Warm Water Wellness

12/11/2025

Exciting news for our warm water community! 💙💦

Sutter Health has installed a gentler saltwater system and added a disability access button at the Mickelson Therapy Pool. These improvements make the pool more comfortable and truly accessible for those who rely on it.

We are grateful for our partnership with Sutter Health and for everyone who continues advocating for this important local resource.

You can read more in our letter to the editor below. 👇🏼

https://www.smdailyjournal.com/opinion/letters_to_editor/thank-you-sutter-health/article_2565355f-3873-4967-8f61-0dbaa9bab16b.html

Editor,
Christmas came early this year for the patrons of the Mickelson Pool at Mills Health Center in San Mateo. Last weekend, Sutter installed a saltwater system in response to community feedback that the preexisting chlorine system was causing skin irritation for many pool users. Salt water is known to be much gentler on the body than chlorine, and we are deeply grateful that Sutter made this meaningful change.

Sutter also recently added a disability access button at the pool entrance. To some, an automatic door may seem like a small upgrade, but for disabled patrons, it is the difference between dependence and independence. It restores dignity. It removes barriers. It says, clearly, that all bodies are welcome.

Warm Water Wellness and our broader community extend heartfelt thanks for the ongoing partnership and responsiveness Sutter Health has shown since the August 2024 reopening. In particular, we are grateful to CEO Darian Harris, VP of Operations Jillian Thomas, Director of Rehabilitation Services Holly Vafi, and Assistant Administrator of Ancillary and Support Services Jennifer Liang. Their willingness to listen, collaborate and thoughtfully implement improvements has made the Mickelson Pool not only functional but truly accessible and therapeutic for those who rely on it.

These changes are more than upgrades; they are acts of care. I encourage everyone in our community to take advantage of this precious local resource. To schedule an orientation, please call (650) 696-4319.

Lindsay Raike
San Mateo

Editor,

08/21/2025

💙 One Year of Healing at the Mickelson Therapy Pool 💙

Michael Schrader, a Warm Water Wellness Board member, holds up his “before” pants (now far too big for him) as a powerful reminder of his 100-pound weight loss, renewed mobility, and regained independence since returning to the Mickelson Therapy Pool.

His story is just one of many. Every day, community members are transformed by warm water therapy — easing pain, improving strength, and reclaiming quality of life.

On this anniversary, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to Sutter Health leadership for making this healing possible by reopening the pool.

Below is the letter our WWW Board sent to Sutter Health to mark this milestone and share our appreciation. ⬇️

August 19, 2025

Mr. Warner Thomas
President and Chief Executive Officer
Sutter Health
2200 River Plaza Drive
Sacramento, CA 95833

Members of the Sutter Health Corporate Board
Sutter Health
2200 River Plaza Drive
Sacramento, CA 95833

Mr. Darian Harris
Chief Executive Officer
Mills-Peninsula Medical Center
1501 Trousdale Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010

Dear Mr. Thomas, Members of the Corporate Board, and Mr. Harris,

The Board of Directors of Warm Water Wellness extends our heartfelt gratitude as we celebrate the one-year anniversary of the reopening of the Mickelson Therapy Pool at Mills Health Center. This milestone is not only a reminder of the pool’s immense value to the community, but also of the dedication and partnership that made it possible.

Your commitment, both in reopening the pool and in making a significant investment to renovate and preserve it, has been transformative for countless individuals. Over the past year, we have especially appreciated the collaborative spirit demonstrated by Vice President of Operations Jillian Thomas and her colleagues at Mills-Peninsula. Their openness to dialogue and responsiveness to community feedback have strengthened the connection between Sutter Health, the Mickelson Therapy Pool patrons, and our organization.

The results of this collaboration are evident every day. For many, the Mickelson Therapy Pool has meant renewed mobility, reduced chronic pain, and a path back to independence. It has also restored hope and created a supportive community where individuals can find healing together. One striking example is our Warm Water Wellness board member Michael Schrader. During the pool’s closure, his health severely declined, leaving him bedridden, requiring supplemental oxygen. Since the reopening, he has regained his mobility, restored his strength, and lost more than 100 pounds—a life-changing turnaround made possible by the therapeutic power of warm water exercise. (See attached photo of Michael with his “before” pants.) His story is just one of many that reflect the pool’s profound physical and emotional impact.

As we mark this anniversary, we celebrate not only the pool itself but the vision and collaboration that brought it back to life. We are deeply grateful for your leadership and commitment, and we look forward to continuing this partnership in the years ahead.

With sincere appreciation,

The Board of Directors
Warm Water Wellness

09/16/2024

Photos and videos from the Mickelson Therapy Pool reopening celebration are now available at warmwaterwellness.org

09/08/2024

https://share.newsbreak.com/8lnejttx

Following extensive renovations by Sutter Health, the Mickelson Arthritis and Rehabilitation Pool located at 75 El Camino Real in San Mateo is open again!. Maintained at around 92 degrees, this is the only ADA accessible, warm water therapy pool in San Mateo County and is available to seniors and di...

08/29/2024

Thanks to your support and encouragement, the Mickelson Therapy Pool is now open! Last month’s ribbon cutting ceremony was very well-attended by county and city dignitaries, former pool users, and community members. It was a very moving occasion.

We are grateful to Sutter for investing over a million dollars to renovate the facility and for hosting such a lovely ceremony that celebrated community collaboration.

Our focus now turns to letting the community know that the pool has reopened. We know from experience that many people, even doctors and medical professionals, are unaware that the pool exists, not to mention the numerous benefits of using a warm water therapy pool.

