) to provide inpatient medical and surgical services to eligible veterans referred by the VA to the Hospital. This agreement became effective February 11, 2008.
Alameda Hospital and its Medical Staff are excited to have been selected as the contractor and look forward to being able to provide needed healthcare services to eligible VA beneficiaries close to home. Across the nation, Veterans Affairs enters into agreements, such as this, to provide available and accessible providers of care for their veterans.
Alameda has had a long and colorful military history as the home of the Alameda Naval Air Station that closed in 1997. This new medical services agreement will allow Alameda and Alameda Hospital to continue to support and be an integral part of veteran's lives by providing medical inpatient healthcare services to eligible VA beneficiaries.
District Board Announces Appointment of
New Chief Executive Officer
October 25, 2007
The City of Alameda Health Care District Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Deborah E. Stebbins as Chief Executive Officer for Alameda Hospital. The announcment was made at the October 23, 2007 District Board meeting. The search for the CEO began in June 2007 when Delta One Partners, Inc. announced that they would be retiring from healthcare in December 2007. Ms. Stebbins met with the Board of Directors, key Hospital personnel and members of the Medical Executive Committee.
Ms. Stebbins has served in a variety of leadership roles in healthcare management for over thirty four years. After earning her BA in Political Science from Stanford and her Masters of Public Health at the University of California, Berkeley, she began her career as Vice President of Corporate Development with Alta Bates Corporation (ABC). She rapidly moved up administrative ranks within the ABC holding company finally serving as President and Chief Executive Officer of Alta Bates Ambulatory Health Services, Inc.
In 1987 she was recruited to Seton Medical Center where she served as President and Chief Executive Officer when it was acquired by Catholic Healthcare West (CHW). She then took on responsibility as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of CHW Bay Area Region, the third largest division of CHW at the time with seven hospitals which represented over $600 million in annual revenue.
Following her tenure at CHW, Ms. Stebbins became Chief Executive of Masonic Homes, a 109 year old non-profit organization providing senior living, health care, residential group homes for children and community outreach to the membership of the Grand Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons of California. During her seven year tenure, she oversaw completion of $70 million in construction, grew the client base by 35%, and established its first strategic plan.
Alameda Hospital Enhances Services to the Community
ALAMEDA, Calif., September 20, 2006 -
Alameda Hospital is pleased to announce the expansion of services in the Hospital’s Clinical Laboratory and Diagnostic Imaging Departments.
A new, convenient, laboratory drawing station is now open at the Alameda Towne Centre. This new location allows the community convenient access to Alameda Hospital’s out-patient laboratory services. Located at 501 South Shore Center West, adjacent to Office Max, the new location offers ample parking and on-site registration.
In addition, Alameda Hospital’s comprehensive Diagnostic Imaging Department has recently expanded its Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) availability. Now available both Mondays and Fridays, this advanced technology is especially designed to produce superior resolution and image quality while reducing exam times. This new patient friendly environment offers the latest in imaging technology and allows for less anxiety and greater patient comfort.
These recent expansions exemplify Alameda Hospital’s commitment to providing quality, convenient and professional care to the community. Alameda Hospital accepts most major health insurance plans including Medicare and MediCal.
For more information about Alameda Hospital’s capabilities, please call 814-4362 or visit its web site: www.alamedahospital.org.
Alameda Hospital Names The John J. Mulvany Infusion Center and Cancer Services Unit
ALAMEDA, Calif., April 26, 2006-
On Thursday, April 20, 2006, close to 100 people attended our Grand Opening and Naming Ceremony of the John J. Mulvany Infusion Center and Cancer Services Unit. The program consisted of many positive comments regarding the new unit, including statements made by Administration, the District Board, and Medical Staff Leadership including the staff of the Infusion Unit. An unsolicited statement was also made by a current patient of the Unit, commenting on how wonderful the staff is and what a great addition this is for the community of Alameda.
The unit is located on 2-South, in an area that has been renovated with fresh paint, wall hangings, office space and two rooms containing a combination of patient beds and therapy chairs. The unit officially opened for business in October 2005 and has increased the number of patients seen during each month from an original 20 to over 111 in March 2006.
The unit has been named after John J. Mulvany, referred to as the “Founding Father of Naval Air Station”. Mr. Mulvany worked with the United States Government from 1917 to 1938, when Public Resolution No. 19 of the 76th Congress, authorized the President of the United States to accept the Alameda land for $1.00.
In 1938 when Alameda Hospital was going to be taken over by the Wells Fargo Bank due to a default on its loan, Mr. Mulvany contacted Mr. A.P. Gianini, Founder of the Bank of America. When Mr. Gianini showed an interest in helping the Hospital with its financial problems, the Wells Fargo Bank agreed to extend the loan date.
John J. Mulvany also served as Chairman for 25 years of the Alameda County Welfare Commission. This agency, now known as Social Services, was the investigating body for the Alameda County Board of Supervisors. They reviewed and either granted or denied financial aid for the indigent population, furnishing food, shelter, transportation, and clothing.
Mr. Mulvany’s daughter, Marion F. Holt, who has contributed countless volunteer hours through her work with the Auxiliary and Foundation in support of Alameda Hospital since 1954, was also honored at the event.
Alameda Hospital Opens the Infusion Center and Cancer Services Program
Alameda Hospital is pleased to announce the addition of the Alameda Hospital Infusion Center and Cancer Services Program. Located on the 2nd floor of Alameda Hospital, services are provided Monday through Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Patients can now receive the following specialized treatment close to home.
• Chemotherapy
• Transfusions of blood products
• IV antibiotic therapy
• Hydration therapy
• Central line catheter care
• IV antiemetics
This new program now allows you to receive the care you need in a convenient, accessible, and comfortable environment at Alameda Hospital. Under the medical directorship of Gary Cecchi, M.D. and Jean Bird R.N., OCN, the Infusion Center staff is committed to working closely with you and your doctor to promote the best treatment outcomes possible. To receive more information, or to arrange an appointment, please contact Nancy Martinez, Office Coordinator, at (510) 814-4078.
In addition to this exciting new program, Alameda Hospital has enhanced its Diagnostic Imaging Services by adding new state-of-the-art equipment and service.
• Mammography System
• CT Scanner
• MRI Services
• Bone Densitometry
For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please call (510) 814-4047.
Alameda Hospital accepts most Health Plans, including Medicare and Medi-Cal. The hospital and its medical staff remain committed to provide quality healthcare, close to home
Vial of Life
The Vial of Life puts important
instructions in the hands of Emergency Responders and Physicians
when it is needed most - during the first minutes of critical
illness or accident in your home.
Click here to download
more information on this significant tool.
