St. Elizabeth Community Hospital

03/05/2026

✨ Act of Humankindness Spotlight✨

Today we shine our Acts of Humankindness Spotlight on Lauren Mendes, a harbinger of compassionate care at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital!

Lauren consistently works to create the best patient experience, always ready to jump in and assist, especially in emergency situations. Recently, her kindness made an indelible difference for new parents welcoming their first baby – a preterm infant with a higher health risk.

The parents were initially overwhelmed and declined routine newborn testing. Lauren, with incredible empathy and patience, spent significant time educating them, explaining why these tests are crucial for their baby's well-being. She built a bridge of trust and understanding, empowering the parents to make an informed decision.

Lauren’s Act of Humankindness went even further: she stayed overtime to perform a car seat test for this same family, ensuring the baby's safety before discharge. Even while having a busy shift and precepting a new nurse, Lauren made sure these new parents felt safe, comfortable and truly supported during their vulnerable hospital stay.

We are so incredibly thankful to have Lauren on our team, embodying the finest qualities of humankindness every single day. Patients are truly lucky to have her!

03/04/2026

Your body talks, are you listening? 🗣️👂For , we want to highlight symptoms that deserve attention. When detected early, there is a 90% five-year survival rate so it’s important to notice if you experience any of these changes in your body. If you observe these symptoms, don't hesitate to speak to your health care provider. Early action makes a real difference!

03/02/2026

Spreading "pawsitive" vibes! 🐾 We had the pleasure of joining therapy dog extraordinaire Blitz and his amazing handler, Jeff Nelson, as they spread joy and comfort at the hospital last week. Since 2023, Blitz has been capturing the hearts (and earning countless pets!) of our team, including our first responders, during their weekly visits.

As Jeff, former coach and a longtime member of the Corning Volunteer Fire Department, shared: "Blitz and I enjoy visiting other First Responders. We’ve made regular visits to police and fire stations, dispatch centers, fire camps, and the hospital ER to introduce ourselves and provide comfort. Since retiring, the fact that I can do this for my community gives me a great sense of purpose.”

Alyssa Reynolds, RN at St. Elizabeth's, added, "I love Blitz and he’s very important to our team, especially in the ER. There are even times when we call Jeff and request for him to bring Blitz down.” Pulling double duty as a certified therapy and service dog, Blitz's specialty lies in working with First Responders. He's also proudly listed as a Critical Incident Stress K9 in the state of California!

A huge thank you to Jeff and Blitz for their incredible work! Helping the helpers helps us all. ❤️

02/24/2026

✨ Act of Humankindness Spotlight ✨

We're incredibly proud to announce that our amazing Laura Zaragosa has been honored with an Acts of Humankindness Compassion Award! 🏆

Laura recently demonstrated extraordinary empathy on a particularly challenging day at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital. Faced with a very frustrated patient, Laura's calm, positive attitude and listening ear not only helped the patient pinpoint their frustration but also offered a space of deep understanding. Despite her demanding schedule, Laura stopped to give that patient the caring ear they desperately needed.

Later, she did it again! When another patient was upset about being directed to the ER for urgent symptoms, Laura patiently sat and listened intently as they opened up about their life and current situation. The patient left feeling heard, understood and no longer frustrated – all thanks to Laura's incredible compassion.

Laura is the definition of a compassionate individual who genuinely cares about patients' well-being, even from behind the scenes. Her empathetic approach, active listening and positive attitude make her a cherished colleague and a true patient advocate.

Thank you, Laura! You inspire us all.

02/18/2026

🤔 When was the last time you thought about your heart health? This , Dr. Hill, our North State Market Chief Medical Officer, has a vital message for all of us: Get your heart checked!
Early detection can make all the difference. Knowing your numbers and understanding your risks is the first step towards a stronger, healthier heart, make the call and schedule an appointment with your primary care provider. Let's make heart health a priority together!

02/17/2026

Each year, we honor team members whose “Acts of Humankindness” bring our mission and values to life. Congratulations to all of our magnificent team members who were recently awarded the 2025 Acts of Humankindness (AOH) Award!

Recipients of the 2025 AOH Awards:
🧡Compassion: Emily Hernandez, Amber Shobash, Laura Zaragosa, Eric Duarte, Lauren Mendes and Kyla Moore.
🧡Excellence: Kaiya Saelee, Danielle Kirchem and Amy Dyson
🧡Collaboration: Maggie Ackerberg

We are so proud of each of you for embodying the spirit of St. Elizabeth Community Hospital and making a difference in the lives of those we serve. Thank you for your dedication to humankindness!

02/11/2026

🤔 Did you know your mental well-being could be directly impacting your heart health? It might be more than just behavioral habits! ❤️🧠 For years, we've understood that things like stress and depression can lead to unhealthy choices but new research reveals a deeper, physiological connection between your mental state and your cardiovascular system.

Want to know more? Read our blog about The Surprising Link Between Mental Health and Heart Disease:
https://ow.ly/sXg450YaCyr

02/06/2026

👩‍⚕️🏥 Attention Tehama County! 🏥👨‍⚕️

Do you know of a Heath Hero you'd like to honor in our community? We're excited to share that nominations for the 2026 Tehama County Community Health Hero Award are now open!

