Live Well - Winter 2020

WINTER 2020

Live Well

There’s no place like home!

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Live Well 05 We are VNA Health 12 My Goal After Knee Surgery: Hike Yosemite 14 There’s No Place Like Home!

18 Remembering My Platoon 20 Veterans Services 21 Bereavement Care

22 Community Synergy • Coastal Quilters Guild • SB Zoo • California Association for Nurse Practitioners of Santa Barbara • Heart Walk • Walk to End Alzheimer’s • SB Senior Expo • Charity Regatta • New Board Members • Golden Heart Winners

Photo Credit: Rhianna Mercier Photography

On the Cover: In 2017, Levada Matthews volunteered to travel from the East Coast to join her 3 | Live Well

eldest son David Moorman and granddaughter Arielle Moorman as models for the 3-Generation Fashion Show at the annual Mother’s Day Luncheon benefitting VNA Health.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Brian Smith Chair Chris McNamara Immediate Past Chair Pamela Dillman Haskell Secretary Dannell Stuart Treasurer Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN President & CEO Rick Keith Foundation Executive Director Gordon Auchincloss Michael Bordofsky, MD Theresa M. Borgatello Eusebio Cordova, Jr. Alex Craigie, Esq. Herb Geary, RN Gregg Hackethal Fred Kass, MD Ken Kraus Francie Lufkin Mark Mattingly Suzi Schomer Christopher Thrash, MD

DIRECTORS EMERITI Ed Brady Stan Fishman Jane Habermann Christopher Jones, Esq. Steve Lew Michelle Martinich, CPA Judy Murphy Elna Scheinfeld James Stovesand Ted Thoreson, MD

WRITERS

Brittany Avila Wazny Christopher Williams

PHOTOGRAPHERS Emily Hart-Roberts Fritz Olenberger Baron Spafford

EDITORS Easter Moorman Rick Keith

DESIGNER Miguel Angel Cortés Published by VNA Health Foundation 509 E. Montecito Street, Suite 200 Santa Barbara, CA 93103

VNA Health, formerly known as Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care, has earned The Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval® for Home Health and Hospice Care

Dear Family and Friends of VNA Health, As we kick off a new year and a new decade, VNA Health is celebrating our new brand and our renewed commitment to our community in this first issue of our Live Well magazine.

While we have a new name, logo, and tagline, I am proud that we are continuing our longstanding legacy of trusted care. At VNA Health, our dedicated team of nurses, physicians, therapists, social workers, chaplains, caregivers, administrative staff, and volunteers all work together to help our community live well through some of life’s most challenging times.

As one of Santa Barbara’s oldest nonprofit organizations, our compassion for helping those less fortunate remains a cornerstone of our care. I am honored that our Board of Directors, staff, volunteers, and donors have renewed their commitment to sustaining the charity care we provide to patients and their families.

Sometimes, we have the privilage of caring for and serving patients who are also members of our own VNA Health family. In this issue of our Live Well magazine, we highlight the stories of three volunteers—Kay Stevens, David Moorman and Ken Kuroda—who share how VNA Health cared for them in their time of need.

Kay volunteers for our Foundation to support fundraising efforts, David shares his charisma and entertaining spirit as VNA Health’s Master of Ceremonies for special events, and Ken is a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer sharing his compassion and understanding with fellow Veterans.

Their stories demonstrate how our staff and volunteers live and breathe our core values of compassion, integrity, teamwork and excellence.

A few months ago, I was asked, “What does ‘Live Well’ mean to you?” I’ve thought a lot about this as we’ve launched our new brand in the community, and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

Live well means many things.

Live well means getting to stay at home.

Live well means being independent, Being educated about your disease…

And your medications…

And being the CEO of your health.

Live well means that at end of life, It’s about quality and not quantity.

It’s about leaving your family members strong and cared for, So that they are able to move on and live a full life.

All of those things are Live Well.

May we all Live Well!

Lynda Tanner, RN. MSN President & CEO

Photo Credit: Scott Gibson

Photo Credit: Fritz Olenberger

We Are . . .

Dr. Michael Bordofsky, VNA Health Medical Director, unveils the new logo.

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Dr. Michael Bordofsky, VNA Health Medical Director and Board Member, unveils the new brand at a VIP Reception for supporters and stakeholders. Photo Credit: Fritz Olenberger

“This is exciting for our organization, our patients, and our community,” said Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN, President & CEO of VNA Health. “Our Board of Directors and Leadership Team embraced this endeavor three years ago to address confusion in the marketplace and to strategically position this organization for continued success so that we can serve our community for another 100 years.”

A Marketing Task Force including the organization’s Board of Directors and Executive Leadership Team implemented a strategic phased approach. Much of the time invested was in the market research phase. Both qualitative and quantitative analyses were conducted countywide, including one-on-one interviews, group interviews, phone surveys, and online surveys.

“We asked…We listened…We responded,” remarked Tanner. “We learned that many people call us VNA, which is understandable since our organization was founded as the Visiting Nurses Association of Santa Barbara and was known as VNA for decades. We also learned that regardless of age or stage of health, ultimately, people just want to live well. Changing our name to VNA Health and our tagline to “Live Well” reflects our ongoing commitment to providing quality health care and our promise to help the communities we serve to live well.”

Photo Credit: Fritz Olenberger

isiting Nurse & Hospice Care has rebranded and launched its new name – VNA Health – embracing its legacy of trusted care, innovation, and synergy to position the organization for growth and continued success.