Please talk to your doctor, physical therapist, etc., about the Mickelson Therapy Pool. Remind them of the benefits of warm water therapy and that access to aquatic therapy resources allows elders to age in place and disabled individuals to maintain their health, independence, and dignity. Aquatic therapy is ideal for adults and children with disabilities, anyone recovering from surgery (especially joint replacement), anyone suffering from arthritis or chronic pain, pregnant women, and many more. The pool also encourages social interaction and enjoyment, decreases feelings of isolation and depression, and creates a sense of well-being.

Alternatively, please send us the names and addresses of your medical professionals, and we’ll contact them directly. Send this information to [email protected]

08/29/2024

Thank you, community! Thank you, Sutter Health! 🙏🏼💙💦

Mickelson, an ADA-compliant San Mateo therapy pool, has reopened its doors following extensive renovations by Sutter Health.

08/10/2024

Please join us on Tuesday, August 20th for the reopening of the remodeled Mickelson Therapy Pool. Sutter Health will be hosting a ceremony and ribbon cutting at 10am in front of the pool entrance (75 S. El Camino Real, San Mateo.) You and your friends are welcome to attend and help celebrate this momentous occasion!

In order to use the pool, you need to:

Sign up for a pool orientation at https://millspeninsula.ivolunteer.com

Complete a membership application at https://www.sutterhealth.org/find-location/facility/mack-e-mickelson-arthritis-rehabilitation-pool

Pay the membership fee of $50

Obtain a letter of clearance (provider pool letter) from your doctor's office. A template of the letter can be found athttps://www.sutterhealth.org/pdf/for-patients/mpmc-provider-pool-letter.pdf

Information on the reopening ceremony can be found at https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/mickelson-center/

Questions? Let us know.

August 7, 2024 Announcing the Mack E. Mickelson Arthritis and Rehabilitation therapy pool grand reopening ceremony and special community swim day. Grand reopening ceremony Tuesday, August 20, 2024 from 10:00 am to 10:30 am. 10:00 – 10:20 am – remarks in front of the pool entrance (75 S. El Camin...

07/10/2024

SAVE THE DATE! August 20th
Ribbon cutting ceremony at the Mickelson Center 🎀✂️

06/20/2024

Another exciting step forward!

The Mickelson therapy pool was recently filled with water in preparation for its early August 2024 reopening! 🙏💦

05/19/2024

LIFEGUARDS NEEDED 🛟🏊‍♀️

Sutter Health is currently onboarding staff in preparation for the July reopening of the therapy pool in San Mateo. They are having a hard time finding lifeguards and have asked us to help spread the word. Please pass along this job posting to anyone who may be interested.

Learn more about applying for Lifeguard II at Sutter Health

02/17/2024

In case you missed our recent Change.org update:
https://www.change.org/p/save-the-mack-e-mickelson-arthritis-and-rehabilitation-center-pool/u/32350898

Groundbreaking at Mickelson: an exciting step forward!

On January 6, 2024, Warm Water Wellness and Supervisor David Canepa held a press conference to celebrate the start of repairs for the Mickelson therapy pool, and it was a day to remember!

Among the speakers and attendees were Sutter executives and elected leaders from across San Mateo County, including San Mateo County Supervisor David Canepa, San Mateo County Supervisor Noelia Corzo, San Mateo Mayor Lisa Diaz Nash, San Mateo Deputy Mayor Rob Newsom, Millbrae Councilmember/former Mayor Gina Papan, Mills-Peninsula Medical Center (MPMC) CEO Darian Harris, and MPMC Administrative Director of Ancillary Services and Clinical Service Lines Jillian Thomas.

CEO Harris reiterated Sutter’s commitment to reopening the Mickelson pool. Local elected leaders in attendance delivered heartfelt remarks regarding the importance of Mickelson to the community. Warm Water Wellness CEO Lindsay Raike spoke of the multi-year journey we’ve all been on and thanked the thousands of supporters who made this day possible. And as a special treat, the Raging Grannies led us in a spirited sing-a-long of “Bring Back the Mickelson Pool!”

We were encouraged to see that renovations had already begun, as evidenced by the many workers, pool repair trucks and other equipment that filled the parking lot and pool area.

Local news affiliates ABC and NBC covered the event; the segments are available on our press page at https://warmwaterwellness.org/ You can check out photos and videos from the celebration in our Warm Water Wellness website photo gallery. We were pleased to see that Sutter also covered the event at https://vitals.sutterhealth.org/mickelson-center/

While we are thrilled that Sutter is in the process of renovating the pool for a July 2024 reopening, our advocacy efforts are not finished. In particular, CEO Raike will be meeting monthly with MPMC executive Jillian Thomas to monitor the progress of pool renovations and also to continue to lobby for community concerns such as operating hours and pool temperature.

We are so grateful to the many elected officials and passionate supporters who have worked tirelessly and contributed to the effort to reopen Mickelson. Thank you to Sutter for listening to the community. It has been a long three years, and the January groundbreaking felt like a major step forward!

We can’t wait for the BIG DAY in July when all those who have been suffering needlessly during the extended closure can get back into that restorative, warm water and begin healing again!

02/14/2024

https://localnewsmatters.org/2024/01/18/renovations-underway-at-mickelson-center-warm-water-therapy-pool-in-san-mateo/

Officials broke ground earlier this month on a long anticipated project to reopen the warm water therapy pool at Mickelson Center in San Mateo. The Jan. 6