CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Tuesday, April 3, marked the first campaign cabinet meeting of the St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake Development Office.

Gathered at the hospital campus, the cabinet met to discuss strategies for the “Building for the Future” campaign under way to raise the final $1.8 million to complete the new emergency department, expected to be finished mid-2013.

“Our Emergency Department is the front door to our hospital, the place where our patients get their first and most lasting impression of the quality of our hospital,” said David Santos, vice president of Operations. “The community support of this critical project demonstrates its commitment to making St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake a place for our patients to experience the highest level of care.”

Adventist Health, St. Helena Hospital’s parent organization, provided the first $9 million for the $12.1 million project, and challenged the hospital to fund the remainder from within the community.

Redbud Health Care District pledged $1 million in 2010. In January 2012, the Rotary Club of Clearlake pledged $25,000.

Since the beginning, the Building for the Future campaign has raised an additional $1,236,510 from community donors, including hospital employees and volunteers.

Local businesses and organizations such as Lake Pharmacy, Wells Fargo, Bikram Yoga Lake County and Coastal Mountain Electric also have been supporters.

The hospital’s emergency department – one of the smallest yet busiest in the state – currently handles about 16,000 visits per year.

With the projected increase in the county population in the future, this number may rise to as many as 35,000 visits per year.

The renovations include expanding and upgrading the original cramped 1960s-era emergency room to provide faster precision care for patients, better access, and an increase in patient care staff.

With just one year to complete the funding, the cabinet faces this tight timeline with enthusiasm for being involved in this new phase of the hospital’s future.

Leaders were identified based on individual abilities and traits such as integrity, respect among peers, the willingness to connect others, a feeling of social responsibility, and managed time to spend on a worthy cause.

“Our cabinet members will take the lead in representing the Development Office and the hospital in the Building for the Future Campaign,” said Development Officer Melissa Kinsel. “All our members bring extraordinary personal gifts and heart to this effort. I am so encouraged by their involvement.”

“I see the emergency department from the bedside and I know the incredible transformation that will occur because of the cabinet’s fundraising efforts,” said Dr. Rockwell, medical director of the Emergency Department. “We will be transformed from a small, outdated Emergency Department to an Emergency Center of excellence.”

Two key positions have been filled by well-known Lake County community members: Celia Hoberg, a longtime resident and West America Bank representative, has accepted the position of campaign cabinet chair and Rick Hamilton, owner of RAHamilton Co., and resident of Hidden Valley Lake, has agreed to be co-chair.

“As a patient I felt as though my health was the most important to everyone who was involved,” said Hoberg. “This hospital is here for the whole Lake County Community. I am proud and honored to be involved with the task of helping raise the additional funds needed to complete the remodel. A very worthy cause indeed.”

For more information or if you would like to donate please visit us at www.newERforyou.com/donate .