Category: Press Releases

Salinas, Calif. – Natividad Foundation celebrated its 35th anniversary during their Annual Donor & Hero Award Celebration, which took place on October 26. The evening was filled with entertainment, recognition, and gratitude, showcasing the Foundation’s dedication to its mission.

One of the evening’s highlights was the check presentation by The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC). In 2023, TALC members collectively contributed $350,000 to Natividad Foundation. Since 2010, TALC has raised $4,519,200 for Natividad and has funded 680 pieces of critically needed medical equipment and special programs, like spiritual care and diabetes prevention education.

John D’Arrigo, founder of TALC and CEO/President and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo California, said, “TALC is a unique example of partners and competitors coming together in support of a shared vision. We all see the direct link between a well-resourced safety net hospital and the health of agricultural workers and their families.”

Natividad Foundation was delighted to present the 2023 Hero Awards to five exceptional teens:
Anastasia “Annie” Perez, Sebastian Perez, Hailey Robertson, Kenzie Robertson, and Tyler Robertson for their philanthropic work of coordinating the annual bake sales supporting the Wendy Baker RN Memorial Fund. Natividad Foundation’s “Hero” Award was established in 2008 to recognize and honor individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions toward fulfilling Natividad’s mission to provide essential health care services for everyone in Monterey County.

The event featured world-renowned Speed Painter Amy Burkman, whose extraordinary talent brought a blank canvas to life in less than 10 minutes. Amy’s artistic expression captured the spirit of Natividad’s friend, the late Wendy Baker. A special edition of “The Price Is Right” game show also added a special and entertaining twist to the evening’s program.

For more information about the Natividad Foundation and its mission, please visit
www.natividadfoundation.org

About Natividad Foundation
Natividad Foundation’s donors transform health care into healing by developing innovative programs and funding technologically advanced medical equipment to enhance Natividad and support its high-quality care. Established in 1988, Natividad Medical Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org

About Natividad Medical Center
Natividad is a hospital and trauma center providing high-quality health care to everyone in Monterey County, regardless of ability to pay. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a public health care system offering a wide range of inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty medical care. Learn more at www.natividad.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Jennifer William, President and CEO of Natividad Foundation
831-251-1561
jennifer@natividadfoundation.org

Partnerships with Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association, Arts Council for Monterey County, the Rose River Memorial, plus local artist Enid Baxter Ryce, Kirk Kennedy and works from Harriet Mayland bring artistic expressions of healing to Natividad.

(SALINAS, CALIF., June 1, 2023) – Natividad Foundation hosted a special unveiling celebration on May 30 of the artists whose works are newly displayed for visitors, staff and patients at Natividad.

Natividad Foundation donors and artists enjoyed an evening surrounded by art, food and specialty coffee. The event featured keynote speaker Enid Baxter Ryce, Professor of Experimental Arts, Cinematic Arts and Environmental Studies, California State University Monterey Bay, and creator of the nine-piece Salinas Fog exhibition she painted for Natividad.

Professor Baxter Ryce said, “I love the fog. In Irish mythology, being surrounded by mist is a way to be carried to the magical worlds. To create this series, I painted the landscape south and surrounding Salinas from memory and then let the fog drift in using white, silver and gold,” said Baxter Ryce. “I hope these paintings will help viewers daydream about magical worlds that the fog brings to our abundant fields.” 

The 2023 Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) exhibition spans the long hallway from Surgical Services to D’Arrigo Family Specialty Services. The theme — Farm to Frame — was selected to highlight the agricultural industry of California. SSB Construction sponsors the exhibition, which features 40 plein air paintings and represents the 10 years of a longstanding partnership between MBPAPA and Natividad Foundation to bring works of art to Natividad. 

“Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association was honored to be a participant in the Natividad Foundation’s art exhibit “The Art of Healing”.  As painters, our biggest reward is to touch the emotions of our viewers.” said Linda Elling, MBPAPA President. “Through the use of color, light and subject the artist can evoke feelings of tranquility, happiness and hope. In this way, we are pleased to be able to contribute to the wellbeing of patients and staff at Natividad.” 

