High rating reflects the expert medicine, seamless care and outstanding service provided to Kaiser’s 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

OAKLAND, CA — Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plan in California is rated among the best in the state for providing high-quality, seamless care, and outstanding service to its 1.4 million Medicare Advantage members.

This year, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) 2025 Star Ratings. In addition, the Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California is tied for the highest star rating in the state.

“These ratings demonstrate our commitment to providing high-quality care and exceptional service to all of our Northern California members, including our Medicare Advantage members,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “Kaiser Permanente is routinely recognized as being among the nation’s best for improving the health and well-being of our members and patients.”

The Kaiser Permanente Medicare health plan in California has been highly rated – with mostly 4.5 and 5 star ratings – for the past 15 years.

“Our clinicians work together across all specialties to ensure personalized, high-quality care for our patients,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “The CMS Star Ratings, along with our nation-leading NCQA ratings, demonstrate the commitment of our physicians and care teams to provide all of our patients with the exceptional and compassionate care they need to live long, healthy lives.”

Ratings reflect high-quality care and service

Every year, CMS publishes Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D) ratings. The ratings offer consumers a way to compare the quality of Medicare plans.

To develop the ratings, CMS considers many areas of care and service. For example, it looks at how well health plans keep members healthy and manage their chronic conditions. CMS also considers patient experiences, customer service, patient access, and pharmacy services.

Kaiser Permanente provides care to more than 1.9 million Medicare members in 8 states and the District of Columbia.

Northern and Southern California are rated together as one contract with CMS. Kaiser Permanente’s Dual Eligible-Special Needs Plan (D-SNP) H-contract (H8794) began in California on January 1, 2024, and is too new to be measured for the 2025 Star Ratings. It will be eligible beginning with the 2026 Star Ratings if the contract has sufficient enrollees and measures rated.

Ongoing recognition for Kaiser Permanente’s health plans

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) also recently ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans as the highest rated in California – and among the highest in the nation – for providing expert, coordinated care, and exceptional service.

Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare and commercial health plans in Northern California each received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to NCQA’s 2024 Health Plan Ratings. This was the ninth ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California was the highest-rated plan in the region and among the highest in the country. Nationally, only 8% of the health plans are rated 4.5 stars or higher.

NCQA also ranked Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for overall treatment, prevention, equity, and patient experience.

Enrolling in a Kaiser Permanente Medicare Health Plan

Medicare’s annual enrollment period for all 2025 Medicare health plans begins on October 15 and runs through December 7, 2024.

Medicare beneficiaries can learn more about the CMS’ star ratings and Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare health plans by visiting kp.org/medicarestars.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve more than 12.5 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org. 

Dave Despain honored as Veteran of the Year, Ray Yaker as Lifetime Veteran of the Year

By Allen D. Payton

Antioch veterans, officials and residents braved the wet weather on Monday, Nov. 11, 2024, to celebrate Veterans Day and honor those who have served our nation in the U.S. military during the annual ceremony and parade.

Held near the Antioch Veterans Memorial at the Antioch Marina, the day began with a pancake breakfast by the Antioch Rivertown Veterans Lions club followed by the ceremony led by J.R. Wilson of the Delta Veterans Group. Joining him on stage were Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe, Mayor Pro Tem Monica Wilson and District 3 Councilwoman Lori Ogorchock, past Antioch Veteran of the Year honorees Brenda Cato and Pat Jeremy and 2024 Contra Costa County Fair Queen Marissa Sanchez and Miss Congeniality Charlotte Luther.

Pastor Ed Harris, a U.S. Army veteran who just had surgery for a prosthetic leg, offered the opening prayer, which was followed by the Presentation of the Colors by recruiters and Scouts and the raising of the U.S. and POW-MIA flags by the Antioch Police Department Honor Guard. Andy Mendez of the U.S. Navy led the Pledge of Allegiance and Velma Wilson sang a strong rendition of the National Anthem.

The mayor, a Navy veteran, offered his remarks for the final time in his position speaking of the day and recent election saying, “What this represents for our community and our country…being able to say we don’t pledge allegiance to one man or one individual but to the rule of law. We outline and chart the course of our future. That’s what it means to be a veteran.”

