Letter: Carson-Tahoe Hospital significant strides

As we begin the new year, it seemed appropriate to reflect on our past as well as look to the future. In the past 50 years, Carson-Tahoe Hospital has grown from a small community hospital in 1949, to a modern, progressive health care facility.

The hospital's standard of health care excellence was first established over 50 years ago when Carson-Tahoe Hospital opened its doors and is our continued philosophy as we begin a new millennium.

In 1999, the staff, administration and volunteers at Carson-Tahoe Hospital made significant strides in continuing to provide our community with superior health care services and outstanding programs. Throughout the last year we've had many successes, including:

-- Purchase of 98 new state-of-the-art beds.

-- Opening of the new Cancer Resource Center.

-- Successful 50th anniversary community celebration.

-- Establishment of new Behavioral Health Services Programs: DUI school, domestic violence and employee assistance programs.

-- Reaccreditation for three years with JCAHO; superior performance rating.

-- Recruitment of 18 new physicians.

-- Completion of 26 wellness fairs, including employee wellness fairs and the Dayton Health Fair Extravaganza.

-- Development of new symposium and speakers' bureau programs.

-- Innovative wellness programs with Carson-Tahoe Hospital being the first hospital in northern Nevada to offer the pneumovac vaccine, a pneumonia shot for adults 65 and older.

-- Successful flu shot program; provided 15,000 flu shots to the community.

-- Established the Diabetes Education Program and enhanced the Asthma Education Program.

-- Launched new Web site with unique physician search directory.

-- Successful Y2K readiness preparedness and plan.

I wish to publicly thank the Carson-Tahoe Hospital team for making 1999 so successful! I look forward to working with all of you as we strive to continue to be our community's premier health care provider.

STEVE SMITH

Chief Executive Officer

Carson-Tahoe Hospital