VNA Health also launched its new website – vna.health – Santa Barbara County’s first healthcare organization to use the dot-health domain as its primary online portal.

New flags fly on State Street in November in honor of the founding of VNA Health in 1908.

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With the rebrand, VNA Health has a new icon which is an innovative reflection of the nursing pin worn by Marian Watts, the organization’s founder. In 1898, Marian graduated from the Johns Hopkins Hospital School of Nursing; and during those times, a nurse was identified by her nursing pin. When people saw the pin, they knew they would receive expert, trusted care. The early nurses embraced this trust and responsibility so deeply, that in their wills they instructed their families to send their pin back to their nursing school to ensure no one could misuse their pin and pretend to be a nurse. Our VNA Health icon remains a symbol of that trust and our heritage of caring for the health and well-being of our community.

new programs to meet the needs of patients and their families between visits to the hospital and the clinics.

In NOTICIAS, produced by the Santa Barbara Historical Museum, Erin Graffy describes VNA’s function: “It would launch a program to address a health problem, and then when the time was appropriate, turn it over to another agency or appropriate government entity that could embrace and sustain the needed services.”

For example in 1911, VNA established the VNA Dispensary, our community’s first urgent care, a concept 75 years ahead of its time. Over the next 12 years, VNA went on to establish the VNA Dental Clinic, VNA County Nursing Program, Tuberculosis Clinic, Cardiac Clinic, and Posture Clinic. Each of these programs were built to meet a critical need for our community; and eventually VNA passed the baton to a fellow community partner. Today, VNA Health is focused on providing home health care, palliative care, hospice care and community care programs like the Loan Closet and Serenity House.

Six members of the board of directors of the Visiting Nurse Association, 1919.

Left to right: Mrs. G. A. Batchelder, Mrs. George S. Edwards, Mrs. Marie N. Levy, Miss Antonia Marin, Mrs. Theodore C. Porter, Miss Sarah Redington.”

Founded in 1908, VNA Health is the third oldest VNA in California and started the first, non-hospital, non-clinic healthcare services in Santa Barbara, well before city and county health departments and nursing school programs.

Santa Barbara became a health haven in the 1860s. Years later, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital opened in 1891; Potter Metabolic Clinic with Dr. William Sansum opened in 1919; and both Santa Barbara Medical Clinic and Sansum Medical Clinic opened in 1921. So for decades, VNA was Santa Barbara’s healthcare trailblazer, building

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Photo Credit: Fritz Olenberger Current President & CEO Lynda Tanner (center) is joined by former leadership (left to right) Tamara Skov, former Foundation Executive Director; Susan Lindmann, former Executive Director; Katina Zaninovich, former Executive Director; and Eileen Bunning, former CEO.

While the organization has a new name, icon, mission and vision, its values and services remain the same.

• Mission: Caring for our community with compassion and integrity.

• Vision: Every person lives with health and dignity.

• Values: Compassion, Integrity, Teamwork, Excellence.

Left to right: Lynda Tanner, President & CEO, Karen Wallace, CFO, Andrea Garzon, CHRO, and Rick Keith, Foundation Executive Director. Not pictured Jo Ann Mack, COO.

HOSPICE CARE Serenity House Palliative Care Bereavement Care Spiritual Care Integrative Therapy Music & Pet Therapy Volunteer Services

• Services: VNA Health provides comprehensive in-home healthcare, helping patients and their families…live well at home…wherever they reside and call home.

HOME HEALTH CARE Visiting Nurses/Skilled Nursing Physical Therapy Occupational Therapy Speech Therapy Telehealth Care Private Pay Skilled Nursing Private Physical Therapy

“On November 8, 2019, VNA Health celebrated its 111th anniversary as an organization built by the community for the community, and sustained by the community,” Tanner shared. “In 1908, ‘synergy’ was not a common word, yet our founders created community synergy. They were described as ‘public spirited and far sighted.’ Today, VNA Health continues to have a ‘public spirited and far sighted’ team of board members, staff, and volunteers.

We are focused on continuing to be an innovative healthcare leader helping our communities live well.”

Photo Credit: Emily Hart-Roberts

As a nonprofit organization, VNA Health remains committed to supporting its charitable community care services and programs such as the Loan Closet, subsidized charity care at Serenity House, We Honor Veterans, and community education programs like the annual PHorum: Perspectives in Healthcare. The VNA Health Foundation raises more than $2 million every year to support these programs, thanks to the generosity of donors and philanthropic funders.

COMMUNITY CARE Loan Closet We Honor Veterans Angels Among Us Community Education Advanced Care Planning PHORUM: Perspectives in Healthcare

vna.health | 7 The Rollout Launch Team (left to right): Brittany Avila Wazny, Miguel Cortes, Christopher Williams, Sammi Beach, Easter Moorman, Lynda Tanner, Rick Keith, Lailan McGrath, and Amanda Vasquez.