“I couldn’t be more proud to wear the uniform of our U.S. Navy for eight years and to serve for eight years at City Hall,” he added.

Anthony Aria, a U.S. Air Force veteran offered remarks which was followed by the presentation of the awards to the 2024-25 Veteran of the Year Dave Despain and Lifetime Veteran of the Year Ray Yaker, both U.S. Navy veterans.

Despain said, “I can say, right now, it’s a fine, Navy day,” to laughter from those who attended, which included mayor-elect Ron Bernal. “I’m really humbled and appreciative of this honor. I want to thank J.R., for what you do. J.R., you’re an amazing guy.”

He then spoke of his time in the service saying, “My first duty station was in Adak, Alaska and this was a sunny day.”

“The Navy’s done me very well, done my family very well. But most of all I’ve met hundreds, thousands of people and they’re all my brothers…all my military friends, all the services. What we do, what we have done is just something I will always keep dear to my heart.”

“And all of you who that came out here, today thank you very much. All I can say is thank you, God bless and have a fine, Navy day. Go, Navy,” he added.

Yaker said, “Wow was the first thing I said when J.R. gave me this call a few months back. There was a big silence after that. I’m still getting over the overwhelming prestigious group I’m not part of which is outstanding, to say the least.” He also thanked his wife, Diana. “Everybody knows her as D. Without her support I wouldn’t be out here making it.”

“For everybody else out here that’s weathered this storm to see all this happening, it’s heartwarming and well felt and humbling like you can’t believe,” Yaker added.

(See videos of their speeches on the Antioch Herald Facebook page here and here)

Each of the men were presented with a jacket with their name and new title embroidered on them, and a plaque, all provided by Smith’s Landing Seafood Grill to recognize the honor bestowed on each of them.

Allison Norris of Snug As A Bug then presented handmade quilts to the Veterans of the Year made by the students at Bidwell High School in Antioch.

The ceremony concluded with a prayer by Pastor Harris and was followed by the parade on W. 2nd Street. During the parade, at 11:11 a.m., the bell at El Campanil Theatre rang 11 times in honor of the end of World War I on this date at the “11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month” in 1918. (See and listen to Facebook video of bell ringing)

Parade photos:

UPDATE 2: City manager says it’s not a private event.

UPDATE 3: “The purpose for the…Award is to honor the hundreds of thousands of people across American that have volunteered hundreds, if not thousands of volunteer hours over their lifetime.”

By Allen D. Payton

The former President and Chief Executive Officer of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and Convention and Visitors Bureau, Daniel Sohn, is being recognized by President Joe Biden for a 2024 President’s Volunteer Service Award. A community celebration in Sohn’s honor will be hosted by Mayor Lamar Hernandez-Thorpe on Thursday, Oct. 17 beginning at 6:30 PM in the Council Chambers at Antioch City Hall, 200 H Street.

Led by the AmeriCorps and managed in partnership with Points of Light, this program allows Certifying Organizations to recognize their most exceptional volunteers.

Sohn was the staff leader for the Antioch Chamber from May 2022 until March of this year.

UPDATE 1: Asked why he’s being honored Sohn said, “While I did indeed serve as a paid CEO, my contributions went beyond work hours to support our local community. I dedicated time as a volunteer to many of our nonprofit chamber members, and I believe that’s what this award truly recognizes. Much of my volunteer work paralleled my efforts at the Chamber, as I’ve always believed that supporting local organizations is good for business. That’s why I advocated for the Chamber Board to create the Nonprofit Council – to encourage businesses to give back to the communities that support them. In fact, this is something I have done at each chamber where I’ve been privileged to serve.”

“I’m incredibly honored to receive this award, but think it is important to note that I’m also just one of many Americans being recognized with the award this year,” he continued. “The award encourages communities to host local celebrations to acknowledge the positive work happening across the country, and Antioch is just one of many places holding such an event.”

About the Award

In 2003, the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation founded the President’s Volunteer Service Award to recognize the important role of volunteers in America’s strength and national identity. This award honors individuals whose service positively impacts communities in every corner of the nation and inspires those around them to take action, too.

The PVSA has continued under each administration, honoring the volunteers who are using their time and talents to solve some of the toughest challenges facing our nation.

