Valley Presbyterian Hospital Foundation has appointed Anthony Tartaglia as chairman of the board. Tartaglia has served as a public relations executive at Southern California Gas Co. since 1989. As regional manager, he supervises five public affairs managers. The hospital holds a special place in Tartaglia’s heart because it was where his mother had back and neck surgery in 1980. Tartaglia told the Business Journal the personal relationship he has with the hospital was what made him want to take on the new position. “It’s what made me want to be a part of the hospital, for me it’s very personal,” he said. “It’s always been a part of our family.” One of Tartaglia’s first duties as chairman is to help raise 25 to 30 percent of the funding for the hospital’s nearly $12 million renovation project currently underway. “They are re-doing, expanding and they are looking at a lot of things associated with the institution. The foundation will help shepherd a lot of the funding activities,” he said. Tartaglia is also hoping to bring more awareness to the hospital. With experience in public relations at SoCal Gas and his position as a trustee at Glendale Community College gives him the skills and contacts to build relationships with the community. “I am available to the institution to help them with my expertise of going out there and having fundraising endeavors,” said Tartaglia. Fire, Flood Fund United Way of Ventura County and United Way of Santa Barbara County will support flood victims through the re-established Thomas Fire and Flood Fund. JP Morgan Chase has donated $75,000 to the fund. “The donation was made in response to the recent floods,” said Eric Harrison, chief executive officer of United Way of Ventura County. “We had expanded the United Way Thomas Fire Fund to be the Thomas Fire and Flood Fun to support our neighbors in Santa Barbara. The impact has been to around 400 homes.” The United Way offices first established the fund in December to help those affected by the Thomas Fire. To date, close to $2.7 million has been raised. The local community partners of Ventura and Santa Barbara County determined that both counties are uniquely qualified and positioned to manage the disaster fund, accept contributions, and provide reports to the community on how the funds are being used. United Way of Ventura County manages the fund for the entire region. So far, the funds have gone towards temporary housing, home repair, childcare, food, counseling, medical bills and funeral expenses. Other organizations such as Santa Barbara County Executive Office, Santa Barbara Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Management, and the Santa Barbara Foundation will determine what assistance is needed. “Strategic community partners are ensuring that comprehensive assistance services to help victims are available and that the victims are linked with the appropriate services,” Harrison said. Respiratory Nursing Program Six nursing students are currently working at Barlow Respiratory Hospital in Van Nuys as part of the nursing education program at Glendale Community College. Barlow is the only non-profit respiratory hospital in California. It has a main facility in Los Angeles and two satellite facilities in Van Nuys and Whittier. The hospital and the community college’s partnership started in 2010 to help nursing students train in specific skills. “A lot of baby boomers are retiring, and day by day the nursing shortage is getting more intense,” said Gladys D’Souza, chief nursing officer at Barlow. “Partnering with the school of nursing is the best way we can help.” Students who excel in the program are nominated by their professors to win a $5,000 scholarship that Barlow provides for tuition. The hospital awards the scholarship twice a year. Emelyn Judge, associate dean of health and science at Glendale Community College, told the Business Journal that the scholarships provide great value to the nursing student body. “All community college students struggle every day to continue school,” Judge said. “This partnership helps those students move forward.” Staff Reporter Stephanie Bedolla can be reached at (818) 316-3130 or [email protected].
