Category: Press Releases

Salinas, CA, April 7, 2016 – Natividad Foundation (NMF) recognized Pebble Beach Company, Pebble Beach Company Foundation and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® as the recipients of its 2016 Hero Award at its Donor Celebration event. The annual Hero Award recognizes these organizations’ generous collaboration with the Natividad Foundation to strengthen Natividad—the one place that safeguards the lives and livelihoods of everyone in Monterey County.

Other highlights of Natividad Foundation’s Annual Donor Celebration include:

• Unveiling of the new Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) exhibition, “A Healing Feast for the Soul,” sponsored by SSB Construction.
  
• Introduction of NMF’s new brand, “Transform Health Care into Healing,” showcasing how Foundation donors are giving birth to innovative health solutions that heal one of the most diverse communities in the nation.
  
• A check presentation of more than $315,000 to NMF from The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC), founded in 2010 by John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California. This event brings TALC’s support of Natividad Foundation to more than $2 million to date.“We’re so pleased to recognize the contributions of the Pebble Beach Company, Pebble Beach Company Foundation and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® this year,” said Linda Ford, President & CEO of Natividad Foundation. “And The Agricultural Leadership Council reached another milestone this year – now surpassing $2 million in donations for essential equipment and services that enhance the quality of care at Natividad. The Pebble Beach organizations and TALC’s enduring support are instrumental in creating and sustaining healing services that improve the lives of patients and the community.”

About Natividad

Natividad is a 172-bed acute care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing health care to the residents of Monterey County for nearly 130 years, Natividad provides health care access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment, and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

About Natividad Foundation

Natividad Foundation transforms health care into healing by developing innovative programs to enhance the Medical Center and support its high quality care. Established in 1988, Natividad Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org.

Natividad Foundation Transforms Health Care into Healing

Salinas, CA, April 7, 2016 – The Natividad Foundation (NMF) introduced its new brand, “Transform Health Care into Healing,” showcasing how its donors are giving birth to innovative health solutions that heal one of the most diverse communities in the nation.

Speaking at NMF’s 2016 Annual Donor Celebration, Linda Ford, President and CEO said, “Our Monterey County community leaders are transforming the high quality care at Natividad, providing solutions that heal people, unite a community and stand as models for our nation.”

“Transform Health Care into Healing” describes efforts of the Foundation’s donors and invites others to join in developing health and social innovations in a County that is home to some of the richest and poorest people in the United States. Donors have created the internationally recognized Indigenous interpreting+ program, provided specialized medical technology, and are helping to enhance Monterey County’s state-of-the-art trauma center and post-hospital recovery programs.

“Natividad Foundation has been our essential partner in transforming our safety-net hospital into a provider of high quality care for all,” said Dr. Gary Gray, Chief Executive Officer of Natividad.

Gray points to the support received from individual and foundation donors such as the D’Arrigo family, Mike Haynes of Cinderella Carpet One, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC). “Together with many others, they combine their efforts through the Foundation to support programs like CHOICE to end the cycle of violence. They equip doctors with more healing power through advanced medical equipment and services in the Trauma Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). And, they broadly engage diverse communities to ensure all patients have the high quality health care and healing environment they deserve.”

The Foundation looks forward to helping donors increase their impact with programs that stand as models in our community and around the nation. The Foundation has also launched a redesigned website to illustrate the power donors have to transform health care into healing, www.natividadfoundation.org.

About Natividad

Natividad is a 172-bed acute care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing health care to the residents of Monterey County for nearly 130 years, Natividad provides health care access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment, and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

About Natividad Foundation

Natividad Foundation transforms health care into healing by developing innovative programs to enhance the Medical Center and support its high quality care. Established in 1988, Natividad Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org.

Maria Boisvert is bringing both an artist’s vision and a well-honed financial eye to the Natividad Foundation’s Board of Directors.

After buying a home in Carmel, Boisvert has become the newest member of the NMF board. She is a Senior Vice President, Financial Advisor with RBC Wealth Management, having worked out of the San Jose office for over 32 years. And she’s a skilled artist.

“We are happy to have her financial skills, and as a artist we welcome her advice on creating a healing environment for our patients,” said Margaret Eaton, chair of the NMF board.

As a member of Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association, Boisvert has had dozens of exhibits of her art. Plein air is French meaning to paint “in the open air.”

