Kevin and Lorie Haarberg, true pillars in our community, are dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of our families, friends, and neighbors.
Caring for Our Community with Service and Generosity
Wonderful, friendly, supportive, caring, family. These are just a few of the words Kevin and Lorie Haarberg use to describe the community of Woodland. Residents for over 35 years, the Haarbergs have contributed hands-on service and given generously to improve Woodland Healthcare.
A financial advisor, Kevin was inspired to join the Woodland Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees in 2012, saying, “I had heard from my clients about the great care and lifesaving events provided by the hospital and clinics.” After serving as Board Chair from 2017—2019, he recently volunteered to serve in this important leadership role for a second term. As the current Chair, Kevin is energized and focused, helping guide the Foundation’s exciting vision for the future.
Message from our Vice President of Philanthropy
Recently, I had the pleasure to meet a friend and retired Dignity Health physician for lunch in downtown Woodland. On this particularly cold and rainy day, the skies were dark and stormy. As I sat and enjoyed our meal and conversation, I couldn’t help but notice that despite the inclement weather, everyone I interacted with was full of joy, warmth and welcome–a true representation of the community.
Despite winter’s sometimes dark skies, there’s a light in Woodland that shines so brightly–from the Christmas lights that sit atop the hospital, to the spirit within each of the hospital and clinics’ employees who care for each patient with joy and humankindness. From physicians and nurses, to business leaders and community members, it’s a true gift to experience the friendship, appreciation, and care that so many of you feel for each other.
Through your gifts to the Foundation, you extend your care even farther by helping provide excellent, robust, and advanced healthcare for those who need it. Your gifts also make a deep impact by helping retain and recruit world-class physicians, so the healthcare you rely on is available close to home for you and those you love.
Partners in Philanthropy
“I’m a big believer in leading by example—so I am rolling up my sleeves and working to further Woodland Healthcare Foundation’s mission and vision to invest in technology and bring in more advanced equipment to serve patients.” He adds, “We’re so fortunate to have this phenomenal facility right in our backyard. It’s more than a community hospital—it’s family.”
Lorie demonstrates her commitment to community through her volunteerism with the Woodland Healthcare Auxiliary, to which she has donated her time, energy, and steadfast support for 35 years, including 12 years serving on the Board and four as President. In addition to Auxiliary volunteers operating the hospital Gift Shop and Information Desk, they assist patients and their families in several departments, participate in fundraising activities, and support the
“Having a world-class hospital and clinics means our community can stay healthy and we don’t have to go far to get the excellent care we need.”
—Kevin Haarberg
Describing their motivation to give back, Lorie says, “It comes from our hearts.”
mission of Woodland Memorial Hospital in many other ways.
“I love to help,” says Lorie. “The Auxiliary runs the No One Dies Alone Program where a group of us take shifts and stay with patients as they pass. I’m honored to be a part of that.” Lorie also spends a great deal of her volunteer time in the Emergency Department, sharing, “Lending comfort and support—especially to family members—helps during a stressful and uncertain time.”
Over the past three decades, the Haarbergs have generously donated to a breadth of Woodland Healthcare Foundation initiatives, including those for the Oncology Department, Imaging & Surgical Services, Family Birth Center, Emergency Department, and many more. “We give to where the greatest needs are, and where we think our gift will have the most impact and make a meaningful difference.”
Their connection to Woodland Healthcare is not only through
volunteerism, service and philanthropy—Kevin is a very grateful patient. “Seven years ago, I spent 16 days in Woodland Memorial Hospital because of an illness. That really opened my eyes to the spectacular people working there and the dedicated and world-class care they deliver.”
More recently, Kevin suffered a massive heart attack, and credits the hospital’s Emergency Department (ED) for saving his life. “I woke up at 3:00 a.m. with unbelievable pain in my shoulder and took some ibuprofen. Later that morning, at the advice of staff at my office, I went to the ED. As they treated me, I asked, ‘Are you checking to see if I had a heart attack?’ The doctor replied, ‘Mr. Haarberg, you are having a heart attack.’”
Kevin continues, “I walked in the ED at 7:00 a.m., was in an ambulance by 7:45, and on the operating table at 9:30 at Mercy General Hospital for specialized surgery. Undoubtedly, the Woodland ED team kept me alive.”
The Haarbergs feel deeply grateful for high-quality local care that is part of the overall, larger Dignity Health network, which allowed Kevin to access specialized cardiac care so quickly.