MBPAPA paintings are for sale, with 30% of sales proceeds supporting the Spiritual Care program of Natividad Foundation. Juror Warren Chang selected Rankin Pasture by Julia Munger Seelos as the first-place winner, Wet Earth, Filice Ranch by Georgesse Gomez as the second-place winner, and Moss Landing Field by Sherree Anderson as the third-place winner. To purchase and view the year-long exhibition, an online gallery is available by visiting natividadfoundation.org.

The Rose River Memorial joins the list as a temporary exhibition. This spring, Natividad, led by its Wellness Committee, joined other local organizations and Heal Together, a program established by Hospice Giving Foundation, to participate in a project to honor our local community whose lives were affected by COVID-19. As part of this effort, hospital staff and volunteers made red felt roses to memorialize the more than 800 lives lost to COVID-19 in Monterey County.

The red rose symbolizes courage and valor and is the national flower of the United States. The roses are hand-crafted by Natividad staff and volunteers out of red eco-felt. The artist behind the concept, Marcos Lutyens, mounted the roses to recycled fishing nets, including some that were extracted from marine preserves. Photographer and artist Kirk Kennedy then mounted and installed the display on the wall. The project was funded in part by Natividad Foundation.

Located adjacent to Salinas Fog and the Rose River Memorial, the Arts Council’s Visions of Monterey County exhibition, curated by Deborah Good, features 10 paintings by artists, including Annemarie Cassidy, Erin Lee Gafill and Lynn Zwagerman. They are available for sale by visiting arts4mc.org.

“The mission of the Arts Council is to improve the quality of life for everyone in our region through the arts,” said Jacquie Atchison, Executive Director of the Arts Council for Monterey County. “The partnership with Natividad Foundation brings the healing power of art to our dedicated health care staff and the patients and families cared for at Natividad.” 

Also outside of Surgical Services, Historic Monterey Peninsula exhibition features Harriet Mayland’s (1919-1992) oil paintings acquired in the 1970s for a private collection. Images were expertly photographed and reproduced by Kirk Kennedy, who then mounted them in hand-crafted wood frames. As a well-known artist in Carmel, Mayland’s paintings displayed life, motion and sweeping lines. Her unique style of working with a loaded brush and palette knife to canvas set Mayland apart from other painters of the time. The Natividad exhibition features historic buildings of Monterey, including the Custom House, the Stevenson House and Colton Hall, plus iconic ocean scenes, including the original Lone Cypress.

“We are thrilled to have our mother’s artwork and legacy live on at Natividad,” said Harriet’s daughter, Janet Mayland. “We hope her work brings people joy and comfort.”

Art can be pleasant and distracting; and often improves the well-being of patients, visitors and staff. In addition, research shows that the presence of art can also be beneficial for health outcomes, including length of stay and pain tolerance.  

“Natividad Foundation has transformed the hospital into a warm, welcoming and healing environment that feels more like home,” said Natividad CEO Dr. Chad Harris. “The Foundation has truly embraced their Art of Healing program, which now touches nearly every public- and patient-facing area in our hospital.”

The installations and exhibitions are all located in public areas on Level 2 of the hospital and were made possible by generous donations to Natividad Foundation. Natividad’s Director of Marketing and Community Relations, Hillary Fish, curated the art for all but the MBPAPA exhibition, and the Engineering department staff were instrumental in bringing the exhibitions to the hospital. Dr. Wendell Harry hosted the extravagant coffee bar at the event. 

“This year, as Natividad Foundation celebrates our 35^th anniversary, we recognize the partners and donors who have been instrumental in helping the hospital provide patient-centered care,” said Natividad Foundation CEO and President Jennifer Williams. “Art transforms the hospital experience at Natividad into a healing experience for everyone.”

# # #

About Natividad Foundation

Natividad Foundation brings people together to strengthen Natividad and create a healthier community. Together with our partners, we help Natividad provide high-quality health care and trauma services for everyone in Monterey County, including the vulnerable.

Natividad Foundation’s public-private partnerships help Natividad go above and beyond what it could do on its own. Providing funding for medical equipment, programs and training helps ensure all patients get the best care. Together, we help innovate so Natividad can provide the best medical and emotional outcomes for all in Monterey County.

