Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center
215 W. Janss Road, Thousand Oaks, 805/497-2727
Los Robles Hospital & Medical Center is a 265-bed acute care facility dedicated to serving the residents of Ventura County, the Greater Conejo Valley and its surrounding communities. The hospital is fully accredited by the Joint Commission of Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and has earned top honors through independent research studies. Built in 1968, it is currently in a $120 million master plan expansion program scheduled for completion in early 2007. The expansion will feature a 200,000-square-foot patient wing with 90 private patient rooms, a two-story lobby, expanded patient admitting area, private consultation areas and enhanced department locales.

With 400 physicians on its medical staff representing more than 30 medical specialties, Los Robles offers a full array of medical services including a 24-hour emergency de-partment, ICU/CCU, maternity, neonatal intensive care unit, medical and surgical de-partments, comprehensive cancer center, heart center, same day surgery, transitional care unit, rehab center and senior behavioral health

Ojai Valley Community Hospital
1306 Maricopa Hwy., Ojai, 805/646-1401
Ojai Valley Community Hospital is a non-profit, community-based acute care facility serving the residents of the Ojai Valley. The 103-bed facility, which includes a continuing care center, is fully accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO), and licensed by the California Department of Health Services. In addition, it also operates a primary care clinic in the Ojai Valley – The Oak View Family Practice Clinic. The hospital provides inpatient, outpatient and skilled nursing services for mostly primary and secondary care needs, and it maintains a 24-hour standby emergency room. The hospital was built in 1959 and was initially owned by a small group of investors. Over the last four decades the hospital’s ownership has changed hands several times among various corporate entities. In October of 2000, a group of local citizens purchased the hospital, through the existing Foundation, and established it as a non-profit organization owned by the local community.

St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital
2309 Antonio Ave., Camarillo, 805/389-5800
St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital is nestled near the foothills of Camarillo on Antonio Avenue. It was founded in 1974 by a group of community leaders who believed that a hospital was needed in their community. In addition to its 82 acute-care beds, St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital has a 99-bed extended care unit and the only hyperbaric medicine unit in West Ventura County.

St. John’s Regional Medical Center
1600 N. Rose Ave., Oxnard, 805/988-2500
With 253 patient care beds, St. John’s Regional Medical Center is a general acute facility with basic emergency medical services. In 1911, community leaders approached Rev. John S. Laubacher out of concern that health care services were not available to meet the needs of the thousands of residents who had settled on the Oxnard plains. Hence, St. John’s Regional Medical Center was established in 1912 by the Sisters of Mercy at the request of Rev. Laubacher. The hospital grew from a six-room wooden structure on 10 acres of land to a 230-bed regional medical center on a 48-acre parcel in northeast Oxnard. In addition, this campus has a 23-bed acute rehabilitation center. Today, St. John’s Regional Medical Center is located at the corner of Rose Avenue and Gonzales Road, providing easy access from the 101 Freeway and from all cities in Ventura County.

Santa Paula Memorial Hospital
825 N. 10th St., Santa Paula, 805/525-7171
Santa Paula Hospital opened in July 2006 under the stewardship of Ventura County, which purchased and re-opened a the failed rural community hospital. Sitting atop the hills of the City of Santa Paula, the refurbished and revitalized Santa Paula Hospital opened its doors after a closure of nearly three years. The hospital closed in December 2003 due to mounting debt and Chapter 11 bankruptcy, eliminating the only emergency room between Ventura and Santa Clarita and forcing local residents to drive as long as 30 minutes in either direction to access immediate care. In September 2005 the County of Ventura purchased the 10.5-acre hospital complex for $2.75 million. The facility has not only been equipped with state-of-the art equipment and technology, but has been given a major face-lift. The county spent $4.5 million for the much-needed repairs and upgrades. The hospital serves the greater Santa Clara Valley communities and offers a wide range of services, including emergency, maternity, surgery, critical care, radiology and laboratory. The hospital expects to add new services based on the needs of the community. The Health Care Agency encompasses a full continuum of care beginning with preventive health programs and emergency medical services, following through with acute impatient care and access to a vast network of medical clinics, urgent care centers, and specialty clinics.

Simi Valley Community Hospital
2975 N. Sycamore Drive, Simi Valley, 805/527-2462
Since 1965, the hospital has provided some of the best and most complete healthcare in the area — from maternity, cancer and emergency services to comprehensive edu-cation, rehabilitation and behavorial medicine programs.

Ventura County Medical Center
3291 Loma Vista Rd., Ventura 805/652-6000
Owned and operated by Ventura County, this 208-bed facility is the hub of the county’s medical service system. It is a not-for-profit general acute care hospital with a wide net-work of specialty and community outpatient clinics. It is home to the county’s most active emergency room with a 24-hour heliport and serves as the Paramedic Base Station for Ventura. Affiliated with the UCLA School of Medicine, the hospital has a family practice residency program. VCMC pioneered Newborn Intensive Care on California’s Central Coast, as well as the center’s High Risk Pregnancy Program. It is a 24-hour emergency and trauma center, featuring an intensive care unit and telemetry, a neonatal intensive care unit, medical surgery floors, a pediatric wing, obstetrics/gynecology floors, and the Hillmont Psychiatric Unit. During the most recently completed year, it provided 40,139 inpatient service days.

The center exists to provide access for under-served individuals who experience barriers to care due to any combination of economic, cultural, or lifestyle conditions. Commonly referred to as the “safety net” population, this group accounts for over three fourths of the care provided by the center. Safety net patients present diverse requirements, and the hospital is uniquely positioned to respond to the challenge. The physicians on staff represent high levels of training and credentialing. Each physician is board certified in their respective field.

