Spring 2025 IVCH Foundation News

As we welcome a new year, we reflect on the incredible progress and generosity that continue to shape Incline Village Community Hospital. Winter in Incline Village brings its own quiet beauty, but we are already looking forward to the renewal that comes with spring — a season of growth and new beginnings. We are deeply grateful for your generosity, which ensures that IVCH can continue to provide high-quality, compassionate care close to home.

In this issue, we’re excited to introduce our new CEO, share an update on the much-anticipated surgery suite renovation made possible by a generous gift from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, and highlight the inspiring work of one of our dedicated IVCH employees. You’ll also find an update on the donor wall, a Doctors’ Day update and a heartfelt thank you to Gary for his years of service on our Foundation Board.

On a personal note, I recently changed my last name, so you may notice this reflected in our communications and resources moving forward. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to enhancing local healthcare — your generosity makes all the difference.

In gratitude,

Karli Bunnell
Executive Director

The Tahoe Forest Hospital District (TFHD) Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Anna M. Roth, RN, MS, MPH, has been appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Tahoe Forest Health System (TFHS). The selection of Ms. Roth comes after an extensive, months-long search following the departure of former CEO, Harry Weis, in June.

“On behalf of the Tahoe Forest Health System, I am excited to welcome Anna Roth as our new chief executive officer,” said Michael McGarry, chair of the Tahoe Forest Hospital District board of directors. “Anna’s vast experience in health care administration and dedication to community health will elevate our commitment to excellence and care for all we serve. We look forward to Anna’s spirit, enthusiasm, and leadership as we continue serving the North Tahoe communities.”

Ms. Roth comes to TFHS from Contra Costa Health, where she served as CEO for the past fifteen years. In that position, she addressed the spectrum of issues that shaped the health of Contra Costa County’s one million residents, with special attention to its most vulnerable populations. During her tenure, she played a key role in one of the largest integrated health systems within county government, overseeing unprecedented growth of a $3 billion health system.

“I am deeply honored to join an organization that values excellence, compassion, and community-driven care,” said Ms. Roth. “I am eager to collaborate with the dedicated staff and providers of TFHS, and I look forward to addressing the need for expanded access to care, enhancing the overall patient experience, and strengthening community partnerships.”

At Contra Costa Health, Ms. Roth was responsible for strategy, planning, and operational oversight of the county’s medical center and 11 clinics. Her areas of responsibility included behavioral and physical healthcare, a managed care organization, a local public health department, county homeless services, the county emergency medical services (EMS) system, hazardous materials, and environmental health.

Ms. Roth holds a master’s degree from the University of California, San Francisco, and a Master of Public Health from Harvard University. She is a registered nurse with over 30 years of healthcare experience and an Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Quality Improvement Fellow. Additionally, Ms. Roth has served on a variety of nonprofit boards and has been actively engaged in shaping policy initiatives that drive meaningful advancement in healthcare access.

Ms. Roth has previously owned a vacation home in Tahoe Donner and has family ties to the Tahoe region. She looks forward to becoming part of the Truckee – North Tahoe community.

“Moving to Truckee marks an exciting new chapter for me and my family,” said Ms. Roth. “The mountains and wilderness offer the perfect backdrop for our love of nature and outdoor activities.”

Ms. Roth’s start date will be Monday, March 10, 2025.

The TFHD Board of Directors extends its appreciation to Louis Ward for serving as interim CEO and expresses gratitude for his dedication and leadership during this transition.

The Incline Village Community Hospital Foundation is excited to announce the receipt of a $7.8 million grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation to fund the IVCH Surgery Enhancement Project, a major initiative to improve access to high-quality surgical care in the region.

The grant, the largest in the IVCH Foundation’s history, will allow the hospital to expand and modernize its surgical suite, improving patient care and ensuring the hospital remains at the forefront of rural healthcare excellence.

The existing IVCH surgery space, originally built in the 1980s and designed to meet the needs of a smaller patient population, has faced growing challenges in accommodating the increasing demand for services. The planned enhancements will not only improve surgical efficiency and capacity but also create a more comfortable and modernized environment for patients and staff. Expanding the surgical suite will allow for a broader range of procedures to be performed locally, reducing the need for residents to travel long distances for specialized care, which can be especially dangerous in winter months.

The grant will allow for the construction of a new surgical procedure room, increasing the existing capacity for all current procedures, including ophthalmology, orthopedics, and gastrointestinal surgery. It will also allow IVCH to optimize existing space and explore the possibility of offering new services.

Other key features of the Surgery Enhancement Project include:

• Upgraded air handling systems to ensure compliance with modern surgical standards
• Capacity for future technology upgrades such as telemedicine and enhanced security
• Asbestos abatement, new flooring throughout the surgical spaces, and updated fixtures
• Modernization of post-operative recovery areas
• Expanded registration area to improve patient flow and overall experience

Grant funding is made possible by the generosity of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation, a private charitable foundation based in Incline Village, Nevada. In recognition of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation’s generosity, IVCH will name the enhanced surgical suite in their honor.