“It is important for me to put down on canvas or paper the places, moments in time that are most inspiring. Capturing that sweet spot, finding those relationships, seeing beyond the subject becomes all encompassing,” Boisvert said. “What an affair it becomes when all the elements come together.”

As she traveled to Monterey County for arts events, she increasingly became aware of the hospital, the Foundation and The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC), which raises funds for programs at the Medical Center.

“I’ve been very impressed with TALC,” Boisvert said. “TALC has immensely improved the healthcare of many agricultural workers. The mission of TALC, helping agricultural workers and their families, has inspired me over the years.

She was able to get a first-hand understanding of the people and programs that support the Foundation when one of her art pieces was selected to exhibit during the Foundation’s “Hero” Awards Celebration in 2012.

“She shares our vision,” said Linda Ford, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Natividad Foundation. “And she’s a vital member of our team.”

Boisvert helps affluent individuals and their families achieve their financial goals by creating and implementing comprehensive wealth management strategies. In addition to her series licenses she is a Registered Investment Advisor and is an Accredited Wealth Manager with RBC Wealth Management.

She received her bachelor’s degree in sculpture and sociology at Plattsburg State University of New York in 1979.

Her works currently can be seen at the Gallerie Amsterdam of Fine Art in Carmel-by-the- Sea. In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her husband Don Woo hiking, cooking and traveling.

Natividad, SALINAS — With fake “blood” spattered on his T- shirt, John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of D’Arrigo Bros., Co. of CA and founder of The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC) was wheeled on a gurney to the front of a room where trauma surgeons awaited – during a light-hearted annual tradition that says “thank-you” from the Natividad Foundation to TALC for donations provided to fund new life-saving technologies.

The mock exercise at Natividad (NMC) had a serious point: The regional Trauma Center at NMC has treated over 1,000 patients since January 2015, with top- notch medical equipment purchased in part by contributions from TALC. Since its inception, TALC has purchased over 140 pieces of medical equipment.

Natividad is the only Level II Trauma Center in the tri-county region. Local trauma care is a vital community service that saves lives and eliminates the need to fly critically injured patients to a distant trauma center. Natividad’s Trauma Center is staffed by a highly skilled trauma care team in-house 24/7, consisting of physicians, surgical specialists, nurses, technicians and support personnel.

After shedding the “bloodied” T-shirt, D’Arrigo addressed his fellow TALC members, pointing out that TALC has raised more than $1.7 million for the Medical Foundation since 2010.

“The need is endless,” D’Arrigo said. “But that’s what we do here. We change lives and save lives.”

The money raised is distributed throughout the Medical Center for services like Trauma Education. Natividad trauma surgeon, Dr. Andrew McCague, demonstrated high-tech mannequins used to provide ongoing training to trauma physicians. The mannequins, purchased with donations from TALC, are used to simulate everything from intubating patients to help them breath to opening an airway through the throat, called a tracheotomy. One even “bleeds” artificial blood.

Another addition to the trauma team’s “tool belt” is a cooling machine that lowers body temperature to protect brain cells, particularly after a brain injury or cardiac arrest. Many physicians think of it as “cooling the body to save the brain.”

But it’s not all about equipment. TALC has also funded the Foundation’s Indigenous Interpreting + program. Indigenous Interpreting + provides patients with interpreting services during their medical care. Interpreters are there when medical staff needs to explain treatment plans to non-English and non-Spanish speaking patients. In the Salinas Valley, agricultural workers are often from areas in Mexico where indigenous languages like Mixteco or Triqui are spoken exclusively. Many of these indigenous peoples do not understand Spanish.

Victor Sosa, who heads the Indigenous Interpreting + program at Natividad, introduced several interpreters who are there for patients when physicians need to explain an illness or injury. Imagine trying to take a medication as prescribed when you can’t read or speak English or Spanish.

“Many of the patients may not know where the money comes from for the program, but they are incredibly grateful to have an interpreter,” Sosa said.

Salinas, CA (March 5, 2015) – Linda Ford, President & CEO of Natividad Foundation, says, “What a wonderful celebration tonight! The Agricultural Leadership Council reached another milestone this year, we’ve raised $750,000 for Natividad Trauma Center’s CHOICE violence intervention and prevention program, and The Haynes Charitable Foundation surprised us with a $300,000 gift that will help us meet the most basic needs of Natividad’s patients.”