Sohn’s Background

According to his LinkedIn profile, he is a former City Councilman for Haverhill, Florida, a Certified Tourism Ambassador, Certified Human Rights and DEI Consultant, Lobbyist and Civics Champion.

Sohn was also nominated by Gov. Newsom and appointed by Director of Selective Service in the name of President Joe Biden to represent California as a local board member of the Selective Service System from October 2021 to June 2024. Since July 2017 he has worked as the Managing Partner & Senior Lobbyist for the Floridian Group, LLC doing business as Pacific Partners.

UPDATE 2: Following concerns from the public about the use of the Council Chambers for a private event, questions were sent to City Manager Bessie Scott, City Attorney Thomas and the mayor asking if the room is rented out for other private events. Scott responded, “To the best of my knowledge this event is not a private event, thus anyone can attend.”

UPDATE 3: During the ceremony, the mayor shared more about the award saying, “The current program…was created by President George W. Bush in 2002. He made this program known during his State of the Union Address.

In January 2003, President Bush created an executive order that the created the President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation. The council was established to recognize the important contributions Americans of all ages are making within their communities through service and civic engagement.

The President’s Volunteer Service Award is a civil award bestowed by the President of the United States…to honor volunteers that give hundreds of hours per year helping. The award can be granted to individuals, families and organizations located throughout the United States. The purpose…is to honor the hundreds of thousands of people across American that have volunteered hundreds, if not thousands of volunteer hours over their lifetime.”

Sohn was presented with Certificates of Recognition from representatives of Assemblyman Tim Grayson and Contra Costa County District 3 Supervisor Diane Burgis. He then thanked leaders of the Antioch Chamber of Commerce and management staff of Tre Vista Senior Living in Antioch.

Sohn was then presented by Hernandez-Thorpe with the framed letter from President Biden and certificate showing he is a recipient of the Bronze Service Award for 100 to 249 hours of volunteer work.

NCQA rates Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s Medicare and commercial health plans highest in California, among highest in nation

By Antonia Ehlers, PR and Media Relations, Kaiser Permanente Northern California

OAKLAND, Calif.– Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s health plans are once again recognized as the highest rated in California – and among the highest in the nation – for providing expert, coordinated care, and exceptional service.

Kaiser Permanente’s Medicare and commercial health plans in Northern California each received 4.5 out of 5 stars, according to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) 2024 Health Plan Ratings. This is the ninth ratings period that Kaiser Permanente Northern California has been the highest-rated plan in the region and among the highest in the country. Nationally, only 8% of the health plans are rated 4.5 stars or higher.

NCQA also ranks Kaiser Permanente Northern California health plans as best in the state for overall treatment, prevention, equity, and patient experience.

“Kaiser Permanente Northern California is a national leader when it comes to putting patient care first, and ensuring we are exceeding our members’ needs with a focus on providing high-quality, safe, and equitable care,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “This NCQA recognition reiterates our commitment to delivering world-class service to those who entrust us with their care.”

For 2024, NCQA analyzed more than 1,000 plans – commercial, Medicare, and Medicaid – for quality and service nationwide. All of Kaiser Permanente’s commercial and Medicare plans received the highest rating, or were tied for the highest rating, in all of the geographic regions we serve. Kaiser Permanente had more 5-star or 4.5-star plans than any other health care organization for the ninth ratings cycle in a row.

“This exceptional rating from NCQA is yet another testament to the expert and coordinated care provided by our clinical teams in Northern California,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “Our highly skilled physicians and dedicated care teams continue to deliver innovative and equitable care that translates to healthier lives for our 4.6 million patients.”

NCQA is a national, private not-for-profit organization that surveys health plans for performance in a wide range of clinical service measures including consumer experience,  prevention, equity, and treatment.

NCQA primarily used the 2023 Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set, or HEDIS®, to establish its ratings. HEDIS is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.

The 2024 ratings and methodology are posted on the NCQA’s website at https://www.ncqa.org/.

The Antioch Sports Legends Hall of Fame who are celebrating its 17th year of distinguished athletes, will induct its Class of 2024 on October 5th at Lone Tree Golf Course & Event Center in Antioch. The Hall of Fame Gala starting at 5pm will honor 13 talented individual athletes, one former coach, one community leader and one outstanding team.

