Showing The Fruits of Our Labor

Ravenswood Garden Project Build Day 2: October 1, 2011

To continue our Ravenswood Garden Project initiated on September 11th, RFHC organized a second build and planting day on October 1st. Thanks to RFHC staff, board members and patients, and volunteers from HandsOn Bay Area, LinkedIn and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman, we were able to continue our mulch ground cover, install irrigation and with the help of our partner Collective Roots, begin planting our winter crops!

Ravenswood Garden Project Build Day 1: September 11, 2011

To commemorate the 10th Anniversary of September 11, 2001, RFHC partnered with Rebuilding Together Peninsula and Collective Roots to organize over 100 volunteers from LinkedIn and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman to help get the Ravenswood Garden Project underway! Volunteers led and assisted a number of tasks. We cleared the land next to RFHC’s Main Clinic of weeds and brush, built 19 planter boxes, including ADA-approved planter boxes for patients or staff who are wheelchair-bound, created a mosaic entry-way sign and built a boardwalk. Thanks to all of those who participated in Day One of the Ravenswood Garden Project!

Be sure to check out more photos and like us on Facebook and Flickr!

View more videos highlighting Ravenswood Family Health Center on our Vimeo page HERE!

RFHC builds a patient-staff teaching garden

RFHC is currently collaborating with Rebuilding Together Peninsula (RTP), Collective Roots (CR), and Hands On Bay Area (HOBA) to build a 3,000 sq. ft. garden to engage and empower patients, staff and volunteers to grow their own healthy, affordable foods.

Our garden will include 19 raised-bed planter boxes, three wheelchair-accessible boxes, multipurpose meeting tables, and a teaching area with tree stumps as chairs. We want patients to be able to see their primary care provider at the clinic, participate in health education with our Health Navigators, and get exercise while nurturing healthy, edible crops to take home—all in one location.

Similarly, our staff will have the opportunity to get exercise outdoors during breaks, and also grow fresh vegetables to take home, or eat at the clinic with colleagues and patients. We see the Ravenswood Garden Project as an excellent opportunity to offer a volunteer role to people who are unfamiliar with RFHC and our patients.

We hope to increase and strengthen our community relationship between patients, clinic staff, and volunteers with this exciting and innovative project. Our big build day is set for Sunday, September 11, 2011 and we welcome all patients, staff and volunteers to get involved! Please contact our volunteer coordinators to learn how you can help!

We reached out to the community for help with a logo for our garden project through Sparked's online volunteer base--read about our success here!

Our partner organizations:

Ravenswood Spotlight: Two New Dental Residents

Interview with Dr. Adachi, DDS and Dr. Bhaskaran, DDS

Ravenswood Family Dentistry (RFD) has welcomed two new members, Alison Adachi, DDS and Dr. Sinduja Bhaskaran, DDS, who will both serve one-year terms as dental residents! Dr. Adachi and Dr. Chaskaran have been placed at RFD through a partnership with the Lutheran Medical Center Advanced Education in General Dentistry program.

RFHC:Tell us a little about yourself!

Sinduja: I am originally a dentist from the southern part of India, I graduated in 2006 and worked as an associate dentist in a private practice. After marriage brought me to the US, I worked as a dental assistant to gain hands on experience while simultaneously applying for various international dentist programs. I got into UCSF School of Dentistry and graduated with a DDS in June.

Allison: I am originally from Southern California and grew up in a suburb of Los Angeles. I spent some time living on the East Coast where I obtained a liberal arts education studying art history and Japanese culture. I became interested in dentistry through a mentor and changed career goals as I saw that through dentistry I could use my artistic skills while helping others. I moved to the Bay area to attend UCSF School of Dentistry and graduated earning my DDS degree this past June.

RFHC: What do you think you have learned from your experience at RFD?

Sinduja: It is a great team effort especially coordinating the medical and the dental health centers. Every person in this team is important. I love the way every one is dedicated and diligent.

Allison: At RFD, we treat patients of all ages and stages in their lives. Whether it be their first emergency care treatment or first dental visit, I have been able to see first-hand the value of comprehensive family care and how we can directly affect change in patient’s lives.

RFHC: Thus far, what has been your favorite part about RFD?

Sinduja: Working for RFHC has been a pleasure. The friendly staff made the transition very easy, I already feel at home. I am proud to be a part of this organization.

Allison: The people! I like the sense of community--The patients, staff, providers and overall environment.