SU MMER 2014
Foundation Focus B u i l d i n g Y o u r H e a l t h C a r e S ys t e m o f t h e F u t u r e
Hollandia Dairy: A Story About Heart, Hard Work and Heritage
A
Historical photos provided by Arie de Jong
rie de Jong and his family are the classic American success story, resplendent with an Ellis Island beginning and inspiring lessons about what it takes to make it in the land of opportunity – hard work, family unity and an entrepreneurial spirit.
The de Jongs founded San Marcos-based Hollandia Dairy, one of the
most successful dairy businesses to come out of San Diego County and still going strong more than 60 years after its humble beginning. But before the de Jongs made it in America, they were immigrants who could not speak English and had just $35 in their possession.
Humble Beginnings Arie de Jong was just a boy when his family of 12 emigrated from Holland to the United States and settled in North County. The family sold everything to pay for their trip across the Atlantic Ocean and brought with them few possessions. But that didn’t matter. They had survived the Great Depression and World War II. It was time to start anew. “We were a team. That was it,” de Jong says over a cup of coffee in his ranch-style home near Lake Wolhford in Escondido. “We didn’t have a lot of options. When the war was over we had nothing. So we had to start all over, and America was the promised land.”
The de Jong Family Heritage Coffee and pastries at 10 a.m. are a daily ritual for de Jong and Anneke, his wife of nearly 50 years, in the dining area of their home in the historic estate known as Melrose Ranch. It is here where de Jong recalls his family’s
Anneke and Arie de Jong
voyage to New York and passing through Ellis Island. A picture of the de Jong children and their parents stepping off their boat is prominently displayed on the Hollandia Dairy website. “It was a rough boat ride,” de Jong remembers. “I remember waking up and seeing the Statue of Liberty and saying ‘wow, we’re in America’.” The de Jongs were indebted to “Uncle Sam,” from the start de Jong says. That would be his uncle, Sam Bruinsma, the dairy farmer who sponsored his family and gave the de Jongs their first jobs in America. “We worked hard and saved money,” de Jong says. The family initially lived in three small cottages by a creek near Old Pomerado Road in Poway. They eventually moved to Escondido, where de Jong attended Escondido High School.
The de Jong Family photographed when they emigrated from Holland to New York via Ellis Island. This photo was taken as they embarked on a flight from New York to the West Coast.
Arie de Jong, Sr., and his wife, Maartge, emigrated from the Netherlands in 1949 and went on to build Hollandia Dairy, one of the most successful dairy businesses based in North San Diego County.
960 Canterbury Place, Suite 200, Escondido, CA 92025 | TEL: 760.739.2787 | FAX: 760.745.7040 | WEB: www.PalomarHealthFoundation.org
PALO M A R H E A LTH F O UN DAT IO N
Arie de Jong’s family outside the Bar C Bar Ranch Dairy in Poway circa 1949. Pictured from top left to right: Brothers Tom, Kees, Elso, Karl, John; and Arie. Pictured from bottom left to right: Uncle Nick; Father, Arie Sr.; Uncle Sam (the de Jong family sponsor); Cousin Alice; Uncle Elso.
Hollandia Dairy circa 1958 on Felicita Avenue and Centre City Parkway. Pictured in the bottom left is the Fireside Restaurant.
Serving North San Diego County Since 1950
T
he timing of the family’s
De Jong, now in his 70s,
and recycling businesses in
familiar smile. “I don’t mind
arrival in North County
left the dairy business many
North County before his
being retired as long as I’m
could not have been
years ago but did not abandon
so-called “retirement” in the
allowed to have projects on
better. In 1949, milk
his entrepreneurial spirit. He
late 1990s.
the side.”
was the number one agricultural
flourished as the operator of
product in San Diego County and
successful waste management
“Retirement is really not for me,” de Jong says, flashing his
the de Jongs knew dairy farming well. The family had been in the dairy business for more than 200 years in Holland. One year after their arrival, the family had saved enough to buy a dairy farm with 28 cows at the corner of Felicita and Highway 395 (now Centre City Parkway) in Escondido. In 1952, they bought a larger dairy farm in San Marcos and continued expanding over the years. They named their business Hollandia Dairy in honor of their homeland and eventually moved their headquarters to San Marcos. Hollandia Dairy today is one of the few remaining dairy businesses in San Diego County and one of the best known, supplying milk and dairy products to schools, hospitals, prisons and the military across Southern California.