This year’s inductees (including the high school they attended and their graduating year) are Bob Garrison, All-Around Male Athlete (Antioch 1996); Jasmine Cox, All-Around Female Athlete (Deer Valley 2008); Jenna Carvajal, Individual Female Athlete, Cross Country (Deer Valley 2005); Sheena Wellman, Individual Female Athlete, Swimming (Deer Valley 2001); Kendra Rowland, Individual Female Athlete, Volleyball (Deer Valley 2007); Carrie Tucker, Individual Female Athlete, Swimming (Antioch 1993); Taiwan Jones, Individual Male Athlete, Football (Deer Valley 2007); John Murphy, Individual Male Athlete, Football (Antioch 1986); Trevor Graifman, Individual Male Athlete, Diving (Antioch 2008); Josh Winfield (posthumous), Individual Male Athlete, Track & Field (Deer Valley 2008); Jason Stephens, Individual Male Athlete, Swimming (Antioch 1994); Ben McCorriston, Individual Male Athlete, Wrestling (Antioch 2005); Gerald Circo, Individual Male Athlete, Special Recognition (Antioch 1962); Rich Woods, Outstanding Coach, Football (Deer Valley 2004-2015); Gordon Gravelle, Community Leader; 2004-2005 Antioch Boys Wrestling Team, Outstanding Team.

A limited number of tickets are now on sale to the public. The price for each ticket is $90. Tickets can be purchased on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1pm – 4pm in the museum office located at 1500 West 4th Street in Antioch. Or by calling (925) 238-0565 or email us at sportslegends@comcast.net. Visit us at www.antiochsportslegends.com

This dinner event sells out! Don’t miss out on the opportunity to support this year’s ‘Best of the Best’ athletes from Antioch and Deer Valley High School.

Complete bio’s and pictures will be unveiled on Saturday, October 5th along with the display cases inside our museum featuring our inductees’ sports history journeys.

CONGRATULATIONS to all of our Class of 2024 athletes!

Among 20 Kaiser Nor Cal hospitals to receive American Heart Association’s Get With The Guidelines^®– Heart Failure and Stroke Gold Plus awards

KP clinicians and staff work together to deliver excellent cardiac and stroke care using evidence-based treatment protocols rooted in high-quality scientific research

By Kerri Leedy, Media and Public Relations Manager, Kaiser Permanente

OAKLAND, Calif. – Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals are being recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for following nationally recognized, research-based guidelines when diagnosing and treating heart failure and stroke patients, leading to more lives saved.

The following Kaiser Permanente Northern California hospitals have received both the AHA Get With The Guidelines^®– Heart Failure and the Get With The Guidelines^®– Stroke Gold Plus awards: Antioch, Richmond, Walnut Creek, Fremont, Fresno, Modesto, Oakland, Redwood City, Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, San Jose, San Leandro, San Rafael, Santa Clara, Santa Rosa, South Sacramento, South San Francisco, Vacaville and Vallejo. Kaiser Permanente Manteca received the Get With The Guidelines^®– Stroke Silver Plus award.

Every 40 seconds, someone in the United States has a stroke or heart attack, and heart disease and stroke are the leading and fifth-leading causes of death in the country, respectively. This national recognition from the AHA reflects Kaiser Permanente Northern California’s commitment to providing high-quality heart and stroke care, ultimately leading to more lives saved, shorter recovery times, and fewer hospital readmissions.

“This recognition is a tribute to our physicians, cardiac specialists, and care teams, who are dedicated to delivering high-quality, comprehensive cardiac care and treatment to their patients,” said Maria Ansari, MD, FACC, CEO and executive director of The Permanente Medical Group. “As a result, we are widely recognized for consistently delivering nation-leading clinical outcomes that enable our members and patients to live healthier and longer lives.”

Kaiser Permanente Northern California cardiac care specialists treat a broad range of heart conditions, frequently performing life-saving procedures.​ Using a team-based approach to care, Kaiser Permanente’s connected system enables our cardiologists to share knowledge across locations and specialties. In our communities, Kaiser Permanente members are 33% less likely to experience premature death due to heart disease, according to a 2022 research study.

Kaiser Permanente Northern California is also a leader in stroke care, and our integrated model of care supports close affiliation between our stroke care clinicians and cardiac researchers and specialists.