John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA, presented The Agricultural Leadership Council’s largest check to date – $500,500 – to help Natividad purchase medical equipment and provide spiritual care and indigenous interpreting services. The March 5 event marked the one year anniversary of NMF’s Indigenous Interpreting+. TALC, founded by D’Arrigo in 2010, has grown to 134 members and has donated more than $1.67 million to Natividad.

Mike Haynes, President of The Haynes Charitable Foundation and Cinderella Carpet One, a family-owned, Salinas-based business since 1947, also announced a gift to Natividad of $300,000. A big piece of that gift – $170,000 – goes to TALC, and the additional $130,000 from Haynes will support the child sexual abuse clinic, “TraumaMan” simulation training equipment, Child Passenger Seat certification by Safe Kids and the Patient Greatest Needs Fund.

Five Monterey County organizations – Building Healthy Communities-East Salinas, The California Endowment; Community Alliance for Safety and Peace (CASP); Four Cities for Peace (4C4P); Monterey County Administrative Office, Office of Community Engagement and Advocacy; and the Seaside Blue Ribbon Panel – were honored as the 2015 NMF Hero Award recipients for their contributions to continually improving the health status of the people of Monterey County.

The event also featured the introduction of the new hospital-linked violence intervention and prevention program of the Natividad Trauma Center – CHOICE – designed to promote positive alternatives to violence to reduce retaliation and re-injury among youth and young adults injured by violence. Gary Gray, DO, Interim CEO at Natividad says, “CHOICE is unique in the nation, because they are providing peer intervention specialists 24/7. They can get to the bedside within 15 minutes. That’s important, because they can reach a lot more young people during the very brief ‘teachable moment’ after a violent injury.”

Barnet Segal Charitable Trust’s William Brodsley and Stu Berman surprised the crowd with the announcement of a $250,000 grant to NMF for CHOICE program participants’ mental health needs. NMC’s Chief of Psychiatry and Monterey County Behavioral Health Medical Director, David Soskin, MD, noted, “The impact of violent trauma can last a lifetime. The grant from the Barnet Segal Charitable Trust will allow us to address the need for a clinician who has specialty training in the assessment and treatment of childhood trauma for victims of violence enrolled in

CHOICE.” CHOICE was launched in January with funds from the Claire Giannini Fund and the City of Salinas CalGRIP grant, and the program has already enrolled 14 young victims of violence.Manny González, Assistant County Administrative Officer, Office of Community Engagement & Advocacy said, “I am humbled to be recognized along with a group of people and community organizations throughout the County who are working diligently to reduce violence in our communities.”

The evening also featured the unveiling of the new Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) exhibition, “Plein Air Art: Healing Waters – Calming Seas”. The 67 paintings in the show depict the various moods of the Monterey Bay waters. This year, 30% of the proceeds of painting sales donated by the artists support Chaplains at Natividad. MBPAPA was recognized as one of Monterey County Arts Council’s 2014 “Champions of the Arts”.

Event sponsors included Comerica Bank and SSB Construction.

About Natividad Foundation

Natividad Foundation philanthropically supports the programs and services of Natividad, a safety net hospital in Salinas, California. Natividad Foundation is passionate about raising funds to support access to healthcare for babies, children and families in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. Established in 1988, Natividad Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org.

About Natividad

Natividad is a 172-bed acute care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing healthcare to the residents of Monterey County for over 129 years, Natividad provides healthcare access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level

II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment, and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

Salinas, CA (March 5, 2015) – John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA, and the members of The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC) presented their largest check to date – $500,500 – to Natividad Foundation (NMF) at their Annual Donor Celebration on Thursday, March 5. TALC’s gifts will help Natividad purchase medical equipment and provide spiritual care and indigenous interpreting services. TALC, founded by D’Arrigo in 2010, has grown to 134 members and has donated more than $1.67 million to Natividad. TALC was honored as the Outstanding Philanthropic Service Organization at the Central Coast’s National Philanthropy Day in November 2014 at Pebble Beach’s Inn at Spanish Bay.

John D’Arrigo said, “We know that by giving to Natividad, we can literally change and save the lives of agricultural workers and their families every day. I think having the Trauma Center at Natividad offers an exciting new opportunity for the whole community to help Natividad in its mission.”

