2009 Fall HealthQuest

A publ icat ion of SK AGI T VA L L EY HOSPI TA L Ne ws , Educat ion and Phi l anthropy

FALL 2009

Pediatric program enhances care for children in hospital

#1 in Washingtonfor coronary interventions

The Breast Institute brings team approach to cancer care

Cancer center welcomesnew physician, latest technology

Awards, Accolades and Accreditations: Skagit Valley Hospital garners honors

Care for kids:

2 SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s, are examples of Skagit Valley Hospital’s progressive

plan to bring the latest in technology and care to the patients of our communities.

In addition, Skagit Valley Hospital is partnering with many organizations in our community to enhance care, services and wellness programs. We are proud to have the new Sea Mar Community Health Centers

clinic here at Skagit Valley Hospital to expand primary care services in our community. We are working with mental health leaders and providers to enhance services for all ages and acuity. And, we have an initiative to promote wellness and nutrition among children. We also welcome the Veterans Administration to the hospital’s campus as the new Community Based Outpatient Clinic recently opened in the building occupied by our Regional Cancer Care Center.

Skagit Valley Hospital’s outstanding staff and physicians have garnered numerous awards, accolades and accreditations for this good work and I invite you to look at pages 20 and 21 for a sampling of these honors and acknowledgments of our quality care.

In total, our commitment to quality care; our proactive approach to economic challenges; our focus on continued growth; our community partnerships and honors all reflect on our mission “to serve our communities with compassion and dignity, one patient at a time.”

— GrEGG AGuSTín DAVIDSOn, FACHE Chief Executive Officer

Health care is certainly hitting the front page lately as a myriad of ideas sweep across the country and leaders seek reform, cost savings and efficiencies.

With a clear focus on safe, quality patient care, Skagit Valley Hospital’s Board of Commissioners and leaders are closely watching the nation’s dialogue to work proactively to meet the challenges posed by changes in state and federal budgets and policies. Meanwhile, it is essential for Skagit Valley Hospital to continue to follow the solid business plan that has brought financial strength, growth, new technology and excellence in patient care to this public district hospital.

Yes, the economic downturn has caused the hospital to make difficult adjustments and trim budgets. However, by meeting the challenges early and head on, the hospital remains in a strong financial position, with a stable bond rating from Moody’s Investors Service and a positive bottom line. And the hospital’s performance on state and federal quality indicators continues to improve as physicians and staff work together to ensure safe, quality care.

The hospital has consistently shown an ability to advance to meet the changing needs of a growing and aging community. In fact, Skagit Valley Hospital is among the fastest growing hospitals in the state and recently became the state’s third largest district hospital. Our growth features recruitment of new physicians, including highly skilled specialists, and adding new technology and programs to positively position the hospital for the future and care for the needs of our patients. Our new cardiac catheterization lab and world-class radiation oncology equipment and partnership with the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, including Fred Hutchinson

F r o m g r E g g ’ s d E s k

See page 25 for details.

skagit valley hospital foundation

Call the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation Office at 360-814-5747 for ticket and event information.

Community DaysSaturday, Nov. 28, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Sunday, Nov. 29, 10 a.m. –2 p.m.

New Festival EventSaturday, Nov. 28, 7 p.m.

Proceeds benefit Behavioral Health Care Services

at Skagit Valley Hospital

Title Sponsor

Proactive planning essential in challenging times

FALL2009 3

HealthQuest is published three times a year by Skagit Valley Hospital in Mount Vernon and the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation.

FALL 2009 / VoLume 6 / ISSuE 3

W H E r E T o F I N d U s

In Person:Main entrance located on Hospital Parkway in Mount Vernon.

By Mail:P.O. Box 1376Mount Vernon, WA 98273Phone: 360-424-4111Fax: 360-814-2416

On the Web:www.skagitvalleyhospital.org

CAMAnO COMMunITYHEALTH CLInIC127 N. East Camano DriveCamano Island360-387-5398

Physician referral Line:360-848-5555or 360-629-5850

SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL rEGIOnAL CAnCEr CArE CEnTErIn Person:307 South 13th St., Ste. 100Mount Vernon, WA

By Mail:P.O. Box 1376Mount Vernon, WA 98273Phone: 360-814-2146Fax: 360-814-2445

SKAGIT VALLEY KIDnEY CEnTEr AnD WOunD HEALInG CEnTEr208 Hospital ParkwayMount Vernon360-814-2184

For additional copies or more information, contact Health Education Coordinator Linda Wright at 360-814-2325 or Director of Marketing Kari Ranten at 360-814-2370 or go to our Web site at www.skagitvalleyhospital.org

C O V E R P H O T OPediatrician Esen Zentner, MD is among the group of physicians providing enhanced care to children by serving as pediatric hospitalists at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Photo by Linda Wright

I N E V E R Y I S S U E

4 Pediatric hospitalists Physicians enhance quality care for newborns, hospitalized children with new program.

6 State-of-the-art laboratory Physician brings expertise, facility concept from world-renowned Cleveland Clinic

8 Latest technology in cancer fight Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center adds advanced technology, treatment right here, close to home

9 Oncologist joins cancer team Medical oncologist brings comprehensive approach, focus on research to benefit patients

15 VA, Sea Mar open new clinics Skagit Valley Hospital is proud to welcome the new VA outpatient clinic and Sea Mar Community Health Center

20 Awards & Accreditations Skagit Valley Hospital earns honors for quality and service

22 SVH Foundation

28 HealthQuest Classes Stanwood & Camano Island

30 HealthQuest Classes Mount Vernon

38 Hospital Services

39 HealthQuest Class Registration

46

20

8159


Pediatric hospitalist program enhances access, quality

ABOVE: Skagit Valley Medical Center Pediatrician Dr. Barbara Geraghty checks on one-day old Ileah Peterson4 SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

FALL2009 5

With the enhanced training, space dedicated to caring for children on the Medical and Pediatric Care floor and the hospitalist program, higher acuity patients are able to stay at the hospital, closer to home and family.

“The families like it too. Being here and being available to patients is reassuring. Some patients can stay here at Skagit because we’re here,” Dr. Geraghty said.

“The whole comfort level of staff, doctors and the parents, just knowing a pediatrician is around, allows us to treat more patients locally,” Dr. Levine said. “It allows us a little more time to really talk to parents.”

New mom Xica Peterson of Mount Vernon said she was pleased to have a pediatrician in the hospital when her first child, Ileah Faith Harrison Peterson, arrived nearly three weeks early in June.

“It’s been really great,” Peterson said. “She came 20 days early and we didn’t even have a pediatrician picked out yet. It’s been very helpful to have regular visits by the doctor to check on her.”

From attending potentially complicated deliveries in the Family Birth Center to assessing an injured child in the Emergency Department, pediatric hospitalists are on duty at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Since February, pediatricians from the area’s two pediatric practices, Skagit Pediatrics and Skagit Valley Medical Center (SVMC), have rotated at the hospital, available from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and on call during overnight and weekend hours.

The physicians’ presence in the hospital provides quick access for patients, a resource for nurses and a focus on providing quality pediatric care.

“We made the decision to keep as many of our pediatric patients here in our community and continue to enhance our staff’s clinical expertise as well as the patient and family experience,” said Jan Iverson, RN, MS, Skagit Valley Hospital’s Chief Nurse Executive.

The program has garnered positive feedback from the start.

“This has been so wonderful. We are able to provide more timely care for our patients, we are not going back and forth from the clinic to the hospital, we’re here and more readily available,” said SVMC Pediatrician Barbara Geraghty, MD.

“Providing the highest quality of patient care is the ultimate goal,” said Pediatrician Rick Levine, MD of Skagit Pediatrics who, along with Dr. Geraghty, championed formation of the pediatric hospitalist service.

Skagit Valley Hospital has offered a 24/7 acute care hospitalist program for adult patients since 2005. This is part of a national trend to have internal medicine specialists providing primary care to hospital patients. After discharge, the patient returns to their primary care physician – who has been kept informed and involved during the hospital stay – for follow-up visits and care. The same concept now applies to pediatric patients.

“With a hospitalist program, the physicians in the office can stay and do their job and see patients while the physician in the hospital can see babies and children who are hospitalized and those who come through the ER,” Iverson said.

“I like not having to run between the clinic and the hospital. That benefits both my clinic patients and, for those in the hospital, I can spend more time and don’t have to rush,” said Pediatrician Esen Zentner, MD of Skagit Pediatrics.

Having a pediatrician in the hospital weekdays is helpful to staff and patients alike.

“We’ve seen a tremendous difference,” said Pat Proctor, RN, MSN, Director of the Family Birth Center. “They are just right here, we can discuss things with them if you have concerns about a baby and there is no delay, no

waiting. It’s been really good to have them here.”

Another benefit is the ability of the physicians to assist with

education and training for nurses offered during “baby grand rounds” on the floors.

“The nurses have really gotten to know the doctors and that rapport helps improve the quality of care patient’s receive,” said Tammy Spohn, Director of the Medical and Pediatric Care unit. “We are committed to having every core staff member competent in taking care of a variety of pediatric cases.”

Dr. Levine notes that the rounds, which allow nurses and the doctor to discuss a specific case or learn more about a procedure, is the best way to teach.

“We can show the nurses what we’re doing and why we’re doing it,” he said. “The more experience the nurses get, the better they feel about it. It’s a nice collaboration. It’s good for the hospital, good for our practice and good for the patients.”

rIGHT: Dr. Esen Zentner reviews a chart with a nurse in the Family Birth Center.

FALL2009 5


Skagit Valley Hospital has received a top five-star rating for the quality of its coronary interventional procedures and ranks best (#1) in Washington for coronary interventional procedures in ratings for 2009 by HealthGrades, the healthcare ratings company.

“Skagit Valley Hospital is extremely proud of these ratings as they reflect the commitment of our staff, providers and board to providing high-quality care to our patients,” said Gregg Davidson, Chief Executive Officer. “We are all honored to be number one in the state for coronary interventions.”

Skagit Valley Hospital has two cardiac catheterization labs, the only such facilities in the region, where interventional cardiologists perform emergent angioplasty and stent placement procedures, saving the lives of heart patients. One lab is also equipped for cardiac electrophysiology (EP) procedures to assist patients with heart rhythm problems and extend the hospital’s range of heart care to the region.

Skagit Valley Hospital’s newest cardiac catheterization lab is modeled after facilities at the world-renowned heart center at the Cleveland Clinic.

That is by design. Cardiac electrophysiologist Sanjeev Wasson, MD, who implants pacemakers, defibrillators and fixes electrical malfunctions of the heart, came to Mount Vernon straight from several years experience in electrophysiology (EP) at Cleveland Clinic.

“This is state-of-the-art equipment. We can handle all of the complex electrical procedures,” said Dr. Wasson, who joined Skagit Valley Medical Center – Cardiology one year ago and has been planning for the new EP lab ever since. “I have world-class experience that I have brought with

me from the Cleveland Clinic and now we have the latest equipment. I’m happy to bring this level of care to this region.”

Skagit Valley Hospital is home to Skagit County’s only cardiac catheterization and EP labs. Both are set up to handle cardiac emergencies, including angioplasty and stents and the new EP lab and Dr. Wasson’s team brings a higher level of heart care to the region.

Dr. Wasson specializes in cardiac electrophysiology, an interventional cardiac specialty focused on evaluating the heart’s electrical system, in contrast with structural heart issues, such as clogged coronary arteries or faulty valves. Catheters are inserted from the lower abdomen up into the heart to


Skagit Valley Hospital ranks #1 in Washington

cath labNew

modeled after Cleveland Clinic

rIGHT: Electrophysiologist Sanjeev Wasson, MD performs a procedure in Skagit

Valley Hospital’s new EP lab, modeled after the world renowned Cleveland Clinic

FALL2009 7

pinpoint electrical issues. Two state-of-the-art mapping systems provide Dr. Wasson with a three-dimensional view of the heart during the procedure.

The lab is equipped with EnSite and Carto-sound, which are the latest technology in providing a real-time mapping of the heart that allows Dr. Wasson to zero in on the microscopic portion of the heart that requires radiofrequency ablation to fix a heart rhythm abnormality. These features can map any arrhythmia, reduce the fluoroscopy and procedure time and provide highly detailed models of the heart chambers.

“This is very, very precise and the resolution is in micro millimeters,” Dr. Wasson said. “Some of these patients used to have open heart surgery. Now we can do it just with catheters.”

A procedure performed in the EP lab can oftentimes replace a lifetime of medication.

Camano Island resident Robert Bennett had been experiencing an abnormal heart rhythm, called Atrial fibrillation, for 18 months. It was beginning to impact his

cath lablifestyle as the condition made him feel weak, dizzy and short of breath, he said.

Bennett required conversions to shock the heart back into normal rhythm with increasing frequency and medication wasn’t helping, so he realized he had to “do something about it.” The retired Seattle firefighter was scheduled to go to the University of Washington for care when he found out about Dr. Wasson at Skagit Valley Hospital.