Home delivery trucks and drivers stationed just outside Hollandia Dairy in San Marcos, circa 1964.
2 Foundation Focus | www.PalomarHealthFoundation.org
SU MMER 2014
The de Jong Family Legacy
A
mong those projects are the charitable works that de Jong has become
known for throughout North County. After selling his waste management business, de Jong
Arie de Jon g’s aunt , M aggie, bott and caps m les ilk bottles, tw o a t a time, at the dairy in Escondid o o n Felicita Avenue and Centre City P a rk way, circa 1954 .
gave his former employees a $1 million bonus to share for all their years of support and went about looking for other projects “to help mankind.” He found one when he purchased Green Oak Ranch in Vista in the late 1990s. De Jong made improvements to the facility that houses a drug and alcohol recovery program and charged the operators a nominal fee of $1 to continue their mission.
The early days of Hollandia Dairy, located on the corner of Felicita Avenue and Centre City Parkway. Photo pre-dates 1958.
Workers fill milk bottles at the milk plant in San Marcos circa 1955.
Arie de Jong standing beside his Ford Ranchero in 1964.
Arie de Jong’s family pictured in Alphen on the Rhine, Holland, circa 1946. From left to right, Pete, brother; Ellie, sister; Arie Sr., father; Arie (bottom left); Kees, brother; Maartje, mother; Elso, brother; Karl, brother; John, brother (bottom right); Tom, brother.
Hollandia Dairy bottles processed through a bottle filler, circa 1964.
Personal Ties to Palomar Health
P
alomar Health is
children were all born at the
with a gift for cutting deals
The picturesque 118-acre historic
fortunate to be a
historic hospital.
and a heart of gratitude for
estate, where famous celebrities
his family and their adoptive
and members of the English
Jongs now runs the Hollandia
country. In 1999, he chartered
aristocracy once entertained,
recently made a gift through
Dairy. Arie de Jong’s side of
a train, bus and boat to take
today doubles as a wedding and
the Palomar Health Foundation
the family is not involved but
his family and close friends to
special event operation that
that is being used for the
his children are all successful.
Catalina Island to celebrate the
offers professional catering and
construction of a conference
His oldest son, Eric, operates
50th anniversary of the de Jongs’
can accommodate up to 500
room at the new Palomar
San Marcos-based Diamond
coming to America. In 2009, he
guests.
Medical Center. The state-of-
Environmental Services, which
hosted more than 300 members
the-art conference room was
provides restroom rentals across
of his family and close friends
to stick around because I’m not
dedicated to the de Jong family.
Southern California. Second
to celebrate the family’s 60th
done yet,” de Jong says. “I haven’t
son Johnnie de Jong owns
anniversary in North County and
finished all my projects. I have
of Palomar Health. As a youth he
Summerhill Dairy, a 2,000-goat
took them all to an overnight trip
enough projects coming up for
used to deliver milk throughout
farm, and Dover Dairy, a 2,500
to Disneyland.
the next 10 years.”
North County, including the
cow-farm in Central California.
recipient of de Jong’s generosity. De Jong
De Jong has fond memories
original Palomar Medical Center in downtown Escondido. His four
A younger generation of de
These days, Arie de Jong remains a sturdy businessman
De Jong also stays busy making improvements to his beloved Melrose Ranch.
“I’ve done good but I need
PALO M A R H E A LTH F O UN DAT IO N
The Building of the Chapel at Palomar Medical Center
A
ribbon cutting
employees who saw a need
such a vital place they began
support from fellow employees,
ceremony held June
to provide an interfaith space
raising awareness by calling
staff members and community
9 commemorated the
where patients, their families,
their campaign effort “The
groups.
opening of the chapel
physicians, employees and
Power of One,� in early 2012.
which became a reality thanks
chaplains could find solace and
As their campaign gained
began more than 800 employees
to the generosity of more than
personal reflection.
momentum, a chapel campaign
pledged their support for the
was formed and a goal of
chapel, raising a combined
$500,000 was set.