“The comprehensive cardiac and stroke care and support we provide is leading to better health outcomes for our members and patients,” said Carrie Owen Plietz, FACHE, president of Kaiser Permanente’s Northern California region. “This recognition shows how we use our integrated care model to make sure patients get the care they need so they can recover faster, be healthier, and live longer.”

The Get With The Guidelines^®– Heart Failure award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of heart failure patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and aggressive risk-reduction therapies. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their heart failure and overall health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

The Get With The Guidelines^®– Stroke award is earned by meeting specific quality achievement measures for the diagnosis and treatment of stroke patients at a set level for a designated period. These measures include evaluation of the proper use of medications and other stroke treatments aligned with the most up-to-date, evidence-based guidelines with the goal of speeding recovery and reducing death and disability for stroke patients. Before discharge, patients should also receive education on managing their health, get a follow-up visit scheduled, as well as other care transition interventions.

About Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve nearly 12.6 million members in 8 states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health. For more information, go to about.kp.org.

About Get With The Guidelines®

Get With The Guidelines® is the American Heart Association/American Stroke Association’s hospital-based quality improvement program that provides hospitals with the latest research-based guidelines. Developed with the goal of saving lives and hastening recovery, Get With The Guidelines has touched the lives of more than 12 million patients since 2001. For more information, visit heart.org.

Awards from California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative

Nationally recognized for excellence, Sutter network hospitals ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report; Sutter Delta rated High Performing in six procedures and conditions

Named Gold Plus Receiving Center by American Heart Association

By Sutter Health

In the United States, nearly one of three American babies enters the world through a surgical birth. For some mothers, cesarean deliveries (C-sections) can be the safest or only way to deliver a healthy newborn. However, some women undergo surgery for no medical reason, exposing both mother and baby to potentially avoidable complications.

As data shows C-section rates above national health goals, many hospitals in California have responded. One example is the Sutter Health system. Teams from its hospitals have implemented initiatives and best practices to reduce C-section rates among first-time moms with low-risk births.

Recently, nine Sutter hospitals earned recognition by the California Maternal Quality Care Collaborative (CMQCC). The CMQCC acknowledges hospitals for going above and beyond to provide high quality, safe care to California’s mothers, birthing people and newborns.

“Across our birthing centers, we promote evidence-based practices, and track and publicly report our C-section rates to continuously help drive improvements in maternity care,” said Dr. William Isenberg, Sutter Health chief medical & quality officer. “We’re proud of the work we’ve done to provide the best care possible for mothers and babies and are grateful to be honored for these efforts.”

Sutter Health hospitals recognized in the annual CMQCC Quality and Engagement Awards, include:

Superstar Award: Large Birth Volume Hospitals

This award recognizes hospitals that exhibit high levels of engagement with the CMQCC Maternal Data Center (MDC).

• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento

Quality & Sustainability Award: NTSV Cesarean Delivery Rate

Awarded to hospitals that met and maintained California’s target rate for the NTSV (Nulliparous, Term, Singleton, Vertex) Cesarean Birth measure for three consecutive years.

• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center
• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center – Van Ness Campus
• Sutter Coast Hospital
• Sutter Davis Hospital
• Sutter Delta Medical Center
• Sutter’s Eden Medical Center
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento
• Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital

Quality & Sustainability Award: Quality Improvement Academy Collaborative Hospitals

Awarded to Q1 Academy-participating hospitals that met and maintained their target rate for their selected quality initiative.

• Sutter’s Mills-Peninsula Medical Center

Currently, nearly all California birthing hospitals are active CMQCC members and are using the MDC to track maternity care performance and identify perinatal quality improvement opportunities. The Sutter Health system NTSV C-section Rate for a rolling 12 months ending May 2024 was 23.5%, below the California target rate of 23.6% as defined by the World Health Organization’s Health People 2030 guidance.

In total, CMQCC recognized 116 hospitals for their accomplishments in 2023. To see a full list of this year’s award winners and detailed descriptions of each award, please visit the CMQCC Awards page.

