Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura is proud to announce five important awards for exceptional care from Healthgrades, a leader in hospital transparency and research.

Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura earned the 2023 Outstanding Patient Experience Award, placing it among the top 15 percent of hospitals nationwide for patient experience, according to Healthgrades. The patient experience measures reveal how patients felt about the care they received at the hospital and are based on patient survey data that Healthgrades obtains from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS also recognized Community Memorial with its 5-star ratingthis year — the highest distinction possible through its Overall Hospital Quality Star Rating system.

Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura also achieved four 5-star ratings in the areas of neurosciences, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and critical care, according to research released by Healthgrades. These 5-star ratings reflect that Community Memorial Hospital – Ventura delivered better-than-expected clinical outcomes of care provided in these areas and distinguish the community hospital as a leading provider of care in these specialties. 

“We are honored to be ranked in the top 15% of the country for patient experience. Earning this designation is a testament to the incredible care and experience the team at Community Memorial provides each and every day to our patients,” said Mick Zdeblick, President & CEO, Community Memorial Healthcare. “I am proud of our team for their continued dedication to providing our community with exceptional care.”

For the 5-Star ratings awards in specialty care, Healthgrades evaluated patient mortality and complication rates for 31 common conditions and procedures at nearly 4,500 hospitals nationwide to identify the top-performing hospitals for neurosciences, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and critical care. Community Memorial’s 5-star ratings were, specifically, in the areas of respiratory failure (critical care), gastrointestinal bleed (gastrointestinal), stroke (neurosciences), and pneumonia (pulmonary).

For the Outstanding Patient Experience Awards annual analysis, Healthgrades evaluated 2,780 hospitals that submitted at least 75 patient experience surveys to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). The survey data covered patients who were discharged between January 2021 and December 2021. Of those hospitals evaluated, 419 outperformed their peers (based on their patients’ responses) to achieve this award. Survey questions focused on issues like patients’ perspectives of their care in the hospital, cleanliness, noise levels, medication explanations, hospital staff responsiveness to patient needs, and whether or not a patient would recommend the hospital to friends or family.

Workforce Development Board of Ventura County (WDBVC) is excited to announce short-term jobs for unemployed adults, to help clean, repair, and restore local parks damaged by the devastating winter storms of 2022-23.

WDBVC and Goodwill of Ventura have partnered with the federally funded National Dislocated Worker Grant (NDWG), which allows Goodwill to hire workers to clean up mudslides and landslides from the severe storms of 2022-2023. These temporary jobs as restoration team members have flexible hours with pay of up to $25 an hour and provide on-the-job training and work experience.

With Ventura County unemployment at 4.2%, this is an excellent chance for those who have faced long-term unemployment (four weeks straight or more) to earn an income making a meaningful difference in their community. No previous experience is required, though workers must be at least 18 years old and have the legal right to work in the U.S.

“It’s a wonderful opportunity for us to aid two local issues simultaneously,” said Andrea Sanchez, Sr. Administration Manager at WDB. “We strongly encourage adults struggling with unemployment to help their local community through this project.”

Further information is available at: https://gwvsb.org/mission-services/

For potential workers who are interested, they can receive more information by emailing [email protected] or calling (805) 981-0130 x117.

The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County administers federal funds to support America’s Job Center of California locations and other free job seekers, youth, and employer programs and services in Ventura County. The Workforce Development Board of Ventura County is a proud partner of America’s Job Center of California network. Equal opportunity employer/program. Auxiliary aids and services are available upon request to individuals with disabilities. If you have limitations in hearing or speaking, dial 711 to reach the California Relay Service (CRS). For more information, call 805-477-5306 or visit http://workforceventuracounty.org.

Note: From a previous Ventura Breeze

by Carol Leish

“River Haven started during the El Nino in 2006,” according to, Suki Sir, Marketing and Fund Development Manager at Turning Point Foundation. “Thus, during the El Nino, we approached the City of Ventura in March, 2006. Contracts were signed in September, and the program started in October. The former director, Clyde Reynolds, was very instrumental in approaching the city, and in negotiating the contract to secure the land for River Haven.”

“Clients/residents of River Haven receive case management services that follow up with service plan goals and their well-being,” according to, Joe Dawson, Program & Facilities Manager at Turning Point Foundation. “Case management takes a team approach by offering and connecting clients/residents with supportive services that offer follow-up care. And, the case manager and the treating agencies maintain communication to promote and create action plans for clients that will help them to become more successful and to maintain service connections obtained.”

Dawson also focused on the types of services that are offered to clients/residents of River Haven by saying, “Connected services consist of: Ventura County Behavioral Health; Whole person care program; ADP (Alcohol & Drug program; Health Care Agency/ One Stop; and, the Human Service Agency.”

“We aim for clients/residents to be at River Haven for up to two years at the most,” according to, Sir. “But some residents get permanent housing within 6 months, and others take longer than two years.”

Turning Point Foundation’s website is: www.turningpointfoundation.org, which describes the latest news and events. Please sign up for the newsletter to become more informed.

“Some of the needs for supporting River Haven are on the list, which is at: http://turningpointfoundation.org/donate/,” according to, Sir. “Do realized that River Haven gets very little government support. Thus, online donations are very much appreciated.” And, that, according to the website, “$525 Feeds 25 people per month.” Also included on the list of needs on the website, which can be downloaded, are: “Heavy blankets; bath towels; washcloths; canned food; and, books & board games.”

Through support and housing both Turning Point Foundation and River Haven have given people the opportunity and the tools to start truly living happier and healthier lives. It doesn’t matter who you are or what you have done, all that matters is the future and what you want to do with your future.