We’ve been flocked! St. John's Regional Medical Center Health Care Team Gets Surprise Flocking from Family First of Ventura County
OXNARD, CA – May 21, 2020 – Health care workers at St. John's Regional Medical Center (SJRMC) were surprised to find a flock of plastic flamingos adorning the main entrance lawn this morning during the change of shift. The flocking was set in motion by Family First of Ventura County and community leader, Al Velasquez, as a gesture of appreciation for health care workers.
“The flamingos were a pleasant surprise to us all,” said Darren Lee, President and CEO of St. John’s Regional Medical Center and St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital. “We are extremely thankful for the community’s ongoing kindness and support.”
In light of the coronavirus pandemic, Family First, like many other organizations, had to cancel their annual fundraising event. In lieu of their event, they used their creativity to raise funds and bring joy to the community through a “Flamingo Flocking” fundraiser. Community leader, Al Velasquez, took this opportunity to surprise health care workers at SJRMC for all that they do for the community now and always.
“The health care workers at Dignity Health St. John’s Regional are our local heroes—they have been taking care of our community forever,” says Family First program director, Lucy Cartagena. “When selecting health care facilities to flock, we just had to recognize our local health care team.”
The flamingos will stay on the St. John’s lawn until sundown. Then they will migrate to another person or organization that has earned recognition.
[Photo: St. John's Regional Medical Center staff]
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About Dignity Health St. John’s Regional Medical Center
St. John’s Regional Medical Center is a 265-bed acute care, award-winning facility. Serving Ventura County for more than one hundred years, St. John’s is the first and only Certified Thrombectomy-Capable Stroke Center in Ventura County and a recipient of the American Heart Association’s, Get with the Guidelines-Stroke Gold Plus Quality Achievement Award. Designated as a STEMI Receiving Center, St. John’s is highly recognized in the community for excellence in cardiac care and has been named a Blue Distinction Center for Cardiac Care by Blue Shield of California. Our Cancer Center is accredited by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer, and our Integrated Breast Center is accredited by the National Accreditation Program for Breast Centers. SJRMC houses a comprehensive Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, providing specialized care to the tiniest patients as well as a Beacon Award-Winning Intensive Care Unit. Each hospital is supported by an active philanthropic Foundation to help meet the growing health care needs of our communities.
Publish date:
Thursday, May 21, 2020