Children's Hospital Central California, Madera
Children's Hospital Central California has announced that professional golfer Kevin Chappell has chosen the hospital's oncology program as his charity of choice, The Business Journal reports.
As an infant, Chappell received treatment at the hospital's neonatal intensive care unit.
His support is part of a PGA Tour initiative focused on helping others (The Business Journal, 6/8).
Children's Hospital & Research Center Oakland; UC-San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital
Children's Hospital Oakland soon might merge with UC-San Francisco's Benioff Children's Hospital, according to a letter from Children's Hospital Oakland CEO Bertram Lubin to hospital staff, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.
Mark Laret, CEO of UCSF Medical Center, said the two hospitals are "engaged in discussions to develop a stronger affiliation" between the facilities. He noted, "The specific structure is still under review by both organizations."
According to the Chronicle, the negotiations follow two years of unsuccessful merger negotiations between Children's Hospital Oakland and Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford (Ross, San Francisco Chronicle, 6/13).
Kaweah Delta Medical Center, Visalia
After conducting an onsite inspection, the Accreditation Committee of the College of American Pathologists has awarded the laboratory at the Kaweah Delta Medical Center in Visalia a national accreditation, the The Business Journal reports.
The committee found the facility's chemistry laboratory -- upgraded in 2011 -- to be up to industry standards (The Business Journal, 6/11).
St. Joseph Hospital, Eureka; Petaluma Valley Hospital
On Wednesday, registered nurses at St. Joseph Hospital in Eureka held an informational picket to support fellow California Nurses Association members participating in a one-day strike at Petaluma Valley Hospital, the Eureka Times-Standard reports. Both hospitals are part of the St. Joseph Health System.
Petaluma Valley Hospital nurses currently are in contract negotiations. CNA is opposing a proposed 40% cut to stand by pay for on-call nurses.
Susan Johnson -- a St. Joseph Hospital registered nurse and CNA member -- said the hospital has switched to a stripped productivity model developed by car manufacturer Toyota. She said hospitals need different management than assembly line manufacturers.
Leslie Broomall -- director of marketing and communications for St. Joseph Hospital -- said in an email that the health system uses "productivity standards that are customary for like-size hospitals and units" (Scott-Goforth, Eureka Times-Standard, 6/12).