“The timing was fantastic,” Bennett said. “I’d much rather be at Skagit Valley Hospital with my cardiologist rather than think about traveling south in the traffic. We really love the convenience of having Skagit Valley Hospital so close.”

An ablation procedure in the EP lab by Dr. Wasson has alleviated any return of the abnormal rhythm.

“I was surprised how well I felt right away,” Bennett said.

Atrial fibrillation is a common problem that can be cured, Dr. Wasson said. “Now we can fix those problems and they don’t have to take those toxic medications,” he said.

FALL2009 7


Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center continues a commitment to providing regional access to the most sophisticated, modern technology in the in field of cancer care with the addition of new radiation equipment.

The Regional Cancer Care Center is on the leading edge in the fight against cancer with the addition of an Elekta Axesse linear accelerator, one of only three in the United States. This highly specialized, new model of linear accelerator for radiation therapy and stereotactic radiosurgery is configured to deliver “the ultimate in rapid, exquisitely conformably shaped irradiation,” said David Kantorowitz, MD, PhD, Medical Director of Radiation Oncology.

The center is also one of the first in the world to use the “Monte Carlo” treatment planning system, which enhances accuracy using high-powered computer systems.

“This is very exciting for our patients,” said Miron Zaini, PhD, DABR, Chief Physicist at the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center.

The new equipment is used by a team of professionals with longtime experience and expertise in the field.

“Technology is a tool, it is not a replacement for physician judgment, nursing skill and caring by all whose lives touch those of our wonderful, brave patients,” Dr. Kantorowitz said. “Our mission is today and every day to treat our patients as we would wish to be treated, with technical sophistication combined with judgment and caring.”

The Elekta Axesse linear accelerator will enable physicians at the Regional Cancer Care Center to deliver more intense, precision radiation beams to treat cancer, particularly of the brain and selected body sites such lung, liver, pancreas and near the spine.

The center’s existing two linear accelerators includes an Elekta Synergy with a built in CT scanner for improved accuracy, which is the only machine of its kind north of Seattle.

Modulated arc therapy is the next step in a progression of developments in radiation therapy over the past 20 years. Efforts started with two-dimensional planning, then moved to three-dimensional, followed by Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) and now the newest generation Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy


ABOVE rIGHT: Dr. Miron Zaini with Skagit Valley Hospital’s new linear accelerator, capable of delivering precise radiation in reduced treatment time.

Expansionadds new capabilities

at Regional Cancer Care Center

Local physicist to present scientific findings to national audience

Miron Zaini, PhD, DABR, Chief Physicist at the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center, will present his research findings to a national audience of physicians in November.

Dr. Zaini’s research is about Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) a new treatment modality in radiation therapy that will be offered at the Regional Cancer Care Center this fall, with the addition of a third, state-of-the-art linear accelerator.

Dr. Zaini will present his titled “Modeling Dose Modulation in VMAT” at the national meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) in Chicago.

Dr. Zaini created a mathematical model to evaluate the radiation dose distribution delivered compared to the target parameters. In addition, his model deciphers the limitations of VMAT in terms of dose coverage objectives and how to employ such limitations in creating better treatment plans.

“We are very fortunate to have Dr. Zaini’s talent and his dedication to improving the delivery of cancer treatment and as part of our Regional Cancer Care Center’s team,” said Chief Executive Officer Gregg Davidson.

FALL2009 9

(VMAT). There are two such systems in operation, the “Rapid Arc” offered by Varian and VMAT from Elekta which was selected at Skagit Valley Hospital.

These systems result in treatment of even the most complex radiation plans using one rotation of the treatment machine, speeding the delivery of treatment to less than two minutes with increased positioning and conformal hugging of the radiation dose to the tumor and missing nearby normal structures.

“With each of these improvements in planning, there is increased ability to focus radiation around tumors and limit irradiation to normal structures,” Dr. Kantorowitz said. “By combining image-guided radiation therapy and respiration control, radiation is delivered more precisely to the target on a daily basis.”

Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center is also among the first users of the latest Elekta computer system called “Monaco,” used in treatment planning for the VMAT system.

“This system provides precision in delivery, imaging and computation, it’s a more specialized treatment and it lowers the treatment time,” said Dr. Zaini, who recently traveled to Germany for training

Treatment is aided by the Axesse six-D hexapod treatment table that can be maneuvered in many angles and positions, allowing the placement of the patient’s anatomy in precise congruence with the radiation beams.

“That’s why we can provide such precision, because the table moves so many different ways,” Dr. Zaini said.

The expansion featuring the third linear accelerator and new technology also includes the addition of a new infusion suite with seven new stations at the south end of the Regional Cancer Care Center as the facility continues to grow to meet the needs of the community.

“The center continues to grow and the reputation continues to grow for our quality of care,” said Medical Oncologist Theodore Kim, DO. “I think we’re headed in the right direction.”

FALL2009 9

Medical oncologist Kiarash Kojouri, MD, MPH will bring a focus on research and a complete approach to patient care as he joins the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center in August.

Dr. Kojouri joins the local practice after three years as an assistant professor of hematology and oncology in the Department of Medicine at the University of Oklahoma Medical Center, where he also served a fellowship in hematology and oncology and a residency in internal medicine. He is board certified in internal medicine, medical oncology and hematology.

“My general approach is that I truly put myself in my patients’ shoes and try to see the world from their point of view and on their behalf,” Dr. Kojouri said. “I have a good listening ear and a complete approach to patient care as a whole, taking care of the medical as well as the social needs of my patients.”

Dr. Kojouri has a special interest in research after receiving a Master of Public Health in Epidemiology from the College of Public Health at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center. His expertise will be beneficial in enhancing awareness of and access to clinical trials in use at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA). Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center is a network member of SCCA, bringing access to the latest in research, diagnosis and treatment from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s.

“I have had training in clinical research, interpretation of literature and data, and applying proper statistical tests” Dr. Kojouri said. “My goal is to be closely involved with the SCCA.”

Dr. Kojouri is pleased that the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center has a formal relationship

with the world-renowned partners in the SCCA.

“Patients want cutting-edge

care, which, many times, is only available at academic

centers. This affiliation puts us at the forefront,” he said.

Dr. Kojouri has a special interest in platelet disorders,

which manifest as excessive bleeding, as well as lung,

and head and neck cancers.

A strong program and a long-time friendship are what bring Dr. Kojouri and his family from Oklahoma to Northwest Washington. Dr. Kojouri and fellow medical oncologist Dr. Mehrdad Jafari, who joined the center in February, 2008, are former colleagues and good friends.

“I’m excited that we could recruit him here,” Dr. Jafari said. “He is an excellent clinician and he will strengthen our culture of high standards in oncology.”

Dr. Kojouri and his wife, Farnaz, have three children, 18-year-old Amir, five-year-old Hannah and Daniel, who was born in June. He enjoys family time, camping, hiking, mountain biking, table tennis, soccer and looks forward to enjoying the scenic Northwest.

New medical oncologist joins cancer care center, adds focus on research

10 SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL10 SKAGIT VALLEY HOSPITAL

Cancer will change a person’s life. In Ruth Weech’s case, cancer has changed her outlook and how she values her life.

“I needed to learn to love myself and cancer has helped me to do that,” Ruth said while enjoying the sunshine of her backyard Mount Vernon garden. “I’ve got love to give now because I’ve learned to value myself. It’s time for me to be the person I want to be and I was meant to be.”

Ruth grew up in Idaho Falls, lived many places, and came to the Seattle area with her four children in 1968. She moved to Mount Vernon 16 years ago and found a community she enjoys and a welcoming place in Park Village to call home. Her varied career included jobs in the medical field working for physicians and 12 years at a beauty salon. She took a special interest in providing home foot care to people, which continues to bring her enjoyment as a service to others.

“I wanted to learn to do things for people that make them happy,” she said. “This is something I enjoy very much and means I have a reason to get up and do something for someone else.”

and shows off her beautiful eyes. “It’s a good thing I love hats.”

Ruth is first to admit “attitude keeps you alive.” A positive attitude and the need to walk her 11-year old dog Bailey helped her get up out of bed sometimes as she struggled to rebound from treatment.

As hard as some days have been, many more are a joy. Ruth recommends seizing those moments when you feel good.

“I enjoy being around people so I’ll put on something nice and go out and have lunch with friends,” she said. “You have to recognize that there are going to be days when you don’t feel like it. But on the days you do, just do it.”

Throughout her cancer fight, Ruth has been committed to raising funds for the Regional Cancer Care Center’s Relay for Life effort to benefit the American Cancer Society. This year, she raised $735 from friends and neighbors.

“I think cancer has taught me it’s great to be useful to people,” she said. “So that’s what I’m going to do.”

Ruth’s cancer journey started in October 2002 when she was diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer. During emergency surgery for a bowel issue, Dr. Mark Johnson of Skagit Valley Medical Center discovered five large tumors. Under the guidance of Dr. George Gjerset, oncologist at Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center, she started chemotherapy and launched a close, sincere relationship with the center staff.

“They’ve become very good friends. I’m so fond of them,” Ruth said of the nurses, physicians and staff of the Regional Cancer Care Center. “You get to be like family. I love every one of them and I value every one of them.”

Cancer returned for Ruth in December 2004, which was followed by more surgery and chemotherapy. It came back again last summer requiring chemotherapy and when new tumors appeared in February 2009, Ruth began radiation therapy under the watchful eye of Radiation Oncologist David Kantorowitz, MD, PhD.

“I have lost my hair three times,” she said proudly, primping her smart, short hair cut that frames her face

Cancer survivor says “attitude” makes a difference

FALL2009 11

SAVE tHE DAtE

Fred Hutchinson Transplant Program at Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA) was one of only two transplant programs nationwide that consistently outperformed the expected one-year survival rate for unrelated donor transplants, according to an independent report that assessed 122 transplant centers over a five-year period.

The Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Registry examined the survival rates of 8,847 transplants performed to treat blood cancers at U.S. centers in the National Marrow Donor Program (NMDP) network. The survival data was collected for the years 2002 through 2006 and patient outcomes were measured at the end of 2007. In each of five years, the Hutchinson Center “over performed” in terms of expected one-year survival rates after transplant. Only one other transplant center in the nation matched that record. The data

was adjusted for several risk factors that could influence patient outcomes such as type of disease, its stage, patient age, and degree of donor cell match.

Stem cell and bone marrow transplants are used to treat various leukemias, lymphomas, and many non-malignant blood disorders.

“The study’s findings reflect the extraordinary and longtime dedication by the staff of the Hutchinson Center and SCCA to improve the outcomes of our patients by continually refining transplantation to be a safer and more effective treatment,” said Fred Appelbaum, MD, executive director of SCCA and director of Hutchinson Center’s Clinical Research Division.

The clinical use of bone marrow and stem cell transplantation was first developed at Hutchinson Center and, subsequently, most of its practitioners were trained there. Patients who choose to have their transplants done at centers that do a high number of such procedures generally have better outcomes.

In the last several years, SCCA specialists have treated a select group of patients with a mixed chimerism transplant, also known as a mini-transplant.

For some patients, a lower-dose conditioning process is used to weaken,

but not destroy, the bone marrow and immune system before infusing stem cells from a donor. Ideally, the transplanted cells engraft and a new immune system develops alongside the patient’s remaining immune system, so the patient has a mixed immune system for a time, and then the transplanted immune system eventually takes over. While a mixed chimerism transplant is intensive, it is in some ways less intensive than a transplant with high- or moderate-dose conditioning (designed to destroy the bone marrow and immune system). This is why a mixed chimerism transplant is sometimes referred to as a mini-transplant.

Unfortunately, mini transplants can’t be used in every situation and work best for treatment of certain diseases.

Clinical trials are in progress to find out whether mini transplants can be successful for patients who do not have a fully HLA-matched donor. Further research is needed to determine whether mini transplants are a safe and effective treatment for all types of disease that are treated by stem cell transplant.

Because of the relationship with SCCA, Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center oncologists are automatically welcome to participate in the latest clinical research protocols being conducted at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and UW Medical Center. They are considered part of this world-class team and receive notification when there is a change to current cancer care treatment guidelines, and support in the development and use of research-based treatments that can be provided at the center in Mount Vernon.

To learn more about Bone Marrow Transplants, go to http://www.seattlecca.org/diseases/bone-marrow-transplant-overview.cfm

Mark your calendar for Saturday,

Oct. 3, 2009 for our 12th annual

Survivor Celebration. Events run

from noon to 3 p.m. at Swinomish

Northern Lights Casino including

lunch, speakers, entertainment

and a chance for survivors to

share their stories. Join us for

this wonderful time of education,

inspiration and celebration!

For reservations, call

360-814-8287.

Transplant program at SCCA ranked first in one-year survival rates

SurvivorCelebration

annual12th


Newly diagnosed breast cancer patients have a team of experts on their side at Skagit Valley Hospital.

The Breast Institute, a new, multidisciplinary approach to assisting and supporting breast cancer patients, opens this fall.

The team includes medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, surgeons and radiologists, plus a host of clinical and support personnel to assist each patient.