Convalescent/Nursing Care
The area has a variety of resources to serve the needs of seniors, from socially oriented to skilled nursing centers that provide medical care around the clock. Some facilities cater to people who require only minimal support to carry on independent lives in retirement. Other convalescent and nursing facilities offer 24-hour nursing supervision in a comfortable, safe environment. A variety of social services and daily activities including special diets and therapy (physical, occupational, respiratory and speech) are also available.

Rehabilitation Centers
Experienced therapists and modern up-to-date rehabilitation facilities can make your recovery much easier. If you need special training to re-enter the job market or learn independent living skills, there are special classes available.

Urgent Care Clinics
For who need immediate medical attention, but do not need hospital care, an urgent care clinic is a viable alternative.

Medical Transportation Services
The various communities of Ventura County have several ambulance companies offering emergency and non-emergency-related transportation services. Other transit services also are available:

• Camarillo Area Transit Dial-A-Ride 805/988-4CAT.
• Camarillo Health Care District 805/388-1952.
• Fillmore Dial-A-Ride 805/524-2319.
• Moorpark City Dial-A-Cab for ADA service,
  • info 805/529-6864, Ext. 248;
  • reservations 805/495-3500.
• Help of Ojai 805/646-7787.
• San Buenaventura Senior Mini-Bus 805/643-3122.
• Santa Paula Dial-A-Ride 805/933-2267.
• SCAT Access ADA Paratransit Service,
  • info 805/487-4222 or 643-3158
  • TDD 486-2304
  • reservations 805/485-2319 or 805/649-4421.
• Simi Valley Transit ADA/Paratransit Dial A Ride 805/583-6464.
• Thousand Oaks Transit Dial-A-Ride 805/492-1544.
• Westlake Village Dial-A-Ride 818/707-2900.
• MedTrans 805/496-4664.
  

Social Services
Ventura County residents with problems will find a group available to help them solve it. The list includes ranges from adoptions and foster care for youth with a variety of organizations in between.

The most comprehensive list of services is the Blue Book, a directory of health and human services that is published by Help-Line: Information and Referral, administered by Interface Children Family Services. Help-Line makes the information available 24 hours a day at 800/339-9597 or for hearing impaired 805/496-4866.

Foster Care
The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Out-of-Home Care System is de-signed to protect children who cannot safely remain with their families. Most are re-moved from their parents and made dependents of the court. A smaller number are wards of juvenile probation or live with legal guardians. Some are voluntarily placed in out-of-home care by their parents. Currently, these children are placed in family homes with relatives, in licensed foster family homes, in homes certified by foster family agencies and in group homes. By law, relatives are given preference over other types of placements. All providers of care for these children, except relatives and legal guardians, are studied and licensed by the CDSS, county licensing bureaus, or foster family agencies.

Questions about the state’s foster care programs can be directed to the CDSS at 916/323-2921. Foster care issues are addressed locally by the Ventura County Human Services Agency. For information call 652-7601. For information about independent-living programs in the county, call 654-3416.

A number of private foster care agencies and organizations also care for foster children. Walden Family Services, for example, provides hope to some of the most tragic cases. The organization, in operation for 30 years, serves not only children who have experienced severe neglect, abandonment and physical or sexual abuse, it also helps children who have developmental delays or special health-care needs, require intensive therapy, or may simply be part of a sibling group who want to stay together. The organization serves children who are physically handicapped, emotionally disturbed, autistic and medically fragile – and who have been abused, neglected, abandoned and removed from their homes. Such children typically are the most difficult to place in homes. As of December 2006, Walden had more than 230 specially trained foster families serving more than 330 children. Walden encourages citizens to become foster parents or donate to the cause. Information is available by calling 818/365-3665 or visiting www.waldenfamily.org.

Dental Services
Dental services are available for adults and children, including preventative dental care, examinations and cleanings. Services also include, but are not limited to: X-rays, filings, crowns and bridges, cosmetic dentistry, dentures and orthodontics; root-canal therapy, sealants and bondings, veneers, and gum treatments. Medical plans and payment options are accepted. Discuss these options with your dentist.

Chiropractic Services
Local chiropractors specialize in fast recovery for their patients with arm, elbow, wrist, leg, and neck problems. Varied medical plans are accepted.

Veteran’s Facility
County of Ventura Veteran Service Office
1701 Pacific Avenue, Oxnard 93033, 805/385-6366

Ventura Veteran Office (CalVets Home Loans)
1000 South Hill Road, Suite 112, Ventura, 93003, 805/654-6901

If you need medical service from a Veteran Hospital, you will have to travel to Barstow or Yontville. However, your trip could take less time when the new Chula Vista Veteran Hospital opens this year. Call the County of Ventura Veteran’s Service office for additional information.

Wellness Program
Ventura’s medical facilities offer a variety of healthful living programs — from preventative disease classes to nutrition instruction — that are designed to help you stay healthy. In addition, Ventura County’s walking trails, bike paths, outdoor fitness programs, year-round swimming and clean air provide an environment that encourages invigorating living.

• The Wellness Community 805/379-4777
• A New Start for Mom, Ventura County Human Services 805/385-4114
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
  - 800/342-2437 (English)
  - 800/344-7432 (Spanish)
• Ventura County Mental Health Services 805/652-6737
• WIC Nutrition Program 805/652-5932