Join our CAPITAL CAMPAIGN for Our New Clinic Serving those living and working in the Poway Unified School District

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Thank you! We appreciate your support!

Thank you to everyone who supported "Health, Wellness, and All That Jazz!" This year's Pace Setter Gala was a great success; your involvement and donations help keep our patients happy and healthy. This year's event raised $137,000, with over $16,000 designated for Unfunded Care for Kids! A special thank you goes to our title sponsors: and Alan and Debbie Gold Be sure to check out event photos on our Facebook page! Save the Date: Next year's gala is already scheduled for Saturday June 1, 2013 at Orfila Vineyards

Dr. Timothy Bailey, an Escondido-based Endocrinologist, has been named Neighborhood Healthcare’s Volunteer of the Year for 2011.

Dr. James Schultz, Chief Medical Officer at Neighborhood Healthcare explains, “Dr. Bailey has been a much welcome help to the patients and medical staff of Neighborhood Healthcare. He is willing to donate his expertise in endocrinology to our most difficult patients and provides them with ready access to this assistance by coming right to Neighborhood Healthcare offices to see them. In addition, he leverages out primary care physicians' and midlevel practitioners' knowledge by giving them monthly grand - rounds type teaching customized to our needs. Thank you Dr. Bailey for years of service to our patients and medical staff!”

“Neighborhood Healthcare is an extraordinary place with passion and joy among the hardest-working and most competent clinic staff that I have seen. The ability to support providers by teaching at noon conferences and being available for in-person and electronic endocrinology consultations makes me feel like I am making a difference,” says Dr. Bailey.

Neighborhood Healthcare is incredibly grateful to Dr. Bailey and sends him an enthusiastic round of applause.

Son follows mother’s example of compassion

For Lorraine and James Wall, the saying “like mother, like son” speaks volumes about how the duo has similar traits when it comes to looking for ways to help others.

LORRAINE AND JAMES WALL

At 84, Lorraine, a resident of Los Arcos, an affordable housing community for seniors in Poway, started crocheting caps for babies and kids a few years ago with the nonprofit “Helping Hands.” While she no longer makes caps, she has plenty of fond memories knowing the finished items went to patients at Rady Children’s Hospital and Ronald McDonald House, usually via her son’s efforts with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. James, known as “JR” to his friends, is a former Rancho Bernardo resident who moved to Fallbrook after the 2007 Witch Creek fire destroyed his home. He got involved with Make-A-Wish 21 years ago as a wish-granter, and continues to find ways to brighten a child’s life. “Bringing the caps to kids made my mom happy to provide some joy for those youngsters,” JR said. “I was just as happy knowing those kids would appreciate the gift.” He works at Military Medical Supplies in Fallbrook, a business run by his nephew, Kelsey Wall. The company supplies pediatric nebulizers, wheelchairs, crutches, splints, braces and other equipment to many home-bound patients, including the military. Recently, his mom read about a Neighborhood Healthcare clinic coming to Poway, which will provide medical care to the underinsured and those without coverage when it opens its doors in two to three years. She suggested her son call officials at one of the Neighborhood Healthcare clinics in nearby Escondido to see if they could use surplus equipment from the Wall’s supply business. JR said that those who run his family’s Anaheim warehouse stock a certain shelf with surplus items. “In the spirit of giving, we set aside orthopedic equipment,” he added. “My first contact with nonprofits in need of such items was Wounded Warriors.” Wall said his family helps that organization and those associated with the Neighborhood Healthcare clinic in Escondido. Meanwhile, trying to remain civic-minded, Lorraine, who enjoys playing bingo at the Poway Senior Center, is the designated driver, always ready to transport fellow Los Arcos residents to a game of bingo. Lorraine said her other son, Jerry, often volunteers at local hospices, so the family trait of community service continues to thrive. Her tip to local families is to make rules for kids to follow, and despite the hustle-bustle in today’s society, join each other at the dinner table for a family meal.

“Talk about your day — listen to each other,” she said. “It brings families together.”

POWAY CHIEFTAIN AUGUST 25, 2011 by Pat Kumpan

http://www.pomeradonews.com/2011/08/24/son-follows-mothers-example-of-compassion/

The Capital Campaign for a Community Clinic for Poway Off to a Great Start!