$125,000 in donations.
800 generous Palomar Health
The chapel was shelled due
employees, faith groups and
to funding constraints presented
the Harold and Penny Dokmo
during the completion of the
Family who supported the
new hospital.
chapel. The campaign to build a
This small group of 11
Employees leading the
Two years after the campaign
Their generosity inspired
charge, including Alma Davis, Rev.
a six-figure transformational
Richard Gonzalez, Genie Tanksley,
gift from the Harold and Penny Dokmo Family.
chapel originated with a group
employees and chaplains
Margaret and Danny Thomas
of dedicated and determined
recognized that a chapel was
and Sonia Lopez quickly gained
Interfaith leader s held pieces of wood and ston that were used e to build the chap el in a special blessing during the chapel open ing. The chapel features window treatments that depict a natural environment. Inside, the chapel design includes a replica of the Western Wall in Jerusalem. There is a much-publicized practice of placing slips of paper containing written prayers into the crevices of the wall. More than a million notes are placed on the real wall each year.
The Raymond Family Conference Center
T
he Raymond Family
physicians, staff and the
Conference Center
community on June 9 thanks to
includes two conference rooms
calls between Palomar Health
located on the second
the generosity of the Jack and
that will be available for staff
doctors and specialists.
floor of the Palomar
Caroline Raymond Family and the
and board meetings, Continuing
Arie and Anneke de Jong Family.
Medical Education (CME), as well
Medical Center opened to
From left to right: Palomar Medical Center Chief Administrative Officer, Gerald Bracht; Palomar Health Chief Executive Officer, Michael H. Covert; Donors, Jack Raymond, and Anneke and Arie de Jong; and Chief Medical Staff Officer Richard Engel celebrate the opening of the Medical Education Resource Center. 4 Foundation Focus | www.PalomarHealthFoundation.org
The conference center
as teleconferencing consultation
The Jack Raymond Family Conference Room boasts a classroom style setting with plenty of seating for lectures, seminars and gatherings.
SU MMER 2014
Downtown Chapel Renovation Celebration The Grand Opening of the chapel at the Palomar Health Downtown Campus was celebrated on Good Friday, April 18, with a brief ceremony that included a ribbon cutting and the blessing of the chapel by Rev. Richard Gonzalez who was one of the campaign’s early supporters and biggest champions. The expansion and beautification of the chapel, which includes new carpet, lighting and a mural, were made possible with a private gift from Margaret Groves. Groves was inspired to renovate the chapel at the downtown campus after learning of the contributions made by Palomar Health employees and the Dokmo Family toward the completion of the chapel at the new hospital. Groves said she and her daughters often wished they had a quiet place for personal reflection and prayer when her husband was hospitalized at the downtown campus several years ago. Her gift makes it possible for all patients, their families, physicians, staff and chaplains to have a dedicated space for meditation and personal reflection. The chapel is open to individuals of all faiths and backgrounds.
The renovation of the chapel at the Palomar Health Downtown Campus was celebrated with a ribbon cutting on Good Friday. Pictured from left to right are: Ann Braun, Randy Wilson, Margaret Thomas, Sheila Brown and John Forst.
The Palomar Health Downtown Campus features a wall mural representative of a natural, healing environment bestowed upon all chapel visitors.
Steinway Model ‘O’ Piano Dedication Following the successful example of other hospitals that have implemented music therapy to help patients’ healing, a handful of physicians at Palomar Health initiated the charge to purchase a Steinway piano by making generous, personal donations. Thanks to a lead gift by Ms. Jean Cheng and Dr. George Kung, as well as contributions by Drs. Richard Engel, Thomas Jones, Paul Neustein, Ben and Maria Padilla and Jeffrey Rosenburg, and Musician Richard Elliot, the piano can now provide soothing melodies to patients, their families, staff and guests. Dennis James, owner of SoCal Pianos, also donated a piano player which will allow the piano to be played automatically and be controlled through a computer or smart phone.