Photo Credit: Emily Hart-Roberts Staff & Volunteer Unveil

Vanesa Wendler, Andrea Garzon, Laura Avila, and Danny Ornelas

Alejandro “Alex� Velazquez, Laura Velazquez, Lucia Figueroa, and Fabiola Cabrera

vna.health | 8 Sofia Mendoza, Monique Castaneda, Loretta Dominguez, Lynn Gamble, and Erica Buenrostro

Edith Gonzelez, Carolyn Peacock-Biggs, and Raquel Sanchez

Photo Credit: Fritz Olenberger VIP Reception at the Montecito Club

Eileen Bunning, Lynda Tanner, and Judy Murphy

Penny Sharrett and Vince Caballero

Dannell Stuart

Dr. Fred Kass and Susan Basler

Derek Carlson and Teresa Borgatello-Carlson

Gary Fruin and Camille Cimini Fruin

Julie, Nick, and CJ Koonce with Susan and Nils Lindman

Joanne Deck, Karen Wallace, Lynn Gamble, Jo Mason, Mary Beth Gomez, Leila Antonio, and Marcelle Coale

Leila Antonio, Michelle Parks, Rhonna Buyco, and Jen Villacrucis

Oula Forsstrom and Arielle, Jonathan, Easter, and David Moorman

Penny Jenkins and Gregg Hackethal

Barbara and Mary Ireland

Mara Sorkin, Andrea Garzon, and Dusty Keegan

Donna Beal and Marcy Maher

Miguel and Claudia CortĂŠs

Sofia Mendoza, Phil Hons, and Michelle Gunsolley

Judy Murphy, Ken Kraus, and Victoria Hines

Judy and Steve Milam

Marcela Taylor and Sena Woodall

My Goal After Kne Kay Stevens is a longtime VNA Health volunteer and Santa Barbara resident. For more than six years, she has loyally come into the VNA Health office nearly every Tuesday to assist with administrative activities.

Along with her various volunteer responsibilities and keeping up with her children and grandchildren, Kay and her husband Frank live an active and healthy life that includes exotic travels and hiking. Nothing could slow them down until Kay was burdened by some intense pain in her right knee earlier last year.

After months of extreme pain and attempts of noninvasive treatments through injections, Kay and her doctor decided that knee replacement surgery was necessary for her mobility and comfort. Although she was no stranger to the arduous repercussions of medical procedures, she was forewarned by her doctor that this was one of the most painful surgeries, and that recovery could be tedious.

Fortunately, Kay knew from her experience exactly how to prepare for her recovery. She and Frank made a quick stop to the VNA Health Loan Closet to get all of the equipment she would need to recover safely at home. She didn’t have to pay anything, and received proper instruction on how to utilize each piece of equipment safely.

She also learned that VNA Health Physical Therapy would be her team to help her recover at home. While she was still in the hospital, she had a VNA Health liaison visit to discuss her needs for recovery at home and ensure her that a physical therapist (PT) from VNA Health would call her to set up her first appointment. She promptly received the phone call and met Ashley, her PT, a couple of days later in her home.

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The beginning of recovery was painful and challenging, and Kay was surprised at her lack of mobility. As an active individual, Kay felt discouraged. However, Kay always looked forward to Ashley’s visits. Ashley pushed her along with just the right amount of challenging exercises over three visits each week to begin to restore movement to Kay’s knee.

Kay and Frank Stevens at Yosemite

ee Surgery: “She had so many ideas on how to help me complete the exercises, and was always so encouraging,” Kay remarked. Ashley even left Kay with exercise bands of various tensions and articulate diagrams of exercises she could do at home alone to help speed up her recovery.

Kay’s experience with VNA Health Physical Therapy would be considered quite a success, as she graduated to outpatient physical therapy at Sansum Clinic just three weeks later. She was able to move about her home and, more importantly, up and down the stairs from her bedroom to the living area. For anyone who has experienced knee surgery, this is quite a feat.

Kay’s surgery was on July 20th of last year, and thanks to her expert and thoughtful rehabilitation, she was able to go out for social activities by the beginning of September, and then return to her volunteer work by the beginning of October.

Both Kay and her doctor were thrilled with her progress, which has allowed her to resume the life of truly living well.

She and her husband Frank just returned from Yosemite, and enjoyed hosting family throughout the holidays. They plan to travel to several other national parks this spring and across the atlantic this summer. All of this was made possible through Kay’s diligence and commitment to personal health, and her support from VNA Health!

Recommended Medical Equipment to Aid in the Recovery from Knee Replacement Surgery

A 2-Wheel Walker is more valuable than a 4-wheel walker because 4-wheel walkers have the potential to move too fast.

A commode can be very helpful as it can be placed in either the bathroom or in the bedroom, if the patient is unable to get to the bathroom.

A Tub Transfer Bench is an excellent tool to help get in and out of the bathtub safely.

If you live where there are stairs, then crutches can facilitate mobility.

The Loan Closet at VNA Health has durable medical equipment ready to lend to Santa Barbara County residents.

There is no fee for borrowing equipment.

To inquire about availability of equipment, please contact the Loan Closet.

805.690.6235 loancloset@vna.health During recovery or rehabilitation, you may need special medical equipment. Our Loan Closet offers free short-term loan of wheelchairs, walkers, crutches, canes and bathroom safety items.

Learn more at www.vna.health/loancloset.

Se habla Español

www.vna.health/loancloset vna.health | 13

There’s no place ...

like Home!

“Mom’s going home?!?!“ Levada elatedly asked her sons.

“Yeah Mom…we’re going home!” exclaimed brothers, David and Larry Moorman.

