barton health

Column: Understanding COVID-19 vaccines

There’s a good chance you or someone you know will soon get a COVID-19 vaccine. El Dorado County is in Phase 1B-Tier 1, which allows residents in certain age categories to now receive a vaccine, along with other identified essential worker categories.

This is great news. The more people who vaccinate, the sooner we will again be able to safely engage in more activities. Many people ask how the vaccines do and don’t do, and how they work in our bodies. Here’s an overview.

What each vaccine does

Barton Health could be called on to accept patients from outside the area

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Hospitals across California have been experiencing the effects of the coronavirus, with overflowing intensive care units (ICUs) and a workforce stretched to its limits.

On January 5, 2021, the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced a plan to reduce pressure on strained hospital systems and redistribute the responsibility of medical care across the state so patients can continue to receive lifesaving care.

This mandate is meant to share resources and staffing related to the current COVID-19 surge.

South Lake Tahoe residents may be called upon to participate in community health needs assessment

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Every three years Barton Health does an assessment of the health needs of the community, a tool that guides new programs and funding opportunities.

Questions from the Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) will address individual health choices, as well as environmental and social issues. Responses will be used to help Barton Health identify areas of opportunity and improvement for our local population, as well as foster partnerships and award health grants to help meet the outstanding health needs of our community.

Barton's expanded use of telemedicine expands care during COVID-19 and reduces need for transfer

As the second wave in COVID-19 cases increased the need for critical patient care at Barton Health, access to critical care specialists became increasingly important. To address this need, Barton Health has formed a partnership with Eagle Telemedicine, a team of experts including intensivists and specialists that expand access to a higher level of care when patients need it most.

Birth Announcement: Welcome Nora Mayland Kerr

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health has announced the first baby of 2021 was delivered at its Family Birthing Center, arriving at 4:33 p.m. on Friday, January 1, 2021.

Nora Mayland Kerr was born to Stateline NV. residents Dylan and Blair Kerr. Nora weighed six pounds 11 ounces at birth, measured 19 inches long, and was delivered by Dr. Clare Rudolph. Nora’s middle name is a long standing family name from her grandfather. Nora has one sibling, ten-year old sister, Emily.

Stay-at-home order likely to be extended for South Lake Tahoe and the Sacramento Region

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After a few days of being above the benchmark of 15 percent, hospitals in the Sacramento Region have fallen below that number of available ICU beds. South Lake Tahoe and El Dorado County are part of the Sacramento Region which fell under Governor Newsom's Stay-at-Home Order on December 10, 2020.

As of December 31, the Sacramento Region ICU availability was 14.4 percent.

South Lake Tahoe's Dr. Henning Mehrens retires

Henning Mehrens, MD, has spent over 45 years keeping the South Lake Tahoe community healthy and will be missed as he retires and is off to the next chapter of his life.
Both through his private practice as well as at Tahoe Urgent Care, Dr. Mehrens worked both tirelessly and passionately for those he cared for. Besides maintaining those offices he was also the medical director of the Skilled Nursing Facility at Barton Memorial Hospital.

Barton's COVID response fund receives $110,000 in donations to help locals

The Barton Foundation’s 2020 virtual gala received overwhelming support from donors, raising a record-breaking $110,000 to benefit the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Fund. These donations are immediately being put to use, helping community members hit hardest by the pandemic: those facing food insecurity and other economic hardship, as well as healthcare workers on the frontline.

Barton Health starts vaccinating front line healthcare workers

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health has begun the process of inoculating its frontline healthcare workers at the South Lake Tahoe hospital. The first 500 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine were received from the State of California Thursday.

Doses received during the vaccine rollout in Phase 1a have been specifically allocated for healthcare workers and hospital Skilled Nursing Facility residents, under California’s tiered vaccination plan.

Coronavirus vaccines arrive in South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The overnight snowstorm brought more than powder as the first shipment of the Pfitzer-BioNTech vaccine for the coronavirus arrived in South Lake Tahoe at Barton Hospital.

El Dorado County received a total of 975 doses with about five hundred doses shipped to South Lake Tahoe Thursday, Marshall Hospital in Placerville will receive theirs on Sunday. The local doses will be administered to Barton's healthcare workers and skilled nursing residents, beginning Friday, December 17.