“Having top-tier healthcare in Incline Village is very important to the Duffields,” said Chris Watts, co-president of the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation. “They are appreciative of the services and care the hospital offers local residents and are pleased to help update and expand the hospital’s surgical capacity.”

Additionally, the IVCH Foundation Board of Directors has committed to raising an additional $2 million to help purchase the equipment necessary to support expanded service offerings at the new Dave & Cheryl Duffield Surgery Center. This commitment ensures the project can fully meet the evolving needs of Incline Village and neighboring North Lake Tahoe communities.

“We are extremely grateful to be awarded this grant from the Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation,” said Louis Ward, Interim CEO of Tahoe Forest Health System. “This funding will have an incredible impact on the level of care we can provide at IVCH, allowing us to take another step forward in our mission to provide the best rural health care in the country.”

About The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation

The Dave & Cheryl Duffield Foundation (DCDF), founded in 2016, continues the Duffield family’s commitment to making bold impacts. DCDF focuses on support for Veterans with disabilities, companion animal well-being, and organizations in which our founders have personal connections. The Foundation’s capstone program is Liberty Dogs™, a new Service Dog campus based in Reno, Nevada. Liberty Dogs will train Service Dogs to support Veterans with disabilities. Veterans will spend two weeks, on site, training with their Liberty Service Dogs™ and leave with their new companions and the ability to lead more independent and fulfilling lives. Based in Incline Village, Nevada, DCDF is the Duffield family’s vision for funding transformational services and programs.

Our staff at Incline Village Community Hospital love getting to know their patients but here’s an opportunity to get to know the staff! This quarter, we are thrilled to spotlight Alondra Guerro Ramirez, Ophthalmology receptionist. She has worked for the health system for 4 years across the health system as a receptionist.

Her manager, Mandy Mallinson said, “Alondra has such a positive and happy personality! She always comes to work with a smile. She is an extremely hard working employee and always offers to help out her co-workers. She actively participates in problem solving for the office and truly upholds Tahoe Forest Health System values. We are thrilled to have her on our team!”

When Alondra isn’t hard at work, she loves doing Pilates, cooking, and baking at home. Alondra lives in Reno with her partner and hopes to travel to Colombia someday to experience its rich culture, vibrant food scene, and beautiful landscapes. Her favorite food is your standard pepperoni pizza but with a special topping: jalapeños.

We are so lucky to have Alondra on our team at Incline Village Community Hospital and we hope you enjoyed getting to know her more!

Exciting news! Our donor wall at Incline Village Community Hospital has been updated to honor the incredible individuals and organizations whose generosity makes a difference every day. You can also explore an electronic version on our website. Thank you for helping us continue our mission of providing exceptional care to all.

National Doctors’ Day is celebrated annually on March 30th. This day honors the dedication and contributions of physicians to their communities and healthcare.

We thank you for helping us celebrate our incredible physicians with over 500 custom Doctors’ Day Gratitude Grams delivered! If you missed the chance to purchase a Gratitude Gram, you can still show your appreciation by making a gift in honor of your provider through our Grateful Patient Program. Your gratitude means the world to our dedicated doctors, and we’re so thankful for your support!

We extend our deepest gratitude to Gary Finch for 20 incredible years of service on the Incline Village Community Hospital Foundation’s Board of Directors. Gary’s leadership, insight, and unwavering commitment have played a pivotal role in advancing our mission to provide exceptional healthcare to the Incline Village community. From guiding key fundraising initiatives to supporting strategic growth, his contributions have left a lasting impact on our hospital and the lives of those we serve.

Thank you for your dedication and thoughtful service — you will always be a valued part of the IVCH Foundation family.

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:

“I just moved here and I have high blood pressure. I was so well taken care of by every single member of your team. Shelby at the front went over and beyond to track down Ralph from Medicaid who actually got me all set up for Medicaid. The nurse and the doctor were absolutely amazing and so right on top of everything from the moment I was walked into the emergency room. I was able to pick up my blood pressure medication from Raley’s right away. And I got referred to the Medicaid doctor in the same building. I don’t think that I’ve ever been treated so well at any other emergency room or hospital ever!”

“The nurse was brilliant and on top of everything, she was very professional and very knowledgeable and made me feel relaxed and comfortable she assured me that everything was going to be okay and it was. She was wonderful. I wish I’d gotten this survey sooner because now I don’t remember her name which is a shame because she really deserves to be recognized.”

“This was the best ER experience we’ve ever had. The entire staff was amazing and so helpful. The Dr and nurses really cared, and it showed. Thank you for making an unfortunate incident so easy and painless!”

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]