Levada (Harris) Matthews

D

Santa Barbara High School, Class of 1967

avid is a dedicated VNA Health volunteer, and is married to Easter Moorman, VNA Health’s Director of Marketing. Both David and Easter have long known about VNA Health and its legacy of care; but they did not expect that they would feel the power of that legacy and gain a whole new perspective on what it means to live well.

Levada, a longtime Santa Barbara resident, had moved to the East Coast after her job at UCSB promoted her to UC headquarters in Washington D.C. For nearly 20 years, Levada made a life across the country, and while she enjoyed her time there, she always missed her beloved hometown.

Then a few years ago, Levada was diagnosed with cancer, and as her illness progressed, she decided to come out to stay in Santa Barbara for a bit to spend quality time with family and friends. While on the West Coast, she decided to make a trip to Oregon to visit other family members.

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“My mother was really sick,” David shared. “We were anticipating that she’d probably live a little bit longer if she stuck with her recommended plan of care from the doctors; but she decided she was going to live her life the way that she wanted to… and like…I can completely understand in retrospect why people would want to do that rather than go through the potentially painful medical route versus just living out your life to the best of your abilities.”

During her visit in Oregon, Levada’s condition deteriorated quickly to the point of hospitalization.

Upon hearing this news, David and Larry decided that they needed to bring their mom home, back to Santa Barbara. Unfortunately, she needed medical transport to be able to safely make the trip. David and his family knew that if she was at end of life, she would want to be close to her family in Santa Barbara; however, they couldn’t afford to medically transport her back home.

Additionally, if they were to get her home, they knew that she would need to stay in a medical facility as they did not have the medical equipment or expertise to properly care for her at home.

“When I see our mountains, I know I’m home. It’s a natural beautiful painting, and there’s nothing like them anywhere else.” – Levada Matthews

While these challenges seemed enormous, they were able to overcome them with the help of friends, and the support of VNA Health. David and his brother borrowed a medical van from a friend, drove 16 hours straight to Oregon, picked up Levada, and immediately turned around to make the long drive back to Santa Barbara.

The drive was daunting, as not only was it very long, but they had to continually change oxygen tanks in the van to keep Levada stabilized.

knowing their mom was in good hands. The next day, Levada was offered special wrap-around services like Music Therapy and Reiki, which makes hospice care through VNA Health unique.

They knew that the only place appropriate to manage Levada’s condition would be Serenity House. Easter worked with the Serenity House team to secure an open room for Levada, and Serenity House staff remained on-call, waiting for the brothers to arrive from Oregon with Levada.

Most important to Levada was that her friends and family had unlimited, ‘round-the-clock access to visit her and share precious, final moments.

“When she was still lucid and everything, she was stoked [about Serenity House],” recalled David.

“So, when we drove her from Oregon to get down to Serenity House, we got back to Santa Barbara at like 3 in the morning,” said David.

“The staff greeted us like it was regular business hours, which is really, really awesome. They made it really easy to get Mom checked in.”

What could have been a more detrimental journey, transformed into a peaceful homecoming. Levada was immediately made comfortable in her beautiful room; and David and Larry could finally relax

“She was getting a foot massage and therapy, and little massages and music, and just unfettered access for us as family to come and go at all hours of the day and night…just as we wanted to… beyond accommodating. It was pretty amazing.”

“The comfort she had right there: the music, the sunshine, the view…I mean, it’s why people come to visit Santa Barbara, you know… for those of us who were lucky enough to grow up here and appreciate it…it’s super special.”

“She stayed in room 101 the Thomas and Anne Crawford room, looking out over Santa Barbara. I think for her you could probably see her old house on the East Side. She kept saying ‘I’m home, I got to come home.’ And she was so happy to be home.” vna.health | 15

Serenity House offers 18 private rooms, each with an en-suite bathroom, convertible chair/bed for an overnight guest, and private patio with a view.

In addition, Serenity House has a large family room with a kid-friendly play area, a dining area with a coffee bar, and a patio deck for family and friends to spend quality time.

Serenity House provided David, Easter, Larry and their family the space and peace of mind to be there for Levada and with each other. Regardless of how much time they had with Levada, it was more about fully embracing the opportunity to be together at home in Santa Barbara.

“The burden that you didn’t even realize was crushing you is lifted off your shoulders when you have an organization like VNA Health and a facility like Serenity House to help you with your loved ones in their most precarious state that they’re going to be in. The assistance is just incredible, I don’t know how I would’ve been able to function,” David explained.

The Moorman family and Levada’s extensive network of friends and colleagues visited and called whenever they wanted during the week she was at Serenity House. Thanks to the amazing efforts of family and friends and the specialized care at Serenity House, Levada was surrounded by those she loved in the hometown she loved. More importantly, Levada faced end of life on her terms with dignity, ultimately giving her family peace.

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“Having gone through losing a parent and having the support of everyone at VNA Health…you know… is incredible. It’s a resource that I don’t think people contemplate that they’re going to need, but my gosh when it comes to you and you’re the beneficiary of the support, and also from my mother’s side, being the beneficiary of all that love and support and everything and being able to transition peacefully like that, you really couldn’t ask for more.”

Left to right: Drew Van Tuyl (“My son from another mother” as Levada would say) with Larry and David Moorman.

Levada at the VNA Health 2017 Mother’s Day Luncheon where she volunteered for the 3-Generation Fashion Show with David and her granddaughter Arielle.

