Kaweah Health

03/19/2026

“She was so understanding, compassionate and just so wonderful in such an ugly moment for all of us. Truly an angel. She went out of her way to get my daughter flowers, to be there for her. She showed support and love, I witnessed her shed a tear, and although I don’t think she knew I noticed, in that moment it was just such a bittersweet experience. To witness a nurse who is passionate about what she does, who helps, and who gives hope in a time of need when all feels lost was just such a beautiful feeling,” a patient's family member wrote in her nomination of Samantha Ortega, a registered nurse who works in Kaweah Health Labor and Delivery.

For her extraordinary compassion and dedication to patients and families during some of their most critical moments, Samantha Ortega is our newest DAISY Award recipient.

Samantha was recently surprised with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, given in memory of J. Patrick Barnes and presented in partnership with The DAISY Foundation.

To nominate a nurse today, visit KaweahHealth.org/Daisy

03/18/2026

March is Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month 💙

Early detection saves lives. Our Endoscopy Team is here to remind you to schedule your routine colorectal screenings. Whether it’s a colonoscopy or other preventive care, taking action now can make all the difference.

Talk to your provider to schedule your appointment today.

03/14/2026

Congratulations to Kelly Pierce, Volunteer and Career Pathway Manager, on receiving Tulare-Kings College and Career Collaborative’s 2026 CTE Industry Champion Award in recognition of her dedication and service. 🎉

Kelly’s leadership has helped expand work-based learning opportunities through Kaweah Health, including job shadows, internships, and clinical experiences that provide students across our region with meaningful, hands on exposure to careers in healthcare. She helps place about 500 student volunteers annually. Her commitment continues to open doors for future healthcare professionals and strengthen the connection between education and workforce development in our community.

We are proud to celebrate Kelly’s impact and grateful for the lasting difference she continues to make for students throughout the Central Valley.

Interested in becoming a volunteer? Learn more at KaweahHealth.org/Volunteer

03/13/2026

The Kaweah Health Sleep Center has reached an incredible milestone, earning 40 years of accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM).

This recognition reflects decades of dedication to helping our community sleep better and live healthier lives. As the oldest AASM accredited sleep center in the Central Valley, our team continues to provide expert care for a wide range of sleep disorders, from sleep apnea and insomnia to pediatric sleep conditions.

We couldn’t be more proud and grateful for the team at the Sleep Center. Every day, they help patients across the Central Valley get the rest they need to improve their health and quality of life. This milestone is a testament to the world-class service they provide to our community.

With highly skilled technologists, partnerships with board certified sleep physicians, and a facility designed for comfort and care, we remain committed to improving sleep health for patients across our region.

03/10/2026

Kaweah Health recently held a ribbon cutting ceremony with the Exeter Chamber of Commerce for our Exeter Laboratory Patient Service Center, which opened earlier this year and has already been serving patients in the community.

Located at 1003 San Juan Ave., directly across the parking lot from the Kaweah Health Medical Clinic, the drawstation provides a convenient location to submit lab samples for our communities east of Visalia. This is Kaweah Health’s fifth lab patient service center.

“Having your outpatient lab work performed at the Kaweah Health clinical laboratory means that if you end up at the hospital, your physician will be able to see all of your results in the same system and assess you more fully for a greater continuity of care,” said Randall Kokka, Kaweah Health Laboratory Director.

Patients can schedule appointments up to 90 days in advance at KaweahHealth.org/Lab, or walk in without an appointment.

Thank you to the Exeter community for supporting us as we continue expanding access to care across Tulare County.

03/09/2026

Our Infusion Center provides a wide range of treatments in a warm, welcoming environment close to home. Our patients receive advanced treatments for conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, anemia, dehydration, and more.

Whether you’re with us for an hour or three hours, your care is our priority.

Learn more about the care we provide: KaweahHealth.org/InfusionCenter

03/06/2026

Congratulations to Dr. Ryan Howard! 🎉

Dr. Howard recently received Donor Network West Foundation’s President’s Award for his extraordinary dedication and leadership in advancing the life-saving mission of organ donation.

Specializing in hospice and palliative medicine at Kaweah Health, Dr. Howard and the Hospice and Palliative Care Team ensure patients’ voices, values, and wishes remain central during some of life’s most difficult moments.

“I humbly accepted the award, but the majority of the credit goes to our wonderfully capable, compassionate, and dedicated team,” Dr. Howard said.

Dr. Janice Whaley, President and CEO of Donor Network West, added, “Dr. Howard and the Palliative Care team have elevated the standard of care at Kaweah Health, transforming loss into legacy.”

We’re proud to have such compassionate leaders on our team!

03/06/2026

03/06/2026

Future Health Heroes in Action

Kaweah Health hosted 22 students from Cutler Orosi High School, along with their parents, for an immersive experience in our Graduate Medical Education Simulation Center.

As a state-of-the-art training facility designed to mirror real-world medical settings, our Simulation Center gave students a hands-on look at healthcare in action.

Students rotated through skills stations including intubation, childbirth, ultrasound, and code blue scenarios, guided by Dr. Guzman, Dr. Jorge Garcia, Emergency Medicine graduate from the Class of 2023, Dr. Brandy Truong, a current Family Medicine resident, and three medical students.

For a fun group activity, students even learned how to check vital signs on their parents! 💓

Learn more about our Simulation Center at KaweahHealth.org/SimCenter

03/03/2026

We 💙our residents

It’s Resident Appreciation Week, a time to recognize the physicians who are advancing their training while caring for our community every day.

With six residency programs at Kaweah Health, our residents, medical school graduates continuing their clinical training, provide essential hands-on care across our organization. Their days are filled with patient care, research, and academic learning, while building the expertise that shapes their future specialties.

Pictured here are our Anesthesiology residents, who help ensure patient safety and comfort before, during, and after surgery. They bring clinical expertise, compassion, and teamwork to every case while supporting one another to provide the best care possible.

We are proud of the dedication and compassion our residents and fellows bring to their patients and our community.

Stay tuned for more.