PC Newsletter Fall 2020
President's Council Newsletter: Fall 2020
A message from Chris Van Gorder
Dear President's Council Members,
I have never been prouder of the people I am privileged to work with at Scripps, the San Diego community and donors like you. You have all come together to support our patients and caregivers in an extraordinary way — especially during these past few months.
For more than four decades, President’s Council members have been loyal supporters on the forefront of giving. Your annual gifts in support of our greatest needs allow us to respond quickly to changes in the health care needs of our community. Presidents’ Council has a legacy of support for Scripps through the most challenging times, and I am very grateful for your unwavering commitment — now more than ever.
During this pandemic, we’ve all been inundated with information that can be difficult to understand, oftentimes inaccurate, and occasionally untrue. We are committed to providing our patients and the broader community with health care information you can trust. In this latest edition of our President’s Council newsletter, you will find current guidelines for COVID-19; learn about innovative ways that Scripps is ensuring patient safety through new initiatives such as virtual patient visits and our new Hello Patient Curbside Check-In program, and more. Also, as vital safety measures continue to restrict group gatherings, I invite you to join our COVID-19 Virtual Health Series and take advantage of other opportunities to stay connected to Scripps Health Foundation.
During this unprecedented time, we cannot help but be reminded of the important role philanthropy has played throughout our history. We were founded through philanthropy, and we will advance our legacy through the help and generosity of donors like you. We are committed to your health, when and where you need us, and we're very thankful for your support.
Chris Van Gorder
President and CEO
Scripps Health
Scripps Health Stories from the Frontline
COVID-19 Care with Heart
Della Tagayuna, RN, a nurse in the cardiovascular intensive care unit (ICU) at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla, thrives on caring for patients with the most serious cardiac conditions. Today she puts her heart into caring for those with COVID-19.
Ground Zero COVID-19 Response
Scripps Mercy Hospital San Diego trauma surgeon Matthew Martin, MD, returned from a two-week stint helping fight the coronavirus pandemic in hard-hit New York City. Dr. Martin was invited to help out at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx by Sheldon Teperman, MD, his long-time friend and trauma medical director at the hospital. Dr. Martin, a former Army doctor who has completed five deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan, received a desperate call from Sheldon Teperman, MD, his long-time friend and trauma medical director at Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.
“One of the things he said was, 'We are drowning, and no one is coming to help us,' and that's when I said, 'Well, I think I can come and help,'" Dr. Martin said. He decided to volunteer his time and skills on the front lines of America's coronavirus epicenter.
When he arrived to the Bronx, he could tell the healthcare system was overwhelmed.
Dr. Teperman hailed Dr. Martin as a hero, and Dr. Martin said the experience was reminiscent of his war zone deployments as an Army surgeon earlier in his career. Every day, he said he saw at least fifty patients in the ICU. Many of them were his fellow healthcare workers suffering from the disease.
With no cure yet, Dr. Martin said the best treatment still is prevention. "Keep doing what we are doing with social distancing, wearing masks, and we do not want to be New York City," Dr. Martin said. After arriving in San Diego, Dr. Martin self-quarantined at a hotel for five days before returning home. He is now back working at the ICU at Scripps Mercy Hospital, San Diego.
Community Supports Scripps Health
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Donates Safety Goggles to Scripps Caregivers
NBA legend, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, recently visited Scripps Health in San Diego to donate 900 pairs of safety goggles to protect health care professionals on the front lines of fighting the COVID-19 pandemic. Kareem regularly wore goggles on his way to becoming the NBA’s all-time leading scorer — so it’s fitting that he’s donating them in what may be one of his biggest assists yet, off of the court.
SONY Delivers 10,000 Masks to Scripps
Thousands of San Diegans have stepped up in recent months to support Scripps Health as we continue to fight COVID-19. They have donated money, masks, meals and more to ensure that the physicians, nurses and support staff on the front lines have what they need to care for the influx of patients that hospitals are seeing during the pandemic.
Caring for You During COVID-19
Safe and Open: What Patients Need to Know
Scripps is thoughtfully and cautiously phasing in a return of services to make sure patients can access the care they need when they need it. In-person and video visits are now available for patients along with curbside check in. Listen to a video by Dr. Ghazala Sharieff about our phased return of services or learn more in this article about how to stay safe at the doctors office.
Hello Patient and Curbside Check-in
Learn about how to use curbside check-in for your appointments.
FAQs on Coronavirus Testing
More Important Information
FAQ on President’s Council
Learn more about President’s Council (PDF, 240 KB).
Upcoming Events
Wednesday, October 7
11:30 am
Virtual Scripps Health Briefing with President and CEO, Chris Van Gorder
For more information, please contact Chelsea Buser at 858-678-7063 or Buser.Chelsea@scrippshealth.org.
John B. Engle
Corporate Senior Vice President
Chief Development Officer
Scripps Health Foundation
Your Support Strengthens Our Mission
Your President’s Council support is essential as we care for COVID-19 patients. While we continue to ensure our physicians, nurses and staff have the resources they need to safely care for patients, philanthropy has directly supported our response to the health care needs of our community during this unprecedented time.
We are stronger together — thank you for furthering our mission to heal, enhance and save lives.
Help Us Grow
Encourage friends to join you as Scripps President’s Council members.
- Visit Scripps.org/PresidentsCouncil
- Call 858-678-7063
- Email presidentscouncil@scrippshealth.org