Spring 2024 IVCH Foundation News

From the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze to the shimmering waters of Lake Tahoe, each day offers a glimpse of the new season in Incline Village. The spirit of renewal and possibility infuses every moment, and the generosity of your support continues to illuminate the path towards a brighter future for all.

As we reflect on the successes of 2023, we look towards the blooming opportunities that come this season. As Tahoe Forest Health System celebrates its 75th year of providing fundamental healthcare, our team remains dedicated to support every patient’s health and wellbeing, now and in the future.

In this edition of our eNewsletter, we are excited to:

• Announce the final updates on the long-awaited IVCH 3D Mammography and comprehensive DI Revitalization project.
• Introduce you to our newest provider at Incline Village Community Hospital, bringing more than 20 years of experience and adding to our specialty services offered.
• Share the opportunity to move and connect with the community through free yoga classes offered by the Tahoe Forest Center for Health.
• Celebrate the incredible dedication and contributions of our Incline Village Community Hospital Foundation Board Member, Warren Kocmond.
• Present our 2023 IVCH Foundation Stewardship Report, which expands on the ways in which our fundraising increases access to local patient services.

It is our privilege and honor to collaborate with you in optimizing care and delivering life-saving services each day. We recognize our collective accomplishments such as expanding service lines, enhancing patient care, and fortifying hospital operations for our ever-growing community. Your unwavering support and collaboration ensure that healthcare remains accessible to all members of our region. =

In gratitude,

Karli Epstein
Executive Director

Over the past three years, the IVCH Foundation has partnered closely with The Helmsley Charitable Trust to acquire and install innovative Diagnostic Imaging equipment for our hospital. Through their generous support, The Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded a total of $3.7 million in funding to IVCH, enabling us to procure advanced diagnostic and radiology equipment typically found only in larger urban centers.

Recognizing the significance of such comprehensive projects, the Foundation has worked jointly with donors to raise an additional $3.2 million, guaranteeing the realization of these planned DI enhancements. With immense gratitude for your unwavering support and generosity, we are delighted to report that this initiative is nearing completion. The newly acquired 128-slice CT scanner, repaired X-ray equipment, and Point of Service Ultrasound are now operational at IVCH.

The final installation, 3D Mammography, will be available to patients from the first week of June 2024. Having local access to 3D Mammography is lifesaving. Unlike a standard 2D Mammography, 3D Mammography helps physicians detect small cancers and masses that may be hidden in dense breast tissue. This reduces the number of false positives that would require follow-up imaging. Early cancer detection is key to effective treatment and increased survival rates. We are thrilled to implement this new service line for the members of our community!

Tahoe Forest Health System is pleased to announce that Naomi L. Albertson, MD, has joined their team at the Incline Village Community Hospital. Dr. Albertson specializes in sports medicine and has been practicing for more than 20 years.

As a collegiate athlete, Dr. Albertson gained a unique perspective from several visits to orthopedists and rehabilitation. That experience allows her to blend personal insight with expertise in medicine, nutrition, exercise physiology, exercise programming, return to play assessment, and aging athletes. She has dedicated her career in sports medicine to assessing and treating musculoskeletal injuries and motivating her patients through recovery.

Dr. Albertson attended medical school at the Tufts University School of Medicine. She completed her residency in family practice and her sports medicine fellowship with the San Jose Medical Center/Stanford University.

The office of Dr. Albertson is located on the second floor of Incline Village Community Hospital at 880 Alder Ave., Incline Village. New patients are accepted. For appointments, please call (775) 831-6200.

Tahoe Forest Center for Health is launching a Community Yoga Pilot Program at Incline Village Community Hospital. Bring your own mat for an all-levels practice to build a deeper connection with yourself and your community. The practice will begin with 30 minutes of gentle flow and finish with grounding restorative poses. No yoga experience is necessary; all movement will be slowly paced and mindfully sequenced. This class is offered free of charge, with the intention of bringing the community together for movement and connection. Classes will take place at Incline Village Community Hospital, 880 Alder Ave., Incline Village, NV 89451, the first Wednesday of May and June 2024 from 4-5:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required for these classes. Register by calling (530) 587-3769.

The North Lake Tahoe Community Health Care Auxiliary (NLTCHCA) is a nonprofit corporation made up of dedicated volunteers who give their time and financial resources to help others. The auxiliary is an integral part of Incline Village Community Hospital.

The annual Lobster Feed will be taking place at 5 p.m. on July 11 at the Chateau. All proceeds will benefit medically related student scholarships, Incline Village Community Hospital equipment and medical needs of the community. If you are interested, please reach out to Nan Healy with NLTCHCA at [email protected]. Space is limited, so please RSVP as soon as possible.

The Weekend Walk-in clinic at Incline Village Community Hospital is available to treat minor injuries and illnesses on Saturdays and Sundays, 8am – 6pm.

The clinic is located on the second floor of the Incline Village Community Hospital at 880 Alder Avenue, Incline Village, NV. No appointment necessary!

Please call the clinic’s direct line at (775) 888-4175 with questions.

We extended our heartfelt appreciation and gratitude in recognition of Warren Kocmond’s outstanding dedication and service to the IVCH Foundation. As a long-standing resident of Incline Village for 45 years, Warren’s commitment to our community shines brightly through his unwavering support and leadership.

Serving on the IVCH Foundation Board since 2010, Warren’s tenure as Chair has been marked by outstanding guidance and advocacy for healthcare excellence. His career as a scientist, culminating in roles such as Head of Atmospheric Physics at Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory and Executive Director at the Atmospheric Science Center of Desert Research Institute (DRI), reflects his deep passion of advancing knowledge and innovation.

Transitioning to Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC), the largest defense contractor in the state of Nevada, and later as CEO and Board Chairman of BG Radia – a high-end residential and professional speaker company – Warren’s leadership transformed these industries. With 35 years as a trustee of Sierra Nevada University, and his role heading the Academic Affairs Committee, Warren’s commitment to education is unmatched. Warren is married to Janet Pahl, a leading real estate agent in Incline Village, who passionately contributes to community organizations.

Warren embodies the spirit of service and dedication to our shared mission. We are profoundly grateful for Warren’s unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions to the IVCH Foundation and the greater Incline Village community.

We proudly celebrate the Foundation’s annual accomplishments while also educating our communities about our important work. We are grateful for any opportunity to illustrate how the support of our donors helps IVCH provide essential care. With that, we are eager to share our 2023 Stewardship Report in this eNewsletter!

In this annual report, we share impressive patient census data, inform you about the innovative technology we are helping to support, demonstrate how your gifts are elevating patient care, and provide a brief overview of how you can donate.

Each year, we look forward to circulating this brochure within our communities. We hope you will be as excited as we are about our successes!

View the electronic version of our 2023 IVCH Foundation Stewardship Report

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:

“All staff were professional and stellar in their performance.”

“Best ER experience in many years.”

“The emergency room team was professional and caring. I felt well taken care of. I also appreciated the next day check up call.”

“Overall, a truly high-class medical experience. Thank you.”

“My nurse and doctor were amazing and helpful. Extraordinarily kind and I would highly recommend anyone to come here for the experience I 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 Epstein, Executive Director, at 775-888-4204 or [email protected]