On Tuesday, May 24, 2011, Neighborhood Healthcare kicked off the Capital Campaign for a Community Clinic for Poway. Attendees included Neighborhood Healthcare CEO Tracy Ream, Poway Councilman Dave Grosch, representatives from Palomar Pomerado Health, and many members of the Poway community.

Special guests in attendance included Alan and Debbie Gold, friends of Neighborhood Healthcare and long time residents of Poway. The Golds generously contributed to the purchase the plot of the land in Poway where the clinic will stand, and the clinic will be named after Alan’s late parents, Martin and Delia Gold. “We hope all the citizens of Poway and the surrounding communities will be able to rely on this clinic for many generations to come,” Alan explained.

The kick off ceremony allowed attendees to share their excitement for the opening of a new clinic—and they expressed that the need for such a place is incredibly great. Poway is one of the only areas in San Diego county without a community clinic, leaving many members of the community with significant barriers to quality healthcare. “Our city is very pleased, and I’m very pleased, that we will have a Neighborhood Healthcare clinic in the community. It’s been needed for a long, long time,” said Councilman Grosch.

Now, the fundraising begins! The capital campaign needs to raise three million dollars for the building, and Neighborhood Healthcare hopes to be seeing patients in the Poway clinic some time in 2013 or 2014. To learn how you can help, contact Connie Burke, Director of Philanthropy, at 760-520-8365 or connieb@nhcare.org.

Top Left: Event Speakers, including Neighborhood Healthcare’s Board President Johnny Watson, Jane Radich, CEO Tracy Ream, Alan and Debbie Gold, and Councilman Dave Grosch

Top Right: Alan and Debbie Gold celebrate with a cake picturing a rendering of the Poway Clinic

Bottom: 2011 Kick-Off Attendees

Look at these beautiful handmade baby blankets donated to Neighborhood Healthcare’s Social and Behavioral Services by Peggy Worrick! Peggy and Dr. Andrea Barlam are so excited for these precious gifts to be distributed to mothers and babies in need. Peggy has donated to NHcare several times, and she has now given over 200 blankets to various non-profit organizations. We would like to sincerely thank Peggy for her generosity!

Smoking and Puppies: View this wonderful video put together by Brooke Rubino, age 16, Halstrom High School. Brooke offered this to Neighborhood Healthcare as an education piece. It is worth the few minutes it will take you to watch it. Thank you Brooke!

THANK YOU TREVOR'S TOYBOX

Neighborhood Healthcare's Play Therapy Room received nearly $2,000 of new toys, furniture and shelving thanks to Trevor's Toybox, a local nonprofit that honors Corey and Wendie Wigginton's son, Trevor. On April 5th, Neighborhood Healthcare's staff celebrated the generous gifts that will benefit thousands of children receiving behavioral healthcare by holding a ribbon cutting ceremony with staff and guests. For more information about Trevor's Toybox visit www.trevorstoybox.org.

A Red Ribbon Cutting to Celebrate!

Pictured: Corey Wigginton; Dr. Barlam of Neighborhood Healthcare; Tracy Ream, CEO of Neighborhood Healthcare; and Wendie Wigginton, Founder of Trevor's Toybox and of course, Trevor Wigginton.

Trevor and Neighborhood Healthcare therapist Angie Stewart

CECO funded an x-ray machine for pediatric patients like Breanna. At age 1 she had no cavities and joined our NO CAVITY CLUB.

CECO is the San Diego County Employees Charitable Organization. Check out this video about the good work CECO is doing in our San Diego Community

Our Bookfair with Barnes & Noble ~ Escondido

Dr. Phyllis Colter, a Neighborhood Healthcare Volunteer, reads to children at the Escondido Barnes and Noble Book Fair.

Thanks to our supporters who attended the fair and bought books online, we raised enough money to purchase 120 new books for our Reach Out and Reach program. Reach Out and Read promotes parents reading to their children as a family activity.  Each time a child sees their doctor for a wellness exam, their doctor gives them an age-appropriate book to take home. The program starts with infants and continues through age five to promote parents reading to their children.

Thanks to Dr. Colter, Barnes and Noble and our supporters and volunteers who purchased books, the bookfair was a success. 

