Fall 2025 IVCH Foundation News

What a wonderful summer it has been! It’s hard to believe that the crisp autumn air has taken over the warmth of summer days and nights. With the holidays just around the corner, it’s a perfect time to pause and reflect on the unwavering generosity and commitment of our donors. We are rooted in community, and we wouldn’t be where we are today without you. We’re excited to share the latest updates and stories that highlight the impact of your contributions and the power of community in action.

In this edition, we’re excited to share updates on the Surgery Enhancement project, announce a new board member, and highlight the outstanding work of our mammography team. You’ll have an opportunity to learn more about one of our amazing staff members and hear about the purchase made by the North Lake Tahoe Community Health Care Auxiliary. Lastly, you’ll find an invitation to the Tahoe Forest Heatlh System Foundation’s Best Of fundraiser—a new tradition inspired by the beloved Best of Tahoe Chefs!

With your help, we’ve made strides in enhancing patient care and expanding services, ensuring that every resident and visitor to our beautiful town has access to the best medical care possible. Thank you for standing by our side; your contributions truly make a difference.

In gratitude,

Karli Bunnell
Executive Director

We are excited to share that planning is underway for the Surgery Enhancement Project. Thanks to an extraordinary lead gift of $7.8 million from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, our board is now working diligently to raise the remaining $2.2 million needed to bring this vision to life.

This project will include a modernized reception area and improved pre and post-op spaces, designed to enhance both patient comfort and care. We hope to break ground in spring 2026 and begin a new chapter in expanding and modernizing surgical services for our community.

A thank you to our generous donors whose support is making this possible. Your investment ensures our community has access to exceptional, state-of-the-art surgical care—close to home.

Please join us in welcoming our newest IVCH Foundation Board Member, Leslie Wittmann!

Leslie brings more than 35 years of strategic leadership experience in human resources, having worked with global public, private, and nonprofit organizations throughout her impressive career. Since retiring in 2015, Leslie has devoted her time to philanthropic work, including founding Bright Futures, an educational program empowering young women in Agua Prieta, Mexico, to achieve academic success.

A native of New Jersey, Leslie and her husband, Michael, now call Incline Village home, spending winters in Scottsdale, AZ. They enjoy hiking, golfing, boating, traveling, and visiting their five children and growing number of grandchildren around the world.

Tahoe Forest Health System has been recognized as a Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence™ in the National Quality Measures for Breast Centers Program™ (NQMBC™), the highest level of recognition offered by the National Consortium of Breast Centers (NCBC). The certification is awarded to breast centers that demonstrate excellence in quality performance and accountability through rigorous data collection and benchmarking against national standards.

“We are honored to be awarded this prestigious designation,” said Anna Roth, Tahoe Forest Health System President & CEO, “which reflects our team’s unwavering commitment to delivering the highest standard of breast health care to our patients and our community.”

In today’s rapidly evolving healthcare landscape, providing consistent, high-quality care while managing resources effectively is essential. Achieving Certified Quality Breast Center of Excellence™ status confirms that Tahoe Forest Health System not only meets but exceeds national quality standards. It further reflects the organization’s investment in the latest technologies, clinical best practices, and a culture of continuous learning.

The National Quality Measures for Breast Centers™ program was created using over a decade of research and now includes more than 33 National Quality Indicators™ that define, measure, and advance quality performance in breast health care. For more information about the NQMBC™ Program, visit www.nqmbc.org.

At Incline Village Community Hospital, our staff love getting to know their patients—but here’s your chance to get to know them, too! This quarter, we’re excited to spotlight Monica Garcia, Medical Assistant at the IVCH Health Clinic.

Monica has been a registered medical assistant in Incline Village for over five years, bringing a wealth of experience in primary care, pediatrics, cardiology, gastroenterology, and ENT specialties. During the height of COVID, she was a frontline hero—out in all kinds of weather—supporting our clinic doctors with testing and treatment. We are deeply grateful to Monica and all our essential staff who stood by this community during such a challenging time.