Left to right: Grandson Jonathan, Levada, David, Easter and Arielle. Photo Credit: Rhianna Mercier Photography.

VNA Health staff and volunteers devote their time, expertise and heart to support a longtime mission of caring for our community with compassion and integrity. Caring for our own VNA Health family is an honor, especially for a beloved staff member and a devoted volunteer, to ensure that they too, can live well.

VNA Health Hospice Nursing Team

Choosing hospice care is choosing to live well with peace and dignity for both the patient and family. Watch David’s video about supporting Serenity House Charity Care. Give the Gift of Living Well. www.vna.health/momishome vna.health | 17

By Marmolejo1489 - Own work, CC0

REMEMBERING MY

This past Veteran’s Day, Ken Kuroda, an Army Vietnam War combat veteran, shared his story and WHY he is a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer for VNA Health. Ken’s story begins with Oliver Stone’s Academy Award winning film “Platoon,” which is based on Stone’s experience from the Vietnam War. Ironically, and unbeknownst to Ken at the time of the film’s release, “Platoon” is based on his own real-life platoon.

In the beginning of the movie, there’s a caption that read, “25th Infantry on the Cambodian border.” That immediately caught my attention because I was in the 25th Infantry and we operated around the Cambodian border.

Coincidentally, as I was recently reading about the movie from different source materials to refresh my memory about the film, I ran across a surprising fact. It turns out that the unit that the movie was based on was actually my unit: The 3rd Batallion, 22nd Infantry, and 25th Infantry Division.

There is even a scene in the movie where they show a sign that reads: “3/22, 25th Infantry, Bravo Company”.

Much of the movie revolves around the experiences of a young soldier named Chris, played by Charlie Sheen. I related to his character and the changes he went thru (sic) throughout the film. The final scene of the movie takes place during a large battle in which Chris’ unit is being overrun by the enemy. They felt they had no choice but to call artillery strikes on their own position. One of the few survivors of that battle was Chris. In the aftermath, as he was walking out of the smoke and into a clearing, I felt that that was me walking out while the rest of my platoon laid dead behind me.

Just before that air strike battle, Ken was transferred out of the zone because his brother was also stationed in the same combat zone, which was against military protocol.

Dedicated to his unit, Ken turned to his platoon leader and said, “We’re really short on men. Why don’t I go on this last mission and when we come back, I’ll leave.”

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But his superior yelled, “No way. Get off of the truck right now! You’re not going.” Ken was sent to Korea, and about a month later, Ken received a shocking letter from his brother.

He told me that my unit was engaged in a large battle. The enemy force they were facing was so overwhelming in numbers that they were literally being overrun. They had no choice but to call artillery strikes on their own position. As a result, my entire platoon was wiped out in that battle. All my buddies were killed on the mission I should have been on with them.

After the film was over and the audience had vacated the theatre, Ken was too stunned to move. He quietly recounted: The manager of the theatre walked up to us and asked if everything was okay. My wife said, ‘I don’t think so. My husband hasn’t moved since the movie ended.’ The manager then, said to me, ‘Sir, Sir, are you okay?’ At that moment, without responding to the manager, I stood to my feet and proceeded to walk out of the theatre.

When Ken exited the theatre and started walking to his car, he found himself suddenly feeling full of rage. Then when he got to his car, he collapsed to the ground and began to sob convulsively.

I don’t remember how long I was on the ground crying my guts out. It seemed like a long time. My wife told me that she called my pastor. She said he came over and helped me up from the ground.

Thankfully, these occurrences are no longer the norm for me anymore. Where before, in my mind, I had experienced frequent violent daydreams; today, I’ve been able to maintain a peaceful equilibrium. How that came to be is a story for another time.

THE MISSING MAN CEREMONY Each year at our Angels Among Us remembrance services, we take a moment to honor our missing soldiers in gratitude for their service.

Vet-to-Vet Volunteers Ken Kuroda, Roger Deck, and Jim McClure

Every Veteran has their own story, and each Vet-to-Vet Volunteer relationship is unique. The Vet-to-Vet Volunteer connection is a special bond between two individuals who know firsthand the impact of serving our country. Veteran volunteers have the unique ability to relate and connect with each patient thereby creating an environment where life review and healing may occur.

VNA Health is proud to offer a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer program and honored to be the only Level 4 Member of We Honor Veterans in the Tri-County area. Through our Vet-to-Vet Volunteer program trained hospice volunteers, who are also Veterans, are matched with patients who are Veterans. Veteran volunteer activities may include respite care, companionship care, and taking part in a pinning ceremony.

THE TABLE IS ROUND to show our everlasting concern for missing men.

THE TABLECLOTH IS WHITE symbolizing the purity of their motives when answering the call to duty.

THE SINGLE RED ROSE, DISPLAYED IN A VASE reminds us of the life of each of the missing, their loved ones and friends of these Americans who keep faith, awaiting answers.

THE VASE IS TIED WITH A YELLOW RIBBON as a symbol of our continued determination to account for our missing.

We Honor Veterans was created to address the growing need for Veteran-centered care, especially as the need for hospice and palliative care by the aging Veteran population increases. If you are a Veteran or are actively serving you can become a Vet-to-Vet Volunteer. To learn more about Vet-to-Vet Volunteer opportunities, please call our Volunteer Services Team at 805.690.6274.

A SLICE OF LEMON ON THE BREAD PLATE to remind us of the bitter fate of those captured and missing in a foreign land.

