Kaiser Permanente stands against domestic violence, remembers victims

It is a small fountain, attached to a wall in a lower-level walkway at the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center. The walkway joins the hospital building and the medical office structure, and the quiet fountain with mini bamboo growing in it memorializes 3 domestic violence tragedies to medical professionals that affected the Northern California medical center between 1999 and 2003.
In 1999, an ex-boyfriend killed Optical Services worker Lisa Munoz. In 2001, her ex-husband gunned down Dr. Cassandra Floyd on the family’s porch as her mother watched and 4-year-old daughter slept inside. In 2003, Medical Education coordinator Stephanie Rodriguez was killed by her husband.
“Their profession was to be aware of victims. Their deaths show it can happen to anyone,” said a Kaiser Permanente physician at the dedication of the tiny fountain in 2006.
A few miles away, at the Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center, a small stone in a rose garden plot memorializes Dr. Floyd, who often split her time between the two hospitals. She and the others are not forgotten.
Kaiser Permanente in Northern California has long worked to identify domestic violence victims and try to end the cycle of domestic violence. Caregivers look for signs. For several years, a powerful large-scale photo display of domestic violence victims called “Silent Witness” has traveled through the region’s 21 medical centers.
Now, Kaiser Permanente stands proudly among more than 15 organizations nationwide raising awareness about sexual assault and domestic violence during NO MORE Week, March 8–14.
Since 2013, Kaiser Permanente has supported NO MORE in its mission to end sexual assault and domestic violence. NO MORE Week is a national effort to engage individuals and organizations to make domestic violence and sexual assault awareness and prevention a priority year-round.
“As a physician, I have seen firsthand the devastating effect domestic violence and sexual assault has on physical health, mental health and overall well-being,” said Brigid McCaw, MD, with Kaiser Permanente’s Family Violence Prevention Program. “This is why it’s so important that all health care providers and systems like Kaiser Permanente stand up and say, ‘No More.’”
Kaiser Permanente has supported NO MORE through $375,000 in contributions and was recognized by Peace Over Violence in 2014 for its long-standing commitment to ending domestic violence, and for its support and leadership in the NO MORE campaign.
“Ending domestic violence and sexual assault is essential to the health of our members and the communities we serve,” said Raymond J. Baxter, PhD, senior vice president, Community Benefit, Research and Health Policy at Kaiser Permanente. “We’re proud to stand among the organizations advocating for awareness and prevention of this critical community and public health issue.”
NO MORE Week kicks off with a series public service announcements from Vice President Joe Biden and actress Mariska Hargitay encouraging viewers to get involved in the campaign. Throughout the week, NO MORE will host more than 50 events, including fundraisers for local service providers, education workshops and fundraisers.
At the Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center, memorial photos of Lisa Munoz, Dr.Cassandra Floyd, and Stephanie Rodriguez were posted in a medical center reception area.
More information about NO MORE Week can be found at www.nomore.com/nomoreweek2015.