St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital Staff Host Drive-by Baby Shower for Fellow Team Member
CAMARILLO, CA – May 12, 2020 – The Subacute Unit staff at St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH), a member of Dignity Health, hosted a baby shower caravan for Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Christina Thomas, who is currently expecting twins.
Thomas, who has worked at SJPVH for five years, never had a baby shower when she was expecting her two older sons, ages 13 and 10. The subacute team had previously planned a baby shower for her, but their plans soon changed with the evolving news surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead of canceling the plans altogether, like they had told Thomas, her colleagues organized a creative plan to celebrate her pregnancy amidst social distancing guidelines.
In order to keep the celebration a surprise but ensure her presence, Thomas' colleague and friend told her she would be expecting a UPS delivery at her home. Instead of a package delivery, Thomas was met with a parade of decorated cars outside her house, each driver cheering her on and delivering gifts.
Thomas was overwhelmed by the support of her coworkers. "I was more shocked to see everyone outside than when I found out I was pregnant," she said. "It was even more special than if it were a typical baby shower."
Thomas' coworkers delivered gifts on her driveway, along with a signed card from the team in her unit and monetary gifts, which she was able to use to buy everything on her registry, including an extra swing so that each twin will have their own.
"I am immensely proud of the ongoing teamwork and camaraderie that our staff have displayed throughout the course of the COVID-19 pandemic," says Darren Lee, President and CEO of St. John's Regional Medical Center and St. John's Pleasant Valley Hospital. "Our frontline workers are not only heroes for our community, but for one another, a support that is critical during these especially trying times."
SJPVH’s Subacute Unit is a 72-bed comprehensive care facility located adjacent to the main hospital. The facility specializes in the care of ventilator and tracheostomy dependent patients.
Professionally staffed around the clock, the experienced clinical team members deliver specialized care in order to provide patients their best possible outcome. The location provides access to the SJPVH Emergency Department and acute care, if needed.
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About St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital
St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (SJPVH) is an award-winning hospital in the heart of Camarillo with 58 acute care patient rooms and a 72-bed extended care unit. As a leader in stroke care, SJPVH is designated as a Primary Stroke Center by the Joint Commission and a recipient of the American Heart Association’s, Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. SJPVH houses Camarillo’s first-ever cardiac catheterization lab and the only hyperbaric medicine unit in western Ventura County. SJPVH’s Emergency Department is accredited as a Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department and the Intensive Care Unit is a Bronze-Level Beacon Award winner. The SJPVH cancer program is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer for exceptional expertise and patient-centered care. We are proud to share our growing list of accomplishments, awards, and accolades. These prestigious recognitions are a testament to our dedication to delivering high quality, compassionate health care services to our community. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities. Learn more at dignityhealth.org/pleasantvalley.
Publish date:
Tuesday, May 12, 2020