“It’s really an impressive group of people who are putting in a great deal of effort to launch this institute and bring a new level of care to breast cancer patients,” said Theodore Kim, DO, medical oncologist.

The program provides a fast track to develop a comprehensive diagnosis and treatment plan. The patient comes into the center and is seen there by the various cancer specialists in one visit instead of going to multiple offices for the visits. Then the physicians come together and discuss the best possible plan of care for that patient. This is presented to the patient in a follow up visit.

“The goal is to move a person diagnosed with breast cancer through a very complex system as simply as possible within one week from the time of diagnosis to a treatment plan,” Dr. Kim said. The goal is to shorten the number of appointments and trips patients make. The time involved will be shortened from several weeks to several days.

A patient navigator will assist each patient from scheduling their full-day evaluation to answer patient and family questions, allay fears and outline the groundswell of support available to each individual.

“This will fundamentally change the way we treat breast cancer patients,” said Dr. Kim. “We have caring physicians, supportive staff and access to cutting-edge treatment.”

The program will have access to second opinions and teleconferences with experts at the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, a partnership of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s. Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center is a formal network affiliate of SCCA, which provides advantages of the research and trials under way at the world-renowned cancer research institutions.

For information, call the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center at 360-814-2146.

Jafari takes new role at cancer care center

Mehrdad Jafari, MD steps into a new role as Medical Director of Medical Oncology at the Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center.

Dr. Jafari, who joined the center in February, 2008, said he looks forward to

continuing to grow the comprehensive nature of the cancer care program.

“My goal has been to try to have this facility be a comprehensive center where we can provided all the services around cancer care,” Dr. Jafari said.

“We have a high standard of care and keep up with the

progress that is being made in the field on a continuous basis.”

Dr. Jafari takes on the medical director role from fellow oncologist Theodore Kim, DO, who has taken on duties as president-elect of the 387-member Unified Medical Staff of Skagit Valley. Dr. Kim is also working with a national

committee to update clinical guidelines for

sentinel lymph node biopsy for presentation

at the American Society of Clinical Oncology and

is involved in organizing The Breast Institute at the

Regional Cancer Care Center.

Breast Institute Comprehensive care with

compassion, expertise

LEFT: Mehrdad Jafari, MD is the new Medical Director of Medical Oncology at Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center.

FALL2009 13

Patients at the Regional Cancer Care Center benefit from a multidisciplinary team approach involving surgeons, medical and radiation oncologists, pharmacists, radiologists, social workers and dieticians.

“The dialogue that has been created in a much more intense way benefits patients,” Dr. Jafari said. “Cancer care has become very complex and we need to assure our patients that they can get all of these services when they come to our center and be cared for right here in our community.”

As Medical Director of Medical Oncology, Dr. Jafari also plans to work more closely with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance (SCCA), a partnership of Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, UW Medicine and Seattle Children’s. Skagit Valley Hospital is the only network member of SCCA in Northwest Washington.

“I want to further expand our relationship with SCCA and be involved in more detailed collaboration,” Dr. Jafari said. “I would like to see us expand the opportunities for clinical trials locally.”

After 18 months at Skagit Valley Hospital Regional Cancer Care Center, Dr. Jafari said he is impressed with the staff, the quality of services, advanced treatment options in radiation therapy and through the SCCA affiliation, along with a focus on compassionate patient care.

“It is very exciting for our patients in the entire region that they have one place they can go and have all the services they need,” he said.

New surgical director eyes future services, need

Kristine Bensch brings varied and vast experience to her new role as Director of Surgical Services at Skagit Valley Hospital.

While she takes pride in her past, it’s the future and the needs of the people of Northwest Washington that has her attention.

“This organization moves in the right direction for the community. Decisions are based on what the community needs are,” Bensch said in an interview in her office near the hospital’s six operating rooms. “We need to be thinking about what’s out there, what do we want to be and what is sustainable, based on the community.”

A Washington native, Bensch received an associate degree in nursing from Shoreline Community College in 1986, a Bachelor of Science in nursing from the University of Washington in 1996 and a Master’s in Health Administration from the University of Phoenix in 2006. She is also a member of the American College of Healthcare Executives and

received certification in nursing administration.

Bensch originally planned to be a physician, but decided “nursing would be a good step along the way.”

That step has included stints working in long-term care, acute care, intensive care and the emergency room. She was introduced to the operating room while working at Snoqualmie Valley Hospital, which she followed with service as administrator of a surgery center and later director of surgery for Stevens Hospital. Next stop was Hawaii where she worked for a 110-bed community hospital on Oahu for one year followed by two years as director of ambulatory care at Hawaii’s largest hospital, Queen’s Medical Center in Honolulu.

The Northwest, a desire to go camping and take road trips to see family is what lured Bensch and her family back to the mainland after three years in Hawaii.

Her decision to choose Skagit Valley Hospital’s Director of Surgical Services was based on her positive experiences while interviewing and touring the regional facility.

“It just felt right,” she said.

Since starting her new role in March 2009, Bensch has found the leadership, staff and physicians to be committed to providing safe, quality care.

“We do everything well. We provide the community with a well-run organization that gives the community the care they need,” she said. “I look forward to collaborating with physicians and working together with them to build services.”

Future options for services may include spine surgery, bariatrics and use of robots in the OR.

When not at work, Bensch enjoys playing indoor and outdoor soccer, karate, gardening and travel.

“I just love to be outside,” she said.

rIGHT: Director of Surgical Services Kristine Bensch


Cultural anthropologist returns to Skagit to talk about changeJennifer James, PhD, presenter at the

October 15 Women’s Health Luncheon, may be remembered by many as a popular columnist and radio personality in Seattle in the 1980’s and 1990’s. Many will also remember hearing James several years ago at a Skagit Valley Hospital Women’s Health Luncheon, as she was the most popular speaker in that series.

Jennifer James is an urban

cultural anthropologist, lecturer, writer and commentator, who is now known to audiences around the world for her innovative ideas. Her current work is focused on adaptive strategies, how and why some people are much more successful at change than others. She is a published author of seven books, which include “Windows”, “Success Is The Quality Of Your Journey” and “Thinking in the Future Tense.”

“A cultural anthropologist” James says, “is someone who looks at how humans handle change, through the historical lens of stories. We examine patterns of how people adapt and change over time.

Our stories have been created by our families, our culture and our technology.” An example she cites is how we see more people involved in animal rights and more children who are becoming vegetarians. They have read books and seen movies that put a

human face on animals. These stories help mold our culture, so the idea of eating meat is less appealing and the desire to protect animals is stronger. This

contrasts sharply with the stories and ideas many of us were raised with. James says, “We can be more flexible and adapt to change by continually examining the stories we grew up with that may actually defy the current reality.”

This is a time of tremendous change culturally, technologically and economically. “People are trying to synthesize all the change we are going through right now. When we can understand the most basic processes by which humans adapt something in us relaxes and we begin to stretch our imagination as well as our spirit.”

You can hear James’, inspiring

and thought-provoking presentation titled “How We Change and Adapt at Any Age” at McIntyre Hall in Mount Vernon on October 15 starting at 11:30 a.m. For more information about this event, sponsored by the Skagit Regional Heart & Vascular Institute and co-sponsored by Skagit Regional Heart and Vascular Institute, see page 30.

Dr. Paul Johnson, one of Skagit Hospice Services’ Medical Directors, is among the first in the United States to become Board Certified in Hospice and Palliative Care.

In November 2008, Dr. Johnson joined about 1,400 doctors across the nation to take the first exam for Hospice and Palliative Care ever offered by the American Board of Medical Specialties.

After practicing family medicine in Mount Vernon for 25 years, Dr. Johnson decided to devote all of his professional time to hospice and palliative care.

“I wanted to do a good job at it. It is truly a science unto itself. As I became more involved in hospice and as I studied for this exam, it became clear how many advances have been made

in the science of pain and symptom management,” Dr. Johnson said. “I also became more aware of the need to expand

palliative care to all of our hospitals and the greater community.”

The Hospice and Palliative Care Board Certification identifies physicians with expertise in end-of-life care, where the focus is more on comfort, and less on cure.

Many hospices across the country have palliative care teams to provide consults and care to hospital patients

and facility residents with the need for symptom control. Some of the symptoms that are sources of patient suffering include pain, nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, insomnia, agitation, confusion, as well as spiritual, existential, and other life-closure issues.

With this certification, “It lets my colleagues recognize palliative care as a distinct specialty. I am always happy to discuss managing difficult pain and symptoms with them,” said Dr. Johnson.

When palliative care is added, patients almost always report improved quality of life and appreciate other advantages the team can offer including family conferences, plan-of-care goal setting and preparation of advance directives.

“My greatest hope as a palliative care physician is that I can offer modern pain and symptom care to patients in need. I would also like to develop a functional palliative care team for the entire community,” notes Dr. Johnson. “Earlier entry into proper end-of-life care means that every day will be better for patients no matter how long they live. When end-of-life preparation and closure are completed, it also means less complicated grief for survivors.”

Physician among first in U.S. to gain board certification in hospice, palliative care


FALL2009 15 FALL2009 15

Sea Mar opens clinic at Skagit Valley Hospital

Sea Mar Community Health Center is opening a new clinic within Skagit Valley Hospital as a way to boost access to primary care and expand the center’s services in the region.

Sea Mar is a community-based organization committed to providing quality, comprehensive health and human services to diverse communities. Since 1985, Sea Mar has had a primary care and dental clinic on La Venture Road in Mount Vernon and a dental clinic in Burlington.

The new clinic is located in leased space just inside the Kincaid Street lobby at Skagit Valley Hospital. The clinic opened in early August offering primary care and same-day appointments. Mario Cerpa, MD, a family practice provider, is the first physician on staff and Sea Mar plans to recruit another provider for the hospital-based facility.

“We’re really excited about being at Skagit Valley Hospital. This is the first clinic of its kind in our system, within a hospital,” said Carolina Lucero, Senior Vice President with Sea Mar. “This is a really good way to expand our services in another location.”

Likewise, Skagit Valley Hospital leaders are pleased to lease space to Sea Mar as part of a concerted effort by the hospital to increase access to primary care services.

“Skagit Valley Hospital is excited to be a part of this partnership with Sea Mar so we can improve access to health care in our community regardless of income level,” said Diane Morton, Assistant Administrator of Outreach and Development.

Sea Mar is open to all patient populations and bases fees on income and household size. Services include primary care, physicals, obstetric and gynecological care, breast and cervical health, immunizations,

opens in Mount VernonDozens of military veterans, public

officials, community members and Skagit Valley Hospital leaders gathered on July 2, 2009 for the official dedication of the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System’s new Mount Vernon Community Based Outpatient Clinic.

The 16,700 square foot clinic occupies the second floor and part of the third floor of the Mount Vernon Medical Building, located on the Skagit Valley Hospital campus.

“This is nothing short of extraordinary,” said Stan Johnson, Director of VA Puget Sound Health Care System. Since opening a temporary location, first in a trailer in Mount Vernon and later in clinic space in Sedro-Woolley, the VA staff in Skagit County has handled more than 9,000 visits by 2,200 patients seeking primary and mental health care.

The new clinic in Mount Vernon will provide service to a total of 6,500 patients and will ultimately offer dental care, optical and audiology services.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and Rep. Rick Larsen were honored guests at the dedication and lauded for their steadfast support of veterans’ issues and tenacious work to gain funding for the new clinic.

“Today, northwest Washington veterans have a primary care facility in their own backyard that they can rely on and that is great news,” Sen. Murray said. “On the eve of our nation’s birthday, what a great thing to be doing to say thank you to our veterans.”

Rep. Larsen said the new clinic is a testament to the work of veterans groups throughout the region.

“For too long, you have had to travel too far for care,” Rep. Larsen said. “At long last we can bring health care to our veterans, closer to home.”

Veterans who are not currently enrolled in the VA system may call 1-800-329-8387, extension #76542 or visit www.va.gov.

Veterans Administration outpatient clinic

ABOVE: Stan Johnson, Director of VA Puget Sound Health care System, center, celebrates the VA Clinic opening with U.S. Sen. Patty Murray and U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen.

COnTInuED On PAGE 19


Advanced diagnostic tools aid breast cancer detection

Guidelines for screening, detection of breast cancer The American Cancer Society provides the following guidelines:

For women who are asymptomatic:• Screening mammograms,

yearly beginning at age 40• Physical examination by a health

care provider annually• Monthly self breast exam• For high-risk women: Add breast MRI

For women who are symptomatic• Lump in the breast or underarm,

swelling of the breast, nipple discharge, nipple retraction, skin changes, pain, and others:

• Physical examination• Diagnostic mammogram• Possible ultrasound or MRI

Make your Mammogram Promise

In partnership with Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, Skagit Valley Hospital is proud to promote the first annual Mammogram Promise Campaign. The goal of this campaign is to get as many women in the greater Puget Sound area to make a promise to get a mammogram.

The campaign will feature a web site, www.mammogrampromise.org, where women can make their pledge.