A PINCH OF SALT symbolizes the tears endured by those missing and their families who seek answers.

THE GLASS IS INVERTED to symbolize their inability to share this evening’s toast.

| 19 THE CHAIR IS EMPTY‌ they are vna.health missing.

Veterans Services

For Veterans Benefits:

We Honor Veterans

Contact Joe Fletcher, Veterans Services Representative

VNA Health has joined We Honor Veterans, a program of the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization and the Department of Veterans Affairs, to empower hospice professionals to meet the unique needs of dying veterans.

Santa Barbara (805) 681-4500 Jfletch@co.santa-barbara.ca.us www.va.gov

Veterans Affairs Offices Santa Barbara (805) 681-4500 315 Camino del Remedio Bldg 3 Rm 251 Santa Barbara, CA 93110 Santa Maria (805) 346-7160 511 E. Lakeside Pkwy #126 Santa Maria, CA 93454 Lompoc (805) 737-1000 401 E. Cypress St. Lompoc, CA 93436

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(805) 965-5555 512 E. Gutierrez, Suite A Santa Barbara, CA 93103 vna.health/wehonorveterans/

Financial Assistance Department of Veterans Affairs Veterans and/or spouses: disabled or over the age of 65, depending on dates of service, assets, and income 800-827-1000 4440 Calle Real Santa Barbara, CA 93110 (805) 683-1491 ext. 494

Veterans Services Offices Santa Barbara (805) 681-4500 315 Camino Del Remedio, Bldg 2 Santa Barbara, CA 93110 Lompoc (805) 737-7900 108 East Locust Ave. Lompoc, CA 93436

vna

Winter 2020 PROGRAMS & EVENTS

All support groups are offered to the community at no charge. Pre-registration is required for all groups/ workshops. To register, please call/email the facilitator of the group you wish to join at the numbers listed below.

If you wish to join a group that has already started, please call to join the waitlist for the next group.

Loss of Spouse or Partner REGISTER NOW

Loss of Parent REGISTER NOW

Mindfulness in Grief and Healing REGISTER NOW

Writing to Heal REGISTER NOW

Grief Walk & Talk OPEN TO JOIN EACH WEEK

Valley New to Grief

REGISTER NOW

Date: Six Mondays, 1/27/20 - 3/2/20, 2:00 PM–3:30 PM To register contact: Dairine Pearson, LCSW 805.690.6201 or dairine.pearson@vna.health Date: Six Tuesdays, 2/4/20 - 3/10/20, 6:00 PM–7:30 PM To register contact: Dairine Pearson, LCSW 805.690.6201 or dairine.pearson@vna.health Open to both new and experienced meditators.

Group includes time for guided meditation and processing one’s grief.

Date: Six Wednesdays, 3/18/20 - 4/29/20, (no group 4/8) 11:00 AM–12:30 PM To register contact: Mara Petrick, LCSW 805.690.6296 or mara.petrick@vna.health A workshop that uses writing to heal the heart.

No writing experience necessary.

Date: Six Tuesdays, 3/10/20 - 4/14/20, 2:00 PM–3:15 PM For location and details contact: Marsha Goldman, MSW, PhD 805.690.6219 or marsha.goldman@vna.health Join this easy-paced walking group that provides informal support as we walk together through grief.

Date: Every Friday, 10:00 AM–11:00 AM For more information contact: Dairine Pearson, LCSW 805.690.6201 or dairine.pearson@vna.health A group for anyone who had experienced the loss of a loved one in the last year. For residents of the Santa Ynez Valley communities.

Date: Seven Tuesdays, 1/28/20 - 3/10/20, 2:00 PM–3:00 PM For more information contact: Lori Leopold, MSW 805.729.8919 or lori.leopold@vna.health

Individual grief counseling is also available, please call (805) 308-9602, ext 1, 2 or 3. (Se Habla EspaĂąol)

Caring for our Communities since 1908

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community SYNERGY: Working Together Our local Coastal Quilters Guild donated 70 handmade patriotic quilts to VNA Health for the We Honor Veterans Program. These quilts are a gift to honor and appreciate Veterans for their service. VNA Health is the only Level 4 Member of We Honor Veterans in the Tri-County area.

Coastal Quilters Guild Inc. is a nonprofit, educational and charitable organization. The purpose of the Guild is to educate its members about the history and the preservation of the art form of quilt making and its related topics.

When Little Mac was receiving hospice care, the SB Zoo leadership team reached out to VNA Health to provide bereavement care for their staff and volunteers before and after Little Mac’s passing.

Grief is a natural response to loss and anticipated loss. The concepts regarding grief for a family member or human friend are also applicable to the loss of a beloved animal friend or pet. VNA Health was honored to support our SB Zoo family.

Photo Credit: Rashun Drayton

VNA Health was honored to celebrate Nurse Practitioner Week with our Santa Barbara chapter of the California Association for Nurse Practitioners.

Viviana Morales presented a certificate of recognition from Assemblymember Monique LimĂłn. Speakers included Nicole Martinez, BS, RN, MSN, FNP, Chapter President; Jenna Tosh, PhD, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood of Santa Barbara; Dr. Michael Bordorsky, Medical Director of VNA Health; and Lynda Tanner, RN, MSN, President & CEO of VNA Health.