Column: Healthier, happier holiday celebrations

As we prepare to say goodbye (and maybe even good riddance) to 2020, the end of the year brings several holidays. Whether celebrating Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Boxing Day, Kwanza, and of course, New Year’s Eve, remember that indoor holiday gatherings with others not in your immediate household can put you, your community, and those you care about at risk. As challenging as it is, staying home for the holidays is your best way to protect yourself and loved ones, and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in a time when healthcare and essential workers critically need that support.

First wave of COVID-19 vaccines could be in South Lake Tahoe next week

The Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine may be in South Lake Tahoe by the end of next week, pending authorization by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The vaccine gained approval by a panel of 22 experts on Thursday by a vote of 17-4 in favor of recommending the FDA give it the green light (one panelist abstained).

Find out what you need to know about Stay-at-Home order at Tahoe Chamber Town Hall

Event Date: 
December 11, 2020 - 2:00pm

With El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe falling under California's regional Stay-at-Home order starting Thursday at 11:59 p.m. Thursday, the Tahoe Chamber is holding a Virtual Town Hall meeting with local health officials to receive guidance on the recent stay-at-home order in El Dorado County and how the new restrictions will affect restaurants, retailers, and other local business operations.

Featured speakers will be El Dorado County Public Health Officer Dr. Nancy Williams and Barton Health President and CEO Dr. Clint Purvance.

Column: Persevering this winter’s surge together

We cannot turn on the news, surf the web or walk down the street without constant reminders that we, along with the rest of the world, are battling a virus that has already taken a huge toll on our lives. No one has been immune to the impacts of this virus.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado Public Health is working to reduce the backlog in positive results from the weekend and believes that the case count published today, 12/7/2020, is an undercount of at least 150 cases. The state database shows the weekend new case count could much higher. Each day we post the figures released by El Dorado County health officials,

New ear, nose, throat specialist joins Barton Health

Barton Health has welcomed Alexander Manteghi, DO, to the team of providers as its new Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) physician in South Lake Tahoe. Dr. Manteghi
is treating children and adults, delivering a full array of surgical and non-surgical ENT medical services; including allergy therapy, treatments for ear and throat infections, sinus and nasal issues, head and neck illnesses, snoring, voice, and hearing problems.

Need health insurance? Virtual services have your enrollment covered

State health insurance exchanges, like Covered California and Nevada Health Link, are now in open enrollment - the time when we can sign up for coverage for the year ahead. It’s always a good idea to make sure you and your family have health insurance, and with the current surge of COVID-19, you don’t want to be uncovered. Luckily, there are many options for families and individuals to enroll virtually, including free, bi-lingual enrollment services offered here in our community.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 87 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 32 are in El Dorado Hills, 23 in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, 14 in Greater Placerville, 1 in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, 3 in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 2 in North County, 3 in South County, 11 in Lake Tahoe region. There are two less awaiting address confirmation, awaiting address confirmation for 8.

One of those new cases, seven are under the age of 18, 46 are aged 18-49, 20 are aged 50-64, and 14 aged 65 or older.

Kudos: Tahoe Magic thanks community

Farwell 2020! We will always remember this year, but for most of us, we are also ready to kiss it goodbye with a swift kick to the curb. Our community, like all communities has been hard hit with lost income, closed businesses, stay at home orders, COVID and virtually learning at home. We have missed socializing, travelling, entertaining and being entertained, enjoying our extended family and cannot even see a friend’s smile behind their mask. We missed so much of 2020 and it has hurt, to be honest.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 98 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 16 are in El Dorado Hills, 19 in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, 24 in Greater Placerville, 8 in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, 9 in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 7 in North County, 2 in South County, 12 in Lake Tahoe region. There is one less awaiting address confirmation, awaiting address confirmation for 10.

One of those new cases, six are under the age of 18, 50 are aged 18-49, 23 are aged 50-64, and 19 aged 65 or older.