The Mammogram Promise Web site will track all of the promises made with the “Mam-O-Meter,” a scale that tracks mammogram promises.

Anyone who makes a promise will be automatically entered to win prizes in a daily random drawing. And, “super-networkers”—those who recruit the most mammogram promises—will be in the running to win one of four grand prizes. Of course, the real purpose of the campaign is to increase awareness of the need for annual mammograms for all women over age 40.

Skagit Valley Hospital is home to advanced tools to detect breast cancer and specialists trained to interpret the results.

While annual mammograms and physical exams by a health care provider are the baseline diagnostic tools to detect breast cancer, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) serves as an essential follow up for at-risk patients.

Skagit Valley Hospital is upgrading the hospital’s MRI equipment to feature the latest evolution in MRI breast coil technology and is seeking accreditation as a breast diagnostic center of excellence.

Early detection is the key to diagnosing and treating breast cancer. Deaths from the disease, totaling 40,000 in the United States in 2008, have decreased steadily since 1980.

“That decrease in breast cancer deaths can be attributed to early detection, treatment and general awareness,” said Karen Dec, MD, a radiologist with Skagit Radiology who specializes in women’s imaging and performed a fellowship in women’s imaging at UCLA.

Women in the region are fortunate to have access to digital mammography, which is the best tool for early detection of cancer.

“The screening mammogram is essential in detecting the earliest breast cancers.” Dr. Dec said. “Breast MRI provides different information that cannot be

assessed with other imaging modalities, such as mammography or ultrasound.”

MRI provides a detailed view of the breast by gathering 1,000 images of the tissue using a powerful magnetic field for evaluation by specially trained radiologists. The patient lays on her stomach on a table that slides into the open center of the magnet. Breast coils or signal receivers surround the breasts, turning the signals into images viewed by computer. Images are taken before and after administration of a contrast material and can provide a map of blood flow within the breast and detailed composition of the tissues. The upgrade to the breast coil system will further enhance the images and reduce the time required for the exam.

“It’s a very thorough exam,” Dr. Dec said, noting MRI has a sensitivity of 95 to 98 percent in detecting breast cancer. “MRI is excellent at detecting breast cancer and is basically as accurate as a test can be.”

Schedule a mammogram today

Digital mammography, the latest in screening tools to detect early breast cancer, is available in Mount Vernon at the Breast Care Center, a partnership of Skagit Radiology and Skagit Valley Hospital. To schedule a mammogram, call 360-424-9607.

Karen Dec, MD specializes in women’s imaging

FALL2009 17

New physician looks forward to partnership with patients

Dr. Tammy Starr, an obstetrician and gynecologist joining Skagit Valley Medical Center in August, considers herself a partner in her patients’ health.

“I am an educator as well as a provider. Knowledge gives a patient power and it also alleviates fear,” Dr. Starr said. “I have a mutual partnership in their health.”

Dr. Starr received a Bachelor of Science in Physiology Biology from Eastern Michigan University and Master of Science in Biology from Wayne State University. She earned her Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine from the Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine in East Lansing, Michigan.

She recently completed her internship and residency in obstetrics and gynecology at Genesys Regional Medical Center in Grand Blanc, Michigan, where she served as chief resident in 2008-2009.

Dr. Starr calls the 450-bed Genesys an “exciting hospital” where more than

4,000 babies are delivered annually and surgical volume is high.

“I like the diversity of obstetrics and gynecology and the continuity of patient care,” Dr. Starr said. “I also like being in the operating room and

performing procedures.”

Dr. Starr also enjoys providing comprehensive care to women of all ages.

“I have the opportunity to work with teenagers, the menopausal woman and all the stages in between,” she

said. “I enjoy the chance to offer comprehensive, quality care.”

Assisting women through pregnancy and childbirth is another joy of the job.

“It’s a very exciting time to be part of a family’s life,” she said. “It’s a true honor to be with them at that time.”

In seeking a place to start a practice, Dr. Starr said she and her husband are drawn to the beauty and opportunities of the Northwest.

“It feels like the right fit,” she said. “It fits everything we were looking for.”

Dr. Starr and her husband, George, enjoy golf, hiking, home renovations and will bring their two horses and two miniature donkeys with them.

Trio joins Skagit Radiology

COnTInuED On PAGE 18

FALL2009 17

Skagit Radiology in Mount Vernon welcomes three new radiologists, Jon Jaksha, MD, Daniel Pham, MD and Jamie Wong, MD.

Jon Jaksha, MD is a diagnostic radiologist who sub-specializes in musculoskeletal imaging. Dr. Jaksha also

has an interest and experience in breast imaging. Prior to

joining Skagit Radiology, Dr. Jaksha was on staff and served as residency director at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He also worked with Nighthawk Services

in Zurich, Switzerland which afforded him the opportunity

to work abroad.

Dr. Jaksha and his wife, Sherri, have two young daughters. They are outdoor enthusiasts and enjoy living

in the Pacific Northwest.

Daniel Pham, MD attended Stanford University for undergraduate work, earning a Bachelor of Science with Honors in

Biological Sciences and a minor in Computer Science. He attended

Yale University School of Medicine

prior to returning to Stanford to complete

his residency training in diagnostic radiology. Dr. Pham has just completed a musculoskeletal and body imaging fellowship at Stanford prior to joining Skagit Radiology, bringing cutting-edge education and technology to the valley.

Dr. Pham has maintained many interests during his years of education including photography, Web and graphic design, travel, cooking, and hiking. He and his fiancée, Dr. Allison Himmel, an internal medicine specialist, look

Karen Dec, MD specializes in women’s imaging

BELOW: Bob Baugh, MRI Technologist with the MRI equipment at Skagit Valley Hospital. An upgrade to the MRI enhances the tool’s capability to diagnose breast cancer.


forward to all the activities Skagit Valley and the Puget Sound have to offer.

Jamie Wong, MD comes to the Skagit Valley from Oregon, where he completed medical training, including medical school, residency and fellowship at Oregon Health & Science University. He recently completed a musculoskeletal fellowship, with special interest in foot and ankle imaging. His fellowship also included extensive training of MRI shoulder arthropathy.

Dr. Wong enjoys the outdoor activities of the Pacific Northwest, including skiing, fishing and river rafting, and is an avid college football fan.

COnTInuED FrOM PAGE 17Trio Join Pediatrician inspired by fellow physician

As she grew up, Dr. Rowena Pusateri’s mother frequently reminded her of the kind pediatrician in the emergency room who may have saved the girl’s life.

Suffering from aspiration pneumonia, Dr. Pusateri was rushed to her hometown hospital in the Philippines where the family encountered a pediatrician who cared for the girl.

“If not for her, I would not be graduating this Sunday,”

Dr. Pusateri said of the Filipino doctor in a recent

interview, on the eve of her completion of her pediatric

residency at Lutheran General Children’s Hospital in Park Ridge, Ill. “My mom would always tell me about that story of the doctor and I decided I would be like her.”

Dr. Pusateri joins Skagit Valley Medical Center in August as a pediatrician, fulfilling a goal she has had since she was four years old.

“By fourth grade, I knew I wanted to be a pediatrician. I like helping babies and kids who are sick,” she said.

Dr. Pusateri attended medical school at Far Eastern University in the Philippines and performed a pediatric residency at the University of the Philippines –

Philippine General Hospital in Manila, followed by a fellowship in allergy and immunology at Santo Tomas University Hospital in Manila. Since July 2007, she has participated in a pediatric residency program at Lutheran

General Children’s Hospital.

She has an interest in allergy and asthma patients and has experience with infections diseases and cystic fibrosis.

Dr. Pusateri said she looks forward to establishing relationships with her patients and families and looks out for the less fortunate.

“I am a simple doctor who would like to help the kids. I hope to offer my services to those who don’t have a lot,” she said. “It’s exciting to be starting my practice.”

Dr. Pusateri and her husband Melvin, a retired U.S. Air Force captain, have two sons, ages seven and five. They enjoy cooking, fishing and family time and look forward to living in a community smaller than the Chicago suburb where they have spent the past several years.

“We like a smaller community,” she said. “It will be a great place for our kids and for us too.”

Internal medicine specialist joins practiceHassan Tabrizi, MD joined the

Internal Medicine group at Skagit Valley Medical Center in Mount Vernon in May.

Dr. Tabrizi is a graduate of Wright State University in Dayton, Ohio and performed residencies at the MetroHealth Medical Center Department of Medicine in Cleveland

and at North East Ohio University in Youngstown, Ohio.

He is board certified in Internal Medicine.

“I strive to maintain good communication with my

patients,” Dr. Tabrizi said. “I also strive to provide

them with information and education.”

north Cascade Eye Associates opens Stanwood clinic

North Cascade Eye Associates, a Mount Vernon-based ophthalmology clinic, recently opened a third clinic conveniently located in Stanwood Towne Center.

The new Stanwood location was opened due to demand from patients in north Snohomish County who prefer to stay local or travel north for their eye exams, eye treatments and surgery rather than face traffic and parking problems to the south.

Appointments are now available for comprehensive eye exams, medical consultations, pre- and post-operative care as well as specialized eye tests in the Stanwood office located at 26910 92nd Ave. NW, Stanwood. This location also provides a full service optical department staffed with licensed opticians. For more information or appointments call (360) 629-4180.

FALL2009 19

nutrition and health education and health insurance enrollment assistance including DSHS, the Basic Health and Healthy Options programs.

“We serve the entire community, specializing in serving the Spanish-speaking community. Our overall population is very diverse,” Lucero said.

With a growing number of uninsured and indigent populations, the need for Community Health Center services is growing.

“Sea Mar has always been ready to respond to the needs of the community,” she said. “We’re here to serve the community and we’ll do our best to do that. We serve many different segments of the community with a large array of services including primary care, mental health, dental services and more.”

The clinic is open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday. For information, call the Sea Mar Skagit Valley Clinic at 360-588-5550.

COnTInuED FrOM PAGE 15Sea Mar ClinicOrthopedic surgeon joins local practice

David Hock, DO joins Skagit Valley Medical Center as an orthopedic surgeon.

Dr. Hock arrived in August and is a graduate of the University of Medicine and Biosciences at the College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, Missouri.

He performed an internship with the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth, Virginia and an orthopedic surgery residency from 2001 to 2005 at Michigan State University at Ingham Regional Medical Center in Lansing.

Since 2007, Dr. Hock served as a staff orthopedic surgeon and department head at Naval Hospital Oak Harbor at

NAS Whidbey on Whidbey Island. Additional stops in his Navy career included serving as a staff orthopedic surgeon at Naval Hospital Sigonella at NAS Sigonella in Sicily and stints as a diving medical officer with the explosive ordnance disposal unit in Guam and undersea medical officer training in Groton, Conn.

Dr. Hock and his wife Kari have twin

sons, Henry and Nathan.

Cardiologist takes pride in patient careOscar Briseno, Jr., MD had hopes

of being a baseball player, but found a greater passion in becoming a doctor caring for people’s hearts.

“I became interested in physiology and the importance of the heart which to me is the most vital organ in the body,” said Dr. Briseno, who joined Skagit Valley Medical Center – Cardiology in August. “It gives me a lot of pride to care for a person’s heart.”

Dr. Briseno received a medical degree from the Autonomous University of Guadalajara School of Medicine, completed the Fifth Pathway Program at New York Medical College School of Medicine, performed an internal medicine residency at Saint Vincent Catholic Medical Center in Brooklyn-Queens and recently completed a cardiology fellowship at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. He is board certified in internal medicine and will take the cardiology boards in November.

Cardiology caught Dr. Briseno’s interest as it is a field that is consistently on the cutting edge of new technology and treatment.

“Evidence-based medicine is always changing,” he said. “I enjoy being on the leading edge to benefit my patients.”

Dr. Briseno also works on prevention with his patients, in hopes of bringing healthy lifestyle changes to people to reduce cardiac-relatedillnesses.

“Working to lower their risks as much as

possible gives me a lot of pride because I know I’m

doing what I’m supposed to do to help a patient now and in the future,” he said.

Relationships with patients and families are also what drive Dr. Briseno as a provider.

“To hear ‘thank you for taking care of my dad, or thank you for taking care of my mother,’ means a great deal to me,” he said.

Dr. Briseno’s fellowship in Mississippi at the state’s only Level 1 trauma center gave him experience in working with the most severe cardiac cases and adult congenital heart disease, which helped him prepare for his new practice.

He has found the community open and welcoming to his family, including his wife Monira Vakil, DO and one-year-old daughter Farah.

“They talk about Southern hospitality, but I have found the hospitality here, the kindness and friendliness, the same or even better,” he said.

Away from work, Dr. Briseno enjoys playing with his little girl, traveling and the arts including museums and theater. He also plans to take in the Northwest beauty with some hiking and walking.


