Fall 2026 IVCH Foundation News

As summer comes to a close, I find myself reflecting with immense gratitude on the generosity, dedication, and community spirit that have made this season so meaningful for the Incline Village Community Hospital Foundation. From generous gifts supporting local healthcare to the many ways our donors, volunteers, and community partners continue to show up for our patients, your support makes an extraordinary difference. Thank you for standing alongside us in our mission to strengthen healthcare for our region.

In this edition, we are excited to celebrate several meaningful milestones and community partnerships. We’ll share the recent accreditation of our Geriatric Emergency Department, an important recognition of our commitment to providing exceptional, specialized care for older adults. We’ll also celebrate the Golf from the Heart Tournament, recognize a dedicated Foundation Board member who recently retired from service, announce a generous grant that will help advance healthcare in our community, and introduce the Greg Tarter Memorial Scholarship, honoring a beloved Tahoe Forest nurse and supporting the next generation of local nursing professionals.

As we look ahead to fall, we invite you to join us for Best Of, TFHS Foundation’s signature fundraising event on October 30 at the North Tahoe Event Center. This year’s Masquerade-themed evening will feature exceptional culinary creations, California wines, and an unforgettable celebration of our community.

Thank you for your continued trust, generosity, and commitment to local healthcare. Your support is the heartbeat of our mission, and we are truly grateful for all you do.

With gratitude,

Karli Bunnell
Executive Director

Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce that Incline Village Community Hospital’s Emergency Department has achieved Level 3 Geriatric Emergency Department Accreditation (GEDA) from the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP).

The bronze-level accreditation recognizes emergency departments that have established practices and resources designed to support the care of older adults. Incline Village Community Hospital’s achievement reflects the collaboration and dedication of its interdisciplinary team and its efforts to continually strengthen emergency care for the community.

“Older adults can face distinct challenges in an emergency setting, and our team is committed to making sure their care reflects those needs,” said Anna Roth, President and CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “We are proud of the Incline Village Community Hospital team for earning this accreditation and for the expertise and compassion they bring to caring for our older patients and their families.”

As part of its work to strengthen geriatric emergency care, the IVCH Emergency Department has implemented practices focused on safety, comfort, mobility and independence, including reducing unnecessary urinary catheter and NPO use, providing oral care and food and fluids when appropriate, and emphasizing non-pharmacologic approaches such as reorientation, family presence, hydration, nutrition and verbal de-escalation before restraints are considered.

The team also incorporates medication reconciliation to reduce medication-related complications and support safer transitions of care, while dedicated patient resources, including a refrigerator stocked with drinks, snacks and meal trays, as well as increased availability of walkers and quad canes, help improve the patient experience during the ED visit and at discharge.

“Geriatric emergency care is about more than treating the immediate medical issue, it’s about understanding what an older adult needs to feel safe, comfortable and supported,” said Natasha Lukasiewich, Director of Operations at IVCH. “These practices help us provide a more thoughtful experience for our patients and support them not only during their ED visit, but as they transition back home.”

The GEDA Board of Governors will provide feedback to Incline Village Community Hospital to support continued development of its geriatric emergency care program and inform areas of focus for reaccreditation in three years.

What a wonderful day on the course! Thank you to the North Lake Tahoe Community Health Care Auxiliary and all who joined for this year’s Golf from the Heart Tournament. Your generosity and enthusiasm make a meaningful difference in our community and help ensure local patients have access to care and the resources they need.

On behalf of the Incline Village Community Hospital Foundation, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Warren Kochman, who has served on the Foundation Board since 2010 and as Board President during his tenure.

Warren’s leadership has been instrumental in guiding the Foundation with steady vision, thoughtful insight, and a deep commitment to advancing healthcare for our community. His contributions have helped strengthen IVCH and support meaningful progress that will benefit patients and families for years to come.

We are deeply grateful for his service, leadership, and lasting impact on Incline Village Community Hospital and the community it serves.

Thank you, Warren—you will always be a valued part of the IVCH Foundation family.

We are excited to share that the IVCH Foundation has been awarded a Nevada Rural Health Transformation (FLEX) grant, which will support the replacement of our aging boiler system. This upgrade will improve the safety, reliability and efficiency of our facility, helping ensure we can continue providing high-quality care to the Incline Village community without interruption for years to come.

For 28 years, Greg Tarter cared for our community as a nurse at Tahoe Forest, spending much of his career in the ICU. He was known for his kindness, steady presence, and deep compassion for his patients, families, and colleagues.

In honor of Greg and the lasting impact he made on so many lives, the Greg Tarter Memorial Scholarship Fund has been established in partnership with the Tahoe Truckee Community Foundation.

The fund will provide $5,000 annual workforce scholarships to individuals pursuing a career in nursing, helping support those entering the nursing profession—including those pursuing nursing as a second career. Nursing was Greg’s second degree and his true passion, making this a meaningful way to carry forward the legacy of a nurse who believed deeply in caring for others.

Help us honor Greg by investing in the future of nursing and the compassionate care of our community.

Make a Gift

The Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation’s Best Of Fundraiser returns Friday, October 30 at the North Tahoe Event Center for an unforgettable evening of culinary excellence, exceptional California wines, and community impact. This year, we’re adding a little mystery to the evening with a Masquerade theme, making Best Of the perfect way to celebrate the night before Halloween!

Guests will enjoy thoughtfully crafted bites from some of the region’s best chefs, expertly paired with exceptional wines, while coming together to support an important cause. This year’s event will raise funds for the Tahoe Forest Health System Foundation’s Mobile Health Program, helping bring healthcare services and resources directly into the communities we serve and expanding access to care throughout our region.

We are incredibly grateful to Julie and Michael Teel, Owners of Raley’s, for serving as this year’s Title Sponsors. Their generous support and commitment to our community help make this evening possible and allow more of the funds raised through Best Of to directly benefit healthcare in our region.

Sponsorship opportunities are still available, and tickets are now on sale. We hope you’ll join us for an evening of delicious discoveries, meaningful impact, and a little masquerade magic!

Purchase Tickets | Explore Sponsorship Opportunities

Every patient has a story, and behind many of those stories is a caregiver who made a meaningful difference. We are honored to share the heartfelt words of patients and families who want to recognize the exceptional care they received.

“I am so grateful for all of our staff here in Incline Village, it is a blessing to have such wonderful care in our small town.

I could not be more appreciative of the personnel and services provided by the hospital. We are very happy to be able to lend financial support to such a valuable resource for our community.

From beginning to end, I felt like I was getting the “royal treatment” from the receptionist to Nurse Jon, Nurse Molly, and Dr. Andrews. I was so impressed with the level of care that I received – it was above & beyond my expectations. Jon just called a minute ago to follow up. You all are amazing! Thank you for giving me the best care!” – Grateful Patient

Share your care story here. Learn more about the Grateful Patient Program and make a gift in honor of the care you received.

Thank you for your interest in our community Hospital! Visit the IVCH Foundation to learn more about the different ways you can support IVCH through philanthropy, or contact Karli Bunnell, Executive Director, at (775) 888-4204 or kbunnell@tfhd.com.

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