COVID-19 case update for Lake Tahoe area counties

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - El Dorado County health officials say another 56 residents have tested positive for COVID-19 since yesterday. Of those, 7 are in El Dorado Hills, 14 in Cameron Park/Shingle Springs/Rescue, 4 in Greater Placerville, 1 in Diamond Springs/El Dorado, 4 in Pollock Pines/Camino/Kyburz, 8 in North County, 1 in South County, 20 in Lake Tahoe region. There are three less awaiting address confirmation, awaiting address confirmation for 9.

One of those new cases, eight are under the age of 18, 27 are aged 18-49, eight are aged 50-64, and 13 aged 65 or older.

Barton Hospital prepares to handle possible surge of COVID-19 patients

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There has been a lot of recent conversation about the stress COVID-19 patients have put on hospital systems across the country, including El Dorado County and South Lake Tahoe. Concern has been expressed about the occupancy rates at Barton Hospital and what its capacity is to handle the current surge of residents testing positive for the virus.

Celebrate safely this holiday season

The holidays are upon us, bringing a time to celebrate and gather. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, however, even small in-person gatherings are a contributor to the rise in COVID-19 cases we are seeing across the nation and in our own community. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, family, and community healthy and safe.

Blue Ribbon Awards winners announced during virtual awards show

The winners of the 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards were announced Thursday, November 19 during an awards show shown on Lake Tahoe Television. In place of the annual awards dinner the community was invited to tune in virtually with hosts Chris Fiore from the City of South Lake Tahoe and Meg Peart from the Tahoe Resource Conservation District. If missed, everyone can watch the celebration of the 2020 finalists and winners at https://tahoechamber.org/13th-annual-blue-ribbon-awards-show/ (and don't read any further if you want to be surprised).

Barton Health updates community on their surge preparedness

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The safety of patients and healthcare workers is Barton Health’s top priority. The health care system has operations in place to continue to meet the demand for medical services as COVID-19 cases surge across the nation and Lake Tahoe. After preparation for the anticipated increase of patient volume this fall and winter, aspects of Barton’s plan are being implemented to meet the needs for patient care.

El Dorado County schedules COVID-19 Town Hall meeting with health and education panel

Event Date: 
November 19, 2020 - 5:30pm

El Dorado County is hosting a virtual Town Hall meeting with a panel of experts from the health and education fields to explain the current COVID-19 situation on November 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Those on the panel:

Dr. Dean Blumberg - Pediatric Infectious Disease specialist, UC Davis
Dr. Clint Purvance - President/CEO Barton Health
Siri Nelson - President/CEO Marshall Medical
Nicole Ebrahimi-Nuyken - El Dorado County Health and Human Services Behavioral Health Director
Ed Manansala - County Superintendent, El Dorado County Office of Education

Tahoe Chamber to hold virtual Town Hall meeting on moving to purple tier

Event Date: 
November 20, 2020 - 3:00pm

UPDATE - This meeting has been changed to 3:00 p.m. from the originally scheduled 11:00 a.m.

Now that El Dorado County has been moved to the most restrictive Tier 1 Purple starting Tuesday the Tahoe Chamber has scheduled a virtual Town Hall meeting for Friday, November 20 from 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Local health experts will discuss what steps need to be made to reduce cases, and what modifications local businesses need to make to stay open safely.

Featured Speakers:
Dr. Nancy Williams, El Dorado County Public Health Officer
Dr. Clint Purvance, Barton Health President and CEO

Barton Health brings back services to Robert Maloff Orthopedics & Wellness Center

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - With services stopped during the first months of the pandemic due to safety concerns, Barton Health is bringing back health and wellness programs to its Robert Maloff Center for Orthopedics & Wellness.

LTUSD to remain in Phase 2 Hybrid Learning through rest of 2020

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - After Lake Tahoe Unified School District (LTUSD) leadership looked at current COVID-19 data they announced Monday they will not be shifting to the next learning phase and will remain in Phase 2.

In accordance with their Pandemic Educational Plan timeline, LTUSD concluded its assessment of the data and criteria required did not meet what was needed for a possible shift to the next phase. There has been a significant increase of COVID-19 cases over the past four weeks with 15 new cases over the weekend.