CT SCAnS

Five-star rating for coronary intervention procedures and

#1 in Washington state

Awards, Accolades and AccreditationsThe Commission on Cancer of the American College of

Surgeons granted three-year approval with commendation

to the cancer program at Skagit Valley Hospital Regional

Cancer Care Center. Just 14% of commission-approved centers

receive commendation.Computed Tomography (CT)

gains national accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Computed

Tomography Laboratories

The Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) team at Skagit Valley Hospital

earns accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission

for the Accreditation of Magnetic Resonance

Laboratories (ICAMRL).

MRICoRonARy CAnCeR CARe

Skagit Valley Hospital consistently ranks in the top five in Washington for quality among the state’s 37 largest hospitals


ACCrEDITATIOn

FALL2009 21

Awards, Accolades and AccreditationsSkagit Valley Hospital has

been accredited since 1960. The hospital completed a successful survey in July.

Amerinet, a leading healthcare group purchasing organization, honors Skagit Valley Hospital for improving efficiency and enhancing patient care while saving supplies and money

The joInT CoMMISSIon CoST ReduCTIon

Skagit Valley Hospital consistently ranks in the top five in Washington for quality among the state’s 37 largest hospitals

FALL2009 21

The Center for Sleep Disorders at Skagit Valley Hospital received program accreditation from the

American Academy of Sleep Medicine for five years, meeting

and exceeding all standards.

SLeep CenTeR

ACCrEDITATIOndIAbeTeS

The American Diabetes Association has certified

Skagit Valley Hospital’s new diabetes education program.

CErTIFICATIOn

heALIng

The Baptist Healing Trust honors Skagit Valley Hospital’s healing environment as a Top

Ten Healing Hospital in the U.S.


Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation

The mission of the Skagit Valley Hospital

Foundation is to raise, manage and

distribute funds to assure the continued

availability of quality health care

services and programs at Skagit Valley

Hospital. The Foundation will foster

awareness of, and community support

for Skagit Valley Hospital through the

involvement of the people it serves.

Our MissionFoundation Welcomes New Board Members

Generosity Shown by Skagit Valley Hospital Employees Despite the challenging economic times we are currently experiencing, the incredible employees of Skagit Valley Hospital gave generously during the 2009 Employee Giving Campaign titled “Now, More Than Ever.”

An amazing $22,358.81 was given to the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation through payroll deduction, cashed out vacation time and direct gifts. Funds were also raised at a cinnamon roll sale and with a raffle.

The money raised will be gifted back to various areas of Skagit Valley Hospital to provide program support and equipment purchases. It is the mission of the Foundation that these gifts and other funds raised throughout the year will enable us to continue to support top quality care for the patients we serve.

Now, more than ever the Foundation thanks the employees of Skagit Valley Hospital for their continued support!!

The Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation is pleased to welcome three new board members to our Skagit Valley Hospital family.

Dee Berglin and her husband Bruce reside in Big Lake and have two children. Dee has been an active volunteer with the Big Lake Fire Auxiliary, Meals on Wheels and at her children’s schools. She has trained and worked with tracking dogs and has been an active member of Skagit County

Search and Rescue K9 division.

Jackie Cress is a group fitness instructor at the Skagit Valley YMCA, specializing in older

adult fitness. In her “spare time”

Jackie serves on the Conway School PTA

and as a board member of the Children’s Museum of Skagit County. She and her husband Jeff reside in Mount Vernon with their two young children.

Dr. Rob Zwick and his wife Val live in Mount Vernon and have two grown children. Rob practiced orthopedic surgery for 27 years before semi-retiring last July. He is currently the

Medical Director of the Skagit Wound Care Center at Skagit

Valley Hospital. Rob has also been active in

Rotary and is a past director of the Lincoln Theatre.

Board of TrusteesVolunteers are the key to the Skagit

Valley Hospital Foundation’s efforts in securing philanthropy. We are pleased to acknowledge the efforts of our trustees, who unselfishly give their time and resources as an example to all, and who provide leadership in the Foundation’s prudent stewardship of gifts.

Dr. Richard AbbottDee BerglinSusan BrownChris CammockMolly CoddensJackie CressShepard CutlerGregg DavidsonGary FiedlerJami HagmanMarcia JohnsonMegan KovanenVirginia Learned

StaffLinda FrizzellExecutive Director

Wendy RagusaDevelopment Coordinator

Becky WellsDevelopment Associate

Corey MendozaStan OlsonChristie PetersonJaynie RoozenRichard RoozenDeanna ScottJudi SeegertBob TaylorMike UrbanShirley WatkinsonIris WilsonDr. Rob Zwick


FALL2009 23


GOLF

148 golfers played in the 6th Annual Par Tee Golf Classic, which took place on July 10, 2009 at Eaglemont Golf Course in Mount Vernon. The tournament, played in scramble format, began with a shotgun start. Golfers were treated to continental breakfast, dinner, putting contests, use of a golf cart, and activities and refreshments at each hole. Other features included hole-

in-one prizes, raffles and many give-aways! This year’s event, sponsored by Tesoro Refinery & Marketing Co. raised a gross $46,400 with a net of $32,700, proceeds will benefit the Cancer Care Patient Assistance Fund. The Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation would like to thank the following sponsors for contributing to the success of this year’s tournament:

• Ameriprise Financial - Jim Goodrow • Association of Public

Hospital Districts• Business Bank of Skagit County• D.A. Davidson - Scott Berg, Scott

Elliott, Art Larvie & Kyle reep• The Bedside Project - Dr. Brian Wong• Cascade natural Gas• CPI Plumbing & Heating• Crawford Garage Doors, Inc.• Elekta, Inc.• EMC Electric, Inc.• Express Employment Professionals• Foster Pepper PLLC• Alfie Hill• Insanity Motors – Dan Kovanen• JDA eHealth Systems, Inc.• Laboratory Corporation of

America/Dynacare nW• Leverage Information Systems• Lisser & Associates, PLLC• MacGregor Publishing

Company/Yellowbook• Wells Fargo/ragen MacKenzie

– Corey Mendoza• Meyer Sign & Advertising• north Cascade Street

rod Association• nW Golf Carts, Inc.• Oasys, Inc.

• Piper Jaffray• Hortencia “Terry” Porras• Premera Blue Cross• Printwise/PrintStreams • resource Corporation of America• riverside Chiropractic• SB & C, Ltd.• Seattle Cancer Care Alliance• Sims Honda• Skagit Law Group• Snelson Companies, Inc• State Farm Insurance –

Carol Lawson, Brad Methner & Keith Sorestad

• The unity Group• Volwiler & Wynne, P.S.• Washington Lettuce & Vegetable Co.

$46,400 raised

FALL2009 23

Refining and Marketing Company

Title Sponsor

BELOW: Dr. Rob Zwick, a member of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees, dressed the part to enjoy the Par Tee Golf Classic.


Sunrise Inn: Hospitality House Receives a Dose of TLCMembers of the Skagit Valley Hospital

Foundation board dressed in work boots and jeans and armed with trowels and rakes spent two afternoons this past spring clearing away winter’s debris and damage from the Sunrise Inn, Skagit Valley Hospital’s hospitality inn.

We sincerely thank board trustees Jaynie and Richard Roozen of Washington Bulb who donated new soil for the flowerbeds and board trustee Dee Berglin and her husband Bruce for repairing damaged house gutters. Former board member Sharon Hayes orchestrated a planting party to beautify the flowerbeds and borders of the inn. Foundation staff joined several board members in planting more than 100 annuals with support from Summersun Nursery.

With proceeds from the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation’s 2003 Festival of Trees and a grant from the Ronald McDonald House Charities, the new Sunrise Inn was built at the corner of 13th and Kincaid streets. Serving more than 1,000 guests and patient family members a year, the Sunrise Inn offers convenient, affordable lodging for patients who are receiving tests and treatments and for out-of-town family members who want to be near the hospital. The inn allows patients and family to be close at hand to visit and to monitor patient progress. The Foundation established the Sunrise Inn Fund to help cover the costs of additional furnishings, equipment and supplies for the inn.

The rental fees for overnight lodging are $15 for a single room, $20 a night for a double room and $25 a night for a family room. RV hook-up is $10 a night.

The Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation is proud to provide families with this type of support during their experience at Skagit Valley Hospital. Lodging arrangements can be made through the hospital switchboard at 360-424-4111.

For more information about the Sunrise Inn or to make a gift to the Sunrise Inn Fund, please visit the Foundation Web site www.skagitvalleyhospitalfoundation.org or call the Foundation office at 360-814-2140.

ABOVE: Sunrise Inn landscape crew take pride in their landscaping efforts. L to R: Dee Berglin, Jaynie Roozen, Becky Wells, Linda Frizzell, Molly Coddens, Mary Hudson and Sharon Hayes.

FALL2009 25


The Festival of Trees is the Foundation’s signature fund-raising event and has raised more than $2.5 million in the last 20 years benefiting the Skagit Valley Kidney Center, Family Birth Center, Children’s Therapy Program, Surgical Services, Cardiac Care, the Sunrise Inn and Cancer Care Services.

The Foundation’s Board of Trustees has designated the proceeds from the 2009 Festival to benefit Behavioral Health Care Services at Skagit Valley Hospital. Funds raised during the weekend event

will assist in the $3 million remodeling and relocation project of the Care Center at Skagit Valley Hospital.

In 2007, this care area served 470 patients; in 2008, 590 patients were treated and the trend is expected to rise dramatically as many behavioral health care facilities in our community have closed their doors, thus relying on Skagit Valley Hospital as one of few to serve the needs of mental health patients in our region.

The Magic of the

Season

Celebrating its 21st year as a beloved community event, the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation’s Thanksgiving weekend Festival of

Trees, presented by Associated Petroleum Products, brings the magic of the holiday season to the Skagit Valley and helps raise important

funds to benefit programs and projects at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Festival EventsThe Festival of Trees weekend

commences with the black-tie Gala Evening and Tree Auction Friday evening, November 27, 2009, sponsored by Mountain Glen Retirement Community. John Curley, former host of Evening Magazine, and Mike Yeoman, local radio personality, return as the evening’s auctioneer and emcee respectively. The live auction sponsored by Whidbey Island Bank, will feature about 30 elaborately decorated noble firs, designed by teams of community volunteer designers. More than 600 people attend the Gala making the event one of the largest philanthropic events in our community.

reds, White and Brews, sponsored by Group Health, is a new Festival event to be held Saturday evening, November 28. This casual attire event is a time to celebrate and savor the season. Local vintners and brewers will be on hand to showcase their wines and brews. While viewing the trees guests will enjoy tastings, a dessert café, tree raffle, wine-themed silent auction and live music. In honor of Apple Cup (WSU vs. UW football game) mania, the event will include special Apple Cup games and prizes.

The Festival is then open to the community on Saturday and Sunday for tree viewing and live entertainment. The Skagit State Bank Kids Day on Saturday, features fun activities for kids to enjoy including cookie decorating and face painting. Life Care Center of Mount Vernon’s Senior Sunday invites seniors to visit for a reduced admission fee. General admission is $5; Youth under 3-18 is $3; Seniors on Sunday are $2 and children 2 and under are free. Admission proceeds benefit Behavioral Health Care Services at Skagit Valley Hospital.

Event Sponsorship and TicketsFor more information about tree

and event sponsorships or tickets to any of the Festival weekend events please contact Wendy Ragusa in the Foundation Office at 360-814-5747 or email [email protected].

FALL2009 25


Community Benefits Report

Skagit Valley Hospital is committed to providing our communities with health care, preventive screenings and special programs to meet the needs of our region. These efforts include educational programs, support groups and preventive efforts ranging from skin cancer screenings to blood pressure checks, all available to the community at low or no cost.

As a public, non-profit hospital, Skagit Valley Hospital provides many services with partial or no compensation as part of the mission-driven community benefits offered by hospitals in our state. Skagit Valley Hospital provides a health care safety net to our region 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

This report is designed to help residents know more about the community benefits provided by Skagit Valley Hospital. As part of the annual report, it will also show the taxes the non-profit hospital does and does not pay as a result of tax-exempt status.

* Footnote: Net Operating Income is calculated by subtracting Total Operating Expense from Total Operating Revenue.

** Low-income patient care shortfalls include charity care costs and Medicaid costs minus the total of all Medicaid payments, low-income and other disproportionate share payments, and funds received from other state supplemental payment programs.

Net OperatiNg iNcOme $4,842,000

cOmmuNity BeNefits Community services $ 61,870 Low-income patient $8,315,763

care shortfalls ** TotalBenefits $8,377,633

taxes exempt Federal $2,720,660 State/Local $2,292,754

Total Taxes Exempt $5,013,414

taxes paid Payroll Tax $4,775,877 Sales Tax $4,053,392 Other Taxes $ 653,247

Total Taxes Pad $9,482,516

Skagit Valley Hospital’s Computed Tomography (CT) program received accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Computed Tomography Laboratories.

The facility is one of the first 500 CT laboratories in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico to be recognized for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing.

“Deep appreciation goes to Jason Plumb RT, Gene Murray RT, Dr. Laurence Cambron and all those who helped us gain

this prestigious accreditation,” said John Simon, Director of Diagnostic Imaging. “I am very proud to be a part of the imaging and Skagit Valley Hospital team.”