Natividad Foundation is a 501(c)(3): *Silver Transparency 2023 – Candid. Find out more at natividadfoundation.org

Natividad Foundation is selling tickets now though August 16 for a chance to win a 2020 INFINITI QX50 at the 2019 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® Charity Drawing. INFINITI USA donated the luxury crossover, valued at $46,650.

“We are honored and grateful to be chosen to be part of this important community fundraiser,” said Natividad Foundation President & CEO Jennifer Williams. “Every ticket purchased for the chance to win a 2020 INFINITI QX50 helps Natividad give every baby and child the very best care.”

Natividad Foundation is one of six participating charities chosen for this year’s Charity Drawing. This is the twenty-second year Natividad Foundation has partnered with the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance for the drawing. Since the Concours began in 1950, it has raised more than $27 million for charity.

Charity Drawing tickets are $100 each. The drawing for the car takes place at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 18. Ticket buyers need not be present to win. Natividad Foundation keeps every dollar raised in ticket sales and is designating 100% of the funds for Natividad’s units serving babies and children, including the Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), Labor & Delivery, Pediatric and Maternal Infant Units.

Every year, Natividad delivers 2,200 babies and nearly 300 premature or critically ill babies from throughout Monterey County receive lifesaving care in its NICU. Natividad’s NICU is the county’s only California Children’s Services-accredited Level III facility, which is the nation’s second-highest designation. The NICU provides specialized care close to home to a wide-range of infants with serious health conditions – from premature newborns that require help to breathe, to those with other serious illnesses.

Natividad is the only hospital in Monterey County providing pediatric hospitalists on staff 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The hospital cares for all pediatric conditions except critically injured children. As a Level II Trauma Center, Natividad helps save lives by stabilizing patients under 15 before transferring them to one of the Pediatric Trauma Centers in the Bay Area. Natividad’s NICU and Pediatric Departments are affiliated with UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospital.

“Entering the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance Charity Drawing for a chance to win is a fun way to give people a chance to help create a healthier community,” said Williams.

To buy tickets, download the order form at www.natividadfoundation.org or call (831) 755-4187 or visit www.natividadfoundation.org/concours

Natividad Foundation’s board of directors has chosen its director of development Jennifer Williams, MA, CFRE, as its president and CEO.

“I believe in Natividad Foundation’s mission of bringing people together to improve the health of patients at Natividad,” said Williams. “I’m honored to work with our partners and community members to help Natividad provide high-quality health care and trauma services for everyone in Monterey County, including the vulnerable.”

She has provided interim leadership since January, and Natividad Foundation’s board of directors voted unanimously to appoint her on May 17 to the permanent position.

Williams joined the foundation’s staff in 2002 as the director of development. Over the last 17 years, she has written, secured and managed more than $10 million in federal and state grants for Natividad. Her work with more than 100 foundations and partners helps fund the foundation’s programs.

“The board is very impressed with Jennifer’s extensive knowledge of the foundation, ability to manage complex initiatives, and collaborative approach to problem solving,” said Dr. Minerva Perez-Lopez, Natividad Foundation chair and Natividad Medical Group family physician. “She is trusted, compassionate and responsible. She’s the right person to lead Natividad Foundation.”

Founded 30 years ago as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, Natividad Foundation’s donors fund critical programs, medical equipment, services and modernization projects to enhance Natividad’s health care services. Located in Salinas, Calif., Natividad is a 172-bed hospital owned and operated by the County of Monterey. It offers inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic and specialty health care.

“Our donors are helping us save lives by providing funding for the very best medical equipment so our doctors and medical professionals have the equipment and resources they need to provide excellent care to every patient,” said Williams. “They’re also changing lives by philanthropically supporting effective programs for the vulnerable and underserved, including Indigenous Interpreting+^®, CHOICE, Spiritual Care and the Patients Greatest Needs Fund.”

Born and raised in Ohio, Williams graduated summa cum laude with a Bachelor of Science from Youngstown State University, Youngstown, Ohio, and with a Master of Arts in Theology from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, Calif.

