Ernie and Kay Hodges
They say that “when you know, you know,” and that certainly is true of Ernie and Kay Hodges, longtime Woodland residents and steadfast supporters of Woodland Healthcare Foundation. The two serendipitously met on a blind date in Washington D.C., where they both worked at the time. “February 8, 1980,” Ernie quickly and easily recalls the exact date, and laughs about how the person who suggested the meeting to him was a fellow carpool passenger–barely an acquaintance. Happily married for 42 years, Kay says with a smile, “And here we are!” “Here we are,” Ernie agrees.
Just over a year after their momentous blind date, Ernie, originally from North Carolina, and Kay, who hails from Indiana, married and soon moved to Sacramento, where they happily settled. In the early 1990s Ernie became the CEO of Sacramento Valley Farm Credit, which supported rural communities and the agricultural industry with financial services. The Hodges decided to relocate to Woodland to be immersed in the community and close to the farmers Ernie’s company served. Ernie (who affectionately refers to his wife as “the Queen”, “the Supreme Commander”, or “Madam Hodges”) notes that because of the relocation, Kay braved a daily 140-mile commute to Stockton for her work as Vice President of Human Resources for Bank of Stockton.
“It is important to be involved in the community, so soon after our move, I joined Woodland Healthcare Foundation and after 24 years, including a three-year stint as Board Chairman, I’m still here.”
“We’re not native Woodlanders, but we have established roots in our 30 years here. All the baristas and cashiers around town know us and our dog. I take her for a walk every day and people say ‘Hello, Belle!’ to her.” Ernie notes. Kay adds, “I love it here because of our friends and neighbors. This is a community where people care about each other.”
The Hodges have been consistent and generous donors to the Foundation. When asked why they give, Ernie says, “Trusted, local healthcare is so important, especially as we age. Since the day we moved here, Woodland Healthcare has delivered top-notch medical
care.”
Kay adds, “Woodland Healthcare provides excellent care and services–and it’s convenient! Why go back and forth to Sacramento? We have quality here. You can avoid the stress of driving, which can take anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.”
In their 30 years of giving to Woodland Healthcare Foundation, the Hodges have supported many different departments and initiatives, including the Family Birth Center, Surgical Services, the Emergency Department, Advanced Imaging, and many more–and base their funding
decisions on current needs of the hospital and clinics.
Most recently, the Hodges made a generous gift to support the Orthopedics Department. Explains Ernie, “I’ve had a fractured humerus, a fractured femur, a fractured collarbone, three fractured ribs, and nine trigger finger surgeries. In orthopedics, their job is to keep me healthy, especially with aging, and they’re doing a pretty great job of that.” He adds, “Everyone will have a need for orthopedic care at some point in their lives, and by giving to this department, we’re helping our friends and neighbors benefit from local care.”
After almost 25 years as a Board member, Ernie has no immediate plans to retire from his volunteerism as a trustee. With great affection for Kay he explains, “Quite simply, the Queen doesn’t let me. She prefers I have a diversion. In addition, I’m stubborn enough to believe I can make a positive contribution to the Board and Woodland Healthcare.”
“We’ve been blessed, there’s no question,” Kay notes, describing their blind date and the decades that have followed. Ernie and Kay, all of us in Woodland who have benefited from your friendship, leadership, and generosity know that because of you, the blessings have been ours. Thank you for your humankindness to Woodland Healthcare Foundation and our community!