The people you see on this wall are Everyday Heroes. For nearly 60 ...

<strong>The</strong> <strong>people</strong> <strong>you</strong><strong>see</strong> on this wall areHEROES<strong>The</strong> <strong>people</strong> <strong>you</strong> <strong>see</strong> on this wall are Everyday Heroes.For nearly 60 years, the employees of KaiserPermanente Northern California have been heroes.<strong>The</strong>y gave medical care to workers building theCalifornia Aqueduct and those constructing Libertyships during World War II. It was difficult and unpopularwork at the time. <strong>The</strong>y went “the extra mile”– not forglory, but because it was the right thing to do.Today that spirit lives on in our physicians, nurses, andstaff. Some of our Everyday Heroes save lives. Othershave provided kindness and generosity when it wasneeded most. If <strong>you</strong> tell them they are heroes, theywill tell <strong>you</strong> what they did was not so much. If <strong>you</strong> askthe person who received their good will, they will tell<strong>you</strong> it made all the difference in the world.<strong>The</strong>se Heroes, along with all our dedicated employees,demonstrate Kaiser Permanente’s commitment to highqualityhealth care – every day.

Pilar Ivanov, MDEver since she was a little girl growing up in thePhilippines, Dr. Pilar Ivanov knew she wanted to be adoctor. Her grandfather, a highly cultured man who hadCompassionate anddedicated to her patientstraveled widely and spoke several languages, had greatfaith in Pilar and was instrumental in helping her realizeher dream.Today Dr. Ivanov is a gifted oncologist who is treasuredby her patients and an inspiration to colleagues and staffalike. Not only does she exhibit abundant knowledgein oncology and hematology, she is also tremendouslycompassionate and dedicated to her patients.Dr. Ivanov never forgets that most <strong>people</strong> who visitthe oncology clinic at the San Jose Medical Center areseverely challenged in some way by cancer, and eachand every day she goes out of her way to help them.In an equally caring and gentle manner, she sets highexpectations for the staff and is a joy to work with.While it’s difficult to help patients live with andunderstand cancer, Dr. Ivanov makes no mystery ofthe source of her enthusiasm: “<strong>The</strong> courage that mypatients’ display in the face of their disease is myinspiration,” Dr. Ivanov says. “<strong>The</strong>y’re the real heroes.”

Mauro ZamoraMany gardeners enjoy the solitude that comes withnurturing plants—it provides a respite from the busyworld of <strong>people</strong>. But for Mauro Zamora, a gardener atGardening provides anavenue for nurturing notjust plants, but <strong>people</strong>, too.the San Jose Medical Center, gardening provides anavenue for nurturing not just plants, but <strong>people</strong>, too.During his rounds of nearly 49 acres of grass, plants,and trees, Mauro often encounters <strong>people</strong> who coulduse an extra hand—like the employee who needed helpchanging a flat tire, or the woman who fell getting outof her car. Mauro is always ready to offer his assistance,in his cheerful and enthusiastic way.Mauro grew up in a little town of five houses inMichoacán, Mexico, where he learned at a <strong>you</strong>ng age toshare what he had with his neighbors and lend a handwhenever he could. Judging from the feedback frommembers and employees alike, Mauro knows how tomake the little things in life count.“Mauro has a big influence on the morale of our team,”says Danuel Singer, facility services director. “Heembodies everything we are striving for in terms ofservice excellence.”