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Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

I will tell you something nobody knows: the Lakers are 1-1 in the playoffs, and the Dodgers have the best record in Baseball. That’s not good for you Giants fans, but at least nobody is paying attention.

With more than a dozen fires raging across California this week, and high temperatures expected for a few more days, it’s important to protect yourself from poor air quality. 

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

I am hoping that yesterday’s thunder and lightning unleashed its wrath on the Coronavirus. Perhaps it did, as there have been a few positive “one-week trends” (let’s take the good wherever we can find it)!

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

The State and County have updated and reported their data, so today I will focus on everything Covid.

Needing surgery or a procedure during the COVID-19 pandemic may cause anxiety in some people. As the LVMC Chief of Staff and a surgeon, I want to assure you that the highest measures possible are being taken to ensure your safety -- and ours -- during this pandemic. We know you probably have questions, and it’s important that you have those answered. If you’re uncertain about something, please ask your surgeon or primary care physician.

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

July has come to an end today, baseball has begun (kind of), you probably missed your window to get a haircut, and the Covid-19 (“Covid”) situation continues largely unchanged.

Residents at the Comprehensive Care Center who may not be able to leave their beds because of health issues can now visit an aquarium – at their bedside.

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

I will do you all a favor and keep it short today. There is not too much new in the world of Covid this week, but there are a few things of note. As previously mentioned, each week I will provide information on a couple things of interest happening at LVMC (which includes the hospital, CCC, and Lompoc Health clinics.)

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

Although I always enjoy communicating with all of you, I was not particularly looking forward to writing this week’s letter, because there isn’t much good to report on the COVID-19 (“Covid”) front. I suppose “the good news is that the bad news isn’t that bad” (that sounds like Yogi Berra!).

Congratulations to Dr. Anne Rodriguez on being honored as a Congressional Woman of the Year.

Dr. Rodriguez, who sees patients at Lompoc Health – North Third Street – was chosen by Rep. Salud Carbajal, D-Santa Barbara, as one of six winners. Other honorees were Kathleen Baushke from Santa Barbara, Tracy Beard from Solvang, Noha Kolkailah from Arroyo Grande, Pandora Nash-Karner from Los Osos and Biz Steinberg from San Luis Obispo.

Effective July 13, 2020,

Due to an increase in COVID-19 cases in Santa Barbara County, the California Department of Public Health and Santa Barbara County Public Health Department have implemented new hospital restrictions regarding visitors at all area hospitals.

The Lompoc Valley Medical Center Medical Staff recently presented two colleagues with plaques recognizing special care during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the monthly Med Staff meeting, Dr. Christopher Taglia and Dr. William Pierce were honored for their roles in the hospital’s response to the global pandemic.

Dear Lompoc Valley Community:

California and Santa Barbara County are in the midst of a second wave of COVID-19. The Lompoc Valley Community has, for the most part, been exempted from this second wave. However, with COVID-19, the situation seems to change on a dime, for better or for worse. So, as we are hopeful that the second wave crashes and fades away, we must all be diligent in doing everything we can to help make that happen. But, for this weekend, let’s put COVID-19 in the back of our minds and celebrate Independence Day, and the amazing County in which we live!

Lompoc Valley taxpayers will see a savings on property tax payments for years to come, following the recent refinancing of LVMC general obligation bonds. The refinancing comes 10 years after Lompoc Valley Medical Center relocated on June 29, 2010 to the newly constructed hospital at 1515 East Ocean Ave.

In honor of the 10th anniversary of the opening of Lompoc Valley Medical Center hospital at 1515 East Ocean Ave., hospital staff, physicians, current and former Board members, and Lompoc Hospital District Foundation trustees celebrated with the installation of a time capsule on Monday, June 29, 2020.