This award, sponsored by the Tehama County Public Health Advisory Board, honors those who demonstrate principles of prevention, collaboration, leadership, and innovation in public health. Eligible nominees may include community members or organizations making a difference in the health of Tehama County residents.

Your nomination can give them the recognition they deserve!
Nominate here: https://ow.ly/i5WT50Y9u18

Tehama County Health Services Agency

02/05/2026

February brings two observations to the forefront; Black History Month and American Heart Month. In honor of both, we're spotlighting a monumental figure in medicine – Dr. Daniel Hale Williams.

Dr. Williams made history in 1893 by performing one of the earliest successful open-heart surgeries. But his impact didn't stop there – he also established Provident Hospital, the nation’s first in*******al hospital and nursing school. This groundbreaking institution fostered both medical innovation and social progress, making critical health care training and education accessible to many.

Without visionary leaders and forward thinkers like Dr. Williams, the landscape of health care education and the dedicated caregivers we rely on today would be remarkably different. What an incredible legacy!🫀

Learn more about Dr. Williams here:

“A people who don’t make provision for their own sick and suffering are not worthy of civilization.” –Daniel Hale Williams

02/04/2026

Black History Month is a time to pause and reflect on the history that continues to shape our shared future.

We honor this history with humility and a continued commitment to dignity, inclusion and care for all.

01/28/2026

What a fantastic time we had introducing Dr. Shafqat Akhtar, our new permanent oncologist at the St. Elizabeth Oncology and Infusion Center! We were honored to host an open house for local providers to meet him and celebrate keeping essential cancer care close to home for our Tehama County community. Thank you to all who could attend!

Shoutout to Red Bluff Daily News for their article capturing the essence of why Dr. Akhtar's arrival is so significant for our community.🧡

📰 News article here: https://ow.ly/FwFH50Y50Jf

01/23/2026

Thank you so much to Red Bluff Rotary for having our team to share about our efforts to bring advanced care right here to our community! 🧡

We welcomed Dr. James Gonzalez, the newest general surgeon at St. Elizabeth Community Hospital, at our last Rotary meeting. Since his arrival, he’s already strengthened the hospital’s ability to care for Red Bluff and Tehama County.

Dr. Gonzalez moved to our area from Dallas to return to small-town practice and bring specialized skills to our community. He’s working to introduce robotic surgery at St. Elizabeth and shared a clear example: during a gallbladder operation where the organ was on the opposite side, the robotic system allowed precise visualization of ducts and nearby structures—making the surgery safer and more exact.

He acknowledged ongoing challenges, such as ICU size, but outlined plans for continued improvement and emphasized his commitment to staying long-term so residents won’t have to leave town for advanced care.

Dr. Gonzalez left us excited about bringing this technology to Tehama County and improving local patient care. Welcome to Red Bluff, Dr. Gonzalez!

01/22/2026

Every year, millions of people are impacted by human trafficking, often in silence. Human trafficking occurs when someone is forced to perform labor, services, or commercial s*x acts. The control used can be physical, emotional, or psychological, robbing individuals of their freedom.

If you or someone you know may be experiencing human trafficking, help and hope are within reach. Dignity Health’s Medical Safe Haven program has established clinic locations across California, where survivors can find comprehensive support for healing and rebuilding their

01/21/2026

Every smile. Every “good morning.” Every small moment of care adds up. Alton volunteers because he believes showing up for others is what humankindness is all about, and because helping just one person can make a day matter.

01/19/2026

On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we pause to reflect on the call to serve others with compassion, dignity and purpose.

Today and every day, we honor Dr. King’s legacy by continuing the work of caring for one another and the communities we call home.

01/01/2026

May each day of the new year be filled with warmth and happiness. Cheers to new beginnings!

12/26/2025

At Christmas we celebrate the good news fulfilled in Christ—God's gift of love, hope and peace for all.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me, for He has anointed me to proclaim good news to
the poor.” Isaiah 61:1

Wishing peace and comfort this Christmas season.

12/24/2025

May your holidays be merry and bright, filled with warmth, comfort, and a little winter magic. ❄️✨

12/24/2025

Tis the season for joy, shared voices, open hearts, and moments that bring us together. 🎶

12/18/2025

Sending warm wishes to those observing Hanukkah. May your week be filled with meaningful moments, connection, and shared traditions.

11/22/2025

A simple “hello” can open the door to connection, kindness, and understanding. On World Hello Day, we’re reminded that small gestures—like a greeting, a smile, or a moment of compassion—can make a big difference in someone’s day.

Let’s take a moment to reach out, say hello, and share humankindness wherever we go.

11/13/2025

It’s . Kindness isn’t only good for others; it’s good for you. Research shows that acts of kindness may help reduce stress, ease anxiety and depression, increase happiness and life satisfaction, strengthen relationships, and support physical health.

Kindness is also contagious. When we witness it, we are more likely to pass it on. Every small act makes a difference, whether it’s a smile, a helping hand, or a thoughtful word.

11/07/2025

We're thrilled to announce Dignity Health California hospitals received a remarkable 131 specialty awards from Healthgrades recognizing our exceptional clinical care across critical care, orthopedics, and cardiovascular. Plus, 6 of our hospitals earned the prestigious Patient Safety Excellence Award! This achievement reflects our team's dedication to delivering outstanding patient outcomes.

Learn more about our Healthgrades Specialty Care Awards: https://ow.ly/Pkiw50XoG5v