Williams has worked in hospital settings since the age of 15 when she first joined the Volunteer Auxiliary at her local city hospital. She has extensive experience in nonprofit management and governance. Williams is the former president of the board of directors for the Central Coast Center for Independent Living and served as vice president of communications for the Association of Fundraising Professionals, Monterey Bay Chapter.

“I’m looking forward to my expanded role with Natividad Foundation and working with our community to take care of our community,” said Williams. “Together with our partners and donors, we’re improving the health and well-being of Monterey County.”

Williams can be reached at jennifer@natividadfoundation.org or (831) 755-4187.

The Matsui family has given Natividad Foundation a $500,000 donation to bring an Infusion Center to Natividad. The gift is the largest single donation received from an individual or family donor in the foundation’s 30-year history.

The donation provides funding for Natividad’s equipment needed to compound chemotherapy medications and for building out space to provide infusion therapies for patients with cancer and chronic illness.

“Many of our employees and their families have received responsive, compassionate, quality care at Natividad,” said Teresa Matsui, president and CEO of Matsui Nursery. “Natividad is an institution that is accessed by a large portion of the community, and it deserves our support.”

The donation is made in honor of Matsui’s mother, Yasuko Matsui. Teresa Matsui, her sister and mother all are breast cancer survivors and positive for the BRCA2 gene mutation.  The gene produces tumor-suppressing proteins, which increases the risk of breast and ovarian cancers. The genes can be inherited from a mother or father, and a child of a parent that carries a mutation for the gene has a one in two chance of being affected. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. and one in eight women will develop breast cancer in her lifetime.

“Under the best of circumstances, going through cancer treatment — whether surgery, radiation or chemotherapy — is a trying process,” Matsui said. “We were thrilled that our contribution could be used to facilitate the treatment process for cancer patients.”

Founded more than 50 years ago, Matsui Nursery is one of the world’s largest potted orchid growers and its live orchids are available throughout North America. Based in Salinas, Calif., the company employs 200 people in Monterey County with high-quality jobs.

“Through the sales of our orchids, we actively support organizations that serve and inspire people in the Salinas Valley and throughout Monterey County,” Matsui said. “We’ve been supporting education in a big way for many years. Equally important is the overall health of our community.”

Founded in 1988, Natividad Foundation is a nonprofit that provides philanthropic support for Natividad through its partnerships with foundations, individuals, businesses and government agencies. Owned and operated by the County of Monterey, Natividad is a 172-bed hospital that provides health care services to resident and visitors throughout Monterey County, including the vulnerable.

“The Matsui family’s generous donation allows our patients to receive local access to the care needed to treat their condition,” said Natividad Foundation’s President and CEO Jennifer Williams. “Their gift helps remove barriers — including lack of transportation, childcare and family and friends who are close enough to accompany them to appointments. When access to care is easier and closer to home, patients are more likely to get the medical treatments they need to improve and save their lives.”

Part of the Matsui family’s donation funds immediate updates to Natividad’s pharmacy to create a compounding room for infusion therapies, including chemotherapeutic agents and non-oncologic treatments. These medications are delivered as intravenous infusions and are used to treat cancer and chronic diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis and anemia. The donation also funds a four-room infusion center at the medical center that will allow infusion therapy to be delivered in a physician-supervised outpatient setting.

“Everyone needs to be able to get cancer screening tests, high-quality treatment for cancer and health care after cancer treatment,” said Natividad CEO Dr. Gary Gray. “The Matsui family’s gift is important because it provides the seed funding to get a project started that otherwise would not have been possible.”

Once the initial projects are complete, the remainder of the donation will support Natividad’s continued expansion of infusion and chemotherapy services, Gray said.

“Social issues are business issues and business people need to be social activists,” Matsui said. “People in our community are employees, they’re customers and they’re stakeholders. If we don’t have community, what does that mean for the future of our businesses?”

# # #

Located in Salinas, California, Natividad is a 172-bed hospital owned and operated by the County of Monterey, and offers inpatient, outpatient, emergency, diagnostic, and specialty health care. Natividad has provided health care services to Monterey County’s diverse population for more than 132 years.

