Salinas Valley Health Reschedules Some Procedures Due to Fire Impact

Media Contact: Karina Rusk
831-759-1843

The devastating and widespread nature of the fires burning in Monterey and Santa Cruz counties is impacting the surgery schedule at Salinas Valley Health and some procedures are being rescheduled. Like many organizations, the evacuation orders are affecting individual team members at Salinas Valley Health and in some cases, they are facing the loss of their homes altogether.

“As we’ve said many times, the safety of our staff and patients is our top priority,” says Pete Delgado, President/CEO of Salinas Valley Health. “Caring for our staff extends beyond the four walls of the medical center and we need to provide many of them the opportunity to take care of things on the home front. This commitment impacts our staffing levels and we have decided to postpone non-emergent surgeries and procedures to accommodate the needs of our team.”

This week members of the medical center's patient experience team began making calls to more than 200 staff members living in evacuation zones to offer help such as finding places to stay, places to house their pets, along with moving and storage options. The heath system also set up an internal hotline and launched an employee forum where employees are offering their own resources and opening up their homes and property to co-workers.

“Our staff has demonstrated such strength and teamwork during the pandemic,” says Delgado. “The camaraderie and support we are showing each other during this new threat does not surprise me. I could not be more proud of the efforts I’m seeing on all fronts.”

The emergency department has treated several patients, including first responders during this week’s unusual heat wave and wildfires. In his weekly community video message, Salinas Valley Health President/CEO also mentioned his gratitude to all of those working to contain the wildfires and save homes. You can watch his weekly COVID19 video update here.