Nationally Recognized for Excellence Sutter Network Hospitals Including Sutter Delta Medical Center Ranked Among the Best by U.S. News & World Report

Hospitals, physicians and care teams in the Sutter network have a long history of providing exceptional care to patients across Northern California. Our focus on quality care has earned multiple honors from U.S. News & World Report. Three Sutter network hospitals were named among the Best in California for 2023-2024. In total, U.S. News & World Report recognized 13 Sutter hospital campuses for their performance across services including stroke, hip fracture, heart attack, maternity and more.

To help patients decide where to receive care, U.S. News & World Report generates hospital rankings by evaluating data on nearly 5,000 hospitals. To be nationally ranked in a specialty, a hospital must excel in caring for the sickest, most medically complex patients. For the 2023-24 High Performing Hospital Awards, USNWR rated Sutter Delta Medical Center, a general medical and surgical facility, for High Performing in six adult procedures and conditions. They include treating Heart Attack, Heart Failure, Kidney Failure, Maternity Care (Uncomplicated Pregnancy), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Pneumonia.

See all the USNWR 2023-24 High Performing Hospital Awards for Sutter Health hospital campuses, here.

Sutter Delta Among 5 Sutter Health Hospital Campuses to Earn High Praise From American Heart Association for Cardiac Care

Five Sutter hospital campuses received awards from the American Heart Association for their outstanding performance in the treatment of patients presenting to the hospital with an ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) – a specific kind of heart attack that can be caused by coronary artery disease.

• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center Davies campus – Gold Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter’s California Pacific Medical Center Van Ness campus – Gold Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter Delta Medical Center – Gold Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter’s Alta Bates Summit Medical Center Summit campus – Silver Plus Receiving Center
• Sutter Medical Center, Sacramento – Silver Receiving Center

Recognition as a STEMI Receiving Center is designed to showcase hospitals that provide 24/7 support for STEMI. These important facilities coordinate with a network of referring hospitals and emergency medical services to provide guideline-directed STEMI care. All five campuses were also named on the STEMI Type 2 Diabetes Honor Roll, which aims to ensure that patients with Type 2 diabetes, who might be at higher risk for complications, receive the most up-to-date care when hospitalized due to heart attack.

See all 23 awards earned by Sutter Health hospital campuses from the American Heart Association, here.

2024 Sutter Honors & Awards

In addition, Sutter Health shared all 2024 honors and awards received by their 10 hospitals including:

Forbes | Named Sutter Health among America’s Best Employers for Diversity. The honor recognizes companies dedicated to diversity, equity and inclusion.

Healthgrades | Recognized 10 Sutter hospital campuses as America’s Best Hospitals for 2024, based on quality measures including clinical outcomes, patient safety and patient experience. Four Sutter hospitals placed among the Top 50 in America for overall clinical quality. Additional Healthgrades honors, include:

• Seven Sutter hospital campuses earned Outpatient Orthopedic achievements. The honor distinguishes these campuses as among the nation’s leading hospitals for outpatient orthopedic procedures.
• Five Sutter hospitals recognized for Patient Safety Excellence and two Sutter campuses earned Outstanding Patient Experience honors.

Reputation.com | For the second consecutive year, Sutter Health was named a Healthcare System Leader in Reputation’s 2024 Healthcare Reputation Report, based on online patient sentiment. Additionally, more than 100 providers and 29 Sutter care locations achieved a reputation score of 800 or higher.

Newsweek | Named Sutter Health among America’s Greatest Workplaces for Diversity. The magazine examined publicly available data, held interviews and conducted an anonymous survey of 220,000 employees at companies across the country.

Webby Award: Scout by Sutter Health, a digital wellness tool for teens and young adults, was named Best App and Software in Health, Wellness and Fitness at the 28th Annual Webby Awards.

Leapfrog Group | Ten Sutter hospitals received an “A” or “B” grade in The Leapfrog Group’s Spring 2024 Safety Grades, for providing safe, exceptional patient care.  

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Founded and owned by Jamaican immigrant Nikki Lopez

Caring Haven, headquartered in Antioch, has proudly been recognized as the Best Senior Care Agency in the Bay Area by Best of Best Review. This accolade reflects the agency’s unwavering dedication to providing dignified care for seniors and veterans.

