Longtime local physician joins Adventist Health as hospitalist

Starting this month, patients being admitted to Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley will be welcomed by a familiar face.

Longtime Tehachapi family medicine physician Dr. Susan Hall is now serving as a hospitalist for Adventist Health Tehachapi Valley, hospital president Jeff Lingerfelt announced this month.

Hall began her new role May 1; however, it isn't her first time serving with Adventist Health. She started her career in 2000 as a resident at Adventist Health Glendale in Southern California.

"I feel really comfortable coming back," Hall said. "I know they have a good mission, and I think they're going to benefit our community greatly."

As hospitalist, Hall will be in charge of admitting and caring for hospital patients, while continuing to serve as director of long-term care.

Hall moved to Tehachapi from the San Fernando Valley more than 15 years ago to open her private family practice, where three generations of Halls have worked. Hall's two adult children, John and Lydia, have both worked the front desk; and her mother, Diane Elderson, who spent her career in the medical field, performs clerical work.

"We have three generations going here," said Hall, who will maintain her practice.

During her time in Tehachapi, Hall has served as long-term care director for the Tehachapi hospital, volunteered on several medical staff committees and sat on the Tehachapi Valley Healthcare District board for six years.

She earned her bachelor's in philosophy and pre-med in 1995 from University of California, Los Angeles, then graduated from University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine in 2000.

She and her husband, Jonathan, are avid hikers and enjoy volunteering at the Renaissance Pleasure Faire, where they met years ago.

Adventist Health is a faith-based, nonprofit integrated health system serving more than 75 communities in California, Hawaii, Oregon and Washington. Our workforce of 32,900 includes more than 23,600 employees; nearly 5,000 medical staff physicians; and 4,350 volunteers. Founded on Seventh-day Adventist heritage and values, Adventist Health provides compassionate care in 20 hospitals, more than 260 clinics (hospital-based, rural health and physician clinics), 15 home care agencies, seven hospice agencies and four joint-venture retirement centers. In addition, the Adventist Health Plan serves patients in Kings County. Visit AdventistHealth.org for more information.