Outside of work, Monica is a proud mom of two (one boy and one girl) and an animal lover with two dogs. She’s also a talented baker, catering small events with her specialty cakes, pastries, chocolate-covered fruits, and baked goods.

Her manager, Mandy Mallinson, says it best: “Monica is a wonderful and essential part of our health clinic team, and we are truly blessed to work with her!”

We’re lucky to have Monica on our team, and we hope you enjoyed getting to know her a little better!

The North Lake Tahoe Community Health Care Auxiliary (NLTCHCA) takes great pride in supporting patient care at Incline Village Community Hospital. Thanks to their generosity, Dr. Nachiondo, Gastroenterologist at IVCH, recently received two brand-new scopes—an endoscope and a colonoscope.

This $67,855 investment in state-of-the-art technology ensures our gastroenterology team can continue providing life-saving screenings and early detection procedures, such as colonoscopies and endoscopies.

We are deeply grateful to the NLTCHCA for making this incredible gift possible. Their commitment to advancing healthcare strengthens our hospital and directly benefits the well-being of our entire community.

Introducing the inaugural Best Of—a new tradition inspired by the beloved Best of Tahoe Chefs!

An elegant evening celebrating the spirit of philanthropy, rooted in community, featuring delicious bites from some of the region’s best chefs thoughtfully paired with exceptional wines from Northern California. Presented by the Best Of Title Sponsor, Julie and Michael Teel, Owners of Raley’s, we invite you to join us November 1st on the shores of North Lake Tahoe for an unforgettable evening celebrating food, wine, and community.

Featured Chefs & Wineries

• Conor Ball, Martis Camp
• Will Burns, Moody’s Bistro Bar & Beats
• Jack Connell, Tahoe Donner
• Brandon Dubea, Old Town Tap
• Ben Knox & Corey Kelso, Tahoe Forest Health System
• Pablo Martinez, Drunken Monkey
• Daniella Rinaldi, Sierra Bakehouse
• Alex Tolger, Mogrog Rotisserie
• Chris Watkins, Six Peaks Grill, Everline
• Scott Yorkey, Private Chef/Catering
• Big Basin Vineyards
• Gary Farrell Winery
• Lava Cap Winery
• ONEHOPE Wine
• Pride Mountain Vineyards
• VGS Chateaux Potelle
• Vino Noceto
• Winery Sixteen 600

With your support, the future of Tahoe Forest Health System is full of exciting possibilities. As we expand services, enhance capabilities, and invest in advanced medical technology, every gift makes a meaningful difference. As a community-supported organization, 100% of donations go directly toward improving patient care, strengthening programs, and meeting the evolving healthcare needs of our growing region.

Both General Admission and VIP ticket options are available. Those with VIP tickets are granted early admission to the celebration and an invitation to a special reception with two exclusive chefs paired with Pride Mountain Vineyards from 4 pm – 5 pm.

Tickets and sponsorships are available.

We are always proud to share the positive recognition we receive for the way we care for our Emergency Room, Lakeside Family Medicine, and Incline Health Center patients:

“Dr. Nachiondo was awesome! Very thorough and spent a lot of time with me. One of the best doctor visits I’ve ever had in terms of attention and communication and care.”

“I have to get frequent blood draws at Incline Village Medical Center. Angel is an amazing phlebotomist. She is kind and caring, and also knowledgeable and professional. Her technique is amazing – I almost never feel any pain from her vein stick.”

“I was admitted to your ER on Thursday, 6/19… Your team led by Dr. Haering with nurses Stephanie, Rachael, Tech Bety and Admission clerk Santiago were exceptional. I am a chicken when it comes to seeking medical care and your staff put me at ease… Y’all should be very proud to have such a team at your facility. And even through your hospital is smaller, it was well equipped for all emergencies. Thank you!”

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 Epstein, Executive Director, at 775-888-4204 or [email protected]