Dameron Hospital | Health Outlook | Fall 2020

Dear friends and community members, Welcome to the Fall issue of Health Outlook . It is almost an understatement to say that it’s been quite an adventure since Adventist Health assumed management of Dameron Hospital in January! When I reflect upon all that we have been through together, I firmly believe that everything happens for a reason. My takeaway from this experience is that the resilience of our community — our patients, employees, physicians and residents — is exceptionally strong, and there is no place I’d rather be than right here in San Joaquin County. After stepping up to the challenge of strengthening Dameron Hospital’s services while dealing with a global pandemic, community lockdown, economic shutdown, social upheaval, heat waves, power blackouts and wildfires, I’m convinced that we can and will achieve our goal of creating a healthy future for us all. In this issue of Health Outlook , we share some of the exciting new things that we’ve been working on. Meet LISA, our new surgical robot One of the ways we’re raising the bar on surgical excellence at Dameron and in the community is our recent acquisition of a state-of-the-art da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgery System. Affectionately referred to as “LISA,” our robot is an important tool that enhances surgeons’ ability to perform minimally invasive procedures that result in shorter hospital stays and faster recovery times for patients. Having this capability at Dameron is important for our future because it will not only allow our surgeons to perform more procedures with it, but it can also help us attract more surgeons with robotic training to practice here. This will ultimately give patients the best surgical options available right here, where we live. We’ve got the beat … and can help you get it too For cardiologists, listening to a patient’s heart function normally without skipping a beat is music to their ears. Referred to as “sinus rhythm,” this is the normal pulsation of the heart that circulates blood through our bodies throughout our lives. As we age, the odds of developing an irregular heartbeat significantly increase. Typically diagnosed as atrial fibrillation (AFib), the heart’s two upper chambers begin beating out of rhythm and too fast. The problem is caused by the heart’s own built-in electrical signals. In this state, the heart is unable to pump efficiently, and this increases the risk of stroke and other serious issues. Dameron’s Electrophysiology Lab Program has been developed to treat AFib and restore normal sinus rhythm permanently, which allows patients to live life on their terms once again. We’re letting you in on a secret Most people aren’t aware that Dameron has been operating a neighborhood retail pharmacy on the edge of its campus for decades. Open to the public, our Linacia Pharmacy not only takes care of our hospital patients, but they also fill prescriptions from any licensed physician in the area. You will be surprised at the range of services our little pharmacy provides and the fantastic new added service they are now offering to help you receive your medications as conveniently as possible. In closing, if you have any questions about our services or want to let us know how we can serve you better, please give us a call or visit our website to share your thoughts with us. We are your hospital and are here for you whenever you need us, every day of the year. We look forward to the opportunity to be a part of your life. Thank you for the privilege of serving you. What is happening at Dameron? Yours in health, Daniel Wolcott President, Dameron Hospital 2  Health Outlook • Fall 2020 Information in Health Outlook comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider. 2020 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. CEO CORNER