Alice Adams Addison, Ph.D.

Tell us about yourself and your history with Arroyo Grande Community Hospital.

My late husband Tony moved to Arroyo Grande in 1972 and I joined him when we were married in 1973. I retired as a foreign language teacher in the community in 2011. Tony and I have had several personal experiences with the services provided by our hospital. Through our experiences I can say the doctors are outstanding,the staff is kind, and everything about this hospital radiates positive energy.

What is it about the work that we do that made you decide to give?

Tony passed away from cancer ten years ago and I am a cancer survivor, so I try to connect with things in our community that gave us good experiences. Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation is a core gift area because we both experienced such wonderful medical care here. If you can say there is a happy hospital, this is a happy hospital.

As someone that has provided ongoing support to Arroyo Grande Community Hospital Foundation, why do you feel it is important to support healthcare in our community?

Sometimes it may be our age that makes us realize the importance of healthcare, but having healthcare for all ages in the community, close to home, is what makes Arroyo Grande Community Hospital the best. It is wonderful not to need to leave the area for our hospital needs. The nurturing, happy feeling we get is in this hospital – it feels like home. We got to know Dr. Eddie Hayashi, who is the perfect example of the hospital staff being raised in this area and caring about the people here. That’s the real meaning of the word community.

You have mainly supported the Legacy Campaign with your contributions – what interests you about this campaign?

Both the Emergency Department and expanded cancer care services are very important to me. The nature of this hospital – its consistent growth– is amazing. Through the years, the physical facility has improved greatly and the staff, which is the heart of the hospital, has always been very good.

What are your hopes for the future of Arroyo Grande Community Hospital?

I hope Arroyo Grande Community Hospital will continue to grow in our community with the same level of excellent doctors and services as it keeps up with the latest medical technology. The hospital has fostered a relationship with our community, and I hope the community continues its support.