Hope and Pride on the Coast

Body and Soul
Every patient touches the hearts of the Seton Coastside staff in different ways, but few leave as unique an impression as Ron Divino. Admitted last September after suffering a severe stroke that left him without the use of his left hand, the 54-year-old San Francisco resident underwent an intensive course of physical and occupational therapy. “The turning point in his treatment,” says Social Worker Dawn Fitzpatrick, MSW,“was when we helped Ron reconnect with his passion: as a unique and spiritual artist.”

Divino’s gift is indeed uncommon. He is a rock balancer—an artist who creates sculptures out of carefully poised rocks—and Fitzpatrick encouraged him to pursue his art at Seton Coastside, even with just one hand. “That was when the cloud lifted,” she says. “His life had been drastically altered by the stroke, and we gave him a wonderful new start. When he walked out of Coastside, he was independent, motivated, and confident.”

Divino left a legacy of rock sculptures on Seton Coastside’s patio, but even more profound is the connection he made with everyone he met there. “Everybody at Seton Coastside was warm-hearted and embracing,” says Divino. “I call them my guardian angels.”

It's a Wrap
Seton Coastside’s efforts to reduce waste—and send less garbage to our overburdened landfills—were recently honored by the California Integrated Waste Management Board with one of the 2006 WOTY (WRAP of the Year) award. This annual award, part of the statewide Waste Reduction Awards Program, or WRAP, recognized five California businesses that are standard-bearers in waste reduction.

“We are honored to be recognized out of 1,200 other California businesses as best examples of waste management models within our industry,” says Becky Clark, Manager of Support Services at Seton Coastside. In the past, Seton Coastside has been recognized many times for its eco-friendly commitment to recycling and reducing paper consumption.