Press

October 6, 2006
Sharp Grossmont Hospital Honors Beloved San Diego Tribal Leader
Mural and Sculpture Commemorate $1 Million Barona Gift to Fund Cardiovascular Technology

(SAN DIEGO, CA) October 6 —  Sharp Grossmont Hospital officials and East County community leaders joined the Barona Band of Mission Indians to unveil a mural and sculpture in honor of the Tribe’s late Vice Chairman Donald “Tiny” LaChappa who unexpectedly passed away one year ago this month. The Tribe donated $1 million in his memory to support the expansion of Sharp Grossmont’s Cardiac and Endovascular Services.  
 
“We are thrilled that Tiny’s memory will live on at Sharp Grossmont,” said Rhonda Welch Scalco, chairwoman of the Barona Band of Mission Indians.  “Sharp Grossmont’s medical professionals have always provided the very best medical care to East County residents, My Uncle Tiny grew up in East County and he often reminded us of the hospital’s care for our tribal members before we could afford to take care of ourselves.  The hospital is driven by a true spirit of community and we share that spirit, as did Tiny.”
 
To memorialize the contribution, Sharp commissioned two noted artists to create one-of-a-kind pieces for the ICU atrium on the second level of the hospital's new emergency and critical care center. Well known Southern-California based muralist Marshall Hall created a wall painting of LaChappa on the Tribe’s original reservation, Capitan Grande. He is overlooking the reservation from a place known as “Ant Hill”.  The scenic spot was favored by LaChappa as a place of peace and reflection.  The Capitan Grande reservation was the home of his ancestors until they agreed to move in 1932 to help a growing San Diego build the giant Capitan Grande water reservoir.  Local artist Diane Keltner of the Hillcrest art studio Art Now and Then, and a member of the Sharp Grossmont Hospital Foundation board of governors, created a bronze bust in the likeness of LaChappa.
 
“Barona’s one million dollar gift in honor of Tiny LaChappa will enable us to advance our battle against all cardiovascular disease,” said Michele Tarbet, Sharp Grossmont Hospital CEO.  “This tribute to Tiny in our facility will serve as a beautiful reminder of both the Tribe’s generosity and the important historic friendship Barona and Sharp have enjoyed over the years.
 
About the Barona Band of Mission Indians
The Barona Band of Mission Indians has lived in Southern California for over 5,000 years and the Barona Indian Reservation since 1932.  The Tribe was once a semi-nomadic band that traveled across Southern California in tune with the seasons and what nature provided.  It is now a sovereign government operating Barona Valley Ranch Resort & Casino, San Diego’s premier luxury resort and casino.

About Sharp Grossmont Hospital
Sharp Grossmont Hospital is the largest, non-for-profit, full-service acute care hospital in San Diego’s East County and part of Sharp HealthCare, San Diego’s most comprehensive health-care delivery system. The hospital is known for its outstanding programs in emergency and critical care, cardiac care, surgery, stroke care, orthopedics, rehabilitation, behavioral health, women’s and children’s health and hospice care. Extensive outpatient services and prevention programs such as home infusion, sleep disorder care, wound care and hyperbaric medicine are also offered in support of Sharp HealthCare’s emphasis on health and wellness.