Kare Bears volunteers enjoy lunch at West Valley Hospital.
West Valley Hospital tour
On Thursday, November 6, 2014, West Valley Hospital hosted the first Kare Bears group of PebbleCreek residents for a tour of their facilities.
Our group was greeted in the main lobby by West Valley Hospital representatives. Our first stop on the tour was the new Level One Trauma Center. Hospital representatives explained how the hospital is alerted when a trauma patient is enroute to the hospital. Time to arrival and level of criticality is all part of the information they receive prior to the patient arriving at the facility. This allows the Trauma Center to respond with the proper level of care required the moment the patient arrives. The trauma treatment rooms have an overhead camera which relays images of the patient to TV monitors on both sides of the room. These monitors enable staff members who are waiting behind a red line near the door to the room to view the patient and the treatment he/she is receiving. This enables them to know current patient status when it is time for them to step into action. We were all very impressed with this state-of-the-art facility available so close to home.
West Valley Hospital is an accredited chest pain center and cardiac arrest center. In addition it is a certified primary stroke center. It was explained to us that it is important to get treatment in the first three hours of a stroke as there are medications which can stop the damage from occurring if given at the onset of a stroke. We were also told that if you are having chest pains, call 911 as first responders can begin treating you the moment they arrive at your home and, when it comes to cardiac issues, time is of the essence. West Valley also has da Vinci Xi Robotic Surgical Services available.
Our final tour stop was the new patient wing of West Valley Hospital. The hospital now has 188 beds. The rooms are large and bright as are the patient bathrooms.
From the patient wing we could see the hospital’s two helicopter pads. Future plans call for building a new helicopter pad big enough to accommodate three helicopters.
After the tour we were treated to a wonderful lunch. During lunch West Valley Hospital CEO Stan Holm, joined us. He introduced his staff, explained his philosophy and vision for the hospital and answered our questions. It was obvious by observing and interacting with the CEO and hospital staff that they are dedicated to making West Valley Hospital an exceptional place to receive medical care.
Kare Bears’ next tour of West Valley Hospital will be Wednesday, January 14, 2015. The tour will begin at 10:30 a.m. and with lunch will last until approximately 12:30 p.m. It is limited to 12 people.
If you would like to attend this tour, please call Kare Bears House at 623-536-1200 and ask to be added to the signup sheet.
Donations received in October
The Kare Bears Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge non campaign donations received from the following residents: Robert and Jean McDermott, Vickie Norrie, Herald and Adrena Hadley, Don and Joy Hirvela, Charla Cupit, Robert Bartocci and Bernard and Pat Novak.
Equipment Use donations were received from Patt Karl-Lulmann and Grant Moorhead.
Memorial Contributions were received from the following: Charla Cupit in memory of Trisha Barton, Charla Cupit in memory of Roger Sobo and Lee and Joann Prandir in memory of Trisha Barton.
In addition Kare Bears raised $1,284 from the Bake Sale held at the Fall Creative Arts Festival held on October 25. Thank you to all the bakers, buyers and Bob and Hope Ewest along with their volunteers for making this annual Bake Sale a success!
A complete list of all resident donations can be found on the Kare Bears website, www.KareBears.org.
The generosity and thoughtfulness of these residents will enable Kare Bears to continue to serve the needs of our PebbleCreek neighbors.
Holiday Program – December 17
Mark your calendars for Wednesday, December 17, 2014, to join in on the Kare Bears Monthly Meeting which will include a Holiday Program you will not want to miss! This special event will take place at the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom at 11:00 a.m.
Entertainment will include Emcee and Puppeteer Jerry Layne. Also the PebbleRock Band, Dance Fusion and the Tedettes will be performing.
Come on and join in on the holiday spirit with your fellow Creekers!
Dates to remember
December 17 – 11:00 a.m. – Eagle’s Nest Ballroom – Holiday Program
January 16, 2015 – AARP Class
January 23, 2015 – AED/CPR Class
February 14, 2015 – Annual Health Fair – Eagle’s Nest Ballroom
Have you made your New Year’s resolution?
The holidays are upon us and it’s that time of year to consider making changes in the coming New Year. How about making a resolution to start volunteering. Your Kare Bears Organization has many volunteer opportunities for you to consider. Volunteering is a great way to meet new neighbors and friends. With over 6000 residents to serve, we would love to have you join our group of wonderful volunteers who make the Kare Bears organization so great!
For more information please call the Kare Bears House at 623-236-2512. You may also contact Corrine Adams at 623-236-2512 or email [email protected],
AED/CPR Class January 23, 2015
Have you always wanted to learn CPR but never took the time? Well, here’s your opportunity to learn a lifesaving technique. The class will be held on Friday, January 23, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The AED/CPR – defibrillator and resuscitation class is open to all employees and residents of PebbleCreek. The certified instructor does an excellent presentation with hands-on training in all equipment and technique.
The cost is $30 for residents and can be paid with cash or checks to AZ Pro CPR & First Aid LLC at the beginning of the class.
A signup sheet will be in the Kare Bears folder at the Community Information Mailbox across from the Eagle’s Nest Pro Shop after December 23, 2014.
Any questions, please call the Kare Bears house at 536-1200.
AARP Safe Driving Class set
An AARP Safe Driving Class will be held on Friday, January 16, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. in the Sienna Room at Tuscany Falls for all PebbleCreek residents. Cost for AARP members is $15 and for nonmembers the cost is $20. Checks for the class should be made payable to AARP.
Safety techniques and driving principles will be explained in the class.
Some auto insurers do give a discount upon completion of the class, so please check with your insurance carrier. It is well worth the time and cost. A certificate of completion will be distributed at the end of the class.
A signup sheet will be available in the Kare Bears folder at the Community Information Mailbox across from the Eagle’s Nest Pro Shop after December 15, 2014.
Any questions, please call the Kare Bears house at 536-1200.
Source Book delivery update
Kare Bears will be delivering your 2015 Source Books to your front door. The date of delivery is pending, however, we expect it to be in late January or early February 2015. Your Source Book will be left at your front door in a plastic bag, one book per house. Volunteers will have a week to deliver books to their assigned areas. After home delivery, additional source books will be available for purchase at the Kare Bears House.
If a house appears empty, no book will be left. If you are not going to be home or are unable to retrieve the book from the door, please inform your neighbor or person watching your home to take care of it. This is your information guide to residents and facilities in PebbleCreek.
Specific information on home delivery dates will be made available via eGroup announcements as soon as dates become available. If you have questions please call Arlis Legler at 623-234-4709.