Published in the June 22 – July 5, 2016 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Pamela Stuart
Pamela Stuart
Working as the director of the emergency department at Saint Louise Regional Hospital is more than a career choice for me, it’s a passion. We see people during their most difficult times, during their most vulnerable times. It’s a privilege to help them. Both at the hospital and in the community, I’ve been asked lately about the recent changes in leadership at Saint Louise.
During the past 25 years, I’ve seen many changes. When I began, the Gilroy hospital was South Valley and “Saint Louise” (no “Regional”) was in Morgan Hill. We have grown and adapted to the needs of our community. Saint Louise Regional Hospital is now part of Verity Health System.
The leaders of Verity are committed to making the hospital financially viable so that we will be able to continue serving this growing community. We’ve already seen investments in equipment and new leaders who have extensive experience. Recently during our Hospital Week celebration, our Verity Health System Values were officially announced. We choose to live the values of respect, caring, integrity, passion and stewardship each day.
Saint Louise may be a small facility, but we have a large commitment to our community. In the emergency department, we treat nearly 30,000 patients a year. Every day we provide high-quality, individualized care. Our goal is to see patients within 30 minutes of arrival, giving priority to the most serious.
Although I’m excited about many of the changes, the one closest to my heart is the emergency department renovation. With funding from members of our Saint Louise Regional Hospital Foundation and members of the community, in July we will begin a remodel that will improve patient experience with a new triage area and updated waiting rooms.
We are also planning some positive changes at the De Paul Health Center for Urgent Care in Morgan Hill. In the ED, we fondly call the center The DUC (De Paul Urgent Care) and we are equally proud of the role it plays in serving our community. When someone needs immediate care, but it is not so serious that they must go to a hospital, our urgent care center is the perfect option. Flu symptoms, earaches, minor injuries and rashes are examples of conditions that require immediate care, but do not need the additional resources the hospital provides. That’s where the convenience of The DUC comes in.
So while many positive changes have happened, what hasn’t changed is our dedication to our patients. What will never change is our commitment to providing compassionate, quality care to those who need it. We hope you don’t ever have to visit us in the emergency department, but if you do, we’ll be here.
Pamela Stuart, M.D. has served the South County community since 1991. A board-certified physician, Stuart is the director of the emergency department at Saint Louise Regional Hospital, the director of the De Paul Health and Urgent Care Center, and has a private practice, Physician’s Skin Solutions, also in Morgan Hill.
