On Sunday, October 12, more than thirty health care vendors will be on hand from 1P.M. until 5P.M., at the Santa Paula Community Center located at 530 W. Main St. in Santa Paula, for the “1st Annual Santa Paula Adult Health and Wellness Day”. The event will benefit area baby boomers, aging adults and caregivers. Administrators of The Gables of Ojai, and Santa Paula Healthcare presented the idea for the fair to hospital administrators also as a way to promote two-year-old Santa Paul Hospital. It has become a collaborative effort of local organizations, actively involved in aging adult and caregiver issues. They include the Santa Paula Senior Center, The Medicine Shoppe (Ojai and Santa Paula), Help Unlimited, Valley Care IPA, Casa Bella, Ventura County Behavioral Health, Twin Pines Healthcare, The Palms at Bonaventure, State Farm (Santa Paula), Secure Horizons and Scan. The goal is to provide aging residents of Santa Clara Valley with current news in health issues, exercise, resources for in-home support, mental health, hospices, pharmacies, adult day care, retirement communities, HICAP, Medicare and health plans, Alzheimer’s, Veterans affairs, home safety, disaster planning, conserving energy resources, fraud/scams and spiritual guidance. Additionally, blood pressure screening and free flu shots (limited supply) will be available.

This is the first event of its’ kind in Santa Paula, and the afternoon will be filled with crucial health related information, music, fresh veggies, food booths, raffles and fun. It will also be the day to become familiar with Santa Paula Hospital, “The Hospital on the Hill”.

A beacon of “help” for residents of Santa Clara Valley, Santa Paula Hospital reopened its doors in July 2006 after several years of uncertainty. Since then, it has grown steadily, with a total 18% inclusive increase in patient care in its second year, from July 07 to July 08, in part due to interest from the community and area doctors’ increasing referrals. To accommodate that growth, recent changes include the addition of several new positions in Emergency, Surgery, Obstetrics, Intensive Care and Physical Therapy. Two surgeons, Dr. Isaac Lowe, General Surgeon, and Dr. Andre Zimmerman, Orthopedics, have also joined the staff, with a goal to increase surgery volume at the hospital. Another welcomed addition is Dr. Carolyn Morris, a Rural OB/Gyn Fellow with the Ventura County Medical Center Family Practice Residency Program. As well, the clinics continue to keep pace with hospital growth.

The hospital’s administration and staff applaud the fair committee’s efforts and will participate enthusiastically in its’ endeavor to provide a valuable public service to the community, while promoting Santa Paula Hospital, “The Hospital on the Hill” at the same time. It has taken much work and dedication to make this event a success. Now all that’s needed is YOU! For information, contact Christine Fenn, 805-646-1446, ext. 105.