The State of the County...not bad, considering!

Today the baton was passed from Liz Kniss to Ken Yeager, who is now the President of the Board of Supervisors of Santa Clara County - that's the "county of Silicon Valley", for youse out-of-towners.

In a ceremony before hundreds led by VMC Foundation Board Member Susie Wilson, Ken outlined his plans for 2010. I won't recount them all now, because you can do that here, and I encourage you to read his official "State of the County" address.

That's beacuse most of his initiatives have to do with our health. He wants to keep teens off tobacco, create a council on health, and fight childhood obesity. Ken is also a big-time environmentalist, which is also good for...yes! Our health!

So congratulations, Ken, and here's to a successful 2010. As you stated powerfully in your address, the economy may be in the tank, but our community is TOPS.

"The doctor will see you now. Like, RIGHT now."

We're having crazy-bad weather in Silicon Valley, which always makes me grateful for Valley Medical Center's Emergency Department - at the ready 24/7/365.

But it's gotten harder to meet the need, what with fewer hospitals around, and a skyrocketing number of unemployed coming to the "ED" (we don't call it an "ER" like the TV show) because they just don't have anywhere else to go.

So, to meet the need, the team opened an "Express Care" clinic across the hallway. It's there for folks who are sick, but not sick enough to need a bed in the ED. "When you get there," explains Dr. Jeff Arnold, Chief of the ED, the first person you see, right when you check in at the registration desk, isn't a clerk or an administrator. It's a doctor."

Dr. Arnold has seen this speed up care dramatically. "If the first person you meet is an M.D., they can say things like 'Okay, I want you to see the attending physician, but while you're waiting I'll refill your blood pressure medication'". Then the doctor does it with a few key strokes, just moments later. The medication can be ready before the patient is ready to leave!

He's really bothred by the number of newly-uninsured who have to choose between their vital medications and, say, groceries or paying the rent on time. "The advantage of having a doctor see patients right there at the desk extend beyond the obvious," Dr. Arnold says. "Our patients know that right away, their care has begun. It gives them a feeling of comfort at a time when they are feeling pretty vulnerable and lousy."

Sometimes, that's as important as the clinical care VMC provides. If you want to help fund this unique program, visit the VMC Foundation website, or as always, give us a ring any time. To learn more about VMC's emergency services, click here!

A gift shop that's MORE than a gift shop

Happy New Year, everyone...hope 2010 brings good things your way. At the VMC Foundation, I'd like to start the year by celebrating a sometimes underappreciated part of our organization: The VMC Gift Shop.

Managed by Kathy Trutz and staffed by volunteers, our gift shop is a really special place. That's a group of our volunteers there in the photo, pitching in to build the new VMC Bed Building.

NOTE TO BLDG. & TRADES COUNCIL: YOUR HUMBLE BLOGGER IS JUST KIDDING! OUR VOLUNTEERS ARE POWERFUL, YET NOT SUITED TO CONSTRUCT A HOSPITAL. HONOR LABOR!

So why is our gift shop more than a gift shop? It's really a place of refuge and community. Patients might go there to buy a book while waiting for an appointment, but what they'll find is a team of caring people willing to listen. Even VMC's staff visit to escape, share a laugh with a volunteer, or pick up a gift for a friend. Let's face it, many of our daily schedules don't leave room for shopping.

The intent may be that the gift shop is a place for family and friends to buy something nice for their loved one while staying at VMC...but over the years, it's become known as the place where you can just escape for little while. In fact, during last year's audit of the VMC Foundation, the gift shop was figured as a program expense, not just a fund raiser...that's how powerful the human element is.

Oh - and of course, everything is low-priced, high quality, and every dime of "profit" gets donated right back to VMC. So, next time you are visiting your public hospital, stop in and brouse...you'll be surprised what you find, and delighted with whom you meet.

Toby Gerhart visits Matt Blea at VMC - what a winning team!

You likely remember reading about Matt Blea, the high school student injured on the football field on Thanksgiving. Well today Toby Gerhart, Stanford University football star and Heisman Trophy runner-up, came to visit while Matt is back at Valley Medical Center for rehab!

Matt, just weeks after life-saving surgery, started his day jogging in the grass outside the Rehab Unit where his progress has been amazing. Matt had no idea that Toby, one of the players he especially looks up to, was planning to visit him. Toby had heard about the high-schooler's injury from his coach, and decided to pay Matt a visit.

Coming directly to Valley Medical Center from The Stanford team's practice for their New Years Eve Sun Bowl game against Oklahoma , Toby met Matt in the day room of Valley Medical Center's Brain Injury Rehabilitation unit.

Toby was accompanied by Stanford football assistant coach, Tom Steiner, and as family, staff and other patients looked on, Matt accepted gifts of a Stanford jersey and a signed football.

Matt told Toby that he was a huge fan, and shared that his goal was to become a high school coach one day. Toby said how impressed he was with Matt's progress, and congratulated Matt on his planned discharge from VMC on Christmas Eve - the perfect present!

Our best Bike Build EVER. Again!

On Saturday, something happened so amazing that you pretty much have to see it to believe it...which you can do Turning Wheels for Kids.

My favorite coverage so far is by Tonic.com, and they've made the 2300 bikes and 600 volunteers their big inspiring story of the week. Read it here, and seriously now, share this with others. People deserve to know that the biggest all-volunteer "elf" event for the holidays involved this astounding program of the VMC Foundation.

Huge congratulations to Sue Runsvold, R.N., and her team of dedicated "Wheeler Dealers" whose contribution to holiday joy in Silicon Valley is unparallelled.

Last year's Bike Build was so big, I wondered if they could do it again. Serves me right for wondering...this was the biggest and best ever. Hooray!

Please help VMC help patients with brain injuries!

You may have seen the recent story in the Mercury News of a case involving a football player from a local high school being treated at Valley Medical Center. Our thoughts go out to his family, and we at the VMC Foundation wish him a full recovery. We treat cases like this young man’s all too often at VMC, and we have a need directly related to patients with head injuries on our Holiday Wish List.

Watch the video below to learn about this project, and to see how you can help.

Wish List success continuing...

The VMC Foundation "Holiday Wish List" is now officially 75% granted, thanks to a great group of folks with big hearts...and led by two of the biggest:

Elaine Elkin, philanthropist and business owner, offered a challenge grant to fund the H1N1 Infection Control Stations this week, which was immediately matched to fulfill the $9,500 needed. VMC will now be stopping flu at the door, thanks to this holiday generosity.

Also, Silicon Valley foundation and development powerhouse John A. Sobrato funded the balance of the "art for oncology patients" program, providing a soothing atmosphere for patients undergoing radiation treatment - hugely important, and we're so thankful!

Click here to learn more about Ms. Elkin and Mr. Sobrato, and if you happen to know them, help me thank them...and watch this space next week for updates on our final "Wish List" item. Happy Holidays!