Northern California

Northern California Division

Thank you for facing challenges while supporting your colleagues.

“One thing I’m very passionate about is ensuring that a diverse pool of Californians are offered the opportunity to enter nursing. As a well-paid profession, nursing is the path to a better life for so many, and we want a culturally and linguistically diverse workforce in our hospitals to care for our diverse communities. I feel this work is directly in line with our organizational value of inclusion. There are so many benefits to having a greater diversity in the labor pool, and this is an opportunity to address our staffing shortages while giving people the chance to improve their lives by becoming nurses.”

— Karen L. Buckley, RN, BSN, MHA, CENP Chief Nursing Executive Officer Northern California Division

Division Locations

Northern California

Dominican Hospital, Santa Cruz Mercy General Hospital, Sacramento Mercy Hospital of Folsom, Folsom Mercy Medical Center Mt. Shasta, Mt. Shasta Mercy Medical Center Redding, Redding Mercy San Juan Medical Center, Carmichael Methodist Hospital of Sacramento, Sacramento Saint Francis Memorial Hospital, San Francisco St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, Red Bluff St. Mary’s Medical Center, San Francisco Sierra Nevada Memorial Hospital, Grass Valley Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City Woodland Memorial Hospital, Woodland

Staying Grounded During Change

Now and always, take care of yourself and your colleagues.

When the pandemic hit, we were asked to drastically change our lives overnight. Suddenly our children were home, our vacations were canceled, we ordered groceries online, and stopped visiting the gym. In ways big and small, our lives were disrupted — but we adapted.

As life slowly returns to normal, it’s okay to feel a little apprehensive. Although the changes are positive, it’s normal to feel unsure about what’s safe. Is it okay to attend that wedding? Should you wear a mask at the park if there are a lot of people around? Some days, just adding in social time can feel almost draining as we’re not accustomed to it anymore. What’s important to remember is that we have always been able to adapt, and that change is part of life. This time represents another transition period for us, but we are up to the task. This is how we cope: we place one foot in front of the other, and we continue on.

As the world slowly wakes up from the nightmare that was COVID-19, please remember to be kind to yourself. It’s okay to take time for yourself, it’s good to rest and it’s okay if you feel a little overwhelmed or apprehensive. You’ve been through a lot and conquered so much. We are so grateful to you for sticking with the Northern California Division through all the ups and downs.

Above, left to right: Methodist Hospital of Sacramento nurses at Walking Trail; Dominican Hospital Santa Cruz Gratitude Tree; St. Elizabeth Community Hospital powered air-purifying respirators; Mercy Medical Center Redding Obstetrics team.

Noteworthy Numbers

3

areas served (San Francisco Bay Area, North State, and Greater Sacramento area)

4

Bay Area hospitals have received national recognition for superior safety and quality from Healthgrades, a leading provider of comprehensive information about physicians and hospitals.

Fascinating Facts

n In San Francisco, where both St. Mary’s and St. Francis are located, there are views of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge. The famous orange color was not originally intended. It was the color of the primer the steel was coated with that caught the eye of the architect.

n Mercy General in Sacramento is pursuing the Pathway to Excellence designation and will apply for certification in February 2023. As part of that journey, they have established a monthly newsletter called “Seeds of Change.” The newsletter shares how leadership and the bedside nurses collaborate to meet the Pathway to Excellence standards.

n In the North State market, there is a partnership between Stanford and the North State to deliver high quality cardiovascular care. A planned Cancer Care Center will also deliver care to all three North State hospitals and communities.

3

North State Hospitals offer cancer care, heart care, maternity, neurology, orthopedics, telestroke technology, and wound care.

in charitable care and services provided by Dignity Health in the greater Sacramento region.

$250M+

“In the last year, our North State Nursing Team demonstrated unwavering resilience, came back each day, and remained committed to delivering compassionate care to our community, patients and one another.”

— North State Market CNEO Team

Thank you for your courage and your vulnerability. Please keep checking in with yourself and your colleagues and ensuring you’re taking good care of yourselves. •