Adventist Health

Last week our team at Adventist Health on the Central Coast and @Central Coast Moving came together for something truly special. In just two days, we put 500 turkeys directly into the hands of families across San Luis Obispo County. It was generous partners, big hearts, and a whole lot of hustle. Watching our teams and volunteers load trucks, greet families, and share smiles reminded me what the holidays are all about: showing up for one another. Proud of this community. Grateful for this partnership. Inspired by the positive change we can create together. This is the true spirit of the holidays.

steve herber, MD, President of Adventist Health St. Helena, joins host Japhet De Oliveira for a meaningful conversation about his rich history with Adventist Health, how his personal and professional missions are interwoven, and how to keep hope alive through every season. Listen here: ahlink.org/4raT7wt

Happy Thanksgiving! Our hearts are full of gratitude for every patient, family, provider, and associate who makes our Adventist Health community so special. Together, we celebrate today’s blessings and look toward a future of health, wholeness, and hope. “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances …” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“As you gather with family, friends, or simply take a well-earned moment of rest, I hope this holiday fills your heart with peace and gratitude. From my family to yours, have a beautiful and rejuvenating Thanksgiving.” — Kerry L. Heinrich

Teddy Bear Check-Up Day at Adventist Health Castle! These kiddos brought their favorite stuffed friends to learn all about what happens during a routine doctor's visit, and it was as adorable as it was educational! By turning check-ups into a fun and interactive experience, we're helping kids feel more confident and comfortable when visiting the doctor.

Looking for tips on managing your blood sugar during the holiday? Here are seven tips from Ginger Cochran MS, RDN, CEP, CDCES, Registered Dietitian and Diabetes Specialist at Adventist Health on the Central Coast.

You Matter Deeply                                                                                                                                                                               Over the past few days, I’ve been reflecting on the national conversations about how nursing and other healthcare degrees are classified for federal student aid purposes. This reclassification reportedly affects graduate degrees in nursing and other valued healthcare disciplines, such as Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech Language Pathologists, Physician Assistants, Social Workers, Counselors/Therapists, and Audiologists. While these discussions often move quickly and can feel distant, I would like to take a moment to personally speak with all affected healthcare workers who serve across Adventist Health. First, and most importantly: you matter deeply. Your work is not simply a profession; it is a calling. Every day, you show up with compassion, technical excellence, and a spirit of service that changes lives. I see it. Our leadership sees it. Our communities feel it. As a faith-based, faith-driven nonprofit healthcare system, we have always believed that working in healthcare is a sacred profession. Regardless of how federal policy evolves, that belief remains unchanged. What does change, at times, are the pathways you must navigate to pursue or advance your education. I know many of you are wondering what these recent discussions might mean for your future. Here is what I want you to hear from me: We are with you. We will continue to support healthcare professionals at every stage, through scholarships, educational partnerships, tuition assistance, and mentorship. We will continue to advocate for approaches that strengthen, rather than constrain, our workforce. Not politically, but missionally. Not with partisanship, but with conviction about what is right for those we serve. Our commitment to you is rooted in our values: to live God’s love by inspiring health, wholeness, and hope. We cannot fulfill that mission without you, and we are grateful for your dedication, especially during a time when healthcare demands more of you than ever before. Thank you for the courage you bring to our calling, the grace you extend to patients and families, and the integrity with which you serve. We will walk forward together, with steadiness, clarity, and deep respect for the calling God has placed on your lives. #Nurses Adventist Health #Mission

Laura Amaya, receptionist at the Adventist Health Corporate Office, joins host Japhet De Oliveira for a meaningful conversation about the incredible presence of her family while raising her daughter, why her father is her biggest role model, and her thoughts on the culture at Adventist Health. Listen here: ahlink.org/4pfHrXA

Adventist Health Tillamook has been honored with the 2025 Oregon Rural Health Excellence Award by the Oregon Office of Rural Health, recognizing outstanding innovation and commitment to improving access to care in rural communities. Visit ahlink.org/3WA3FYd to learn more about our innovative nurse-led model that brings healthcare directly to underserved and high-risk patients across Tillamook and Columbia counties.

Adventist Health operates one of the largest rural health networks in the United States. Our purpose is to help patients reach their full potential with care close to home. Today, we are proud to celebrate National Rural Health Day and the #PowerOfRural. We are grateful for the providers and staff in our rural communities that continue to deliver high-quality care across more than 70 Rural Health Clinics. Hear from Suzin Hagar, MD, Ambulatory Medical Officer, and Kerry L. Heinrich, President and CEO, about the importance of the care we provide to our rural communities.