Lorie shares her gratitude, “All of the nurses were wonderful— they were so quick, so caring, so genuine.”
Kevin is now participating in cardiac rehabilitation at Woodland Memorial Hospital, and describes it as a phenomenal program, and
jokes, “I’ve done enough personal research to know how amazing Woodland Healthcare is. Now, I’m going to avoid having more medical episodes.”
Kevin underscores the importance of philanthropy in maintaining Woodland Healthcare’s margin of excellence, saying, “We need the community’s generous help. As a non-profit, the hospital and clinics can’t fund it all. Providing new programs, equipment and technology has a very real and meaningful impact for people in our community.”
Reflecting on the Woodland community, Kevin says, “The amount of care that people demonstrated when I had my heart attack was humbling. Everybody says they’re a community. But Woodland practices being a community.”
Lorie and Kevin, through your outstanding service and steadfast generosity, you are improving the health of people in our community. We are indebted to you and deeply grateful for your humankindness!
Woodland Healthcare Foundation Celebrates World Gratitude Day
September 21 marked World Gratitude Day and Woodland Healthcare Foundation received many gifts from grateful patients that honored providers and staff members for going above and beyond in their care for them. Below are a few of the heartfelt messages that accompanied their gifts:
“Thank you so much. Every time I need your help I trust you and believe in you. God bless."
—in recognition of Dr. Arish Eduljee and Dr. Kenechuwu Ofili
“Thank you for your common sense, reassuring advice, and attention!”
—in recognition of caregiver Margolo Parson, NP
“He is very professional and develops a positive relationship with his patients. He really cares!”
—in recognition of Dr. Alexander K. Chen
“Thank you for your competence and caring and for going the extra step!”
— in recognition of Dr. Lucy Funk and Clariza Aguillon-Doms, NP
Partners in Philanthropy
Woodland Healthcare Foundation 2024-2025 Scholarship Recipients Announced
Woodland Healthcare Foundation scholarships are provided by generous donors and awarded annually to Woodland Healthcare employees, physicians, Auxiliary volunteers and their immediate family members who are advancing their education in a health related field.
The Scholarship Committee was pleased to recently award $12,500 through eleven scholarship funds:
Luther Carleton Anderson Memorial Scholarship
Erica Bair, RN Memorial Scholarship
Janet Anderson Butler Memorial Scholarship
Thomas Adney Butler Memorial Scholarship
Herbert W. Chandler Memorial Scholarship
Todd Erickson, OD Memorial Scholarship
Eyvind Fayé Memorial Scholarship
David Gollober Memorial Scholarship
Bonnie Ramming, RN Memorial Scholarship
Louise M. Wong, MD Memorial Scholarship
Woodland Healthcare Auxiliary Scholarship
Thank you to this year’s committee members: Thomas Schwarzgruber (Chair), Katharine Cobb, Carol Conley, Blanca Garcia, Sarah Gould, and Lorie Haarberg.
Congratulations to our scholarship awardees and many wishes for your success!
Your Generosity at Work
2024 Greatest Needs Grants
Each year, Woodland Healthcare Foundation is pleased to meet the most outstanding needs of our hospital and clinics through our Greatest Needs Grants.
When you make a gift to the Area of Greatest Need, we ensure that your support is used to provide important equipment and program support and enhance healthcare for our community.
This year, we were pleased to announce five grants, totalling $200,153:
• Ten new medical beds to replace older models and meet increasing patient demand
• Hospital security cameras to ensure the safety of our patients, staff, and visitors
• An electromyography (EMG) machine for the Neurology Department to test patients in Woodland, eliminating the need for them to travel for their care
• A new examination chair for wound care, which will increase patient comfort
Woodland Healthcare Foundation is deeply grateful to all our donors who make such an amazing difference in our hospital and clinics. Thank you!
Embrace the spirit of the holiday season by making a gift in honor or in memory of someone special.
Gifts made “in honor” offer a unique way to celebrate and recognize those dear to you with a special holiday gift that will benefit others. Gifts “in memory” provide an opportunity for you to memorialize the legacy of someone meaningful, or express sympathy to a family who has lost a loved one.
One hundred percent of tribute gifts help provide high-quality, compassionate healthcare for everyone in our community who relies on Woodland Healthcare to keep them happy, healthy and whole.