Participation in the accreditation process is voluntary, indicating a facility’s willingness to be open to evaluation and meet the commission’s rigorous standards for the performance of quality CT procedures.

CT detects minute differences in tissue and is used to diagnose conditions of the neck, chest, abdomen, pelvis, extremities, cardiac system and sinus and temporal bones.

Hospital receives CT accreditation

Screening can detect colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer is preventable, treatable and beatable. As the third most common cancer in America for men and women, the risk of a person developing colon cancer in their lifetime is about 1 in 19.

Thanks to colorectal cancer screening – called colonoscopy – the death rate from colorectal cancer has been on the decline for the past 15 years as polyps are found and removed before they turn into cancer.

Talk to your doctor about screening colonoscopy. For information and to schedule a screening colonoscopy at Skagit Valley Hospital, call 360-814-5739 from 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday.

*


FALL2009 27

The Camano Community Health Clinic is a busy place as demand for services has more than tripled in the past six years. It’s so busy, plans are under way to build a new, larger clinic to better serve the people of Camano Island.

Drawings for a new clinic show a 4,700-square-foot clinic, more than doubling the size of the current facility.

The new facility will feature eight patient examination rooms, one treatment room and a larger waiting area to better handle the volume of patients. In 2008, the clinic added 356 new patients for a total of 4,500 and by June 2009 is on pace to add a similar number this year.

“We’ve had steady growth since we opened,” said Rhonda Curry, Manager of the Camano Community Health Clinic since the only healthcare facility on Camano Island opened in 1999.

The new clinic will also allow the addition of two full-time medical staff

including a second physician and a second mid-level provider such as a nurse practitioner or physician assistant.

Dr. Christina Morris and Gary Draper, PA-C currently care for patients at the clinic.

The goal of the larger facility and added staff will be to provide an urgent care setting for same-day care, Curry said.

“Currently we are not staffed to handle the patients who are walking in seeking same-day service,” she said. “Our plans will allow us to better accommodate all patients.”

The effort to build the new clinic involves collaboration at the local, county and state levels.

The clinic is operated by Skagit Valley Hospital and will be located just north of the current site on property owned by Island County. The state Community, Trade & Economic Development department has committed funds for the project and the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation will perform fund-raising and grant-writing efforts.

Planning continues for new Camano Clinic

Health Care Services Stanwood & Camano Island

Zielinski to focus on work with Josephine Sunset Home

Ann Zielinski, MD, FAAFP, who has served patients at Camano Community Health Clinic for the past six years, will

shift to on-call status at the clinic to focus most of her work on the patients of Stanwood’s Josephine Sunset Home.

While Dr. Zielinski will not have a regular schedule

at Camano Clinic, she will help cover vacations and absences,

filling in as needed for Dr. Christina Morris and

Gary Draper, PA-C.

Most of her time will be at Josephine Sunset Home where for

the past year she has been responsible for unassigned patients who arrive at the facility in need of a primary care physician. Josephine Sunset Home has 160 skilled nursing beds and 57 independent living suites in Stanwood.

FALL2009 27

ABOVE: Architects’ drawing of the proposed new Camano Community Health Clinic. Courtesy of HKP Architects.


Change Your Life classes in yourStanwood/Camano Island neighborhood

Skagit Valley Hospital offers the following health screenings and education programs at the Skagit Valley Medical Center - Stanwood/Camano, 9631 269th Street NW, Stanwood or the Camano Community Health Clinic, 127 N. East Camano Drive. to register, complete the registration form on the inside of the back page or call 360-629-6481 or 360-814-2424. Pre-registration is required for all classes unless otherwise noted.

CALL 360-629-6481 to regISter


Screening to Detect Peripheral Arterial Disease, Elevated Cholesterol and More!

The Skagit Regional Heart & Vascular Institute, a partnership of Skagit Valley Hospital, Skagit Valley Medical Center-Cardiology and Skagit Radiology, offers a community screening for adults over age 18 held each month on a Tuesday in Stanwood.

Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) is a common condition that affects approximately 10 million adults in the US. About 5% of people over the age of 50 are believed to suffer from PAD, which is more common among men and most often occurs in older persons (over the age of 50). The same risk factors associated with heart disease are also linked with PAD.

Attend this screening to find out your risk of PAD, cardiovascular disease and stroke and learn how to reduce it. The screening includes the following tests and results are immediate:

•Anklebrachialpressureindextohelpdetect peripheral artery disease (no caffeineornicotineforonehourprior)

•Bloodpressure

•Fulllipidprofileforcholesterolplusglucoserequires12–14hourfast,water and medications only (no alcohol 24hoursprior.)Thisisafingersticktestwithimmediateresults.

•Bodycompositiontestingtodetectelevatedbodyfat

•Reviewresultswithahealthcareprovider

Call 360-629-6481 to schedule an appointment in Stanwood for this screening program that takes just 40 minutes! The cost is only $29 and is held once a month on Tuesdays. A physician referral is not necessary, although we ask that you provide the name of a primary care provider, if you have one, so results can be forwarded.

Cholesterol, Diabetes and Blood Pressure Screenings

Cholesterol screenings are provided at the following locations by Skagit Valley Hospital in cooperation with Dynacare Skagit Laboratories. Cholesterol tests are recommended at least once every five years beginning at age 20. Individuals with a strong family history of heart disease or risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or who smoke, may need to be tested more often.

Full Lipid Profile: 12-14 hour fast required, water and prescribed medications only, no coffee or tea. No alcohol 24 hours prior. Results include total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and glucose (blood sugar) levels and are mailed to your home in one week. Fee: $15 (cash or check payable to SVH only).

Blood pressure checks are provided at no cost. For information call 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481. No appointment or pre-registration is required.

Oct.8(Thur)8-9:30a.m.CamanoCommunityHealthClinic127N.EastCamanoDrive

Nov.5(Thur)8–9:30a.m.SkagitValleyMedicalCenter- Stanwood/Camano9631 269th Street NWConferenceRoomA/B

Bone Density Screening Osteoporosis, or low bone density,

affects 10 million Americans, mostly women, and 34 million more have low bone mass. Over 1.5 million fractures are caused each year in the U.S. as a result of osteoporosis.

Camano Community Health Clinic hours:Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Closed for lunch: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Location:127 n. East Camano Drive, Suite ACamano Island 360-387-5398

FALL2009 29

Health Care Services Stanwood & Camano IslandFind out if you are at risk for

osteoporosis by having a bone density scan. This is a non-invasive, painless scan of one hand. Results are available immediately. Fee $10 (cash or check payable to SVH). No appointment is required.

Oct.8(Thur)8-9:30a.m.CamanoCommunityHealthClinic

Nov.5(Thur)8–9:30a.m.SkagitValleyMedicalCenter– Stanwood/Camano9631 269th Street NWConferenceRoomA/B

Vitamin D Level ScreeningWhy should you have your Vitamin D

levels tested Studies have shown a strong link between an individual’s vitamin D levels and the risk of developing cancer. New research shows a direct link between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis in people with a genetic predisposition for the disease. Vitamin D also plays an integral role in bone health. Other studies have linked low levels of vitamin D to diabetes and high blood pressure.

This screening can help you identify the

level of Vitamin D in your blood. Results are mailed to your home in one week. This screening is not recommended for patients on anticonvulsant medication. Fasting is not required. The cost is $35. No appointment required.

Oct.8(Thur)8-9:30a.m.CamanoCommunityHealthClinicPre-registrationnotrequired

Nov.5(Thur)8–9:30a.m.SkagitValleyMedicalCenter- Stanwood/Camano9631 269th Street NWConferenceRoomA/BPre-registrationnotrequired

AArP Driver Safety ProgramThis two-session program for people

older than 50 is designed to enhance the driving skills of the mature adult. Insurance companies are required to give a discount on auto insurance for those over age 55 who complete the course. Course fee is $12 for AARP members; $14 for non-members. Please bring check payable to AARP and your AARP card or number (if you are a member) to the first class – do not mail check. Pre-registration is required.

Oct.14and15(Wed/Thur)1–5p.m.SkagitValleyMedicalCenter- Stanwood/Camano9631 269th Street NWConferenceRoomA/BPay at the class

Skin Cancer ScreeningLocal dermatologists will conduct visual

inspections of skin abnormalities you are concerned about. Call 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481 to schedule an appointment.

Sept.17(Thur)ProvidedbyRochelleTrussell,PAwithSkagitValleyMedicalCenter

Dec.2(Wed)ProvidedbyJ.SemmesMickelwait,MDwithAdvancedDermatology

1–4p.m.SkagitValleyMedicalCenter- Stanwood/Camano9631 269th Street NWConferenceRoomA/BNo chargePre-registrationisrequired

Blood DriveDonating blood is a simple and

generous gift that can save a life. Did you know that one blood donation can help up to three patients? The Puget Sound Blood Center urges you to donate the “gift of life” at the following blood drive:

December23(Wed)9:30a.m.-3:30p.m.(closedNoon-1p.m.)SkagitValleyMedicalCenter- Stanwood/Camano9631 269th Street NWBlooddriveheldinmobilevaninparkinglotPre-registrationrequiredbycalling 1-800-398-7888 CPR and First Aid Classes are held at

the Freeborn Fire Station in Stanwood. Call 360-387-8043 for more information.

Heart Saver Adult/Child CPR Classes are held at Terry’s Corner Fire Station on Camano Island. For more information call 360-629-3008.

First Aid Classes are held at Terry’s Corner Fire Station on Camano Island. For more information call 360-629-3008.

Babysitting Classes are held at Terry’s Corner Fire Station on Camano Island. For more information call 360-629-3008.

A Cardiac Support Group is available at the Stanwood Senior Center on the first Thursday of each month from 2 - 3 p.m. Call 360-630-9234 for more information.

The Island County Health Department is located at 127 N. East Camano Drive, down the hall from the Camano Community Health Clinic. They offer services ranging from TB testing, WIC/Maternity Support Services, HIV/Aids Testing, Immunizations, Healthy Baby Visits and more. For more information call 360-387-0184.

Camano Community Health Clinic hours:Monday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Wednesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.Thursday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.Friday: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.Closed for lunch: 12:30 to 1:30 p.m.Saturday and Sunday: Closed

Location:127 n. East Camano Drive, Suite ACamano Island 360-387-5398


Change Your Life classes in yourMountVernon neighborhood

Don’t wait too long! ! Many of our classes fill quickly so early registration is recommended. You are not confirmed in the class until we receive your payment (for classes requiring payment). Don’t lose your space in class – pay early! See the inside of the back cover of this magazine for registration information. Pre-registra-tion is required for all classes unless otherwise noted.

Women’s Health Luncheon

How We Change and Adapt at Any Age

We are changing faster than any other generation of Americans. The changes are both deep and broad. Technology drives the speed of this change, economics creates the breadth and cultural shifts provide the depth. Each of us is being asked to think in new ways, to work in new ways and to feel in new ways. Yet we resist, the body and mind automatically resist significant changes.

This presentation by Jennifer James, PhD will outline the sources and direction of technological, economic and cultural change. You will have a chance to evaluate your own flexibility and response time. You will learn the steps in the process of change and skills for building a 21st century mind and character.

James is well known to audiences around the world for her innovative ideas. She works on an international level, helping people meet the challenges of today’s transitions. James is an urban cultural anthropologist who was for 12 years a full time faculty member of the Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Department at the University of Washington. She now lectures to audiences around the world. Her ability to synthesize the chaos of our current adaptation process is extraordinary. Once you have heard Jennifer describe the technological, economic, demographic and cultural transformations of this era your mind clears. James’ ability to

provide an understanding of the present and the future is essential to thoughtful decision-making.

Join us at the Women’s Health Luncheon sponsored by the Skagit

Regional Heart & Vascular Institute and co-sponsored by Mountain Glen Retirement Retirement Center, Mira Vista Center, Life Care Center of Skagit Valley, Home Attendant Care, OptionCare and Ashley Gardens.

October15(Thur)11:30a.m.–1:30p.m.McIntyreHallMountVernon$15(includeslunch)

Pre-registrationrequiredbyOctober12

Doc TalkLiving with Parkinson’s Disease: Diagnosis, Management and Treatment Options

Parkinson’s disease is a brain disorder that affects 1 in 100 people over the age of 60, with the average age of onset being 60 years. It can also affect young people. Young-onset Parkinson’s disease (onset at age 40 or younger) is estimated to occur in 5-10% of patients with PD. After Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease is the most common neurodegenerative disease.

If you or a loved one has

Parkinson’s disease, please join us for this informative presentation about diagnosis, treatment options and living with Parkinson’s. The presenters are

Susie I. Ro, MD, a Movement Disorders Neurologist with Swedish Neuroscience Specialists and Peter C. Nora, MD, a Stereotactic Functional Neurosurgeon who is the Director of the Comprehensive Movement Disorders Program at Swedish.