Barton Health welcomes two new primary care doctors to South Lake Tahoe

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health has welcomed two new primary care providers, Krista Ault, MD and Tyler Peterson, DO, at its network of family care medical offices in South Lake Tahoe.

These physicians will expand community access to care, a priority of Barton’s in response to its Community Health Needs indicating access to health services being a top concern of surveyed residents in the local area.

Tahoe Chamber announces finalists for 13th annual Blue Ribbon Awards

Event Date: 
November 19, 2020 - 6:00pm

The community is invited to attend the Tahoe Chamber’s 13th Annual Blue Ribbon Awards to honor South Shore businesses and individuals that have impacted the community for the better. In place of the annual awards dinner, winners will be announced in an awards show that is pre-filmed and broadcast on Lake Tahoe Television on November 19 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Those wishing to attend the free event can register in advance on TahoeChamber.org to get direct access to the awards ceremony.

Column: Tourism Future at Tahoe South - Responsible, Sustainable Destination

While the consensus is that 2020 will look much better in the rearview mirror, it will leave indelible experiences that shape discussions, planning, and direction for years to come.

It certainly reinforces sustainability as the future of tourism here at Tahoe, with benchmarks to embrace including environmental integrity, economic development, and social equity for visitors and locals.

Barton Health to use $100K grant to bolster mental and behavioral health services

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health is partnering with local therapists to expand care to vulnerable community members thanks to a $100,000 grant from Health Net®.

Through the Barton Community Health Center, Medicare and Medicaid patients can schedule virtual visits with Licensed Clinical Social Workers and Marriage Family Therapists contracted through Barton’s secure telehealth platform.

This cooperative effort builds upon Barton’s expert psychiatric services, and makes additional patient care available in a time of need.

Column: Delivering care for mothers and babies

As a mother and as a physician, I understand there are many unknowns right now for moms as they prepare to deliver their babies. Despite the challenges we face with the COVID-19 pandemic, Barton Health continues to provide compassionate care that puts mothers and babies first. Barton’s practices in place honor the needs of mother and child while upholding everyone’s health and safety.

Column: Community health goes beyond health care

When we look at our community’s health, there are many other factors that determine a person’s ability to thrive - beyond health care services. Social determinants of health are defined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) as the conditions in places where people live, learn, work, and play that affect outcomes for health and quality of life. These determinants are complex, and can be deeply rooted; including income and employment opportunities, housing instability, food insecurity, family and social support, transportation, and adverse life effects.

Letter: Keeping patients safe is a team effort

Running a hospital takes a large team of professionals, all pulling together, often under tremendous stress. We often recognize our caregivers who have direct contact with patients. But behind every clinician is a team of people making sure she or he can do their job well and safely.

Speaker panel on student's health during COVID-19 sponsored by Barton - Postponed

Event Date: 
October 8, 2020 - 5:00pm

September 30, 2020 - This event has been postponed.

Barton Health will be hosting a virtual speaker panel on student health during COVID-19 on Thursday, October 8 from 5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The free community wellness webinar is to help educate parents on the current COVID-19 protocols for schools and daycare centers, and share tips for student wellbeing during the pandemic.

The speaker panel:
• Dr. Rhonda Sneeringer, Director of Pediatrics
• Dr. Tracy Protell, Child Psychiatrist
• Annamarie Cohen, Ph.D, Director of Special Services for LTUSD

Flu Shot Clinics set for South Lake Tahoe, El Dorado County and Alpine County

Each year flu causes millions of illnesses, hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations, and tens of thousands of deaths in the United States. While it is unclear what will happen this fall and winter, if there is COVID-19 and
flu at the same time, this could place a tremendous burden on our health care systems and cause many additional illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. Now more than ever, it’s important that everyone do their part to help prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses, like flu and COVID-19, according to Alpine County Health Officer Dr. Richard Johnson.

South Lake Tahoe among first to receive homeless housing funds

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless (TCH) will be receiving $9,576,000 to help their goal of ending homelessness in South Lake Tahoe. The community was one of seven California cities and counties to receive the first wave of Project Homekey grants totaling $76.5 million.