SEVEN OPHTHALMOSCOPES FOR PEDIATRIC EXAMINATION ROOMS
These new scopes are helping diagnose ear infections and other conditions that can affect children's hearing and overall health. With these advanced tools, our pediatric team can provide more accurate assessments and timely interventions. This upgrade enhances our ability to ensure our pediatric patients receive the best possible care during their visits.
To make a gift online using our secure donation form, go to supportwoodlandhealthcare.org/ donate or to make a gift by phone, call (530) 669-5680
Partners in Philanthropy
Written in the Stars
Woodland Healthcare Employee Donors Reflect on the Importance of Giving Back
Woodland Healthcare nurses
Peter and Cristine Kungu share a family, a home, a love of Woodland, and a deep dedication to serving their community. Married for 20 years, they care for patients with kindness and compassion, and also show their support by contributing as employee donors to Woodland Healthcare Foundation.
Cristine started with Dignity Health 13 years ago, beginning her career at Mercy San Juan Medical Center, and for the last eight years has cared for patients in Woodland Memorial Hospital’s Post-Anesthesia Care Unit. Describing her love for her work and team, she says, “My co-workers are my extended family. Because it’s such a small community, I’ve even taken care of some of my best friends in the recovery room, which is so rewarding.”
As Director of Clinical Services, Peter oversees operations for the Home Health Department, which cares for patients who have recently been discharged or who are homebound. After
Peter
working at other healthcare systems in Sacramento, he made it his mission to join Dignity Health. He explains, “One of the main reasons that I was drawn to Woodland Healthcare is the culture. Cristine would tell our kids and me how much she loved working there, and I wanted to serve my community in a hospital that valued its employees and treated them like family.”
Born and raised in Kenya, Peter moved to the United States 25 years ago, and calls it “the greatest country in the world.”
Describing their first meeting, Peter shares, “We met at a stoplight. I saw her and asked for her phone number–and here we are.” Cristine laughs at the improbability of meeting
someone this way and notes that, for safety, on their first date, she did bring her best friend along!
He continues, “After we met and we got to know each other, she told me that when she was little she would sit under the stars and say, ‘I’m going to marry somebody who looks at the stars from the other side of the world.’ And it came true.”
Peter and Cristine moved their family from Sacramento to Woodland ten years ago and recall falling in love with the community. “Everybody is so friendly–there's a small-town, homelike atmosphere. Our family got to know a lot of people in a short amount of time, and we felt so welcomed. It is close enough to everything, yet far away too. We just love it.”
Aside from her work at the hospital, Cristine is an active parent, volunteering in the community, sharing, “Both our boys played football, and I was the sideline nurse for ten years. Our daughter competes in cheer and synchronized swimming, for which I serve as President of the team. Sports are big for our family!”
Recently, the Kungus made a generous gift commitment to Woodland Healthcare Foundation
and Cristine Kungu are inspired to donate to the Foundation because they believe that “every little bit helps the community, and makes a difference for our patients.”
because, as Cristine says, “they do great things for our community.”
Peter agrees and says, “As a family, we've been blessed. And giving back is the least we can do.”
The Kungus designated their gift to the Area of Greatest Need to enhance care for everyone who relies on Woodland Healthcare, with Peter recognizing that, “Gifts to the Foundation not only help people now, but also serve
our community for generations to come.”
Thank you, Peter and Cristine, we are sincerely grateful for your support!
Gifts from grateful patients, generous community members and employees like you are helping Woodland Healthcare keep our families, friends and neighbors happy, healthy and whole.
Message from our Vice President of Philanthropy (continued)
During this special time of year, as we gather to celebrate and reflect on our blessings, I am deeply grateful for your light, your warmth, and for your commitment to Woodland Healthcare and our truly remarkable community.
I wish you and your loved ones a peaceful and healthy holiday season.
Sincerely,
Kevin B. Duggan Vice President of Philanthropy
Donors Fund New Home Blood Pressure Monitors
Through the generosity of donors like you, Woodland Healthcare Foundation provides funding for blood pressure devices to help patients to monitor their blood pressure from the comfort of their own homes. Because high blood pressure (hypertension) can increase the risk of heart disease, providing these monitors will empower and help patients in our community. Provided through the ongoing Home Blood Pressure Monitoring Program, these devices are expected to promote healthier lifestyles and better outcomes through regular monitoring and support.
Peter and Cristine with their son Devin, 22; daughter Kamryn, 15; and son Keigi, 19.
1321 Cottonwood Street, Suite 207 Woodland, CA 95695 supportwoodlandhealthcare.org 530.669.5680