September28(Mon)6:30–8p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalCascade roomEnterthroughKincaidentranceNochargebutpre-registrationisrequired

Doc TalkDiagnostic and Therapeutic Cardiac Procedures

Learn more about heart health and heart disease plus information

about the most current options for treating cardiovascular disease in this one-evening presentation by Sanjeev Vaderah, MD, FRCPC, Interventional Cardiologist and Sanjeev Wasson, MD, FACC, Cardiac Electrophysiologist, both

with Skagit Valley Medical Center – Cardiology.

In this presentation, Drs. Vaderah and Wasson will provide

an overview of heart disease with information about prevention. Each

cardiologist will discuss diagnostic tools to identify specific issues as well as non-surgical and surgical procedures including cardiac catheterization and stents for treating vascular problems, and ablation and cardiac defibrillators for treating

electrical problems of the heart. Time will be allowed for questions.

FALL2009 31Allclassesrequirepre-registrationunlessspecified.

November4(Wed)6:30–8:30p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalDeliNochargebutpre-registrationisrequired

Meditation for Calming and Focusing Your Mind

Have you thought about trying meditation but find it too difficult to do on your own? Let an experienced meditator guide you in simple techniques to become comfortable with this valuable skill.

Meditation is now scientifically recognized to help alleviate stress, mild depression and anxiety. De-cluttering your mind can help you become more focused and productive. Become a happier, calmer you!

Jan Hodgman, MA, has been meditating for over 30 years and has eight years of monastic practice as an ordained Zen priest. She is also a Certified Focusing Trainer, writer and musician and loves introducing people to meditation.

Comments from previous class participants include: “Jan could not have been better!! I loved the class.” “This class was exactly what I hoped for. Jan was just wonderful in all aspects.”

Oct.12and19(Mon)6–8p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalCascade room$29

Shopping Smart for Your HeartNo fat? Low fat? Trans fat? Demystify

food labels and learn to shop heart smart with nutrition specialist Lou Kupka-Schutt, PhD, RD. Lou will lead shoppers along the aisles of Safeway in Mount Vernon demystifying food labels and helping you make wise food choices.

Sept.22orOct.20(Tuesdays)6:30–8p.m.MountVernonSafewayStoreat315E.CollegeWay$19($10foradditionalfamilymembers)Pre-registrationrequired

Individual Weight Loss and nutrition Counseling

Lou Kupka-Schutt, PhD, RD, can provide you with the support you need in setting and meeting your nutritional and weight loss goals. Lou has more than 20 years experience in working with individuals providing the most up-to-date information about nutrition and weight control to help them make wise nutritional choices to manage their weight and improve their health.

This three-month program begins with a one-hour session, in person or by phone, to create an action plan and set goals. Three half-hour sessions will be held in the first month, then four bi-weekly sessions over the next two months, for a total of three months of support, advice and education. Follow-up sessions can be done in-person, by phone or via email. The cost is $239. Call 360-814-8274 for more information. Call 360-814-2424 to register for the program.

Continuing Health EducationCertified Diabetes Education Program

Skagit Valley Hospital now offers a comprehensive education program for adults with diabetes, either newly diagnosed or for those patients needing extra guidance with diabetes control. The program includes an introductory one-on-one appointment, six hours of group sessions (two three-hour classes) covering the basics of diabetes management, and at least two hours of one-on-one education in nutrition.

The program is coordinated by Amy

Navarre Cantrell, PA-C, Certified Diabetic Educator, who teaches classes in cooperation with Exercise Specialist Michelle Frey and Registered Dietician Christina Sackman. Dr. Jennifer Benson of North Cascade Family Practice serves as Medical Director for the program.

The program requires a physician referral so talk to your health care provider. The program is covered by most insurance companies. Please check with your insurance provider to confirm. For other questions, or more information about the program, contact Erin Warner at 360-814-2699.

AArP Driver Safety ProgramThis two-session program for people

older than 50 is designed to enhance the driving skills of the mature adult. Insurance companies are required to give a discount on auto insurance for those over age 55 who complete the course. Course fee is $12 for AARP members; $14 for non-members. Please bring check payable to AARP and your AARP card or number (if you are a member) to the first class – do not mail check. Pre-registration is required.

Nov.5and6(Thur/Fri)9a.m.–1p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalCascade roomPay at class

Please see page pages 28 and 29 for information about classes in

Stanwood/Camano Island.

Total Joint replacement Class

This two-hour class helps to prepare patients

for their upcoming joint replacement surgery. We have incorporated classroom instruction, procedure specific therapy instruction

and have allotted time to complete pre-registration paperwork. You will learn what to expect before, during and after joint replacement surgery. Our experienced nurses and therapists will address your concerns and will be available to answer your questions. Lunch is included.

The class meets the first and third Wednesday of the month from 1 – 3 p.m. at Skagit Valley Hospital in San Juan B. For more information, directions and to register for this class, please call 360-814-2424. There is no charge for this program.


Heart Healthy Fitness ProgramAre you having trouble starting an

exercise program or staying motivated? Do you need direction and professional guidance? Come join us for exercise in a safe and stress free-environment. The Heart Healthy Fitness Program focuses on individual goals and plenty of one-to-one attention. We work on strength training, balance and cardiovascular fitness. For questions and class times, call 360-814-8368.

Cardiac rehabilitation ProgramHave you had a recent heart attack,

bypass surgery, angioplasty, heart valve surgery or stent placement? We have a program to help you return to your active lifestyle and learn how to reduce your risk factors. A Registered Nurse and Exercise Specialist supervise the classes and provide a safe, friendly atmosphere to ask questions and learn how to pace yourself as you recover. This is a physician-referred program and Medicare and most insurances cover cardiac rehab. For more information call 360-814-8368.

First Aid and CPrSkagit County Medic One offers CPR

and First Aid classes for $10 per person. This fee covers the cost of certification cards and materials. For more information call 360-428-3236 or email [email protected].

Health and Wellness ScreeningsScreening to Detect Peripheral Arterial Disease, Elevated Cholesterol and More!

The Skagit Regional Heart & Vascular Institute, a partnership of Skagit Valley Hospital, Skagit Valley Medical Center-Cardiology and Skagit Radiology, offers a community screening for all adults over age 18 every Tuesday.

Attend this screening to find out your

risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke and learn how to reduce it. The screening includes the following tests and results are immediate:

•Anklebrachialpressureindextohelpdetect peripheral artery disease (no caffeineornicotineforonehourprior)

•Bloodpressure

•Fulllipidprofileforcholesterolplusglucoserequires12–14hourfast,water and medications only (no alcohol 24hoursprior.)Thisisafingersticktestwithimmediateresults.

•Bodycompositiontestingtodetectelevatedbodyfat

•Reviewresultswithahealthcareprovider

Why should you attend this screening? Here are the facts:•PeripheralArterialDisease(PAD)causedbyplaquebuildupinthelimbsaffectsabout10millionAmericanadultsintheUS.About5%ofpeopleovertheageof50arebelievedtosufferfromPAD.ThesameriskfactorsassociatedwithheartdiseasearealsolinkedwithPAD.TheAnkleBrachialPressureIndex(ABI)isameasureofthereductioninarterialbloodpressureofthelegsandisusedtodetectevidenceofblockagesfromplaquebuildup(PAD.)AbnormalABI’sareassociatedwithincreasedincidenceofcardiovasculardisease.

• over 100 million Americans have highbloodcholesterollevels,alsoassociated with increased incidence ofcardiovasculardisease.

•HighbloodpressureaffectsoneinthreeadultAmericans.Untreatedhighbloodpressuremayresultinastroke.

•Elevatedlevelsofbodyfatmayleadtoproblemssuchashypertension,elevatedbloodlipids(fatsandcholesterol),diabetesmellitusandcardiovascular,allrelatedtoobesity.

Call 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481 from Stanwood/Camano Island to schedule an appointment in Mount

Vernon or Stanwood for this screening program that takes just 40 minutes! The cost is only $29 and screenings are held on Tuesday mornings. A physician referral is not necessary, although we ask that you provide the name of a primary care provider, if you have one, so results can be forwarded.

Also see Stroke and Aneurysm Screenings on page 33 for a screening of the aorta and carotid arteries.

Cholesterol, Diabetes and Blood Pressure Screenings

Cholesterol screenings are provided by Skagit Valley Hospital in cooperation with Dynacare Skagit Laboratories. Cholesterol tests are recommended at least once every five years beginning at age 20. Individuals with a strong family history of heart disease or risk factors, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or who smoke, may need to be tested more often.

Full Lipid Profile: 12-14 hour fast required, water and prescribed medications only, no coffee or tea. No alcohol 24 hours prior. Results include total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides and glucose (blood sugar) levels and are mailed to your home in one week. Fee: $15 (cash or check payable to SVH only).

Blood pressure checks are provided at no cost. For information call 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481. No appointment or pre-registration is required.

Sept.24:Nov.19(Thur)7:30–9a.m.SkagitValleyHospitalScreeningheldintheSkagitRegionalHeart&VascularInstituteEnterthroughtheDiagnosticServices entrance on 13th StreetTheInstituteisimmediatelyinsidetheentranceonyourrightParkinLotP1oronstreetPre-registrationnotrequired

FALL2009 33Allclassesrequirepre-registrationunlessspecified.

Bone Density ScreeningFind out if you are at risk for

osteoporosis by having a bone density scan. This is a non-invasive, painless scan of one hand. Results are available immediately. Fee $10 (cash or check payable to SVH). No appointment is required.

Sept.24;Nov.19(Thur)7:30–9a.m.SkagitValleyHospitalScreeningheldintheSkagitRegionalHeart&VascularInstituteEnterthroughtheDiagnosticServices entrance on 13th StreetTheInstituteisimmediatelyinsidetheentranceonyourrightParkinLotP1oronstreetPre-registrationnotrequired

Vitamin D Level ScreeningWhy should you have your Vitamin D

levels tested? Studies have shown a strong link between an individual’s vitamin D levels and the risk of developing cancer. New research shows a direct link between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of developing multiple sclerosis in people with a genetic predisposition for the disease. Vitamin D also plays an integral role in bone health. Other studies have linked low levels of vitamin D to diabetes and high blood pressure.

This screening can help you identify

the level of Vitamin D in your blood. Results are mailed to your home in one week. This screening is not recommended for patients on anticonvulsant medication. Fasting is not required. The cost is $35. No appointment required.

Sept.24:Nov.19(Thur)7:30–9a.m.SkagitValleyHospitalScreeningheldintheSkagitRegionalHeart&VascularInstituteEnterthroughtheDiagnosticServices entrance on 13th StreetTheInstituteisimmediatelyinsidetheentranceonyourrightParkinLotP1oronstreetPre-registrationnotrequired

Stroke and Aneurysm ScreeningNo need to wait for a special promotion

to come to town or stand in line at a crowded community center. You can schedule your screening exams year around and have the exams performed using state-of-the-art equipment, conducted by board certified diagnostic technologists and reviewed by a board certified radiologist.

This ultrasound screening test is

non-invasive, quick and painless, and will help you identify whether you are at increased risk for stroke and vascular disease and provide information so your physician may begin preventive treatment if necessary. Skagit Valley Ultrasound Associates will provide Vascular Health Screenings that include evaluation of the carotid arteries to screen for disease or narrowing and of the abdominal aorta to screen for aneurysms.

Individuals whose screening results

suggest the need for further evaluation will be referred to follow-up care with their physician.

A physician referral is not necessary,

although we ask that you provide the name of a primary care provider, so results can be forwarded. The cost is only $59 for the combined carotid and aorta screening and is payable by cash or check only. This exam is not billable to insurance.

To register for an appointment, call

360-428-8208, Monday – Friday, between 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. Screenings are held at Skagit Valley Ultrasound Associates located at 1320 E. Division, Mount Vernon.

2nd Annual Men’s Health FairSeptember 26, 2009

Learn more about men’s health and participate in a variety of screenings including digital rectal prostate exams and PSA testing, diabetes screening, blood pressure checks and education information. Call 360-424-7991 for more information.

Northwest urology Clinic1311EDivisionStreet,MountVernon9a.m.–2p.m.No charge to attend$20forPSAbloodtestingCall360-848-7661toschedule an appointmentDrop-insarewelcome!

Skin Cancer ScreeningLocal dermatologists will conduct

visual inspections of skin abnormalities you are concerned about. Call 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481 to schedule an appointment.

Sept.23(Wed)ProvidedbyJ.SemmesMickelwait,MD,withAdvancedDermatology

Dec.3(Thur)ProvidedbyRochelleTrussell,PA,withSkagitValleyMedicalCenter

1-4p.m.SkagitRegionalHeart&VascularInstituteSkagitValleyHospitalEnterthroughDiagnosticServices entrance on 13th StreetTheInstituteisimmediatelyinsidetheentranceonyourrightNo chargePre-registrationrequired

Vision ScreeningA certified ophthalmic technician

from North Cascade Eye Associates will conduct vision and glaucoma screenings. Bring a contact lens case for storage during the screening. Call 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481 to schedule an appointment.

