SANTA BARBARA — Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) is pleased to announce the addition of Dr. Christopher Thrash to our Board of Directors. Dr. Thrash is a private practice physician in Santa Barbara. His prior experience includes Internal Medicine Hospitalist at UCLA Santa Monica Orthopedic Hospital, Saint John’s Hospital as well as Internal Medicine/Pediatric Urgent Care Physician at a UCLA Medicine-Pediatrics Practice in Santa Monica.
Dr. Thrash graduated summa cum laude in 2005 from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Chemical Engineering. Following his graduation, he attended University of Alabama School of Medicine, received his Doctorate in Medicine in 2009, and completed his residency in combined internal medicine-pediatrics at UCLA Ronald Reagan Medical Center.
He has been published in several journals including the Journal of Investigative Medicine for his work with Sports Injuries in an Urban Pediatric Emergency Department. Dr. Thrash volunteers with Doctors Without Walls, an organization that provides medical outreach to the homeless in Santa Barbara, as a clinician and instructor, leading students in biweekly clinics. Dr. Thrash has served on the VNHC Ethics Committee since 2015.
Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care is also pleased to welcome Heather Stern as Director of Personal Care Services. Stern brings over twelve years of experience in medical device sales, practice administration, and finance. Prior to joining VNHC, Stern served as a the CFO & Practice Administrator for four years at the Santa Barbara Fertility Center as well as a consultant for Allergan serving Bariatric practices across the US.
Stern graduated from Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles Ca.
As Director of Personal Care Services Stern manages VNHC’s PCS program providing clients with support during recovery from an illness or injury, assistance with daily activities or companionship in order to maintain, encourage and promote their independence in their homes, as well as respite care.
About Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care: Visiting Nurse & Hospice Care (VNHC) is the leading nonprofit provider of comprehensive home health care, personal care, palliative care, hospice care, and related services necessary to promote the health and well-being of all community residents. Established in 1908, VNHC is one Santa Barbara’s oldest nonprofit organizations serving the greater Santa Barbara area, and Santa Ynez and Lompoc Valleys. VNHC’s mission is to provide compassionate and trusted care for all. For more information, visit www.vnhcsb.org or call (805) 965-5555.