community health

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.

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.

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.

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, 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.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Barton Foundation began accepting applications on June 15 from local nonprofit organizations for this year’s $100,000 Community Health Grant program. Area service groups and organizations that share Barton Health’s commitment to improving community health and well-being are encouraged to apply online at bartonhealth.org/foundation.

Applications will be accepted through June 30, 2020.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - While determining the exact timing and scope of coronavirus’ peak in the Lake Tahoe region is difficult, Barton Health is working diligently to be prepared to respond accordingly and address the needs of patients in the community. Surge planning is almost complete including more than doubling hospital bed capacity and expanding facilities to accommodate those who may be infected by the virus.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Barton Health continues to adapt and respond to the spread of coronavirus COVID-19 in the community. The health and safety of patients and care providers is the top priority, and operational changes continue to evolve at Barton Memorial Hospital and across Barton’s coordinated network of medical offices in preparation for any potential surge in patient care.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – More than 250 community members gathered for the 29th annual Barton Gala at Harrah's Tahoe on December 7. Their pledges and donations during the evening hit a record-breaking $90,000 to support community health in the Lake Tahoe area.

This year’s Gala beneficiary was the Family Birthing Center at Barton Memorial Hospital, with proceeds from the black tie soiree funding medical equipment and training to keep at-risk newborns close to their families in those precious first moments together.

A holiday tradition on the South Shore for the past ten years returns to help children and adults of all ages ring in the holiday season. The Festival of Trees and Lights moves to a new home this year at Harrah's Lake Tahoe starting on Friday, December 6 and going through Sunday, December 8.

The seasonal celebration features events and entertainment including the Senior Stroll, Family Night, the Gala, and Teddy Bear Brunch.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – Fifteen local health programs offered by nonprofits and agencies in the South Lake Tahoe area have been awarded grants by the Barton Foundation. A total of $50,000 was distributed among the groups to aid in their efforts to address the community’s most pressing health issues.

During the 2018 Barton Community Health Needs Assessment, the top health issues identified in the South Lake Tahoe community were access to care, mental health, and substance abuse.

EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. - "Instead of trying to find a way to eliminate the homeless, we now have the ability to change homelessness with a new approach - and it is working," said current El Dorado County Sheriff's Office (EDSO) Detective Chris Macras when South Tahoe Now spent a day with him and the EDSO HOT team in 2017.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A new $3.2 million MRI suite has opened in South Lake Tahoe, giving patients an improved experience with a private waiting area, increased safety features, faster exam times and the latest in magnetic resonance imaging equipment.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Hundred of staff members at Barton Health in South Lake Tahoe have selected Matthew Wonnacott as their Doctor of the Year.

Dr. Wonnacott was recently appointed to Chief Medical Officer at Barton Health. He was previously Medical Director and a family practitioner at Barton Community Health Center. Dr. Wonnacott was instrumental in bringing a new Medication-Assisted Treatment program to address substance abuse and opioid dependency in the community.

The following 137 businesses took out a license to operate in South Lake Tahoe during the months of September, October and November of 2018:

September - 52 Licenses

9/04
PEACE LOVE TAHOE
REAGAN SHARED HOME RENTAL
TOM WOHRMAN SPORTS
WINTERS EVE

9/05
RICKS REPAIR

9/6
BOOT CAMP FITNESS ACADEMY, LLC

9/8
J&S ASPHALT

9/10
1032 4TH ST APARTMENTS
737 SAN JOSE APARTMENT BLDG
ARTISTICRAT PAINTING & HOME SERVICE
HELPING HANDS CONSTRUCTION
LAKE TAHOE AUTOMOTIVE
MATTOX CONSTRUCTION
MCCOOL CONSTRUCTION
WYNN NAIL BAR

9/11
CONSCIOUS CUTLERY

STATELINE, Nev. - There is something for everyone, young and old, at the 10th annual Festival of Trees and Lights this weekend at MontBleu Resort. The convention center at the Stateline casino has been turned into a winter wonderland that is highlighted by the star of the show, the festive Christmas trees.

The winter celebration includes the Senior Stroll, Teddy Bear Brunch, Family Night, the Gala and much more from Friday, Dec. 7 through Sunday, Dec. 9.

Public viewing: Friday, Dec. 7 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 9 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

The Barton Foundation will be awarding $50,000 in grant funding to improve community health. As part of Barton Health’s commitment to community health and collaboration, this annual grant cycle provides funding for programs and services that positively impact the health of the local community. Applications are being accepted through May 31, 2018.

Grant criteria and the application can be found online at bartonhealth.org/grants, and for more information contact Marty Chartraw at 530.543.5784.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - There will be an ordinance regulating the retail sale of cannabis in South Lake Tahoe, that is certain, but when it will be in place is uncertain.

During a special meeting of the South Lake Tahoe City Council Tuesday afternoon and evening, several areas were discussed from zoning to processes, and many were narrowed down enough so the acting City Attorney, Sergio Rudin, can bring a draft back at the April 17 council meeting. If there are no major changes that document can be voted on as a "first reading" with an ordinance 30 days later.

South Lake Tahoe resident Sheryl Lynn is walking across America starting on April 1, 2018, and she plans on finishing up the 3,605 mile route in six months.

To get her started, there will be a be a "Walk With Me" kickoff event on Saturday, February 17 starting at Lakeview Commons at the intersection of Lake Tahoe Boulevard and Highway 50, and ending at Fire and Ice in the Heavenly Village. Everyone is invited, including friends of the four-legged variety.

Join Sheryl for "an exciting day of walking, flash mobs, food, music, and fun."

The Holiday Season is an especially wonderful time of year. We look forward to holiday get togethers, to holiday meals, to good cheer and yes, treats. But we don’t look forward to holiday pounds. Many of our New Year’s resolutions are testament to our holiday eating patterns. We vow to start a diet, or to exercise more, or change habits. We know we often consume more than we should. So what can we do to reduce the unhealthy parts of the holidays, and keep the treasured parts?

Each year, children of all ages stop by the Barton Foundation's Festival of Trees and Lights to ring in the holidays during one of the special events including Senior Stroll, Teddy Bear Brunch and the Gala.

From November 30 through December 3, the convention center at MontBleu Resort will transformed into a holiday paradise featuring beautifully decorated trees, wreaths and decorations and a gift shop with famous Barton cheese balls and unique presents.

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. – The Barton Foundation is delighted to announce the appointment of Troy Matthews as its new Executive Director.

Matthews’ commitment to serving his community is exhibited through his involvement and leadership in multiple organizations including Tahoe Regional Young Professionals, the South Tahoe Drug Free Coalition, Progress for Tahoe, El Dorado County Housing Task Force, LTCC Theater Arts Task Force, Leadership Lake Tahoe, and serving on the Lake Tahoe Unified School District School Board.

South Lake Tahoe, CA – Recovering from a major joint surgery doesn’t usually inspire the idea of snowshoeing by moonlight, but that’s exactly what Carol Bennis, age 75, was asked to do during her recovery last February.

Carol had never been on snowshoes before, or hiked at night, but when she heard her surgeon and other patients at a similar stage of recovery would be there, she decided to try it out.

This week, June 4-10, is Community Health Improvement Week. It is a national celebration to recognize the work and efforts of health professionals to improve their community’s health.

One thing you will hear from Barton Health professionals is that improving the health and wellness in our community takes collaboration and commitment. This can be seen in the actions taken in the last two years to address South Lake Tahoe’s most pressing health concerns.