Santa Paula Hospital celebrates health,
community at multifaceted fair
July 05, 2014
By Peggy Kelly
Santa Paula News
With plenty to do and free healthy chicken sliders setting the pace Santa Paula Hospital celebrated healthy community service at a special June 21 fair.
The Hospital on the Hill - which offers a sweeping view of Santa Paula from its location near the top of North 10th Street - was the scene of a variety of informational displays, mini-health screenings and “hands-on” life saving techniques at the free family event, co-sponsored by the Ventura County Health Care Agency.
Officially dubbed “Santa Paula Hospital Celebrates Health and Community” Pam Barnett, a hospital RN and city resident, reflected both as she instructed people in Hands-Only CPR, AKA Sidewalk CPR.
Barnett said later she instructed 57 people in how to save a life using the Hands-Only CPR, instruction given in a matter of minutes.
Said Barnett, “People are really interested in it, especially when they see how simple it is... “
“There’s much useful information for everyone here,” said Bob Borrego who was visiting the fair with his wife Tillie Borrego.
“It’s a great setup,” offering an array of valuable services and information. Borrego noted he stopped by the Santa Clara Valley Wellness Foundation booth with a message: “I told them that’s what I want... wellness!”
The Ventura County Health Care Agency (VCHCA) had their motorhome on site offering mini-health screenings; those seeking mammograms had made pre-appointments.
Aside from being weighed and blood-pressure readings as well as distributing information on healthy living, Leticia Villarreal said the VCHCA was also offering assistance to those wishing to apply for Covered CA health insurance plans.
Mark Andrizzi of Vista Cove Care Center was distributing informational brochures and said Santa Paula Hospital is “our number one referral source,” for the convalescent facility located on March Street.
Santa Paula Fire Engine 82 was also on display and Captain Gil Segovia said, as usual, it was a popular attraction.
“I’m so happy to be here and help at this event,” especially answering questions and giving engine tours to the children said Firefighter Matt May.
May is one of five SPFD SAFER federal funded firefighters, a two-year no matching grant program that expires in September. The City Council agreed to temporarily pick up the tab for the program until the next round of funding is announced.
“We’re not out of the woods yet,” said May, “but we’re in a clearing,” until the next round of SAFER federal funding is announced.
VCHCA Hospital Administrator Cyndie Cole was urging attendees to try the free refreshments, healthy but delicious chicken sliders, salad, watermelon and bottled water. Those attending the fair were gifted with bags of fresh produce, yet another one to demonstrate the link between healthy eating and good health.
Santa Paula High School Jazz Band alumnus and others were entertaining the crowd and there was also a clown and face-painting for the kids, all adding to the festive feel of the event.
Everyone was having a good time... and that included some out-of-towners that Cole said had been in the Main Street area, heard about the health fair and decided to visit.
And they liked what they saw, telling Cole, “They would love to retire here... they loved the Downtown, loved the weather and loved the hospital. They were really impressed with Santa Paula!”
Cole herself was impressed with the number of organizations that took part in the health fair and the compliments voiced about the hospital, which had been shutdown in 2003, purchased by the VCHCA and reopened in 2006.
“We’re very, very thankful to all who participated and visited,” said Cole. “It’s been quite an event!”
A campus of the Ventura County Medical Center, Santa Paula hospital is a 49-bed acute general hospital and has the only emergency room between Ventura and Santa Clarita.
Santa Paula Hospital offers a full array of in- and out-patient services from blood tests and lab work to X-rays and surgery and works closely with Ventura County Medical Center, a UCLA teaching hospital.