From left to right: SoCal Pianos Owner Dennis James, Drs. Richard Engel, Jeffrey Rosenburg, Thomas Jones; Mrs. Randi Feinberg and Dr. Neustein; Ms. Jean Cheng, Dr. George Kung and their daughter, Jasmine Kung.
PALO M A R H E A LTH F O UN DAT IO N
Liza Pille-Speacht Facilitates Morgan Stanley Foundation Grant The North County resident
The Palomar Health
works for Morgan Stanley, a
made it easy for Morgan Stanley
Foundation raised $200,000 last
Global Wealth Management firm
to say yes to her request. Morgan
year to help save the programs.
that recognizes and supports
Stanley employees who annually
The programs work closely
employees who volunteer
donate at least 55 hours to a
with the county’s Child Welfare
in their local communities
health or social service cause
Services and law enforcement
through special grant programs.
are eligible to apply for a grant
agencies to determine the
“They like to support our
for the organization they
extent of a victim’s abuse.
involvement,” Pille-Speacht says
are helping through Morgan
Palomar Health experts have
about Morgan Stanley.
Stanley’s Volunteer Incentive
helped the San Diego County
Program, (VIP).
District Attorney’s office convict
An active member in the local investment community,
“I was delighted that Morgan
Pille-Speacht is also generous
Stanley was able to make a grant
with her volunteer time, sitting
to help save such a valuable
is fortunate to have a board
on numerous North County
program for North County,”
member with the background and
hen Elizabeth
boards and lending her talents
Pille-Speacht says. “It didn’t
skills that Pille-Speacht possesses,”
“Liza” Pille-
to various charitable groups.
make sense for kids who live in
says Kimberly Rideout Cardoso, of
North County to have to go all
the Palomar Health Foundation.
Liza Pille-Speacht with her half-quarter horse/half thoroughbred, Sam.
W
The dedicated volunteer
Speacht joined
She recently secured a grant
many offenders. “Palomar Health Foundation
from Morgan Stanley that she
the way to San Diego for services
Health Foundation Board,
directed to the Palomar Health
in the midst of dealing with a
apply for another Morgan Stanley
the Morgan Stanley financial
Foundation to support North San
terrible trauma. It makes more
VIP grant to help Forensic Health
advisor and portfolio manager
Diego County Forensic Health
sense for them to go somewhere
Services.
brought a wealth of community
Services for victims of abuse
locally – so they and their
involvement experience to the
which was in danger of closing
families could get counseling
be supported for many years to
position.
without financial help.
and help,” she says.
come,” she says.
the Palomar
Pille-Speacht says she plans to
“It’s something that should
Orthopedic Institute Recognized for Quality
I
n the age of health care
Orthopedic Care Facility for
reform, the best care providers
spine surgery for Palomar
of the institute, which includes
to providing excellence in
are recognized for delivering
Medical Center.
physicians from Arch Health
orthopedic care,” says Cohen,
high quality services. Add
Who benefits from these
Partners.
who was also involved in the
the Palomar Health Orthopedic
designations? Patients do, in a
Institute to that decorated list.
big way.
The Orthopedic Institute’s
Clinical orthopedic teams
Brawner led the formation
“These designations are tributes to the dedicated team of physicians, nurses, technicians
and clinicians – all dedicated
development of the orthopedic institute. In addition to the decorated
reputation for positive patient
across Palomar Health are
and therapists who have helped
service lines for spine, hip,
outcomes is supported by
working more closely than ever
develop Palomar Medical
and knee replacement care,
endorsements from major health
and producing very measurable
Center and Pomerado Hospital’s
the Palomar Health clinical
plans after meeting stringent
and positive results that are
comprehensive programs in
teams provide treatment for
quality and outcomes criteria.
being evaluated and recognized
knee and hip replacement and
foot and ankle, hand and wrist,
They have awarded their seals
by health plans.
in spine surgery,” Brawner says.
shoulder and elbow. Clinical
of approval to several Palomar Health orthopedic service lines.
This is good news
“Their clinical expertise in
teams specialize in a wide range
particularly for patients who
these areas of specialty care has
of orthopedic care treatments,
are in need of treatment for
resulted in better overall results
including minimally invasive
multidisciplinary clinical teams
traumatic, degenerative or
for our patients,” she adds.
total joint replacement, motion
has received three designations
inflammatory joint diseases.
