The beginning of fall marks another chapter of growth at Kaweah Health. I am happy to report we continue to make significant strides in enhancing healthcare services for our local community with the recruitment of new physicians and the recent opening of an innovative rehabilitation facility. 

To help better meet the needs of our community, we have worked hard to recruit physicians to Visalia and the Central Valley, focusing on bringing in caregivers who will enhance our services and the quality of care our patients receive. These newly recruited physicians have already started making a significant impact:

• Dr. Shirisha A. Avadhanula, endocrinologist

• Dr. Harleen Chahil, interventional cardiologist

• Dr. Ryan Dean, orthopedic trauma surgeon

• Dr. Amitoj Gill, oncologist and hematologist

• Dr. Holly Quinn, obstetrician and gynecologist

• Dr. Roxanne Talamayan-Pascua, hospice and palliative medicine

• Dr. Danny Vazquez, radiation oncologist

Recruiting physicians is an ongoing process, and we regularly collaborate with local physician groups across different specialties to increase the community’s access to quality care. In some cases, we recruit physicians to work at our hospital or one of our clinics; in other cases, we help recruit physicians to join other medical groups in our community. Above all, our focus is on finding the right fit for each physician and ensuring patients have the best possible access to care.

In addition to welcoming these new physicians, I’m excited to announce the recent opening of our new mobility training course at Kaweah Health Rehabilitation Hospital. This innovative course, generously funded by Maison Law Accident & Injury Lawyers, is designed to help patients with life-altering injuries regain independence by learning to navigate various terrains, including river rock, brick walkways, gravel, and more. This is just another tool to better serve our community. I am truly proud of the entire rehabilitation team, who bring compassion and hope to our patients and their families every day.

At the state capitol, I am pleased to see Proposition 35 receive strong, bipartisan  support. Governor Newsom and California policymakers have been using Managed Care Organization (MCO) tax funds to help balance the California budget, but these funds were intended to help hospitals and providers who care for Medi-Cal patients. If passed, Prop 35 would require the State to use MCO funds predominantly  to increase Medi-Cal payments to doctors, hospitals, and other health programs. The passing of Prop 35 is an important step in creating a more stable funding source for community hospitals and any provider who serves Medi-Cal patients. I encourage everyone to support this critical legislation, which will provide much-needed funding for our healthcare system if passed.

 As we continue to enhance our services and expand our team of caregivers, we remain dedicated to our mission of providing excellent, compassionate care for the people of Tulare and Kings Counties. Thank you for your trust and support in helping Kaweah Health grow and thrive.