In this issue
Greetings from Tahoe Forest Health System!
Reflecting on 2024 and 75 years of caring for our community
As we step into 2025, we look back with gratitude on our 75th anniversary celebrations, which brought unforgettable moments and allowed us to further our community connections. We were presented with proclamations from the Town of Truckee, Nevada County, and Placer County, recognizing this historic year. Highlights from some of our events included REMSA’s spectacular helicopter landing at the community Fun Run & Fall Festival, being selected as Grand Marshals of Truckee’s July 4th Parade, and bringing together famed local chefs for a spectacular night of food and wine at our 75th Anniversary gala.
This past year has also been marked by incredible achievements, including multiple prestigious recognitions, such as our most recent – the Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Award. This distinguished honor was given to our Urgent Care, Outpatient Oncology, and the Tahoe Forest and IVCH Emergency Departments, recognizing organizations that rank in the 95th percentile or above for patient experience.
Here’s to another season of adventure and care—and to continuing our tradition of excellence as we move into the future! Happy New Year to our incredible community.
With Gratitude,
Louis Ward
Interim CEO
Tahoe Forest Health System
75th Anniversary Celebration
Our 75th Anniversary Celebration was an unforgettable night of food and wine with the best chefs in Tahoe. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this sold-out event; all proceeds from the evening benefit the Tahoe Forest Health System’s Area of Greatest Need.
Latest News
Tahoe Forest Health System Welcomes the First Baby of 2025
Tahoe Forest Hospital Achieves Highest Level of Performance in the 2024 Maternity Care Honor Roll
Tahoe Forest Health System Embraces Technology to Enhance Patient Care Experience
A Message from Louis Ward, Interim CEO, Regarding Access to Primary Care
January Celebrates
National Pharmacist Day
January 12th
Martin Luther King Day
January 20th
National Blood Donor Month
In the Spotlight
Tahoe Forest Health System Celebrates Prestigious Press Ganey Guardian of Excellence Awards
We are thrilled to announce that our Urgent Care and Outpatient Oncology Services have joined the ranks of the Press Ganey Human Experience (HX) Guardian of Excellence Award® winners. This distinguished honor is reserved for healthcare organizations that rank in the 95th percentile or above for patient experience across the entire calendar year. In addition, the Emergency Departments of Tahoe Forest Hospital and Incline Village Community Hospital have once again achieved this award, marking yet another year of delivering outstanding care and consistently high patient satisfaction.
“This award underscores our deep commitment to both our team and the communities we care for,” said Louis Ward, the Interim CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “We are proud to receive this recognition that highlights our unwavering focus to setting ever-higher standards for exceptional care and service to the Truckee and North Tahoe community.”
Press Ganey works with more than 41,000 healthcare facilities in its mission to reduce patient suffering and enhance caregiver resilience to improve the overall safety, quality and experience of care.
Incline Village Community Hospital
Incline Orthopedics & Sports Medicine
The doctors at our Incline Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Clinic are here to help. With same-day appointments available four days a week, you have no excuse not to get in, get checked, and get back out there!
Monday – Thursday, 8 am – 5 pm
Incline Village Community Hospital
880 Alder Avenue, 2nd Floor, Incline Village
To schedule an appointment, please call (775) 831-6200.
Kind Words
“I transitioned from another practice to Gene Upshaw, and it’s been like upgrading from a Motel 6 to the Ritz. The staff is knowledgeable and caring. The Infusion room is so comfortable and stress-free. I just do not have enough words to express how much better my infusion experiences have been.”
Cancer Center Infusion
Health & Wellness
Changes Coming to Affordable Labs
As of January 2, 2025 the following changes have been made:
- Affordable Labs will now be known as Community Health Labs
- All draws will require an appointment
- Appointments are available Monday – Friday from 8 – 9:30 am in both Truckee and Incline Village
Weigh To Go
Jump start healthy weight-loss
Our goal is to help you develop sustainable changes that will promote a lifetime of well-being. This program starts on January 15th.
Led by Lisa Fligor, our Registered Dietitian, we will take a deep dive into:
- Eating habits
- Exercise patterns
- Our relationship to food and weight
People are more successful at making healthy lifestyle changes with support. Join our group to get expert coaching, peer support from like-minded individuals, and accountability that will make a difference!
This is an 11-week series and includes 1-1 touch base with your dietitian on off weeks. Cost is $150.
Register now or call (530) 587-3769.
Weigh To Go
Jump start healthy weight-loss
Our goal is to help you develop sustainable changes that will promote a lifetime of well-being. This program starts on January 15th.
Led by Lisa Fligor, our Registered Dietitian, we will take a deep dive into:
- Eating habits
- Exercise patterns
- Our relationship to food and weight
People are more successful at making healthy lifestyle changes with support. Join our group to get expert coaching, peer support from like-minded individuals, and accountability that will make a difference!
This is an 11-week series and includes 1-1 touch base with your dietitian on off weeks. Cost is $150.
Register now or call (530) 587-3769.
Department Spotlight
Medication Assisted Treatment (MAT) Clinic
Local communities are addressing the rising tide of addiction with a focus on rehabilitation programs that emphasize holistic, community-based approaches. The region has seen a surge in opioid use, and the struggle against addiction is compounded by limited resources and the region’s isolation. However, innovative programs like those run by Tahoe Forest’s MAT Clinic aim to provide sustainable recovery pathways for residents. The Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) team specializes in the treatment of Substance Use Disorders (SUD), which includes opiates, amphetamines, cocaine, cannabis, etc., and Alcohol Use Disorders (AUD).
Our team approach provides individuals with the tools for long-term recovery and success. This results in positive impacts on their quality of life and overall health. We understand that addiction treatment must be individualized to determine the most effective treatment plan.
Rehabilitation initiatives like those offered at our MAT Clinic focus on treating the root causes of addiction, offering not only medical assistance but also community support through peer mentorship, housing, and job readiness programs. The goal is to help individuals reintegrate into society and break the cycle of addiction by building supportive, long-term networks within the community. While challenges remain, these efforts demonstrate promise in turning the tide against addiction in the Lake Tahoe region.
