Hospital holds successful ‘End of Summer Crabfest’ fundraiser

Catherine Stachowiak – The Kern Valley Hospital Foundation held its fifth annual End of Summer Crabfest, a fundraiser event for charity, at the hospital lawn in Lake Isabella on Saturday evening, September 16.

President of the foundation Colleen Bulgarelli welcomed the crowd, followed by an invocation from Jeanette Rogers-Erickson, director of the foundation and an introduction of the first vice chair of the KVHD board of directors, Ross Elliott.

“Kern Valley Hospital learned earlier this week that it has been included in the list of best hospitals in California for quality of patient care. This is akin to making the honor roll,” Elliott said.

He also stated that the acknowledgment the hospital received was based upon dozens of quality measurements that all hospitals are judged by. So, in other words, Kern Valley Hospital provides some of the best care in all of California.

Elliott said, “Congratulations to everyone for making this happen – the hard-working staff, the doctors and nurses, the administration, and all of the support personnel. And, thank you to the community for continuing to support us.

Mark Gordon, Chief Nursing Officer (CNO) announced that Kern Valley Hospital was honored when California Hospital Compare placed them on their honor roll for 2023. 

He said, “They’re an entity that recognizes hospital performance measures. We report, monthly, to them the quality measures that we track and try to improve on.  And we achieved an award for that.”

Tim McGlew the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the hospital announced that he was very pleased the hospital was placed on the honor roll of Cal Hospital Prepared Program (Cal HPP.) The entity, much like the national HPP, scores hospitals and skilled nursing facilities.

“We were informed that, for 2023, we were awarded their Patient Safety honor role.” McGlew said, “82 hospitals out of 347 that were considered for the honor roll were awarded, so about 24%.”

He also said he was grateful to the hospital staff involved in helping them attain that recognition.

“We want the community to know. It’s a big deal,” said McGlew. “It’s something to be proud of. Confirmation that we’re doing things right.” 

Deborah Hess, manager of public affairs and marketing for the Kern Valley Hospital Foundation said donated silent auction items, the hospital featured at the affair, included trips to Mexico and Pismo Beach, and a bottle of wine among many others overflowing the auction tables that night, with successful sign-ups. 

The $60 per seat event was fully packed with at least 150 people attending.  Several local entities and individuals sponsored entire tables at the feast for $500 each. Nine local businesses sponsored the affair. 

KVHD Nutrition Services Department catered the menu, which included king crab and filet mignon, with a crème Brule cheesecake for dessert.

The rock band Rockslide entertained that night playing for the receptive crowd.