Blog

Will “Buck” Sharp has been a pharmacist at Lompoc Valley Medical Center for nine years. A native of Hollister, CA, he previously owned Valley Rexall pharmacy for 30 years and sold it in 2005.

When you’re not feeling well, or have a sudden illness or injury, you may be confused about your best options for medical care. In those times, you might be wondering whether you should go to the Emergency Department, or Urgent Care, or wait to see your primary care physician.

This year, LVMC is periodically spotlighting its employees who volunteer their time and talents to help our community. Ramon Hernandez has been with us for 8 ½ years and works as a Plant Operations Assistant. He currently volunteers his free time as a Court Appointed Special Advocate and Jr. Giants Baseball coach.

When I first moved to Lompoc, I had a new experience at Lompoc Valley Medical Center. I had already spent years working as a Certified Child Life Specialist in a children’s hospital, but moving here with my family and then 2-year-old son, I had my first experience in the hospital as the mom of a child having minor surgery.

Earlier in my medical career, I was a retained expert to testify against RJ Reynolds, Philip Morris and the American Tobacco Corporation in a federal lawsuit on the subject of the effects of cigarette smoking. In other words, this is a topic for which I have more than a passing familiarity.

Pa Nhia Lee is a registered nurse at the Comprehensive Care Center. She earned her RN in 2008 from Allan Hancock College and was hired at the CCC 10 years ago. She is the mother of three children, ages 10, 5 and 9 months.

During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important for those older than age 50 to understand the various methods, frequency and pros, and cons of screening tests.

During Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, it’s important for those older than age 50 to understand the various methods, frequency and pros, and cons of screening tests.

You know how it starts – a child in the family, or a coworker, is coughing or sniffling. Soon, you may find you have a sore throat or runny nose. Say hello to the common cold.

Karen Koppes, BSN, RN, CMSRN, is the Lompoc Valley Medical Center nurse educator. She was hired in May 2018, coming to the acute hospital from Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital. She was previously a surgical trauma unit nurse, charge nurse, cardiac rehab unit nurse and clinical instructor for Santa Barbara City College’s School of Nursing.

With just six ingredients, these fast-and-easy egg bites are great not only for breakfast but for lunch or snacks any time. You can even try serving them alongside a salad or bowl of soup for dinner.

Elizabeth Carpio has worked at the Comprehensive Care Center for almost 20 years, but people rarely see her. Elizabeth is a prep cook/cook in the CCC kitchen and laughs that no one knows who the kitchen staff is, because of their behind-the-scenes work.

Lennaya Smith, BSN, RN is the Nurse Manager at Lompoc Health — North H Center. Previously she worked for Sansum Clinic and then transitioned to Lompoc Health on January 3.

Most Americans do not have enough fruits and vegetables in their diets. According to a US Department of Agriculture (USDA) study in 2015, only 12 percent of adults ate enough fruit and only 9 percent of the adult population ate the recommended amount of vegetables. The numbers are even lower for adolescents.

Certainly, most people have heard of tater tots. But what about broccoli tots? Here’s a recipe that combines cheese and broccoli into easy-to-eat tots.  Try them as they are, or dip them in the accompanying cheddar onion sauce.