Huntington Health

Next up in our volunteer spotlight series — introducing the Chin Family Jazz Trio! On bass, we have Richard (dad); on keyboards, Ethan (17); and Nolan (15) is on drums! Through Huntington’s Music Ambassador program, the fab three play dazzling sets in the Main Lobby for visitors, staff and patients. If you’re lucky enough to catch one of their free performances, you’ll get to hear movie soundtrack songs like “You've Got a Friend in Me” from “Toy Story” and “The Bare Necessities” from “The Jungle Book” or jazz standards like “Autumn Leaves” and other compositions from Oscar Peterson, Vince Guaraldi, Dave Brubeck, Wes Montgomery, Duke Ellington and Count Basie. After seeing the comfort their music brought to their grandparents, the boys wanted to spread this well-being to the community and sought out volunteering at Huntington. “We feel good to give back with music; it's what brings people together,” Richard explained. Huntington was also their top pick because Nolan was born at the hospital, so they saw an opportunity to give back. “My wife Jennie and I have good memories of Huntington… when we stayed there a few days for Nolan’s birth and attended training for birthing couples,” Richard said. Richard and his sons get a lot out of volunteering at Huntington: the feeling of being part of a community, appreciation from listeners, meeting new people, unique conversations, a broader perspective on life and getting some family bonding time. “It feels nice inside to be able to do something we love that people enjoy and appreciate, especially in a nice setting with nice people at Huntington Hospital,” Richard expressed.

Volunteers are one of Huntington’s greatest strengths. Each year, our 1500 volunteers collectively donate thousands of hours throughout Huntington Health. To close out the year, we’re shining a light on a few volunteers who vitalize our community through their kindness and generosity. First up, meet Deanna! Former respiratory therapist and retired artist, Deanna, volunteers her time at Huntington three times a week creating one-of-a-kind watercolor sketches for patients. She tailors her creations to the patient’s favorite things. Whether it’s a kitty peeking out of a super-sized French fry box or roses sprouting out of a football, Deanna’s whimsical cards make us smile. Last February, while Deanna’s husband was receiving care at Huntington, she read about a magician who volunteers at the hospital. Inspired, she decided then and there to volunteer at Huntington. Since then, she has volunteered a remarkable 303 hours on the inpatient rehab, pediatric and oncology units, creating over 200 sketches! Volunteering at Huntington serves two purposes for Deanna: “I went into health care because I wanted to help people. I wanted to volunteer to give back. And what better way to do both than sketch for people who could use a little special something to help them through an unexpected hospital stay? It's an honor to use my drawings to lift someone up!”

Huntington Hospital Medical Staff recently hosted their end of year, Doctors Without Orders group event. Over 75 physicians gathered to celebrate the retirement of Pasadena neurologist, Philip Girard, MD, and thank him for his dedication to the community at his practice, Girard Neurology. The group also recognized Peter Rosenberg, MD, for completing his two-year term as Chief of Medical Staff at Huntington Hospital, and welcomed Wafaa Alrashid, MD, the incoming Chief of Medical Staff, beginning January 2025.

Celebrating our recent DAISY Award winner - Nicole Olson, RN, from Station 31, whose compassionate care and dedication motivated her patient to share this: “I'm currently hospitalized and facing daunting uncertainties. However, the collective efforts of the medical team, including doctors, nurses and caregivers, have been truly remarkable. Among them, there's one individual who stands out: Nicole. She has a remarkable ability to simplify complex medical information, offering comfort and clarity during this challenging time. Her professionalism is outstanding, coupled with a genuine warmth that brings immense comfort. It's evident that she's not only passionate about her work but also exceptionally skilled. She has kept me well informed and has been prompt in addressing my needs. While I understand she's not seeking recognition, her dedication and compassion certainly warrant acknowledgment.” Thank you, Nicole, for giving your best to your patients every day. Congratulations! #DAISYAward #CompassionateCommunityCare

We’re honored to be named one of the 2024 Healthiest Employers of Southern California! At Huntington Health, we’re proud to prioritize the well-being of our employees and medical staff with exceptional wellness programs, health benefits, and work-life balance resources. As Pamela Weatherspoon, vice president of diversity, equity, inclusion, engagement and wellness, says: “Taking care of our staff takes care of our community.” Learn more about this exciting recognition and our commitment to workplace wellness! #PeopleFirst #WorkplaceWellness #Wellness #CompassionateCommunityCare

Our very own Jonathan Martinez, RN, patient flow coordinator, emergency services, was recently included in Working Nurse magazine's special annual feature: Men in Nursing 2024. During the interview, Jonathan said that he loves helping critical patients in their time of greatest need and is grateful for the bonds he has formed with his coworkers. He also shared a touching story about how his coworkers rallied to celebrate a patient who turned 100 but had no friends or family to acknowledge her special day. “I’ll never forget the smile on her face,” Jonathan expressed. Looking forward, Jonathan is excited about Huntington’s forthcoming graduate program. “Observing the growth of novice nurses is a profoundly rewarding experience,” he told Working Nurse. Congratulations, Jonathan! Read his full feature here: bit.ly/3VxZdJf

Today we proudly recognize recent DAISY Award recipient, 6 West nurse Diane Gutierrez, RN. In the story shared by her nominator, we are reminded of the profound impact nurses have — not just on patients but their families as well. “My wife had stage 4 cancer and had been on chemo for the past three years. At the beginning of the year, things started to get worse. She was in and out of different hospitals and was deteriorating. When the end of her life was near, I called 911, and she was taken to Huntington’s ED. The doctors realized that she was near the end, so they moved her to a private room, and her daughter and I were with her. Our nurse, Diane, was a wonderful lady. Diane gave my wife a sponge bath, brushed her hair, put on a clean smock, and gave her dignity in her final moments. Within an hour, she passed away. It brings tears to my eyes writing this; I would love to meet Diane to thank her in person for being so kind, but at a minimum, I would like people to be aware of my 100% appreciation for the care from the ED and this nurse. ” Thank you, Diane, for going above and beyond to provide comfort and humanity when it mattered most. Congratulations on this well-deserved recognition!

Giving Tuesday is here! Your gift to Huntington Hospital makes an immediate impact, allowing us to continue to deliver the expert care you trust, close to home. Join us this Giving Tuesday and click here to make a gift today: bit.ly/4f63Elj

Grateful patients Curt and Kimberly Jacobsen support Huntington Hospital as a way to show their gratitude and to ensure the hospital can continue to provide the same quality of care to others in the community. To learn more about our Grateful Hearts program, please visit https://lnkd.in/gKarTguq.