Whether you're admitted to a hospital for a planned procedure or an unexpected one, the comfort of feeling cared for like family is invaluable. At Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, you’ll not only receive care that feels like family, you may also be cared for by members of the same family.
Long before Providence Health & Services acquired Tarzana Hospital in 2008, the Baca family has been devoted to delivering compassionate care to the San Fernando Valley community. Ralph Baca, M.D., associate medical director of the emergency department at Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center, joined the hospital in 1991, setting in motion a family legacy.
For Dr. Baca, Tarzana is not just where he dedicates his time to his patients but also where he entrusts his family’s care. “Tarzana is not just where I took my wife to give birth to our children; it is also where my parents received care,” he shares. “It has come full circle for me, both professionally and personally. That's why I'm involved with the Providence Tarzana Foundation — to give back to a place that has given so much to me.”
Beyond encouraging his family to receive care at the hospital, he has also inspired a legacy with his close family friend, cousin and daughter choosing to work alongside him. From direct patient care roles to managing phones and patient surveys, the Baca family occupies various positions.
Rosa Bisellach, emergency department nurse manager, first met Dr. Baca as a premed student at California State University Northridge. After losing her housing due to the 1994 Northridge earthquake, Dr. Baca opened his home to affected students, including Rosa, who moved in and helped care for his newborn daughter, Jasmin. Rosa quickly became family and was honored with the title of godmother to Jasmin. Working at Tarzana as a unit secretary between classes, she was inspired by the emergency room nurses and switched her major from premed to nursing.
Three decades later, Rosa continues to work alongside Dr. Baca in the emergency department. “I love working with Dr. Baca because he’s a humanitarian at heart,” Rosa says. “Whether he’s caring for my family, fellow caregivers or emergency room patients, he is respectful of all and takes the time to really listen to them.”
Fabiola Medina, PBX operator, regularly hears about Dr. Baca’s impact on his patients. His cousin through marriage, she joined Tarzana over a decade ago after he encouraged her to apply, following a career in communications. "It's a good feeling when I receive calls from previous patients wanting to thank Dr. Baca, knowing he is part of my family," Fabiola says.
Last, but certainly not least, is Dr. Baca’s daughter, Jasmin, a quality analyst born at Tarzana who began as a volunteer at the hospital a decade ago. Inspired by her father to pursue a career in health care, she studied health care administration in college and graduate school.
Working alongside her father, aunt and godmother, she is motivated by the compassion they share. “There’s a lot of benefits to working with family in an organization,” she says. “Everyone brings unique skills and we’re able to collaborate well together. Tarzana feels like a second home.”
This multi-generational commitment to providing compassionate care exemplifies the profound impact of familial dedication on community health and well-being. Through their unwavering dedication, the Baca family continues to inspire future generations, fostering a culture of empathy, excellence and integrity that defines the spirit of Providence Cedars-Sinai Tarzana Medical Center.
The Baca family's dedication to providing compassionate care ensures that patients experience the warmth and support of being cared for like family. Their support for each other and their fellow caregivers enriches the hospital's culture and helps make it a nurturing environment that serves the community's health and well-being.
The Baca family represents one of countless others, both blood and chosen, who work alongside each other to make an impact. If you would like your family’s story to be featured, please contact stephanie.guizar@providence.org.