PEOPLE HELPING PEOPLE "I'M GOING TO BE SAFE AGAIN!" Jamie Dean and Dr. Karin Schiff Jamie Dean of Escondido says it is the prayers of her church choir members that are responsible for changing her life this week. Holding her hands against her cheeks and getting teary eyed, Jamie said, "This is a miracle. We've been praying that I would get a wheelchair. I just can't believe it!" At age 60, Jamie has been living with a rare condition of very low blood pressure the past two years. The condition, called Diabetic autonomic neuropathy and orthostatic hypotension, causes her to suddenly pass out sometimes when she goes from a sitting to standing position or while walking. As a result, she has endured many injuries from the sudden falls and has developed a fear of going outside alone. Two years ago, Jamie spent three days in the hospital enduring many tests to determine what was wrong with her."The hospital ended up saying I had low sodium. Thank goodness for Dr. Schiff. She is the one who figured out what was wrong with me. Medically she is the best and it's amazing...she really cares about me." Neighborhood Healthcare's Dr. Karin Schiff thought of Jamie immediately when a wheelchair was donated to the health center by a local woman. With  the help of the East Escondido Rotary who paid to replace the batteries, the wheelchair was delivered to Jamie in excellent working order. "One time Jamie was walking down Washington Street and fell suddenly when she passed out. No one came to her aid for two hours," explains Dr. Schiff."It was horrifying," says Jamie.  "Now, (with the wheelchair), I feel safe again! You have no idea how this is going to change my life." More about PEOPLE.... Neighborhood Healthcare Patients Share Their Experiences with You Neighborhood Healthcare ~ Pauma Valley John Dunnicliff John Dunnicliff of Valley Center will celebrate his 70th birthday in November and he is looking forward to celebrating his birthday doing his favorite thing: hiking in the mountains. That wouldn't have been possible five years ago. After coming to the United States from England, John worked in Los Angeles for 20 years, as an agent for directors and photographers at Paramount Pictures and Warner Brothers. He grew up hiking and climbing around his home in the hilly part of England.  “As far back as I can remember,” John says, “there were always ropes and hiking boots around the house.” His work involved visiting advertising agencies to find commercial work for directors and photographers and during his off time he would spend every possible weekend at Joshua Tree National Park or other wilderness areas rock climbing. Once John decided to go freelance, he lost his corporate health insurance and retirement benefits and was on a tight budget. When he was diagnosed with the onset of arthritis at the age of 60, he had to stop rock climbing.  “It was a real shock to suddenly not be able to do what I’d been doing for 40 years. The arthritis got so bad that at one point I couldn’t even turn the ignition in my car, because my wrist hurt so bad,” John said.  “When I came over from England,” he continued, “and discovered that I had to pay for basic medical care, I thought, what? I have to pay to see a doctor? People are making a profit off my illness? Why should you have to make a profit off of poor people who are ill? That’s outrageous! But on the other hand, gasoline only costs $2 or $3 a gallon here, when it’s twice that in England. So I guess you just have to get used to different things.” However, John couldn’t get used to medical costs. His physician in Los Angeles prescribed an experimental regimen of two injections a week for three months, for a total cost of $14,000. Not being able to afford that, he relied on cortisone to keep the arthritis in check. Five years ago when John retired and moved to a rural home near Valley Center he learned about Neighborhood Healthcare ~ Pauma Valley from a friend. His first physician was Dr. Rodriguez, who told him his condition was sufficiently severe that he should see an arthritis specialist. “I told him I couldn’t afford the visits, which would cost $150.00,”  John explained. So, Dr. Rodriguez referred him to the Arthritis Foundation, which sees patients at reduced or no charge. A physician there brought his arthritis under control – so much so that, for the past 18 months, John has been rock climbing again.  “I am so grateful this health center exists. It meant a lot to me when I need care and some answers,” John said. Neighborhood Healthcare ~ Escondido Lourdes Dureza Provider: Margaret Chen Sixty-seven year old Lourdes Dureza of Escondido has been a patient of Neighborhood Healthcare for six years. “I owe my health to Neighborhood Healthcare -- I feel better now than when I first came,” Dureza said.