ANNUAL REPORT
Celebrating
2021
75 Years
Building a healthier community
WHO WE ARE ARDSHIP EW T S
CEO Message to the Community Dear Sequoia Healthcare District resident,
AC TI
Our Core Values
RESPE CT
Our Vision is for all District residents to experience optimal physical and mental health at every stage of life.
N SIO S PA
ON
Sequoia Healthcare District is committed to improving the health of District residents by enhancing access to care and promoting wellness through responsible stewardship of District taxpayer dollars.
CO M
Our Mission & Vision
E Q UIT Y
As we approach our 75th anniversary, we’ve been reflecting upon our role in this community. Although our role has shifted over the years, we have always remained steadfast in our commitment to protect and promote the health and wellbeing of all members of our community. Since our founding in 1946, never has so much changed in such a short period of time; the world around us, our neighborhoods, gathering spaces, the places we work and call home. Yet, over these many months of the Covid pandemic, I am overwhelmed by the unquestionable strength and character of our community. And as the pandemic rages on, it has daylighted deeply rooted inequities within our social structures that call on us to step up our investments, even more, to support our most vulnerable residents. As we reflect upon our role, there will be an appropriate time to debrief and to look carefully at all aspects of this pandemic and to learn and rethink our approaches. But now, more than ever, we must focus all of our energy on defeating this pandemic and addressing the significant social and health challenges associated with it. In everything we do and with every decision we make, this is our absolute goal. In the interim, please continue to wear your mask, focus on your well-being, and above all, get vaccinated: We know that vaccines will save lives and help us turn the page on this virus. Also, if you can, please support community organizations like our local food banks, who are still in vital need of resources. And give thanks to healthcare providers, first responders, and all essential workers who are working around the clock as we battle these crises. In good health,
Pamela Kurtzman CEO Sequoia Healthcare District
The 1st of 79 Health Districts in California
OUR IMPACT Caring Community Every year, we reflect upon our impact in the community. Since the inception of the grants program in 2007, we have awarded grants to community-based organizations and community initiatives implicitly with building health equity in mind. Our Caring Community Grants program awarded 56 grants totaling $3 million which directly served 27,000 District residents. We remain steadfast in our mission, especially given the inequities that still exists within our community, revealed by the pandemic. In our upcoming year, we will be refining our strategic direction with a continued focus on health equity and exploring potential funding spaces that will further promote health equity.
27,000 Health/ Nutrition
Residents Directly Served
in the following areas
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention
Clinical/ Medical
Behavioral
56
Grants Awarded
TOTALING
Health: Youth & Adults
Health: Seniors
$3
Million
OUR IMPACT
$4
Healthy Schools Initiative Through our Healthy Schools Initiative (HSI), Sequoia Healthcare District provides annual funding of over $4 million, impacting approximately 31,000 K-12 students in eight local school districts. These funds help to support positions such as health and wellness leads, school nurses, and mental health providers, in addition to providing resources for parent/community education, substance use and suicide prevention programs, physical education, and trainings for educators on critical topics such as Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Million
16 8 31K
Healthy Schools Initiative Expenses HSI Grants
PE+ $284K Program $420K
School Programs $400K
School Health Staffing $2.9 Million
Total HSI Expenses $4 Million
Total investment in HSI
HSI school grants awarded in 2020 Number of school districts
Students served by HSI
In the 2020-21 school year, additional Healthy Schools Initiative dollars helped to fill gaps for Covid-19 related needs including personal protective equipment and other supplies, support for school nurses, and mental health resources for both students and school staff. The 2020-21 HSI grant program also provided over a quarter million dollars to 16 non-profit organizations that serve our local school population. For the past 11 years, the Healthy Schools Initiative has allowed schools to place health and wellness as a high priority, focusing on the whole child, and helping students achieve overall success by providing muchneeded support to our school communities.
16 HSI Grants Awarded TOTALING
$284,000
Social Emotional / Mental Health
Food / Nutrition
Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Prevention
Health Literacy / Fitness
OUR PROGRAMS Major Funding Initiatives SHD partners with Ravenswood Family Health Center and Samaritan House Redwood City Medical and Dental Clinic to provide access to health services for all, including vulnerable populations.
Grants Each year, SHD provides grants through our competitive Caring Community Grants program, ranging from $10,000 to $150,000 to local non-profits that offer health and wellness services to District residents.
Healthy Schools Initiative (HSI) HSI provides school-based health and wellness programs for 31,000 students per year and supports the implementation of CDC’s Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child (WSCC) model.
Education, Resources & Partnerships Sequoia Strong Sequoia Strong is your personal directory to activities and services for ALL ages in southern San Mateo County.
HeartSafe SHD provides free Infant and Adult CPR classes and funds the placement of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in the community. Additionally, we are committed to preparing our community for emergencies through information and resource sharing.
