Dear Friends,

It’s 2009 and Civista is entering its 70th year of service to this community. That’s almost three-quarters of a century of delivering non-stop, around-the-clock healthcare. Few businesses or organizations can say their doors never close. Since 1939, through war, the depression and even a major tornado, we were able to continue serving you. We have much to celebrate!

This year we’re launching an all out effort toward “going green.” In fact, Civista’s community magazine Healthy Today is printed on recyclable paper. We’ll keep you posted on some of our initiatives as we look to providing more environmentally responsible healthcare. As we buy and use more sustainable products and consider the reuse or disposal of these products, we will not sacrifice quality. Many of our efforts may provide added benefits.

Speaking of the new Winter issue of Healthy Today, this month’s magazine has a focus on heart disease, particularly as it affects women. So we will be providing community education classes on heart health as well as our Matters of the Female Heart screening program for women in February, which is American Heart Month. Although the major heart attack signs and symptoms are similar for men and women, women are more likely to experience the less common symptoms and delay seeking emergency treatment.

There is much we are looking forward to doing this year in healthcare in our community. My very best wishes to each of you for an active, health-promoting and inspiring New Year!

Sincerely,
Christine M. Stefanides
President and Chief Executive Officer
Civista Health, Inc.