The Institute – made up of
for excellence in recent years: • Blue Distinction for high quality knee and hip replacement by Anthem Blue Shield of California for Palomar Medical Center and Pomerado Hospital. • Blue Distinction Center for high quality spine surgery by Anthem Blue Shield of California for Palomar Medical Center. • Aetna Institute of Quality
®
This Orthopedic Institute’s comprehensive team approach
“These designations represent a certain high level of expertise and commitment to the service,” says – Natalie Brawner, Palomar Health Director of Business Development and Physician Integration.
6 Foundation Focus | www.PalomarHealthFoundation.org
methodology to providing
preserving spine surgery and therapeutic rehabilitation. Brawner says the application
care is a model of excellence,
process for the special
says Brian Cohen, Palomar
designations is lengthy and
Health Manager of Program
meticulous but worth the time
Development.
and effort because the results
“This includes tight
tell so much about the Palomar
collaborations between
Health Orthopedic Institute’s
orthopedic experts – including
dedication to excellence. “Every
board-certified and fellowship-
goal we are setting we are
trained orthopedic surgeons,
hitting,” Brawner says.
specialty trained nurses, pharmacists, physical therapists
SU MMER 2014
PALOMAR HEALTH FOUNDATION LEADERSHIP
UC Regent Supports Palomar Health
Palomar Health Foundation Board John Forst, Chair Craig Brown, Vice Chair Donald Belcher Sharon Cafagna John Clark Harold Dokmo Jacke Goldberg Kevin Harkenrider Sue Herndon Harvey N. Hershkowitz Stephen T. Hundley George Kung, M.D. Evangeline J. “Ginger” Larson Fred Nasseri Elizabeth “Liza” PilleSpeacht Jaime Rivas, M.D. Thomas H. Silberg Dennis Stansfield Michael Stelman Tishmall Turner Kim Young
Charlene Zettel
Ex-Officio Michael H. Covert, President and CEO, Palomar Health Honorary Campaign Cabinet Jack Raymond, Co-Chair Carol Lazier, Co-Chair Barbara Warden, Co-Chair Roger J. Acheatel, M.D. Kenneth and Marjorie Blanchard George Chamberlin Jean Cheng Jim Desmond Richard C. Engel, M.D. Don Higginson Kenneth H. Lounsbery Lori Pfeiler LaDainian and Torsha Tomlinson Tom Wilson Charlene Zettel Palomar Health District Board T.E. (Ted) Kleiter, Chair Steve Yerxa, Vice-Chair Linda Greer, R.N., Secretary Jerry Kaufman, P.T.M.A., Treasurer Bruce Krider, Immediate Past-Chair Jeff Griffith Aeron Wickes, M.D.
day,” says Zettel, who lives in
her wholehearted support. She is
North County.
very accomplished. We are lucky
Zettel serves on the Board of Regents for the University
Palomar Health,” Herndon says.
of California, which oversees
Zettel’s accomplishments
10 UC campuses, five medical
extend well beyond health care.
centers and three national
Before becoming the first Latina
research labs.
Republican elected to the state
Her ties to Palomar date
A
to have her as a supporter of
Assembly in 1998, Zettel served
back to the early 1990s when she
on the Poway Unified School
became active with the Palomar
District Board. In 2004, former Gov.
Health Care Advisory Councils,
Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed
now known as Community Action
her Director of the Department
Councils. The community outreach
of Consumer Affairs and later
common thread runs
groups promote health in the
appointed her director for the San
through Charlene
district and support great causes
Diego Office of the Governor.
Zettel’s long and
such as the passage of Proposition
productive public
But it is her passion for health
BB in 2004, which helped with
care that has made her such a
service career: a passion for
the building of the new Palomar
valued friend of Palomar Health.
health care issues.
Medical Center.
Zettel says the feeling is mutual
It’s a thread the former two-
Zettel currently serves on
and admires the expansion of
term state Assembly member
the Palomar Health Foundation
services made under the visionary
continues to weave into action on
Honorary Campaign Cabinet,
leadership of CEO Michael H.
a statewide level as an academic
which supports the foundation’s
Covert and the tireless work of the
and health care leader and locally
Building Your Healthcare System of
entire Palomar Health family.
as a volunteer. Zettel is Chief
the Future capital campaign.