Visit our website www.seqhd.org for more information
Parent Ed We are proud to partner with The Parent Venture to provide inclusive, high-quality parent and community education.
+
Sequoia Hospital District
1930s
-
1940s
1950s
-
1980s
1990s
1938 - A group of nine women led by Mary "Dove" Beeger appealed to the city council in Redwood City for a hospital to serve the communities of southern San Mateo County. Voters of Redwood City, Belmont, San Carlos, Menlo Park, Portola Valley, Woodside and Atherton elected to form a "hospital district."
1950 - The 106-bed hospital was dedicated on October 15th and the first patient admitted on October 25th. 1960 - The Intensive Care Unit and Physical Therapy department opened. During the 60s, the Pulmonary Therapy department and Coronary Care Unit were established.
1996 - Sequoia Hospital District entered a contract with Catholic Healthcare West (CHW) to manage operations of Sequoia Hospital. CHW became financially responsible for the hospital, and the annual tax revenue received was redirected to support community health.
1946 - Under newly enacted state laws, they passed a pair of bond issues that financed the project at a cost of $2.1 million.
1968 - Sequoia Hospital became one of the first hospitals in the state to open a psychiatric unit.
The Hospital District was renamed the Sequoia Healthcare District (SHD).
1977 - Doctors performed the hospital’s first coronary artery bypass surgeries, and the Cardiac Rehabilitation department opened.
At that time, the District launched a new community grants program and began funding dozens of local nonprofits that provide healthrelated services.
1949 - Construction of Redwood City's Sequoia Hospital began.
CELEBRATING
75
YEARS 1946-2021
1980 - Doctors performed the first coronary angioplasty, making Sequoia a known leader in innovative cardiac care.
A NEW ERA
2000s
Sequoia Healthcare District
2010s
2001 - Samaritan House Free Medical Clinic in Redwood City opened its doors to patients with an initial grant from SHD. Today, SHD is the largest funder of the clinic with an average annual investment of $1.1 million dollars.
2010 - Healthy Schools Initiative (HSI) was launched with an initial $1.5M investment to support health and wellness in 4 school districts: Redwood City, Sequoia Union, San Carlos, Belmont/Redwood Shores.
2002 - SHD made its first grant to Ravenswood Family Health Center and continues to be their most significant funder with an annual investment of $1 million dollars.
2012 - Four additional school districts were added to our HSI partnership; Menlo Park, Las Lomitas, Portola Valley, and Woodside. HSI encompasses all school districts in our region including public charter schools.
2003 - SHD funded the San Mateo Children’s Health Initiative (CHI) with a goal of assuring that all children in the county have health insurance, covering children up to 400% of the federal poverty level who were not entitled to private or other public insurance.
2020s 2020 - HSI annual funding increases to over $4M with a focus on socialemotional and mental health. When Covid-19 first emerged, SHD committed $3 million in emergency funding to overwhelmed non-profits that provide critical health and safety net services. The District also purchased Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for medical clinics and schools and increased funding for school nurses and counselors.
In partnership with Redwood City Parks & Recreation, the District launches PE+, a comprehensive physical education program in Redwood City schools.
In partnership with Sequoia Hospital, SHD helped to provide vaccines to over 600 of our community members in the North Fair Oaks area of Redwood City.
2007 - SHD transferred the hospital to Catholic Healthcare West (now Dignity Health) and launched its first program, HeartSafe.
2016 - In partnership with Peninsula Family Services, the District launches 70 Strong, a resource for senior residents.
2009 - The District moved to its current Veterans Blvd location. The Caring Community Grants program is expanded and managed by District staff.
2018 - SHD takes over 70 Strong program operations, rebrands to Sequoia Strong and expands to serve all ages.
Looking ahead, SHD will remain vigilant in our mission to improve access to services, reduce health disparities and support the well-being of all District residents through community collaborations, a new 3- year strategic plan, and a focus on serving the most vulnerable members of our community.
SAVE THE DATE Board of Directors
Staff
Jerry Shefren, MD
Pamela Kurtzman, MPH
President
CEO
Arthur J. Faro, MBA
Karen Li, MD
Aaron Nayfack, MD
Jenny Bratton
Secretary/Treasurer
Grants Development Director
Vice-President
Ivan Martinez Director
Kim Griffin, RN Director
Director of School Health
Mark your calendars for April 23, 2022 when we will be celebrating 75 years of thoughtfully caring for our community! Periodically check our website and follow us on social media for more details coming soon. www.seqhd.org
Luz Garcia
Communications Specialist Sequoia Strong Coordinator
Heidi Stamper
Executive Support Clerk of the Board
Sequoia Healthcare District receives property tax revenue from these cities:
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Para una versión en español visite www.seqhd.org