Mike Haynes, President of The Haynes Charitable Foundation and Cinderella Carpet One, a family-owned, Salinas-based business since 1947, also announced a gift to Natividad of $300,000. A big piece of that gift – $170,000 – goes to TALC. Haynes said, “As I’ve learned more about Natividad, I’ve seen the great need. I’ve also seen an amazing impact with the money I’ve given through TALC and how it has been spent to help patients.” The additional $130,000 from Haynes will support the child sexual abuse clinic, “TraumaMan” simulation training equipment, Child Passenger Seat certification by Safe Kids and the Patient Greatest Needs Fund.

The March 5 event also marked the one year anniversary of NMF’s Indigenous Interpreting+. “Indigenous Interpreting+ was launched by Driscoll’s and TALC last year and has already grown from 4 interpreters to more than 200 and from 3 languages to more than 13,” according to Linda Ford, President & CEO of Natividad Foundation. Ford says six indigenous interpreters have completed 6-month paid internships, and two more are currently interning at Natividad.

Event sponsors included Comerica Bank and SSB Construction.

About Natividad Foundation

Natividad Foundation philanthropically supports the programs and services of Natividad, a safety net hospital in Salinas, California. Natividad Foundation is passionate about raising funds to support access to healthcare for babies, children and families in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. Established in 1988, Natividad Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org.

About Natividad

Natividad is a 172-bed acute care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing healthcare to the residents of Monterey County for over 129 years, Natividad provides healthcare access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level

II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment, and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

Natividad Foundation Annual Donor Celebration Thursday, March 5, 5:00-7:00pm at Natividad

Salinas, CA, February 27, 2015 – Natividad Foundation (NMF) will recognize five Monterey County organizations as the 2015 NMF Hero Award recipients for their contributions to continually improving the health status of the people of Monterey County through their tireless work to intervene in and prevent violence in our communities:

• Building Healthy Communities – East Salinas, The California Endowment
• Community Alliance for Safety and Peace (CASP)
• Four Cities for Peace (4C4P)
• Monterey County Administrative Office, Office of Community Engagement and Advocacy
• Seaside Blue Ribbon PanelNMF’s Celebration will also feature:

• Unveiling of the new Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) exhibition, “Plein Air Art: Healing Waters – Calming Seas”;
• Introduction of CHOICE, a program of the Natividad Trauma Center that features peer interventionists who are available 24/7 and arrive at the bedside of a victim of violence within 15 minutes of arrival to the Trauma Center. CHOICE is designed to promote positive alternatives to violence and reduce retaliation and re-injury among youth and young adults injured by violence; and
• Presentation by The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC) of a check for $325,000 to Natividad. TALC, founded in 2010 by John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA, has grown to more than 130 members, including Driscoll’s, NewStar Fresh Foods and Taylor Farms, and has donated more than $1.4 million for the purchase of medical equipment and support for NMF’s Indigenous Interpreting+ program.

WHEN: Thursday, March 5, 2015

5 – 6 pm: 6 – 7 pm:

Unveiling of “Plein Air Art: Healing Waters – Calming Seas” exhibition, sponsored by SSB Construction

Natividad Foundation 2015 Hero Award Presentation
Hero Award Video sponsored by Comerica Bank
Introduction of CHOICE, a program of the Natividad Trauma Center TALC Check Presentation

WHERE: Natividad, 1441 Constitution Blvd., Salinas, CA

5 – 6 pm: Second Floor; 6 – 7 pm: Main Lobby 1

WHO:

• John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo Bros. Co. of CA; Founder, The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC); and NMF Board Member
• Linda Ford, President & CEO, NMF
• Gary Gray, D.O., Interim Chief Executive Officer, Natividad
• Minerva H. Perez-Lopez, M.D., Natividad Medical Group and NMF Board Vice Chair
• Kristen Spencer, RN II, Trauma Prevention & Outreach
• David Soskin, M.D., Medical Director, Monterey County Behavioral Health and Chief of Psychiatry,NatividadAbout Natividad FoundationNatividad Foundation philanthropically supports the programs and services of Natividad, a safety net hospital in Salinas, California. Natividad Foundation is passionate about raising funds to support access to health care for babies, children and families in the community, regardless of their ability to pay. Established in 1988, Natividad Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org.