Natividad Foundation was founded in 1988 as a 501(c)(3) to philanthropically support programs that improve the health of the community. Its partners fund critical programs, medical equipment, services and modernization projects to enhance Natividad’s health care services.

SALINAS, Calif. — Natividad Foundation, a nonprofit fundraising organization that works to strengthen Natividad, has hired marketing veteran Hillary Fish as its director of annual programs. In her new role, Fish is responsible for managing the organization’s special events, fundraising campaigns, marketing and communications.

“We want to help our donors create meaningful change in our community,” said Linda Ford, president and CEO of Natividad Foundation. “We are thrilled to have Hillary here to support the foundation’s programs and to communicate how our partners are helping the hospital provide high-quality care for all, regardless of ability to pay.”

Fish’s marketing and communications career began with an internship in 2001 at Armanasco Public Relations in Monterey. After college, she joined San Juan Bautista-based Earthbound Farm, the nation’s leading organic produce grower and shipper, where she managed national consumer events and marketing projects for 10 years. In 2013, she was hired by Salinas orchid grower Matsui Nursery to manage the company’s marketing and buying programs.

Born and raised in Monterey County, Fish is a Salinas High School graduate and attended Hartnell College before receiving her bachelor’s degree in journalism and public relations from California State University, Chico.

Fish has volunteered for nonprofit boards and committees nearly all of her career, including with Ag Against Hunger, California Women for Agriculture, Hartnell College’s Women’s Education Leadership Initiative and the Parent-Teacher Organization at Dual Immersion Academy of Salinas.

“I’ve always been very interested in helping others live healthy, happy lives,” she said. “The foundation and our donors are ensuring Natividad has the equipment and resources it needs to provide the best care, while the foundation’s innovative programs are making our community stronger and healthier. I’m honored to be part of that.”

# # #

Natividad Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing people together to strengthen the Natividad, the one place that safeguards the lives and livelihoods of everyone in Monterey County. The foundation develops innovative programs like Indigenous Interpreting+^®, provides specialized medical technology, enhances the county’s state-of-the-art trauma center and supports its high-quality rehabilitation center. Its partnerships with funders, community leaders and the hospital transform health care into solutions that heal people, unite a community and stand as models for the nation. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org

Natividad is a 172-bed acute-care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing health care to the residents of Monterey County for more than 130 years, Natividad provides health care access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of nearly 400 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

SALINAS, Calif. — Natividad Foundation, a nonprofit fundraising organization in support of Natividad, has been chosen as one of five charities to participate in the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® Opportunity Drawing. The foundation is selling Opportunity Drawing tickets to the general public now through August 18 for a chance to win a 2018 Mercedes-Benz GLC300 sport-utility vehicle.

“Purchasing a ticket helps support Natividad’s mission of providing high-quality care for all, regardless of their ability to pay,” said Linda Ford, president and CEO of Natividad Foundation. “With the support of our donors, we’re giving every patient at Natividad, including the tiniest babies in our Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), the chance at a healthy life.”

One hundred percent of all funds raised in ticket sales stay with the foundation, which supports innovative programs like the internationally recognized Indigenous Interpreting+®, provides specialized medical technology, enhances the county’s state-of-the-art trauma center, and supports its NICU, which takes care of hundreds of babies each year, some as small as 1.5 pounds.

Since the Concours began in 1950, more than $23 million has been raised for charity. Mercedes-Benz, USA, is a regular partner with the Concours and donated the car for the drawing, which is valued at $40,075.

“We are thrilled and honored to be chosen to participate as a charity at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance,” Ford said. “We are so grateful to them and to Mercedes-Benz for their generosity, and thankful to all of our donors throughout the Monterey Peninsula and beyond for purchasing tickets for a chance to win this beautiful Mercedes-Benz GLC300 while also giving back to our community.”

The drawing for the car will be held at Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance® on Sunday, August 20. An order form can be downloaded from the Natividad Foundation’s website at www.natividadfoundation.org. Tickets are $100 and can also be purchased via a secure hotline at (831)783-2695. Ticket buyers need not be present to win. For more information, contact pam@natividadfoundation.org .

