Patzer to chair Adventist Health Board of Directors

Jere D. Patzer was named board chairman-elect for Adventist Health's board of directors, according to outgoing chairman Thomas J. Mostert, who announced his retirement in the fall. Patzer, who has served as vice-chair for 11 years, will assume his new role January 1.

"I am confident that Jere will be a thoughtful and committed leader for Adventist Health's board of directors," stated Mostert, president of the Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. "The board unanimously voted him in as chair, which speaks to the level of commitment and leadership he has displayed to Adventist Health for more than two decades."

Since 1996, Patzer has served as the president of the North Pacific Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists. In that role, he is responsible for providing overall administrative vision, direction and leadership to the ministry activities and programs of the Church throughout the Northwest. He also represents the North Pacific Union Conference to the North American Division and the world organization of the church. In addition to his board service with Adventist Health, Patzer also chairs the board of Walla Walla University.

"I want to thank Tom for his 21 years of leadership to the Adventist Health board and welcome Jere to his new role," stated Robert G. Carmen, president of Adventist Health. "All of our board members are very committed to ensuring the mission of Adventist Health and I appreciate their dedicated service to our organization."

Feather River Hospital Welcomes Pharmacy Robot to Staff

A new pharmacy robot debuted at the Northern California facility in October in an effort to provide a larger volume of prescriptions in a shorter period of time. The robot contains the top 200 drugs dispensed at the hospital and handles approximately 50 percent of the pharmacy workload. Once prescriptions are entered in the computer they are processed through the robot, which counts, bottles and labels each prescription.

L.A. Dodgers Swing By White Memorial Medical Center

L.A. Dodgers pitchers Eric Stults and Brad Penny and third baseman Shea Hillenbrand visited patients in the pediatric unit at WMMC and enjoyed being serenaded by children from the hospital's Pediatric Rehabilitation and Cleft Palate programs. The kids sang two songs for the players, who then signed autographs for each child, gave out Dodgers gear, and posed for photos.

Adventist Health and Generations break ground on Paradise Village

In the summer, Adventist Health and Generations broke ground on a 497-unit senior living community located in National City, Calif. Along with Adventist Health Home Care Services, the new venture allows Adventist Health to maintain a presence in the San Diego area.

Slated to open October 2008, Paradise Village will offer affordable senior housing options as well as wellness opportunities and access to outstanding services and amenities. Specifically, the complex will include 419 independent living units and 74 assisted living units. Residents will enjoy month-to-month leases, allowing them to move to different units as their needs require.

The retirement center is a joint venture between Adventist Health and Generations, LLC., the same Portland, Oregon-based company that partnered with Adventist Medical Center to create CherryWood Village and with Walla Walla General Hospital on the construction of Wheatland Village.