Kaweah Health

11/15/2025

Congratulations to our Rapid Response team for earning the Team of the Month award for November. 🎉

The Rapid Response Team (RRT) exemplifies Kaweah Health's core values through their extraordinary clinical expertise, swift action, and dedication to patient safety. Racing from one emergency to another across our hospital, this elite team of critical care nurses serves as the frontline defense when every second counts — and their impact resonates throughout every unit and department.

Acting as an extension of our physician teams, RRT members provide expert assessment and intervention during the most critical moments. They function as the physicians' eyes and ears at the bedside, while simultaneously serving as patient advocates, clinical educators, and vital resources for nursing staff.

We are profoundly grateful for our Rapid Response Team's continuous dedication, clinical excellence, and the countless lives they touch and save each day!

11/10/2025

Missed last month’s Town Hall? Watch the full recording now.

Our panel led by CEO Gary Herbst covered updates to the emergency department, physician recruitment, and answered questions from our community.

Watch the the full Town Hall on our YouTube channel using the link below:

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our recent Town Hall.We’re grateful to our team members, community partners, and Board of Directors for coming togeth...

11/05/2025

U.S. News & World Report has recognized Kaweah Health in seven adult procedures and conditions as a High Performing Hospital in their 2025-2026 rankings.

For more than 30 years, U.S. News has evaluated hospital performance in both complex and routine care to support patient decision-making for acute and chronic conditions.

U.S. News Best Hospitals ranks eligible medical centers in 15 specialties of complex adult care. Evaluations are based on public data that includes patient outcomes, patient satisfaction, availability of advanced technology, and nursing quality.

The seven adult procedures and conditions Kaweah Health is recognized for are
back surgery (spinal fusion)
heart attack
heart bypass surgery
hip fracture
kidney failure
knee replacement
stroke

Join us in celebrating the dedication of our teams who provide expert care and improve the health of our community every day.

11/03/2025

Kaweah Health’s mission is to improve the health and well-being of our community, and that includes caring for both patients and their loved ones.

We’re pleased to share that new visitor guidelines, recently approved by our Board of Directors, are now in effect. These updates reflect valuable input from our staff and community and are designed to help us continue providing patient-centered, compassionate care.

Here’s what’s new and important to know:
- Overnight visitors: Patients may now have one visitor stay overnight. Visitors must be 18 or older, check in at the main entrance before 9 p.m., and wear an overnight visitor badge. (Re-entry is not permitted after 9 p.m.)

- Children: Children are welcome to visit. Those 15 and under must be accompanied and supervised by an adult.

- Emergency Department: Up to four visitors are allowed in the waiting area. Two visitors may accompany a patient in a treatment room (or one if the patient is in a hallway bed). Children 12 and under may have two visitors with them at all times. NOTE: The number of Emergency Department visitors may change based on how busy we are. For everyone’s safety, no visitors are allowed in ED Zone 4.

As always, visitors are expected to support a healing environment. Staff may ask visitors to leave if behavior disrupts patient care or operations.

We know how important it is for patients to have their support system nearby. These updates help us honor that need by promoting healing and connection during care.

Thank you for helping us create a safe and compassionate environment for everyone at Kaweah Health.

For full visitor guidelines, visit our website KaweahHealth.org/Visitors

11/01/2025

Very few people, especially children, know how to process deep sadness. Last month, our Good Grief Camp provided a safe and enjoyable space for participants to experience joy and peace amid their sadness.

If you would like more information about Kaweah Health Hospice Grief Support Services, please visit www.KaweahHealth.org/GriefSupport.

10/31/2025

Happy Halloween from some of our tiniest patients 🎃🧡

Our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) team went all out to make this first Halloween extra special with handmade costumes, including a flowerpot, firefighter, and mermaid.

Thank you to our NICU team for bringing a little Halloween magic to our smallest patients. 🪄

10/31/2025

Spooky season was in full swing at Kaweah Health! 👻

Check out our team’s wickedly awesome costumes and our pumpkin decorating contest.

Have a safe and fun Halloween.

10/30/2025

We’re proud to recognize John Butler, RN, from our 3 South unit.

John exemplifies what it means to provide compassionate, patient-centered care. His kindness and commitment to advocating for his patients make a lasting impact on everyone he serves.

His outstanding care has earned him the DAISY Award, presented in partnership with The DAISY Foundation, which honors nurses for their extraordinary compassion and excellence.

Thank you, John, for your dedication to our patients and for representing the very best of Kaweah Health 💛🌼

To nominate a nurse today, visit kaweahhealth.org/daisy.

10/27/2025

Nurses and Upcoming Nurse Graduates this is for you!

You’re invited to Kaweah Health’s Open House: Journey to Care on Thursday, October 30 from 2–4 PM in the Acequia Tower Lobby, 303 W. Acequia Ave, Visalia, CA.

Meet our Chief Nursing Officer, Schlene Peet, and hear her passion for developing and supporting the next generation of nurses. She believes in fostering an environment where learning thrives, teamwork is strong, and every nurse whether new to the field or experienced can continue to grow and excel.

Take a personalized tour of our hospital, connect with unit managers, and discover the areas of care that inspire you most.

Can’t make it this time? Join us for one of our upcoming Open Houses:

- November 13, 2–4 PM
- December 11, 2–4 PM

We can’t wait to meet you.

10/23/2025

We’re excited to welcome Piper Crispin-Smith, PT, DPT, to our team.

Piper is a pediatric physical therapist from Southern California with a strong background in child development. She earned her doctorate in physical therapy from the University of St. Augustine and believes therapy should be fun and engaging for every young patient.

Piper is available weekdays at Kaweah Health Therapy Specialist at the rehabilitation hospital, dedicating her expertise exclusively to the pediatric population in our community.

Having a full-time pediatric physical therapist is an exceptional resource for families in the Central Valley, and we are committed to ensuring that children receive the highest level of care close to home.

To schedule an appointment with Piper, ask your primary care provider for a referral. For more information about Kaweah Health Therapy Specialists, call 559-624-3906.

10/23/2025

Congratulations to our Interpreter services team for earning the Team of the Month award for October. 🎉

The Interpreter Services team exemplifies the very heart of Kaweah Health's mission: health, excellence, and compassion. This exceptional team consistently delivers culturally and linguistically appropriate care with grace, skill, and an unwavering "can do" spirit that makes them invaluable partners to every department they serve.

What sets Interpreter Services apart is their ability to be both highly responsive and deeply compassionate. Even while juggling multiple requests across the organization, they respond with professionalism and warmth that puts patients and families at ease. The simple act of hearing a familiar voice and language in a moment of medical crisis can be transformative, and this team understands that profound responsibility.

When it comes to embodying the true meaning of Kaweah Care, the Interpreter Services team stands as a shining example of what's possible when skill meets heart.