22 | Live Well

Chapter Leadership Team (L-R): Sara Thurman, Lisa Spink, Nancy Warner, Nichole Martinez, and Megan Horn. Not pictured Shiela Tungol Laffie and Virginia Diaz.

To Create Something Greater Than We Could Do Alone Supporting fellow nonprofit organizations like the American Heart Association, Alzheimer’s Association and Family Service Agency to promote the health and well-being of the people we serve has been and continues to be an important tenet for VNA Health. Whether it is walking or running to raise health awareness or meeting people at the Santa Barbara Senior Expo to answer questions about aging and caregiving, the VNA Health team is proud to partner with good organizations doing great things for our people.

VNA Health team at Heart Walk

VNA Health team at Walk to End Alzheimer’s

Christine Elrod, RN enjoys a quick run at the Heart Walk

Sena Woodall, RN with visitors at the Santa Barbara Senior Expo

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An Evening with

Noah benShea & Jacob The Baker

FEB 11, 2020 7:30 PM TICKETS $25 800.838.3006 Marjorie Luke Theatre www.luketheatre.org

“Noah benShea is a national treasure.� – Lois Capps “He is like a Zen Mark Twain.� – Larry King, CNN “Noah benShea is a welcome source of compassion and humble wisdom.� – Bob Costas, MLB Sportscaster

Noah benShea is a Pulitzer Prize-nominated, internationally best-selling author of 28 books that have been translated into 18 languages, including his Jacob The Baker series. Speaking in the persona of his primary character Jacob, benShea will share an evening of spirituality, humor, compassion and gentle wisdom for a complicated world.

Oftentimes, benShea has been asked if he and Jacob are the same person. benShea humbly shared, “Yes, but I’m the one with the character flaws. In Jacob The Baker you will find wisdom wiser than me. And I am reminded that God is not finished with any of us. Yet.�

Books will be available for purchase and signing.

PRESENTED BY THE MARJORIE LUKE THEATRE

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

SUPPORTED IN PART BY AN INTERACTIVE SERIES LED BY WORLD-RENOWNED SPEAKERS OFFERING UNIQUE STRATEGIES TO ENRICH YOUR LIFE

Naomi and Ben Bollag

Gerd and Peter Jordano

PHORUM 2020

PERSPECTIVES IN HEALTHCARE

PHENOMENAL RESEARCH ON END-OF-LIFE EXPERIENCES

MAR

12 2020

LOBERO THEATRE RETURNING KEYNOTE SPEAKER DR. CHRIS KERR www.vna.health/phorum

S A N TA B A R B A R A YA C H T C L U B

Charity Regatta The 2019 Charity Regatta was an exciting day filled with boat races, delicious food, music, dancing and spending time with good friends. The event ultimately raised nearly $132,000 with this year’s theme of “Celebrating the Rehab Team.” VNA Health’s Rehab Team consists of more than 30 Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech and Language Pathologists. A total of 24 vessels participated in the competitive racing with Jeff Grange leading Venom to victory in its class and Skookum winning among her class under skipper George Brown. Regatta guests had the opportunity to join the racers on the waters aboard one of the 15 impressive spectator boats. Sincere gratitude to the owners and crews of the race boats and spectator boats, and the members of the Santa Barbara Yacht Club.

Photo Credit: Baron Spafford

26 | Live Well Photo Credit: Fritz Olenberger

SBYC Commodore Scott Deardorff, Regatta Co-Chair & Staff Commodore Francie Lufkin, VNA Health President & CEO Lynda Tanner, Regatta Co-Chair Nick Sebastian, and VNA Health Foundation Executive Director Rick Keith

SBYC Charity Regatta Committee Front: Shari Guilfoyle, Marilyn Goodfield, Francie Lufkin, Suesan Pawlitski, Judy Rawles, Back: Lailan McGrath, Nick Sebastian, Lil Nelson, Scott Deardorff, Beverly Toole, Not pictured: Sammi Beach, Brittany Avila Wazny, Gail Young

SBYC Charity Regatta Celebrity Skippers

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VNA Health Rehab Team: (top) Haley Dahlgard, Mary Moore, Laura Shaw, Mary Beth Gomez, Linley Berger, Alexis Hutchings, Tara Deyo. (bottom) Leslie Lannan, Ryan Lewis, and Danya Olivo

VNA Health Senior Leadership: Mary Beth Gomez, Dusty Keegan, Rebecca Bernard, Rick Keith, Lynda Tanner, Jo Ann Mack, Jo Mason, and Easter Moorman

Teresa and John Koontz, Suesan and Garry Pawlitski (2020 Commodore)

Tania and Ryan Lewis, Mary and Mitch Moore

VNA Health Senior Leadership: Mara Sorkin, Matt Brown, Marcelle Coale, and Karen Wallace

Lil Nelson, Scott Deardorff and Anna Friedrich

Leslie and Scott Deardorff

Gretchen and Fritz Olenberger

Dr. Fred Kass

Regatta Co-chairs Francie Lufkin and Nick Sebastian joined Commodore Scott Deardorff to present a check for $132,000 raised to VNA Health Foundation Executive Director, Rick Keith.

