Cottage Health 2020 Culture Audit

When Disaster Strikes, Cottage Health Takes Action In times of crisis, Cottage Health employees demonstrate an uncommon drive and resilience to help both patients and colleagues. A special issue of the Cottage employee newsletter, Dates & Dialogue, recognized these extraordinary efforts to make lives better. In a letter to employees, CEO and President, Ron Werft wrote: “That morning in the Emergency Department at SBCH, I observed our trauma teams and ED staff in action, making immediate decisions to manage not only the initial 20 trauma patients who were quickly arriving, but also managing all of the other patients who needed emergency treatment for unrelated reasons. Others jumped in as needed, cleaning rooms, clearing out mud, setting up triage beds in the ambulance bay in anticipation of what might come. The ED at GVCH was also immediately called into action and responded with skill and compassion. The Cottage Incident Command Center managed numerous challenges brought on by a mass casualty event with road closures. It soon became clear that in addition to supporting the clinical, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families, there would be significant challenges in identifying transportation support for employees and for some patients who needed to get home to Ventura for further recovery. For all of the rest of our colleagues who were not directly involved in caring for these patients, without distraction, you provided the same level of professional, high quality, compassionate care in an environment that was already challenged by the high number of patients with flu and other respiratory illnesses. The incredible commitment to your patients, your community, and to one another has been witnessed over and over. You boarded a ship to get to work, sometimes unsure you could home. You drove five or more hours to get here, the long way. You arrived from Ventura and Carpinteria by CHP escort. You took the train or plane or, in at least one case, you walked through the mud and debris to get to SBCH. You made your house available to colleagues who needed a place to sleep. You packed a bag and got here, knowing you were needed and probably could not get home for days. You families supported you so you could support your patients. I’m sure there are many other acts of kindness and dedication that are untold. I am in awe of each and every one of you – caregivers, support staff, managers, human resources – all of you, and I find it to be an incredible honor and a privilege to be able to represent you in our community.” She Woke Up at 3:30 am and Headed to Work. Over 12 Hours Later, She Arrived. Teresa Arenas-Lopez was awakened at her home in Ventura at 3:30 am to an emergency flash-flood warning. She headed out, giving herself plenty of time to make her 8:30 am shift as department coordinator for the SBCH Outpatient Surgery Center. She had no idea what lay ahead, but was determined to get to work no matter what. On her way, she encountered heavy rain, mud and debris but still managed to get to Summerland, where she had to leave her Jeep at around 2 pm and started walking toward Montecito. Once there, the reality of the devastation set in. It made her even more determined to get to the hospital to help others. She was able to get a ride and reported to work around 4 pm. Teresa is a perfect example of so many Cottage Health employees who never hesitate to do whatever it takes to care for our community when help is needed most. 56/119 Start | Contents | Highlights | Business Description | Hiring & Welcoming | Inspiring | Speaking | Listening | Thanking | Developing | Caring | Celebrating | Sharing • Inspiring 6.25