“The people at Neighborhood Healthcare are more compassionate, more helpful and that kind of care is priceless. They’re always trying to be a help to you in any form. They really want to meet your needs.” Lourdes realized she was a diabetic in 1989, when she lived in the Philippines. Her treatment consisted of regular medications. After coming to Escondido in 2003, she realized she needed more help. She wasn’t working, so she came to Neighborhood Healthcare and her medical expenses were covered by County Medical Services. “Before I came to Neighborhood Healthcare, I was always tired, always sleeping a lot. Now I have more energy, I’m enjoying life, and seeing a lot of pleasant people. Dr. Chen is a very compassionate, understanding lady. She takes time for me. And she tells me when I need to do more, like walk farther. When you go to her, you feel important. I don’t feel any discrimination in regard to language or financial disadvantage. And, I feel confident in her diagnosis. If there’s no cure for something, she says so, then tells me: burn more calories. Walk more. When I have special medical needs, such as a sore knee, she refers me to other specialists such as a sports medicine doctor.” Dr. Chen prescribed insulin, other medications, and referred Lourdes to Project Dulce, a program that educates patients about managing their diabetes and provides medical visits and medication for a cost of approximately $900 year.  “Their approach is very good. In Project Dulce, you interact with real people with diabetes. You can ask questions about what is happening, and you can integrate your experience with that of others. When you ask a question, the nurse educator explains what is happening in a way that you can remember. The answers are very complete. All you have to do is follow the procedures. I’m one of the successful ones,” she says and smiles. Lourdes is no longer on insulin, and her other medications are being reduced. “I manage how much I eat, and I exercise, so the medications are being reduced. But it takes a certain discipline to do it, and it takes a team to pound it into your head. They are saying the truth, and you have to accept that they’re telling you the truth.” BEHAVIORAL HEALTH Dear Neighborhood Healthcare, I wanted to take a moment and thank you for the wonderful care that I have received the past 5 years. I came to you at a very crucial and stressful time in my life, and between my therapist and my psychiatrist, I have been able to manage my bi-polar disorder. I continue to see my doctors and my medications are working just right. I owe so much to you there at Neighborhood Healthcare. I also want to thank the staff there who treat patients with such care, respect and dignity. In closing, I hope to be able to continue my care here at Neighborhood Healthcare for many years to come Thanks for all you do, Sincerely, (patient’s name was omitted to ensure privacy.) NEIGHBORHOOD HEALTHCARE’S DIABETES PROGRAM: PROJECT DULCE Gerald has a small business operating heavy equipment. For him, work has been sporadic over the years. He learned about Neighborhood Healthcare through County Medical Services, when he went to their offices for treatment of pneumonia. The county directed him to Neighborhood Healthcare.  “I went in three times. The first time they gave me one shot of penicillin. The second time, two shots. The third time, three shots, and I finally recovered. If I hadn’t had treatment there, I likely would have ended up in the hospital, said Gerald.” About five years ago he began having vision problems, and suffered from exhaustion. Returning to Neighborhood Healthcare, Gerald was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. He was referred to Project Dulce, and regularly attends meetings.  “I have always gotten good care at Neighborhood Healthcare. I’m very impressed by their devotion – I’m sure they’re not making huge amounts of money. By being here for people with little money, they prevent the escalation of issues. If the taxpayer has a choice between covering these people at Neighborhood Healthcare for $100, or covering them in the hospital for $10,000 it doesn’t take an accountant to figure out the best value available when needed. If I have a blood sugar issue, I call, they get me in, and get me squared away.”

John Ruzich, D.D.S.

Dr. John Ruzich of Escondido, 64, was an important part of Neighborhood Healthcare’s family for three decades.

He passed away January 8, 2009 and we will deeply miss not only his presence but his passion for helping those less fortunate.

Dr. Ruzich was an inspiration to us as he quietly remained devoted to charitable causes and volunteer outreach most of his adult life.

An Escondido resident and dentist, Dr. Ruzich served on Neighborhood Healthcare’s Board from 1968 to 2008 and served as the Board President from 2001 to 2006.

He was instrumental in creating Neighborhood Healthcare’s dental program in 1979. At that time, adding dental services was something that many community health centers were unable to provide but Dr. Ruzich’s leadership helped to ensure that low-income residents in Escondido would have access to dental care.

Dr. Ruzich was honored as Neighborhood Healthcare’s “PaceSetter Awardee for Exceptional Volunteer Services” in 2004.

He also volunteered his services to The 1,000 Smiles Foundation for decades. He traveled to Mexico to provide dental care for less fortunate children who suffer from lack of dental care.

Dr. Ruzich served as a proud Rotarian helping many nonprofits in Escondido.
He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.