The Santa Barbara Yacht Club Women

SAVE THE DATE S A N TA B A R B A R A YA C H T C L U B

Charity Regatta

Front: Monique Castaneda, Kendall Avila. Back row: Kyrie Belme, Spencer Thurman, Matthew Anderson, Peter Verlangieri, Julia Hayes, and Richard Tennant. Special thanks to SONOS volunteers.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS G re gg Hacke thal , Fra nc ie Lu f k in a nd Suzi S c h ome r Gregg Hackethal, a registered investment advisor, has been managing investment portfolios for institutions, individuals and family trusts for thirty-five years. Prior to his involvement in the investment industry, he served as the Executive Assistant to a Member of Congress for ten years and was engaged in the private practice of law.

Hackethal earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of Southern California and graduated with honors from Loyola University School of Law. He is a member of the California Bar Association. Hackethal is a former board member and past president of the Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse, a former Trustee of the Santa Barbara Museum of Art, where he chaired the Investment Committee for twelve years, a former board member of VNA Health, and a Past President of the Santa Barbara Club. He is currently a Trustee of the Santa Barbara Symphony Endowment Trust, a member of the Investment Committee at Fielding Graduate University, a member of the Steering Committee of Fighting Back, and volunteers as a Santa Barbara County Teen Court judge. He re-joined the VNA Health Board of Directors in 2019.

Francie Lufkin is a fourth generation Santa Barbara native who has worked in commercial property management for 30 years. She graduated from UCSB with a degree in Economics. Lufkin has served as Finance Council Director for the Junior League of Santa Barbara, Treasurer for All Saints by the Sea Preschool Parent Board, Treasurer for Montecito Union PTA, Treasurer for Santa Barbara Junior High School PTA, and Treasurer for Santa Barbara Maritime Museum Board. Lufkin currently is Treasurer for the Foundation for Santa Barbara High School Board and Board Member for the Santa Barbara Youth Sailing Foundation. She has participated on the Charity Regatta Committee at Santa Barbara Yacht Club that benefits Serenity House VNA Health for several years, and served as Co-Chair for the 2019 VNA Health Charity Regatta. Lufkin joined the VNA Health Board of Directors in 2019.

30 | Live Well

Suzi Schomer has over 30 years of experience in financial services. She graduated with both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Southern California.

Schomer has been an active volunteer in the Santa Barbara area for over two decades by serving as Trustee of the Santa Barbara County Employees’ Retirement System, Treasurer of the Santa Barbara Cemetery Association, Foreman of the 2012-2013 Santa Barbara Grand Jury, Board member and Past Chair of the Wildling Museum of Art & Nature, and Board member emeritus and Past President of the Santa Barbara City College Foundation. Schomer currently serves as Board Member for the Montecito Retirement Association – Casa Dorinda, Board member of the Santa Barbara Maritime Museum, Board member for the Friends of the Montecito Library as well as the on the Planned Giving Committees for VNA Health, United Way of Santa Barbara and Hospice of Santa Barbara. Schomer joined the VNA Health Board of Directors in 2019.

GOLDEN AWA R D

wi n n ers

Sammi Beach DONOR SERVICES MANAGER, GRANT WRITER POSITIVE, PROFESSIONAL, TEAM PLAYER

Sammi ALWAYS has a smile and a “can do” attitude. It is a pleasure to work any Foundation event with Sammi.

She is professional, organized, and a great leader. When a vital member of the team was out, Sammi rose to the occasion. She took on additional responsibilities and ensured that all events ran smoothly. Sammi always has a positive attitude, no matter the difficulty of the situation. She is such a joy to work with. Her teamwork and compassion for the agency are infectious.

I choose to live well by going on adventures with my dog Moose!

Sammi and her dog Moose

Cathy Austin, RN, MSN, CHPN HOSPICE CLINICAL EDUCATOR JOYFUL, DEDICATED, EXCELLENT TEACHER

For me, to live well means spending time with God and family

Cathy has a joyful sense of humor and is a positive light at VNA Health. She is kind, generous, open, and honest. When Cathy sees a co-worker in need, she always asks, “How can I help?” Cathy is an excellent teacher. She speaks to people compassionately and always gives her co-workers her utmost respect. Cathy is not only a member of her department, but is also a dedicated member of the VNA team, as she is always ready to pitch in and help with interdepartmental projects, tasks, and shifts. For example – pitching in to clean a Serenity House room on the weekend so a patient did not have to be turned away for a needed admission or coming in on a day off when she realized there might not be someone to cover a TB testing.

Cathy is dedicated to the success of our agency and we are fortunate to have her as part of our VNA family!

Cathy and her dog Harley

vna.health/careers

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

Santa Barbara, CA Permit No. 267

509 East Montecito Street, Suite 200 Santa Barbara, CA 93103

19 THANNUAL

M other’s D ay L uncheon Ro sewo o d

M i ram ar

B e ac h

H ot el

We are very pleased to announce that we are honoring Sue Birch

and remembering Adelle “Chris� Dyer at the 2020 Mother’s Day Luncheon.

Our Honorees exemplify the compassionate and generous traits of the women who founded VNA Health in Santa Barbara over 111 years ago. The luncheon will be a celebration of mothers and the healing qualities of music. Your support raises funds for charity care and the community care programs funded

by VNA Health Foundation such as Music Therapy, Pet Therapy, Palliative Care, Bereavement Care, Integrative Therapy, We Honor Veterans and our Loan Closet.

SPACE IS LIMITED www.vna.health/luncheon

Sponsorship Information & Questions: lailan.mcgrath@vna.health or 805.690.6218

MAY

08 2020