Compiled by Camas Frank
In an effort to, “improve quality, streamline care and have more accountability for patient satisfaction,” Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center recently announced a reorganization of its Nursing Division under the leadership of Chief Nursing Officer, Kim Brown Sims. Connie Malek was named director of nursing, adult services. She will oversee medical/surgical services, critical care and the Step Down Unit. Previously, Malek was director of medical/surgical services. Reporting directly to her is Aaron Thorne, adult services manager. Thorne was promoted from charge nurse in critical care services. Mary Ann Gulutz was named director of nursing, women’s and children’s services, and a position she held previously under a different title. Continuing in her role is Lisa Hawes, women’s and children’s services manager. Reggie Ahlfield has been named director of nursing, informatics and clinical excellence. Under this newly created position, Ahlfield will be responsible for clinical informatics, nursing education and service initiatives, such as patient satisfaction. These duties were previously dispersed under multiple different directors.
B. Anthony & Company Jewelers recently donated $500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters to support the local agency’s youth mentoring programs. The money was raised at a holiday raffle for a platinum and diamond ring. The store sold 100, $25 tickets and Natalie Ozzimo won the ring. Pictured: Brad Bilsten stands next to the holiday tree in the store window decorated by “littles” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program.
In March, Talley Vineyards will host its Seventh Annual Mano Tinta, a revolving artist label competition. Mano Tinta Charity Wine is a community effort with all grapes, packaging and labor to make the wine donated and the artwork for the label created by the local community. The competition is open to the general public and will be on display for public viewing and voting in the Talley Vineyards t
asting room throughout the month of March. Local artists of all ages and levels of experience are encouraged to submit their artwork to the Talley Vineyards tasting room anytime through March 2015. Submissions must be accompanied by a completed entry form and should be original and meaningful. The winner will be announced the first week of April and will have their artwork showcased on the 2013 Mano Tinta label, website, and posters. Entry forms and guidelines can be found on the Talley Vineyards website or by emailing: .
SESLOC Federal Credit Union has named Clarence Cabreros its senior vice president and chief lending officer. Cabreros’ financial services experience spans 20 years including jobs with Heritage Oaks Bank, Rabobank and Mid-State Bank and Trust in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. A 40-year resident of SLO County and Cal Poly graduate, Cabreros will oversee SESLOC’s auto loan, mortgage, and home equity line of credit services, and will expand to include commercial real estate loans, custom home construction loans, and business lending.
Cal Poly accounting students will help individuals and families with tax returns, the school announced. The Orfalea College of Business is sponsoring the program that gives free tax return preparation help to those with annual incomes of less than $53,000, part of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, sanctioned and coordinated by the IRS and Franchise Tax Board. Nearly 100 accounting students will prepare tax returns and faculty, and volunteer CPAs will review and file them. Cal Poly’s VITA clinic runs from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays through March 14. Students will prepare basic forms — 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ, 540, 540A, 540EZ and some supporting forms. No appointments are needed and it’s on a first-come basis. Bring your Social Security card or Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, 2013 tax returns and all 2014 tax-related documents, including childcare expenses and health insurance coverage information. For more information, call 756-2667 (English and Spanish) or see: vita.calpoly.edu.
ARTS Obispo is seeking, “a dynamic executive director who will develop a deep knowledge of the organization, including core programs, operations and strategic plan.“ Current Executive Director, Jenna Hartzell, will be taking on a new role at the Cass House under new owners, Christa and Traci Hozie. “It has been an honor serving the arts community for the past five years,” Hartzell said. “I’m incredibly passionate about the arts and am looking forward to serving in a different capacity. I’m excited for this new position and opportunity that will allow me to spend more time with my family. We’re very sad to see Jenna go, but so happy for her and proud of what she’s accomplished over the five years she’s been with ARTS Obispo,” said board president, Janet Wallace. See: www.artsobispo.org to learn more about applying for the executive director position. Applications will be reviewed through Feb. 13.
Las Brisas Retirement community was presented with a Senior Advisor “Best of Senior Living” Award for receiving consistently high ratings from residents and their families in 2014. “We’re proud that Las Brisas earned this mark of excellence,” said Harvey Brownlee, chief operating officer at Holiday Retirement. “We’re excited and humbled their hard work is being recognized — it is well-deserved.” SeniorAdvisor.com is a consumer reviews website launched with, “two goals in mind: first, we wanted to identify and celebrate the best-performing senior care providers and second, we wanted to give families a tool to identify the businesses that will take great care of their loved ones,” said Eric Seifert, president of SeniorAdvisor.com. Call 543-0144 or see: www.las-brisas.net.
Achievement House is unveiling a new brand “identity,” symbolized with a new logo reflecting growth transformation, as well as “celebrating the culture of innovation built over their 58 years.” “The launch of our new brand logo kicks-off a new era at NCI and the Achievement House that speaks to who we are as a company and the community we serve — assisting in the acquirement of vocational and residential living skills to promote individual independence,” said Crystal Nevosh, executive director of NCI Affiliates and Achievement House. “We are proud to be ahead of the curve in a rapidly evolving industry, and our new brand identity will now illustrate how far we have come in our efforts.”
Pacific Gas and Electric Company announced several promotions among the senior leadership team at Diablo Canyon Power Plant. Barry Allen, who served as site vice president, assumed a new position as vice president, nuclear services, and in this role leads engineering, security and emergency services functions. James Welsch has been promoted to site vice president and Jan Nimick has been promoted to station director, filling Welsch’s former role. Welsch, a 30-year veteran of Diablo Canyon, will provide leadership over the plant’s maintenance, operations and learning services functions. In addition, he will lead the periodic refueling of both reactor units and report to Ed Halpin, PG&E’s senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. In the role of station director, Nimick, will oversee the daily operations and maintenance teams, as well as refueling and maintenance outages and report to Welsch.
Yoga Shine, a new yoga studio and boutique, has opened in the Tefft Center shopping plaza in Nipomo. The studio hosted a grand opening reception Jan. 10. Owner Jesselle Peña said, “Practicing yoga can provide so many benefits, but those benefits are even stronger when you come together and practice with friends.” Yoga Shine offers a special introductory membership — 30 days of unlimited yoga for $30. see: www.yogashinenipomo.com.
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