CLEARLAKE, Calif. – On Monday, Sept. 12, St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake employees, providers and volunteers gathered for a special event marking the one-year anniversary of the Valley fire and honoring the service of local first responders during the fires of 2015 and 2016.

Organization staff were also recognized during the “Reflect, Recognize & Renew” program for their dedication to providing care to the community during each incident.

Special presentations were made to local first responders, including the Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit, Clearlake Police Department, Lake County Fire Protection District and Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

The chiefs or representatives from these local agencies received standing ovations from the nearly 350 hospital employees, providers, and state, county and city leaders gathered in the large white tent in the hospital parking lot.

“This event was an incredible opportunity for each of us to demonstrate our solidarity with Lake County and with each other,” said David Santos, president and chief executive officer of St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake. “It was meaningful to commemorate this occasion together and to express our deep gratitude to our community’s heroes and our remarkable team.”

Chief Willie Sapeta of the Lake County Fire Protection District praised the hospital for its quick response after receiving evacuation orders during the Clayton fire and commented on the close teamwork between incident commander and Vice President of Patient Care Colleen Assavapisitkul, Emergency Management Coordinator Rick Sanchez and local leaders.

Cal Fire Division Chief Greg Bertelli and Battalion Chief Mike Wink presented David Santos and each county supervisor with challenge coins in recognition of their leadership during the wildfires.

The event also gave hospital and clinic employees the opportunity to reflect on the impact the wildfires had on each person and the organization.

Dozens of employees lost their homes in the Valley fire, three more lost homes in the Clayton fire and numerous employees were evacuated in the various blazes.

Still, the hospital continued to operate during the Rocky, Jerusalem and Valley fires, and outpatient centers provided crucial patient care during each of the incidents.

“You have inspired our entire system, from the Pacific North West to Southern California,” Jeff Eller, president of Adventist Health’s Northern California Region, told the crowd.

Eller announced a grant of $300,000 to St. Helena Hospital Clear Lake from Adventist Health, funds that will be used to continue extending the hospital’s mission of health and hope.

The event concluded with a focus on hope and resilience, as well as a moment of silence in memory of all that was lost in the fires of 2015 and 2016 and the many who continue to rebuild their lives.

St. Helena Hospital’s director of Community Wellness, Shelly Mascari, invited people touched by the fires to stand, until the entire tent was on their feet holding electric candles.

“Hope starts with each of us,” Mascari said. “No matter what we do, we each have the opportunity to be the light for our patients, our coworkers and our community.”