Press Releases

SALINAS, Calif. - February 9, 2009 - As local public officials looked on and a mariachi trio played in the background, the chairman of the board of the Natividad Medical Foundation, David Anderson, announced Dr. Valerie Barnes as the 2009 Hero Award recipient at a ceremony in the lobby of the Natividad Medical Center on Thursday, February 5th.

"Dr. Valerie Barnes has been caring for sick babies and kids at Natividad Medical Center for more than 20 years", said Linda Ford, CEO of the Natividad Medical Foundation. "She embodies the spirit of philanthropy, generosity and giving through her ongoing financial support of Natividad Medical Foundation and visionary leadership at the hospital".

Born in Ireland and a graduate of Dublin University, Dr. Barnes is a well-known advocate for children. Prior to joining the staff at Natividad, she served as a pediatrician for the U.S. Army based in Fort Ord. As Pediatric Services Director at Natividad she was instrumental in introducing newborn hearing screening for every baby born at Natividad and her work has led to Natividad's advancement to the Central Coast's first Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She is also the Medical Director of the Bates-Eldredge Clinic at Natividad, the only child sexual abuse screening clinic in Monterey County.

Dr. Barnes was the first doctor from Natividad to receive the Monterey County Medical Society's Physician of the Year award and has served on the Foundation's Community Advisory Council for more than a decade. She is a Trustee of the California Medical Association and serves on several boards and committees throughout the community.

The Natividad Medical Foundation "Hero" Award was established in 2008 by the Foundation to recognize and honor individuals or organizations that have made a significant contribution to fulfilling Natividad Medical Center's mission to continually improve the health status of the people of Monterey County.

For more information about the Natividad Medical Foundation, please call 831-755-4187 or visit www.natividadfoundation.org. For more information about Natividad Medical Center call 831-755-4111 or visit www.natividad.com.

### About Natividad Medical Foundation
Established in 1988, the Natividad Medical Foundation is a 501(c)3 charitable organization. The mission and vision of the Natividad Medical Foundation is to philanthropically support programs that continually improve the health status of the people in Monterey County through access to affordable, high-quality healthcare services. The Foundation is led by a Board of Directors and a professional staff reflecting a cross-section of Monterey County's people, communities and expertise. For more information, please call 831-755-4187 or visit www.natividadfoundation.org.