Message from Fairchild Medical Center
The reality of the OBBBA is that members of our community and of communities across Siskiyou County may no longer qualify for Medi-Cal coverage. Less insurance coverage too often means less access to care.
FMC Expansion July 7 Update
Let’s Talk FMC Expansion Updates – Things are constantly evolving onsite and we are excited to share updates with our community. Find out more…
Fairchild Medical Center Receives CalAIM “Make a Difference” Award from Partnership HealthPlan of California
Fairchild Medical Center recognized for outstanding contributions to California’s health care transformation initiative, particularly for efforts around Enhanced Care Management.
Mood-Boosting Dog Visit
Spending time with animals has been shown to reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, while promoting a sense of companionship and well-being. Just petting a dog can boost your mood by increasing “feel good” hormones like serotonin and oxytocin.
FMC Nursing Skills Day: Stroke Education with a Twist!
During Nursing Skills Day, Fairchild Medical Center nurses put their stroke knowledge to the test with a fun and interactive game.
Let Fairchild Medical Center Help You Live a Pain Free Life
Fairchild Medical Center is privileged to have numerous volunteers who support the hospital, including the Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary as well as the Hospital and Foundation’s Board of Directors.
It’s National Volunteer Month – Help Fairchild Medical Center Celebrate Our Amazing Volunteers
Fairchild Medical Center Celebrates Our Volunteers Who Make Local Access to Heathcare a Reality for Our Community
Fairchild Medical Center is privileged to have numerous volunteers who support the hospital, including the Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary as well as the Hospital and Foundation’s Board of Directors.
In the healthcare sector, volunteers make significant contributions by supporting both the institution and the community through various programs and services. Fairchild Medical Center values the precious time that volunteers dedicate to our organization and is grateful for the many hours of service they provide.
In 2024, the Auxiliary’s 30 members donated 11,754 hours. They work as Front Desk Greeters, ensuring visitors receive a warm welcome and efficient assistance, enhancing patient and family experiences. They also manage the Hospital’s Gift Shop, known for its variety of snacks, gifts, and clothing, which has received many compliments. The Auxiliary runs the Transportation program, providing 1,276 rides to patients for appointments. Their fundraising efforts raised $35,000 for essential medical equipment. These initiatives improve patient care and boost community engagement.
The Hospital’s Board of Directors is comprised of fifteen members, all of whom are community leaders that are committed to ensuring our community has local access to healthcare. The Board is tasked with overseeing and providing guidance to the hospital to ensure it operates efficiently, complies with legal standards, and serves the best interests of our community. Their responsibilities include approving budgets and making strategic decisions.
The Foundation’s Board of Directors consists of fifteen members. All of the members are involved in organizing and helping with the Foundation events such as the Health Kids Fair and Share the Magic Christmas Festival. The members are also responsible for securing funds through personal contributions and involvement in fund development efforts to support the hospital.
Thank you to all our Volunteers for their greatest gift, their time!
| Hospital Board of Directors | Foundation Board of Directors | |||
| Tres Churchill | Chairman | Deanne Terry | Chairperson | |
| Darrin Mercier | Vice-Chairman | Eleanor Wilson | Vice-Chairperson | |
| Kristi Von Tickner | Treasurer | Kristi Von Tickner | Secretary/Treasurer | |
| Dwayne Jones | Secretary | Ray Ybarra | Member at Large | |
| Larry Mulloy | Member at Large | Tres Churchill | Member | |
| Vina Swenson, MD | Chief of Staff | Kathryn Cowley | Member | |
| Trent Vernon, MD | Chief of Staff Elect | Debra Froelich | Member | |
| Louis DeRouchey, MD | Member | Sherri Hanna | Member | |
| Carrie Hayden | Member | Larry Mulloy | Member | |
| Jay Quisenberry | Member | Catey Olivolo | Member | |
| Douglas Langford, DDS | Member | Heidi Pryor | Member | |
| Deanne Terry | Member | Eileen Silva | Member | |
| Judy Baker | Member | Debi Sims | Member | |
| Eleanor Wilson | Member | Tom Brass | Member | |
| Lorah Guse | Member | Amy Shafer | Member | |
| Auxiliary | ||||
| Sue Brass | Jerry Guse | Caressa McCanna | Cathi Small | |
| Tom Brass | Lorah Guse | Harold McFall | Darlene Stumbaugh | |
| Gail Brotherhood | Marie Hunter | Judith Newton | Linda Thornburg | |
| Sharon Craner | Gaynell Irvine | Sharon Nunez | Debby Whipple | |
| Cindy Dalton | Marge Jones | Heidi Pryor | Donna White | |
| Mike Dalton | Ann Kaster | Jennifer Romo | Ginny York | |
| Nini Finnegan | Jean Krueger | Jose Romo | ||
| Beth Gartrell | Suzi Lipke | Lillis Sieck | ||
Fairchild Medical Center Earns Silver and Bronze Awards at 2025’s Get With The Guidelines Event
Fairchild Medical Center attended 2025’s Get With The Guidelines (GWTG) event earning both a Silver and a Bronze award in recognition of our team’s commitment to improving stroke care. It was an incredible honor to be acknowledged for our dedication, and we were proud to celebrate this achievement.
FMC Auxiliary Honors Ann Kaster for 50 Years
Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary Honors Ann Kaster for 50 years of Volunteer Service
The Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary recently recognized Ann Kaster’s 50 years of volunteer work with a lunch celebration. Ann’s volunteer friends offered stories and thanks to honor her. She is the first FMC volunteer to reach the 50-year mark.
The Kaster family moved to Yreka in 1972. Ann loved caring for her son and toddler daughter but wanted some activity outside of the home. As a result of her friendship with Welcome Wagon members, Ann volunteered in 1975 for a position with the Auxiliary at Siskiyou General Hospital on Main Street.
Ann describes the gift shop at the old hospital as “a little cubby in a hallway” where the Auxiliary offered a variety of candy. She was delighted when the gift shop was moved into a converted nurses’ station. At last, she was able to move around inside the shop. Ann remembers attending a convention for hospital shops and feeling anguish over ordering $100 worth of merchandise. She also recalls the opposition of the volunteers to the introduction of a cash register, with threats to quit if volunteers had to use anything but a cash box.
The new Fairchild Medical Center was built in 1997. Ann was a co-chair of the committee involved in the fundraising for the new facility. She also served on the FMC Board of Directors.
During her time in the Auxiliary, Ann has served as President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Gift Shop Chairperson. Ann represented hospital volunteers as President of Volunteer Services in the Mt Shasta Area Counsel and the California Hospital Association. She consulted with small hospital gift shops throughout the State to advise them on successful procedures in gift shop management. Presently, Ann works as an adjunct to the Auxiliary Treasurer and keeps our finances in order.
In addition to her support of FMC, Ann has concurrently worked with the FMC Foundation, Red Scarf Society, COS Foundation, United Scholarships, Yreka Historical Society and the Yreka YMCA.
Ann has clearly put her heart into many worthy causes. In every organization, Ann has excelled by serving as Officer, Chairperson, or on Boards of Directors. The Auxiliary is honored to have been the recipient of her extensive time and energy. Many thanks to Ann for her dedication to the Yreka community and especially the Fairchild Medical Center Auxiliary.
Winter with the FMC Foundation
The winter season is always a busy time at Fairchild Medical Center. Take a look inside our Winter Newsletter to see what we were up to.