GOLETA VALLEY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL'S SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE COMMUNITY

Firsts - Timeline

1966           GVCH became the first general practice‑oriented hospital in Santa Barbara.

1968          GVCH was the first hospital to allow fathers in the delivery room for the birth of their child: also in that year, GVCH was the first hospital to accept dentists on the medical staff.

1969          GVCH built the first, and to this day only, heliport to service an area hospital. This capability provides emergency medical rescue for off‑shore and backcountry accident victims.

1971   GVCH installed the first biplane heart catheterization laboratory, enabling a 2‑angle view for heart procedures.

1972   GVCH built the county's first pulmonary laboratory to diagnose and treat upper respiratory diseases; installed first echocardiography equipment to diagnose heart problems using sound waves; and was the first local hospital to use the intra‑aortic balloon pump, an inflatable device the assists the heart's own activity by increasing the pressure.

1974   GVCH developed the first Paramedic Training Base in the county.

1977   GVCH remodeled its maternity ward and designed the area's first birth rooms, where both labor and delivery take place in the same, home‑like room.

1978   GVCH was the first hospital in the county to allow fathers to attend births by C-section.

1980   A GVCH surgeon conducted the first bilio-pancreatic bypass surgery for the treatment of morbid obesity; later that year, a GVCH cardiologist did the first PTCA (plaque squashing procedure with the use of balloon angioplasty).

1981   GVCH became the first hospital to use Streptokinase to dissolve blood clots in heart attack victims.

1984   GVCH built the area's first fully‑equipped Laser laboratory.

1986   GVCH developed the only comprehensive Occupational Health Center, catering to the medical needs of industries within Santa Barbara County.

1987  GVCH developed VIP Advantage, the only hospital‑based senior health program, providing discounted services, health screenings and educational lectures for the over 55 community.

1988   GVCH was the first hospital on the Central Coast to perform bypass-supported balloon angioplasty, later that year, another first in cardiology was balloon valvuloplasty.

GVCH became the first area hospital to respond to bioethical issues facing health care by establishing a medical bioethics committee and affiliating with the Pace Institute for Bioethical Studies.

1989   GVCH was chosen as one of three sites in California and the only in Santa Barbara to participate in a study using Photo Dynamic Therapy (the drug Photofrin in combination with the argon-dye laser) in treating cancer.

GVCH started the Guest Weekend program, a first for Southern California, providing respite for caregivers and a social weekend away for the frail adult‑filling a unique need in the community.

GVCH started the Home Visit Program in the Birth Center. Unique to the area, it is offered free of charge to all postpartum patients a few days after they leave the hospital.

1990   GVCH is the first and only hospital in the area to switch to using cloth diapers in its Birth Center.

1991   GVCH opened the first and only comprehensive Breast Care Center on the Central Coast‑offering all services from low‑cost mammography screening to breast surgery.

1993   GVCH installed the Cardiac Fitness Course, Cardiac Cruisers exercise group was created for those over 55.

1994          GVCH opened the Transitional Care Unit, for patients still needing care but not to the extent provided in an acute care setting.