When people think of AIDS, they typically think of Africa, not a tourist-packed beach town in affluent Orange County, Calif. In fact, Laguna Beach—an artsy hot spot along scenic Pacific Coast Highway—is home to the highest per capita AIDS population in the United States. It is also home to Adventist Health’s South Coast Medical Center, where Chaplain Ron Hyrchuk has long been involved in AIDS outreach.

Hyrchuk always has seen his ministry reaching well beyond the walls of the hospital, which is why he’s chosen to participate in a number of projects aimed at assisting the area’s AIDS population. This cause is particularly close to his heart, having lost a brother to the disease.

“These are not patients in a sterile hospital room, but real people located throughout the community who face very real challenges,” stated Hyrchuk, a former Seventh-day Adventist pastor.

For several years, Hyrchuk has sat on the HIV Advisory. This unique city committee was created to ensure that citizens struggling with AIDS are factored into local government decisions and strategies to ensure that their needs are not overlooked. As a member of the advisory, Hyrchuk has led the World AIDS Day candlelight vigil in Laguna Beach for a number of years.

He also has become involved in a project spearheaded by St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in downtown Laguna Beach that creates care teams, or surrogate families, for AIDS victims who are dying alone. As part of a multi-faceted training team, Hyrchuk teaches volunteers how to incorporate spiritual care into their vigils of love.

Hyrchuk isn’t the only hospital employee reaching out. In addition to the many clinicians who care for the sick and dying, hospital President Gary Irish sits on the board of the Laguna Beach Community Clinic, which puts a great deal of emphasis on AIDS patient treatment and testing. And many physicians are encouraged to commit community service hours to the clinic as part of their contracts.

Like Hyrchuk and Irish, employees across Adventist Health are dedicated to making a difference in their communities.

Combating Obesity

With childhood obesity on the rise, Paradise Valley Hospital in National City, Calif., recently launched “Families Against Obesity.” Spearheaded by the Center for Health Promotion and Blanca Fresno, M.D., the six-week course helps families incorporate healthy eating habits and exercise into their daily routines.

Thanks to the successful program, Isaac Rodriguez, 10, will never look at soda the same way again. He enrolled in the course at the suggestion of Fresno, who serves as medical director of the program, when she discovered he had high cholesterol. His mother came along, and together they lost 15 pounds.

“I’ve learned to stay away from junk food and enjoy sports,” said Rodriquez with a grin. “I really liked the kickboxing class!”

Leaving a Footprint

Most days on the women’s services unit at Central Valley General Hospital in Hanford, Calif., are filled with the joy that comes with welcoming a new child into the world. But there are days when the unfortunate takes place, and a fetus or newborn is lost.

Cheryl Arnold, RN, and co-worker Tina Diaz feel a special calling to assist mothers who have lost a baby. “It’s extremely difficult for women to walk in expecting a baby and leave with nothing,” says Arnold.

So, in addition to providing comfort, Arnold and Diaz provide keepsakes that validate the life that was lost and assist with the grieving process. These include a birth certificate, footprints, a locket of hair, small blankets crocheted by hospital volunteers and photographs of the infants dressed and swaddled.

It isn’t easy to obtain clothes for premature infants that can measure as little as nine inches, but Arnold and Diaz take personal time to make sure it happens, sometimes purchasing clothing intended for dolls.

“Some mothers are afraid to see their baby, because they aren’t sure what it will look like,” says Arnold. “But whether it’s right away or when looking at photographs some time down the road, it’s comforting.”

These mothers also receive books on overcoming the loss of a child and a teddy bear. The bear gives the mother something to hold—a surrogate of sorts for the baby they lost.

Sharing in the sorrow of these families can be difficult and many wonder how these women do it. “Yes, it’s hard, but service to the Lord is not always easy,” explains Arnold. “It’s my mission. I don’t know what else to do.”

Forgiving Debts

It’s hard to place value on these acts of the heart. But in 2004 alone, Adventist Health put more than $2.9 million back into its communities through charitable donations, prevention and wellness activities, and subsidized programs that were operated at a loss simply because they were needed. In special situations, Adventist Health facilities also provided free or deeply discounted health care.

Affectionately known as “Da Tita” or “Hawaii’s Country Girl,” Melveen Leed is a popular entertainer with a big heart. Shortly after losing a close friend and fellow performer to cancer, she suffered a mild heart attack and was rushed to Castle Medical Center by ambulance.

Two days later, she had accrued a $15,600 hospital bill that she couldn’t pay. Her insurance had lapsed during a difficult divorce, and having just returned to the island after years away, work was far from steady. The Kailua, Hawaii, hospital reviewed her situation and ultimately forgave her entire bill.

“I was so overwhelmed,” recalled Leed, who is insured again and taking better care of her heart. “They were truly knights in shining armor.”