Executive Officer of Donate Life
Having Zettel on your side
“They wanted to provide the best health care options for North
California, the life-saving state
is always a sign of strength, says
County communities and turned
organ and tissue donor registry.
Palomar Health Foundation
that vision into reality with a
She is also longtime Palomar
Board Director Sue Herndon, who
state-of-the-art hospital,” she says,
Health volunteer.
has known Zettel since the 1980s.
referring to the new Palomar
“Anything Charlene takes part in,
Medical Center.
“Health care has always been my passion and continues to this
you can always count on having
Building Tomorrow’s Health Leaders Today from the program. Students accepted into Pathmakers participate in education modules to learn basic patient care skills: assisting with meals, discharging patients and ambulating patients, amongst others. Pathmakers then complete department orientations and shadow out-going interns before they formally begin their experience as interns. The goal and purpose of the program is to help students learn
Pathmaker interns are vital members of the Palomar Health team.
D
the skills needed for their success in the health care field and to help
id you know Palomar
experiences offered today at
them determine if they are ready
Health’s Pathmaker
Palomar Health. The program was
to join the health care work force.
Internship is one of
developed for the advancement
the largest pre-health
of local students interested in
am today if it hadn’t been for this
internship programs in the
exploring health care professions
program,” said Bethany Dineen,
country?
through internship experience.
former student intern who joined
To date, approximately 3,000
the Palomar Health Foundation as
helps build tomorrow’s health
students from local high schools
a development assistant.
care leaders through hands-on
and universities have graduated
The 7-year-old program
“I know I wouldn’t be where I
Thank You to Our Corporate Partners in Health
NON PROFIT ORG
U.S. Postage 960 Canterbury Place, Suite 200 Escondido, CA 92025 TEL: 760.739.2787 | FAX: 760.745.7040 EMAIL: ph.foundation@palomarhealth.org
PAID PERMIT 751 San Diego, CA
TO:
Make a gift today. www.PalomarHealthFoundation.org
Corporate Partners in Health Spotlight: Alhiser-Comer Mortuary
M
egan Comer recently toured
“We’re hoping to see a family viewing room
presence dating back to the 1890s when it used
Palomar Medical Center and
at the hospital that is more comfortable, more
horse-drawn funeral carriages, and has evolved
came away impressed with the
family-friendly, more inviting to families
into one of the most modern mortuaries around.
new hospital. She saw that the
during a tough period,” she adds.
natural light, the neutral paint palette and
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary joins more than
In 1989, Bill Comer and his son, Stuart, purchased the mortuary. Stuart Comer
the open space convey warmth to patients
30 businesses participating in the Palomar
eventually assumed control of the business
and their families.
Health Foundation Corporate Partners in
and extensively refurbished and updated
Health program.
the building on S. Broadway. In 2000, it
A business manager for Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in Escondido, Comer knows a thing
“We appreciate the opportunities the
was renamed Alhiser-Comer Mortuary. The
or two about soothing families when they are
Palomar Health Foundation has given us to
Comer family also operates Lakepointe
most vulnerable. During her tour, she saw
help out in the community,” Comer says.
Crematorium in Lake Elsinore in Riverside
opportunities to implement the hospital’s
The mortuary’s experience and reputation
welcoming environment in the viewing room
made it an ideal donor for the beautification
of the morgue.
project of the viewing room. Comer says her
“It’s such a trying time for families. It’s
County and the Lakepointe Cremation and Burial in Rancho Bernardo. The viewing room at Palomar Medical
family understands well the importance of
Center will be named after
important to provide them with a place that
creating a supportive environment to families
Alhiser-Comer Mortuary in
is comfortable,” Comer says. At Alhiser-Comer
after the death of a loved one.
grateful appreciation of
Mortuary, the viewing rooms have carpeting,
The mortuary is the oldest continually
cushioned chairs, couches and calming paint.
operating business in Escondido, with an active
their gift.