July 2, 2004

Herman Sanitarium celebrates 60th birthday

By Christina Burke
Special to the Times

“When we were growing up there, we had strawberry patches out in front. The facility was surrounded by prune, peach and cherry trees and vegetable gardens,” Robert (Bob) Sollis recollected.

In 1944, Sollis’ parents, Sophia Herman Sollis and Paul Sollis bought a piece of property in Willow Glen for $28,000. They turned the Badger Rest Home into the Herman Sanitarium and began their work.

In 1926, Edith Badger built a small facility on 2.5 acres on, what is now, Plummer Avenue. After its purchase by the Sollis’ the 17- bed accommodations slowly grew to house 99. It is now strictly an Alzheimer’s facility for the elderly.

Bob became the CEO of the sanitarium shortly after Sophia’s death in 1995. Bob and his wife Natalie, along with residents, current and past staff, family and friends celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Herman Sanitarium on June 27.

The weekend involved a lot of reminiscing.
Palm House, the original building, was over 139 years old when it was torn down in 1962 and replaced by Gertrude Hall. The same year, a new kitchen and seven private rooms were constructed.

Sophia worked as a registered nurse and Paul controlled the cooking and maintenance. “After caring for her parents at home,” Bob explained, “she thought this would be a good way to serve the community.” Sophia was the sole owner of the sanitarium until she passed away in 1994. Ownership was then passed into the Sophia Sollis and Paul David Sollis Trust which is administered by an attorney.

The Herman Sanitarium continues as a family-run business. In 1972, Bob studied and became a licensed nursing home administrator Natalie worked as the environmental resource manager until her retirement. Their daughter, Cynthia Adams is the current environmental service manager and also the medical records assistant. Bob plans to pass the title of CEO to Adams one day.

The sanitarium employs 100 staff members, 35 of which have worked at the facility for over five years. Margarita Villegas, Ata Leota and Martha Osegueda have each been employed for over 30 years.

Osegueda is a licensed vocational nurse. She oversees staff and deals with medications, X-rays, labs and doctors. “I love my patients and the staff.” Osegueda explained, “I plan on staying here until I drop dead or I get Alzheimer’s. I already have my room picked out: room five—it has a window.”

Medical director Ernest Thomas, has no plans to leave either. After 40 years of practice in San Jose, Thomas began work at the sanitarium two years ago. He is the fourth medical director that the sanitarium has employed in 60 years.

“Everybody loves Dr. Thomas,” Bob commented. “He gave a talk a while back on Alzheimer’s and we invited family members. It was very well received.”

The sanitarium organizes a lot for the residents to do. They go “shopping, to the pizza place, to the fair, to the pumpkin patch and to get Christmas trees,” Bob explained. “I have played Santa Claus for the employees and residents for upwards of 35 to 40 years.”

The sanitarium has provided a residence for people in our community suffering from Alzheimer’s. District Nine Councilwoman Judy Chirco commented on the “wonderfully homelike setting” of the sanitarium. “I wish them continued success in caring for the part of our community in need of this wonderful place.”

The celebration gave the staff and family a chance to reflect on the 60 years of service that the Herman Sanitarium has afforded to Willow Glen. “[My mother] was my mentor and she taught me everything I knew,” Bob explained. “I dedicate this day in memory of Sophia Herman Sollis and Paul David Sollis that their vision and dream lives on today.”

Christina Burke will be a senior this fall at Presentation High School, next door to the sanitarium.