Founded last October by CEO and Chief Care Officer Nicola “Nikki” K. Lopez, MBA, an inspiring immigrant from Jamaica, Caring Haven is built on the foundation of family love and care. Nikki’s personal values shape the company’s mission: “We ensure every client is seen, heard, and empowered, just as we care for our own family. Each loved one we serve is treated with the same affection and dignity our CEO gives to her grandma.”

The company slogan is “Elevating Life, Embracing Care” and their service areas include Antioch, Discovery Bay, Brentwood, Oakley, Pittsburg, Tracy, Concord, Martinez, Pleasant Hill, Walnut Creek including Rossmoor, Benicia, Vallejo, Rio Vista and surrounding areas.

According to the awards organization, “At Best of Best Review, we take great pride in recognizing the outstanding companies that stand out in their fields, and this year, Caring Haven LLC has earned a distinguished place as the ‘Best Senior Care Agency in the Bay Area’. This accolade reflects the unparalleled dedication, compassion, and expertise that Caring Haven brings to home care services.

Nicola’s journey, as an immigrant navigating corporate America, has shaped her passion for providing top-tier, empathetic care. This dedication is evident in the way Caring Haven embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion, placing people over profit.

A Testament to Excellence

Caring Haven’s commitment to excellence is evident in the glowing testimonials from clients and partners. Latrice Roberson from Grace and Glory Hospice notes, ‘Nikki’s smile and calm manner can bring an individual’s anxiety down to where they feel empowered to move forward. Her loyalty and dedication to the health industry speaks volumes and shows her empathy towards others.’

Another satisfied client shares, ‘Caring Haven was an absolute godsend recently when my 100-year-old mother’s full-time caregiver came down with Covid. Nikki Lopez personally filled in, ensuring my mother received the care she needed. Her compassion and dedication are unmatched.’

Rigorous Selection Process

Caring Haven’s recognition as the “Best Senior Care Agency in the Bay Area” was not earned lightly. Hundreds of agencies were evaluated based on several criteria, including:

• Client Satisfaction: Testimonials and reviews highlighted the exceptional care and dedication of the caregivers.
• Expertise and Knowledge: Demonstrated through comprehensive and personalized care plans.
• Authenticity and Trustworthiness: Evident in the agency’s transparent and heartfelt communication with clients.
• Performance Metrics: High client retention rates and positive health outcomes.
• Competitive Differentiation: Unique DEI-led approach and unwavering focus on community and compassion.

Personalized and Compassionate Care

The care provided by Caring Haven is not just about meeting physical needs but also nurturing the emotional and psychological well-being of clients. For instance, one client recalls how Nikki from Caring Haven quickly responded to an urgent request for a caregiver, connecting deeply with the family and ensuring the service started promptly. This personalized attention and genuine compassion are what make Caring Haven stand out.

A Legacy of Dedication

Caring Haven’s mission is clear: to make every client feel seen, heard, and empowered. The team’s dedication to building meaningful relationships and creating a nurturing environment is reflected in every aspect of their service. From companionship and assistance with daily activities to respite care, Caring Haven ensures that clients receive comprehensive support tailored to their individual needs.

Pros of Choosing Caring Haven LLC:

• Compassionate and personalized care
• Quick response time and professional service
• Highly skilled and empathetic caregivers
• DEI-led approach prioritizing people over profit
• High client satisfaction and retention rates”

About the award, Lopez said, “People are literally trusting me with their lives and others are trusting me with those who matter most to them. It’s humbling, and not a task I take lightly.”

“It was a surprise, I didn’t expect it,” she added.

Lopez’s commitment extends beyond her company. She is an active member of the Antioch and Brentwood Chambers of Commerce and serves on three significant boards in Contra Costa County: the Economic Opportunity Council (EOC), Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), and the Aging Council on Aging (ACAOC).

Additionally, Caring Haven hires and trains the best Care Team ensuring all clients receive a consistent level of professional, dignified, and reliable care. 

Caring Haven is credentialed with the Veterans Administration (VA) and Medicaid, and also accepts private pay and various long-term care insurance plans, including workers’ compensation for post-surgery or rehab patients. Their comprehensive services include companionship, personal care, dementia care, and more.

For those seeking quality care for their loved ones, Caring Haven is the trusted choice. Visit their website at www.caringhavenhomecare.com or call 925.331.0590 for more information.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.