# # #

Natividad Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing people together to strengthen Natividad, the one place that safeguards the lives and livelihoods of everyone in Monterey County. The foundation develops innovative programs like Indigenous Interpreting+®, provides specialized medical technology, enhances the county’s state-of-the-art trauma center and supports its high-quality rehabilitation center. Its partnerships with funders, community leaders and the hospital transform health care into
solutions that heal people, unite a community and stand as models for the nation. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org

Natividad is a 172-bed acute-care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing health care to the residents of Monterey County for more than 130 years, Natividad provides health care access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

SALINAS, Calif. — At a workshop with nationally acclaimed pediatrician and advocate Dr. Ken Ginsburg at the National Steinbeck Center on Monday, Salinas-area health care providers, educators, counselors, and Hartnell College nursing students learned tools and strategies for working with children and young adults who have suffered from trauma.

The all-day workshop, “Our Kids Are Not Broken: Recognizing and Building on the Strengths of Marginalized and Traumatized Youth,” was sponsored by donations through the Natividad Foundation (NMF) and presented by CHOICE, the violence intervention program at Natividad Trauma Center that promotes alternatives to violence to reduce retaliation and re-injury among youth and young adults injured by violence. “To be effective with working with young people, it’s imperative to eliminate shame, build confidence and learn not to lecture. If you lecture, children resent it. They rebel,” Ginsburg said. “Our job is to make our kids feel smart and make the program we’re offering them manageable.”

Monday’s workshop was the third time Ginsburg has presented for NMF. “Building on the strengths and resilience of young patients has changed my clinical care. It has changed the questions I ask, and I get to hear more of each person’s story,” said Dr. Eric Sanford, community medicine co-director for Natividad Family Medicine Residency Program.

A pediatrician at Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia and a professor of pediatrics at the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Ginsburg also serves Philadelphia’s homeless youth as director of health services at Covenant House Pennsylvania. He has authored more than 125 publications, 34 original research articles, and is the author of five books, including several published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Jose Moran, director of community relations for Boys & Girls Club of Monterey County, attended the workshop and said that Ginsburg is the nation’s leading teen strength-based approach expert. “What Dr. Ginsburg said reaffirms what we’re instilling in our members on a daily basis,” he said. “These strategies help us inspire and empower our youth and bring us together with other organizations to change lives in our community.”

Ginsburg said that relationships need to be approached with unconditional love and high expectations. “The world changes when kids learn that people are capable of trust — when young people realize they are worthy of being loved.”

# # #

Natividad Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to bringing people together to strengthen the Natividad, the one place that safeguards the lives and livelihoods of everyone in Monterey County. The foundation develops innovative programslike Indigenous Interpreting+^SM, provides specialized medical technology, enhances the county’s state-of-the-art trauma center and supports its high-quality rehabilitation center. Its partnerships with funders, community leaders and the hospital transform health care into solutions that heal people, unite a community and stand as models for the nation. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org

Natividad is a 172-bed acute-care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing health care to the residents of Monterey County for more than 130 years, Natividad provides health care access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

The Haynes Charitable Foundation honored with Hero Award

SALINAS, Calif. – Natividad Foundation (NMF) gathered with more than 120 foundation friends and supporters at its Annual Donor Celebration on Wednesday at Corral de Tierra Country Club.

Dr. Gary Gray announced that Natividad was one of 115 Top Hospitals recognized out of 1,800 across the country by Leapfrog Group. The hospital rated in the top three percent of hospitals nationwide and it also received a grade of “A” in the Leapfrog Group’s Hospital Safety Grade. “Our sole job at Natividad is to make lives better,” Gray said.

NMF, a nonprofit fundraising organization in support of Natividad, started the night by presenting its tenth annual Hero Award to The Haynes Charitable Foundation. “The support of The Haynes Charitable Foundation creates solutions to improve the health of the whole community,” said Dr. Minerva Perez, NMF’s Chair of the Board.

The Haynes Charitable Foundation, which started giving to NMF in 2011, pledged $300,000 in 2015 to fund medical equipment and services at Natividad. “We’re not really the heroes. The volunteers and staff at Natividad are the real heroes,” said Mike Haynes, President of The Haynes Charitable Foundation and Cinderella Carpet One.