Coping with Coronavirus Anxiety: Five practical tips

Event Date: 
September 17, 2020 - 5:00pm

September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, and a good time check in with yourself and loved ones. So many of us are struggling to keep our mental health in check right now. It’s normal to feel anxious about the impacts of COVID-19. Preventing our worries from consuming us can reduce stress and uncertainty—and even more severe behavioral health issues like suicide.

Barton labor & delivery nurse wins international DAISY Award®

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A nurse at Barton Memorial Hospital’s Family Birthing Center has received the international DAISY Award® for Extraordinary Nurses. Labor & Delivery nurse, Rayanne Marshall, RN, BSN, RNC-OB, won the award after being nominated by a patient for the dedication and compassion shown during delivery, making her feel comfortable and well-cared for, even when tensions were high.

The Attic to reopen September 21; Donations accepted starting Monday

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Reopening a nonprofit health care system’s thrift store during a pandemic takes careful consideration and planning, just like many of the challenges faced in the region. As Barton Health’s Attic thrift store prepares to open after a six-month hiatus, a week-long donation event is planned for the week of September 14, to accept household items from the community and restock shelves.

Nurse on way to work puts out fire on side of US50 with paddle fin and gallon of water

TWIN BRIDGES, Calif. - On Monday, August 31 at about 6:20 p.m., Sara Monroe was doing what she does a few days a week, heading from her home in Pollock Pines to her job at Barton Health in South Lake Tahoe. The CNA with the Skilled Nursing Facility had just passed Twin Bridges on US50 and was heading up the hill towards Camp Sacramento when something caught her attention, perhaps a puff of smoke off the side of the road.

Blue Ridge School at South Lake Tahoe JTC awarded Barton grant

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - For 16 years the youth at the Juvenile Treatment Center (JTC) in South Lake Tahoe have been educated by the Blue Ridge Court School, a court school offered through the El Dorado County Department of Education.

Barton Health expands services, welcomes new psychiatrist Dr. Joe Hibbeln,

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Internationally recognized psychiatrist, Joe Hibbeln, MD, has joined Barton Health’s team of expert mental and behavioral health providers. A board-certified physician, Dr. Hibbeln is working with patients over 18 years of age at Barton Community Health Center in South Lake Tahoe.

SLT Police team with others to start South Tahoe Alternative Collaborative Services

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A collaboration between the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD), the Tahoe Coalition for the Homeless, El Dorado County Behavioral Health, Barton Health and the Caltahoe JPA ambulance will be bringing a new service to South Lake Tahoe community members in crisis.

The emerging collaboration is called the South Tahoe Alternative Collaborative Services (STACS).

Kudos: Tahoe Magic thanks three big contributors for recent donations

Tahoe Magic would like to thank the community for all of the donations received.

A big thank you to Barton Health Foundation, Sierra Health Foundation and Safeway (Nourishing Families) who donated a combined $50,000 this past month. Those donations will help 100 local families with their rent.

Barton Foundation awards $100,000 in community health grants

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - The Barton Foundation has awarded a record $100,000 in its annual Community Health Grant funding. This is in addition to more than $170,000 in grants given to local families and individuals from its COVID-19 Response Fund.

The 13 Lake Tahoe-based organizations that were awarded share Barton Health’s commitment to addressing the most urgent health needs in the area: mental and behavioral health, substance use, and access to care.

The organizations selected for a Community Health Grant serve the area’s most vulnerable populations and those in need:

Barton earns second Blue Distinction® Center designation

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Memorial Hospital has been designated as a Blue Distinction® Center for Knee & Hip Replacement. Solidifying a legacy of orthopedic care in the Lake Tahoe region, this national certification marks Barton’s expertise in delivering high-quality medical services and better patient outcomes with knee and hip replacement surgeries.

With mural project canceled, Leadership Lake Tahoe gives back to the community

Leadership Lake Tahoe is a ten-month-long course held every two years on the South Shore of Lake Tahoe. It began in 2003 with a mission to identify and develop current and future leaders through a comprehensive program designed to increase knowledge and awareness of the issues and challenges facing our community. At the beginning, the program was sponsored by the Tahoe Douglas Chamber and South Lake Tahoe Chamber, they merged a few years later and became the Tahoe Chamber (or Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce).

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