MUSIC IS THE BEST MEDICINE: GROSSMONT/SHARP HOSPITAL PHYSICIANS SAVORED “HAPPINESS COMMITTEE” MUSICAL EVENING
Printer-friendly version A review by Bill Pogue October 27, 2009 (La Mesa)–Grossmont Hospital Chief of Staff Michael Musicant M.D. recognized that the pace and structure of the medical practice today is stressful and tends to isolation of practitioners, compared to 30 years ago. So he set up a “Happiness committee” dedicated to getting staff together around social projects. Six have been organized so far. One donated back packs to needy school kids. Another exhibited art created by thephysicians, attracting attendance by 170 doctors and their families. On Tuesday, September 17, about 150 Doctors, staff, and family gathered on the lawn behind the mental rehab facility as the sun set, enjoying two hours of music of all sorts performed by Grossmont Hospital physicians. Bina Adigopula, M.D. sang “I’ll Always Love You”, and “Orange Colored Sky” beautifully, Sherry Braheny, M.D. played a flute gavotte; Jenna Liu, M.D. a concert level violinist did the Meditation from ‘Thais” by Jules Massenet enchantingly. Others who also performed wonderfully were Erwin Handley, M.D. vocals and guitar, Jeffrey Marxen, M.D. on baroque trumpet, and Michael Long, M.D. sang Nessan Dorma. The fabulous finale featured the Soul Purpose Band, with Erwin Handley, M.D.on guitar, vocalist Joyce Lafitte, R.N., Ira Moscowitz, M.D. on drums, Lou Giordano, R.T. lead guitar, Jeff Marxen, M.D. trumpet, Brian Moore, M.D. on trombone, and Tom Kilcheski, M.D.on saxophone. The event had outdoor tables, good appetizers, and a very appreciative audience. Happiness was widespread. Marc Kobernick, M.D. served as emcee and introductory words were given by the Grossmont/Sharp Hospital Administrator Michelle Tarbet. Printer-friendly version
CITIZENS OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE ISSUES REPORT ON HOSPITAL BOND EXPENDITURES
Printer-friendly version October 27, 2009 (La Mesa)–A volunteer citizens group that is overseeing how the taxpayer-supported Grossmont Healthcare District (GHD) is spending millions of dollars in voter-approved bonds for construction projects at Sharp Grossmont Hospital in La Mesa has issued a special mid-year report on construction progress, including the recent completion of the hospital’s Emergency and Critical Care Center (ECCC) expansion. The group, called the Independent Citizens’ Bond Oversight Committee (ICBOC), recently published its 2009 Mid-Year Report to the Community. The group’s by-laws require an annual report, but not a mid-year report. However, the ICBOC Communications Sub-Committee recommended a mid-year report in order to keep taxpayers fully informed about the capital improvements underway at the hospital, according to ICBOC chairman Ernest Ewin. The ICBOC’s special 2009 Mid-Year Report to the Community is available on the Internet at a publicly accessible website, http://icboc.gafcon.net. Gafcon, Inc., a San Diego-based construction management firm, is managing the website, as well as providing administrative support to the Committee. The ICBOC 2009 Mid-Year Report to the Community gives an update on the completion of the addition of 90 new beds, including 24 intensive care beds and 66 medical-surgical beds, to the hospital’s emergency department and critical care unit. The $41 million ECCC expansion was the first construction project covered under the $247 million, Proposition G bond measure, which voters approved in June 2006 by more than 77 percent, well above the two-thirds required. The Mid-Year Report includes a statement about the benefits of the new beds for emergency admissions from Janet Hanely, chief nursing officer at Sharp Grossmont Hospital. The Mid-Year Report also gives an update on the other construction projects at the hospital that will be financed by the Prop. G bonds, including a new Diagnostic and Treatment Center and Health Occupations Training Center, as well as improvements to the Central Energy Plant and East Tower. The Grossmont Healthcare District is a public agency that supports health-related community programs and services in San Diego’s East County region. Formed in 1952 to build and operate Grossmont Hospital, the District serves as landlord of the hospital, including ownership of the property and buildings on behalf of local taxpayers. In 1991, the District leased the hospital’s operation to Sharp Healthcare under a 30-year lease that runs through the year 2021. The District is governed by a five-member board of directors, each elected to four-year terms, who represent more than 500,000 people residing within the District’s 750 square miles in San Diego’s East County. For more information about GHD, visit www.grossmonthealthcare.org. Printer-friendly version
BOO BASH! OCT. 31 EVENT AT KROC CENTER OFFERS FAMILY FUN
Printer-friendly version October 27, 2009 (San Diego) – Looking for a safe and fun place to celebrate Halloween? The Salvation Army Kroc Center offers a “hauntless jaunt” with family-oriented activities on Saturday, October 31, starting at 5 p.m. Kroc Center is located at 6845 University Avenue in San Diego (two blocks west of 70th Street in La Mesa). Activities include trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, cookie decorating, face painting, carnival games, snacks, and a live performance by The School of Rock Band. The event is free for members and children under three. Guests pay $2 each. Proceeds will help replenish the Kroc Center Family Services Emergency Food Pantry. Printer-friendly version
WILL POWER REPORT: INSTANT REPLAY FOR BASEBALL
Printer-friendly version Nothing but the Truth! Instant Replay for Baseball October 23, 2009 — I love baseball- in spite of the drugs, the drinking, the cheating, and the high salaries. But I hate the egregiously bad calls which affect the outcome of games, series, careers, and franchises. In the recent playoff series there were at least four rulings that were wrong. A fair fly ball was ruled foul, even though the defending outfielder touched the ball in fair territory. A pick-off play at second base showed a player was out, but the umpire ruled him safe from two feet away. Then there was the comical ‘Who’s on third?” play, where two base-runners, standing off the base were both tagged out. But only one was ruled out. The umpire later admitted ‘I wasn’t watching his feet!” A base-runner who clearly tagged up legally on a sacrifice fly was ruled out. So- it is time. It is time for instant replay in baseball. In fact, I would really like a laser system developed to measure balls and strikes. It would work better than what passes for subjective ball and strikes. The Home Plate umpire can easily throw a game by subtle changes in the strike zone. Clearly, it is easier to swing freely on a 3-0 count than on an 0-2 count. If a laser system could measure balls and strikes, it would ensure that home teams could not intimidate umpires and swing games. All games are already televised and multiple cameras make video review a simple task of viewing the video tape. All angles are covered. I don’t see a problem. Fans deserve a fair playing field. Eliminating umpires mistakes may actually increase the fan base and get America’s pastime back on top. Clearly, the current umpires are incompetent. Fans deserve a level playing field. Printer-friendly version
ARMED ROBBERY AT LA MESA HALLMARK STORE
Printer-friendly version October 22, 2009 (La Mesa) An armed man robbed the Susie’s Hallmark store at 5648 Lake Murray Blvd., La Mesa on October 22 at approximately 1:58 p.m. The man shopped in the store for several minutes, waiting for all customers to leave. Once all the customers were gone, the suspect displayed a k handgun to the store clerks and demanded money from the register. The suspect left on foot and was last seen walking westbound in front of the strip mall towards Baltimore Drive. No suspect vehicle was seen or heard. The store clerks waited a few minutes before calling the police on the 911 emergency lines. The suspect was described as an Asian male adult in his thirties, with short black hair, approximately 5-3 to 5-4, wearing large dark sunglasses, and a blue and white striped shirt with a collar. If you have any information on this crime, please contact the La Mesa Police at (619)469-6111. Printer-friendly version