The evening featured the unveiling of the new Monterey Bay Plein Air Painters Association (MBPAPA) exhibition, “From Morning Mists to Setting Suns” Healing Landscapes Exhibition. The exhibition, sponsored by SSB Construction, is at the hospital starting April 1 and extends throughout the year. MBPAPA artists are donating 30% of all sales to support the spiritual care program at Natividad.

John D’Arrigo, a third-generation grower and President, CEO and Chairman of the Board of D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California, presented a check from The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC) for $250,800 to NMF, though he noted the check amount was incorrect because two more pledges came in the day of the event, taking the total amount donated to more than $260,000.

TALC, founded by D’Arrigo in 2010 with a group of 22 farming families, is now made up of 161 Salinas Valley agricultural industry leaders. “We focused on the goal of giving Natividad the tools they need to provide high-quality care,” D’Arrigo said. “One of the reasons TALC works is that all the funds — that’s one hundred percent of funds — are used for medical equipment and services.”

Since starting TALC eight years ago, the organization has donated more than $2.3 million to NMF. In addition to funding hospital services including spiritual care, trauma training and the internationally acclaimed Indigenous Interpreting+ ^SM community interpreting services, and has purchased 150 pieces of medical equipment.

“Our donors transform health care into healing. We couldn’t be more grateful for them,” said Linda Ford, NMF President and CEO. “Without them, Natividad wouldn’t be what it is today.”

Salinas, CA (April 7, 2016) – John D’Arrigo, President, CEO and Chairman of the Board, D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California, and the members of The Agricultural Leadership Council (TALC), presented a check for more than $315,000 to the Natividad Foundation (NMF) at the 2016 Natividad Hero Award and Annual Donor Celebration. TALC has now raised more than $2 million to support the Natividad Foundation’s work to transform health care into healing at Natividad.

“We know that by supporting Natividad Foundation, we are impacting the lives of people all throughout our diverse community,” John D’Arrigo said. “We’re especially excited by the role we are playing to enhance care for everyone by purchasing medical equipment and supporting interpreting services. We unlock the talent of Natividad’s doctors to heal with the very latest medical equipment in the Trauma Center. And we make sure that every patient can communicate with their physicians through Indigenous Interpreting+.”

TALC was honored as “Outstanding Philanthropic Service Organization of the Year” at the Central Coast’s National Philanthropy Day in November 2014 at Pebble Beach’s Inn at Spanish Bay. TALC was founded in 2010 by John D’Arrigo, a third generation California farmer and president of the D’Arrigo Bros. Co., of California. The group’s donations to Natividad Foundation have helped the Foundation purchase medical equipment and support community healing services such as spiritual care and interpreting services at the Medical Center.

Dr. Gary Gray, Chief Executive Officer of Natividad, points to the support received from individual and foundation donors such as the D’Arrigo family, Mike Haynes of Cinderella Carpet One, Monterey Peninsula Foundation and TALC. “Together with many others, they combine their efforts through the Foundation to support programs like CHOICE to end the cycle of violence. They equip doctors with more healing power through advanced medical equipment and services in the Trauma Center and Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). And, they broadly engage diverse communities to ensure all patients have the high quality health care and healing environment they deserve,” said Gray.

“Natividad Foundation has been our essential partner in transforming a safety-net hospital into a provider of high quality care for all,” said Gray.

About Natividad

Natividad is a 172-bed acute care hospital owned and operated by Monterey County. As the safety-net hospital providing health care to the residents of Monterey County for nearly 130 years, Natividad provides health care access to all patients regardless of their ability to pay. The hospital operates with a medical staff of over 300 physicians and has several specialty clinics and outpatient primary care clinics operated by the Monterey County Health Department. Natividad is a Level II Trauma Center providing the immediate availability of specialized personnel, equipment and services to treat the most severe and critical injuries.

About Natividad Foundation

Natividad Foundation transforms health care into healing by developing innovative programs to enhance the Medical Center and support its high quality care. Established in 1988, Natividad Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. For more information, visit www.natividadfoundation.org.