News

Alexander Valley Healthcare (AVH) was recognized with a 2020 Health Improvement Technology (HIT) award by the U.S. Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA). The HIT recognition is part of the Quality Improvement Awards presented annually by HRSA.   Specifically, AVH received the HIT award for advancing telehealth and patient engagement in order to increase access to care and improve quality of care.  AVH began connecting patients with medical specialists through telehealth during the past year. Instead of traveling out-of-town to a specialist’s office for care, the patient speaks with the specialist in a video visit from an exam room at AVH. For…

Continue reading → 2020 HRSA Quality Award for Improving Health Technology

(Updated August 2020) For a second consecutive year, the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) recognized Alexander Valley Healthcare as a Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). As the name implies, a PCHM is a model of care that positions patients at the forefront of care. “We’re very proud to receive this recognition as it reflects our genuine commitment to health care services – that our patients are the one and only reason we’re here,” said Deborah Howell, CEO of Alexander Valley Healthcare. “It’s important to note that the award indicates that we’re not only providing quality care, but constantly striving to…

Continue reading → AVH Recognized Again as a Patient-Centered Medical Home

As community health center leaders, we are writing in support of the Sonoma County Public Health Department. We believe their balanced response, including the current restrictions, has been made based on the best science available, with wisdom and concern for the collective long-term wellbeing of our community. As health care providers, we strongly support the actions that are being taken. As county residents, we are grateful to live in a community where we have such dedicated leadership. We firmly stand with Dr. Mase, who has led this effort with enthusiasm and compassion for all who live in our community. From…

Continue reading → Statement of Support for Sonoma County Public Health Directives

May is Mental Health Month, and it has never been more important than this year.  Just weeks ago, we had no idea that all our worlds were going to be turned upside down by the Coronavirus. Or that the associated worry, isolation, loneliness, and anxiety would be something that literally everyone would experience.  It take some work and focus to support our mental health in the face of uncertainty. So throughout this month, Wellness Tips will be focused on resiliency, offering tools to thrive at any time. Some of  these tools we all may have to adapt for the short term because…

Continue reading → May is Mental Health Month

Human beings like certainty. We are hard-wired to want to know what is happening when and to notice things that feel threatening to us. When things feel uncertain or when we don’t generally feel safe, it’s normal to feel stressed. A large part of anxiety comes from a sense of what we think we should be able to control, but can’t. Right now, many of us are worried about COVID-19, known as the “Coronavirus”. We may feel helpless about what will happen or what we can do to take care of ourselves. The uncertainty might also connect to our uncertainty…

Continue reading → Protecting Your Mental Health During the Coronavirus Outbreak

Alexander Valley Healthcare was one of 17 nationwide honorees of the 2019 Million Hearts® Hypertension Control Challenge by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The CDC recognized the professional health care providers at AVH for controlling blood pressure in more than 80% of its patients, stating in the award: “These remarkable efforts are critical to preventing and managing heart disease and stroke, two leading causes of death for Americans.”  Saving lives through better blood pressure control has been a longstanding priority for the CDC and the Million Hearts® initiative. By recognizing the performance of the 17 honorees and…

Continue reading → 2019 Million Hearts Hypertension Control Challenge Champion