Oct.27(Tue)Noon-2p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalCascade roomEnterthroughKincaidStreetentranceNochargebutpre-registrationrequired


Blood DrivesDonating blood is a simple and

generous gift that can save a life. Did you know that one blood donation can help up to three patients? The Puget Sound Blood Center urges you to donate the “gift of life” at the following blood drives:

Dec.30and31(Wed/Thur)10a.m.-12:30p.m.and1:15–4p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalCascade room

Pre-registration required by calling 1-800-398-7888

Free Blood Pressure ScreeningsAutomated blood pressure machines

donated by the Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation are available at the following locations:

•SkagitValleyHospitalDiagnosticImagingCenter

•SkagitValleyHospital–KincaidStreetEntrance

•SkagitValleyMedicalCenter- Stanwood/Camano

Is it Time for Your Mammogram?Remember the steps to breast health!1.Doamonthlybreastself-exam.2.Ifyouare40orolder,haveamammogrameveryoneortwoyears.

3.Haveayearlycheck-up,includingaclinicalbreastexam.

For a screening mammogram appointment, call 360-424-9607.

The Breast Care Center1320EastDivisionStreetMountVernon360-424-9607OpenMonday–Friday,7a.m.–5:30p.m.

A service provided cooperatively by Skagit Valley Hospital and Skagit Radiology.

Childbirth and Infant CarePregnancy and Childbirth

This six-week course for expectant parents includes information about emotional changes during pregnancy, the labor process, breathing techniques, the role of the support person, breastfeeding

and newborn care. The fee is $90 and medical coupons are accepted. Medical coupons are required two weeks before the class begins. A seven-week option includes breastfeeding and a local pediatrician to discuss your baby’s first three months for an additional $20 (not covered by medical coupons.) Classes are offered at Skagit Valley Hospital. Pre-registration required.

Childbirth Express: One-day Saturday or Two-day Weekend

One-day Saturday and two-day weekend intensive childbirth preparation classes are available. The fee is $95 and medical coupons are required two weeks before class begins. Pre-registration required. A $5 discount is available on the Breastfeeding and Newborn Care class when registering for it at the same time as the Childbirth Express class, making it only $20.

Breastfeeding and newborn CareIn this two and one-half hour program,

one of Skagit Valley Hospital’s Family Birth Center’s nurse Lactation Consultants will aid parents in gaining the knowledge necessary to make feeding decisions regarding their new baby. In addition, a local pediatrician will be available to provide information on newborn care – time for questions will be allowed. Pre-registration required. The class fee is $25. Call for class dates and times.

Family Birth Center ToursFree tours of the Skagit Valley Hospital

Family Birth Center are offered twice a month. Call 360-814-2424 to schedule a tour.

Lactation Services at Skagit Valley Hospital

Here at the Family Birth Center, we are dedicated to you and your baby’s health. That is why we provide one of the most inclusive lactation services programs in the region. There are six Internationally Board-Certified Lactation Consultant Registered Nurses available to visit you during your hospital stay and help you experience a successful start to breastfeeding your baby.

The Lactation Services office serves also as an Ameda rental station, where breast pumps and accessories are available to rent or purchase. If you are pregnant

or breastfeeding or know someone who is and would like to know more about Lactation Services at Skagit Valley Hospital, please call 360-814-BABY and one of our consultants would be happy to talk with you.

Child Safety Seat ChecksCertified child safety seat technicians

will assess your seat for age- and size-appropriateness, proper installation and use, recalls and visible damage.

This screening is highly recommended for parents-to-be, prior to the birth of your new baby, to learn how to safely install and use your car seat.

Sept.17;Oct.15;Nov.19;Dec.17(Thurs)1-3p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalmain entrance covered area

Co-sponsored by Skagit Safe Kids. Pre-registration is not required. Call Bill Craig at 360-428-3236 for more information regarding additional dates and times.

If you are interested in learning how to install car seats and help parents install their car seats properly, call Bill Craig, Skagit County Medic One at 360-428-3236 or via e-mail at [email protected].

Kidney Dialysis EducationPre-dialysis Education

This Skagit Valley Kidney Center program is for people with reduced kidney function who would like to explore treatment options for renal replacement therapy. Patients, families and caregivers will receive information about treatment options, diet, health maintenance, financial and social concerns.

FALL2009 35

These two introductory sessions help reduce many anxieties a person may have related to the “unknown”. The sessions provide an opportunity for patients to make more informed choices. Classes are provided by physician referral. For more information, call 360-814-8313.

Mental HealthFamily-to-Family Education Program

Free 12-week course for families of adults with mental illness starts Thursday, September 3 at 7 p.m. The course focuses on helping family members understand the major mental illnesses and maintain their own well-being while providing needed support to their ill family members. This program is provided by NAMI Skagit, an affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Call 360-630-0686 or 360-540-0795 for more information or to register. Space is limited.

Peer-to-Peer Education ProgramFree nine-week class for adults with

mental illness or brain disorders to help them better understand their illness and maintain and improve their recovery. NAMI Skagit provides this program. Call Aimee Beckwith at 360-466-2192 for more information and to register. Space is limited.

Visions for Tomorrow Education Program

Free 10-week class for parents or primary caregivers of a child or teen with mental illness or a brain disorder. The course helps families with communication, coping, problem management, rehabilitation, recovery, and advocacy. NAMI Skagit provides this program. Call Marti Wall at 360-770-5666 for more information and to register. Space is limited.

For more support, adults living with a mental illness may drop-in at the Skagit Peer Connections Center anytime, Monday through Friday between 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. at 1115 Riverside Drive,

Mount Vernon. There are support groups, classes, hobby time, free lunch, and always someone to talk with and keep company. For more information call 360-848-8615.

Support GroupsCall 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481 for

current Skagit County Support Group information.

Mental Health Support Group NAMI Skagit Open Group meets on the

4th Tuesday of each month from 7 – 9 p.m. in San Juan B at Skagit Valley Hospital. For more information contact Trish Rodriguez at 360-540-0795 or Marti Wall at 360-770-5666.

Ostomy Support Group Second Tuesday of each month from

6:30 - 8 p.m. in the Sauk Room at Skagit Valley Hospital. Call Cathy Schaeffer at 360-814-2600 for more information.

Cancer Support and Information All programs are free of charge For

additional information on any of these services or events please contact Cancer Care Social Services at 360-814-8255.

Look Good, Feel BetterCancer can rob a woman of her energy,

appetite and strength. But it doesn’t have to take away her self-confidence. This program teaches beauty techniques to women in active treatment or those who are about to start treatment. It helps them combat the appearance related to the side effects of treatment.

The Look Good, Feel Better sessions are led by trained, volunteer cosmetologists who teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss using cosmetics

and skin care products donated by the cosmetic industry. Women also learn ways to disguise hair loss with wigs, scarves and other accessories. Space is limited so be sure to register by calling the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345.

FourthMondayofeachmonthexceptDecember1-3p.m.SkagitValleyHospitalSaukConferenceRoomEnterthroughKincaidStreetentrance

The following are all drop-in groups held at Skagit Valley Hospital. Each is facilitated by an oncology social worker or trained instructor and may feature guest speakers.

Women’s Cancer Support GroupSecond Wednesday of each month from

5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Shuksan Conference Room. This group is for women who are undergoing treatment for, or have experienced breast, ovarian, uterine or cervical cancer. Call 360-814-8255 for additional information.

Living with Cancer Fourth Wednesday of each month,

5 – 6:30 p.m. in the Shuksan Conference Room. A support group for cancer patients and their closest support person. Call 360-814-8255 for more information.

Healing and Art Group First and third Mondays of each

month, 2 p.m. – 3:30 p.m. in the Shuksan Conference Room. Margaret Carpenter Arnett, BSN, ATR has been doing art therapy with cancer patients for over ten years. We are pleased to have her here! Creating art may reduce anxiety and stress plus improve emotional well-being. It is a great opportunity to process and integrate the challenges of serious illness and treatment. If you are someone who asks “Who am I now?,” consider coming to this group. Please note artistic “skills” are not required!

Healthy-Steps: Better Health Through Movement with the Lebed Method

Second and fourth Mondays of each month, 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. in San Juan A/B Conference Rooms. The Lebed Method is a fun, gentle exercise program designed and proven beneficial for those with breast cancer, lymphedema, other cancers and chronic conditions. Lebed combines easy stretches, low-impact aerobics and relaxation techniques with great music. Lebed exercise has been found to increase range of motion, strength, physical stability and quality of life. Please join us for this fun and exciting group.


Grief Support Services Skagit Hospice Services Bereavement

Program provides support to anyone in our communities coping with grief and loss after the death of a loved one. Call us for information and referrals, attend a free grief support group, or borrow materials from our Resource Center. For more information, phone 360-814-5550 or 1-800-894-5877.

Daytime Ongoing Grief Support First and third Tuesdays from 12:30

to 2 p.m. in the Skagit Hospice offices at 819 S. 13th Street in Mount Vernon; the second and fourth Mondays from noon to 1:30 p.m. in Anacortes at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 1300 9th Street; 1st Tuesdays from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in Oak Harbor at Senior Center, 51 S.E. Jerome Street.

Evening Ongoing Grief Support First and third Thursdays from 5:30 to

7 p.m. in Sedro-Woolley at Senior Center, 715 Pacific Street.

Loss of a Child (at any age) Ongoing Grief Support

Second and fourth Tuesdays from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Skagit Hospice offices at 819 S. 13th Street in Mount Vernon; pre-registration required.

Young Adult Group (for people aged 18 to mid-20s who have lost loved ones)

First and third Tuesdays, 5:30 – 7 p.m., Skagit Hospice offices, 819 S. 13th Street, Mount Vernon. Pre-registration required.

In-Service Education For grief and loss presentations for

your organization or employees, contact the Skagit Hospice Services Bereavement Coordinator at 360-814-5589.

Skagit Hospice Speakers Bureau Speakers are available for civic

organizations and churches as a service of the Skagit Hospice Foundation. Call 360-814-5702.

Skagit Hospice Services Resource Center: A free lending library open to the community

Books and other materials are available for adults, teens and children. Topics include care-giving, coping with disease, end-of-life concerns, grief and loss and inspiration for challenging times. Visitors will find a comfortable place to sit and read, browse or find materials to check out.

The Skagit Hospice Services Resource Center is open weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby of the Skagit Hospice office at 819 South 13th Street in Mount Vernon and after hours by appointment. A member of the hospice team can answer questions or help you find what you need. For information call Skagit Hospice Services at 360-814-5550 or the Foundation at 360-814-5702. The Skagit Hospice Foundation is proud to be a supporter of this valuable community resource center.

Interested in helping the Skagit Hospice Foundation?

The Skagit Hospice Foundation is currently accepting applications for new board trustees. This group of volunteers works to raise funds to support hospice programs and to educate the community about available services. The goal of the board is to ensure that everyone who wants or needs hospice care receives services regardless of ability to pay. The

foundation has also started planning for the 2010 annual brunch and auction and is seeking community members interested in working on a committee to make this year’s fundraiser the best ever to support hospice in our community. For information, call the foundation office at 360-814-5702.

Community News and ResourcesFor easy access to community services dial 2-1-1

2-1-1 is a free, easy-to-remember phone number that connects people to what they need, whether that means receiving help, or offering it through volunteer time or donations.

By dialing 2-1-1, people will reach a trained information specialist who can help determine the service they need, and refer them to the most appropriate resource among the full range of public and private programs available.

Important! The 2-1-1 call line will be open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 2-1-1 is not a crisis line. If the need can’t wait until the next business day, please call the CARE Crisis Line at 800-584-3578. In the event of a life-threatening emergency or a crime in progress, always call 911.

Some residents may have difficulty accessing the 2-1-1 line via cell phone or a business line. The previous Community Information Line number, 800-223-8145, will remain active and can be used instead of calling 2-1-1.

Skagit Valley Hospital Gift Shop The Skagit Valley Hospital Gift Shop

has many wonderful hand-made and retail gift items for sale with all proceeds going to the Skagit Valley Hospital Guild. In 2008 the Guild purchased equipment for the Telestroke Program and pledged an additional $26,000 to the Skagit Valley Hospital’s Cancer Care Capital Campaign, increasing their total pledge to $101,000.00.

Please remember the Skagit Valley

Hospital Gift Shop next time you need a gift for a friend or relative.

FALL2009 37

Speakers BureauNeed an interesting presentation for

your club or organization? Skagit Valley Hospital’s Speakers Bureau provides speakers on a number of health care related topics, many at no cost. For more information on speaker topics or to schedule a presentation, call Kaye at 360-814-2348.

Help WantedCaring People with Big Hearts

Volunteers make the difference at Skagit Valley Hospital. Our volunteers perform a variety of important jobs, from helping nurses with patient care and conducting hospital tours for school children to working in gift shops, at the information desks or in clerical positions. The Department of Volunteer Services at Skagit Valley Hospital coordinates the activities of over 465 volunteers in support of the hospital’s operations.

Opportunities for service at Skagit Valley Hospital include:• Pianists•InformationDesk•SurgicalServices• gift Shop•WorkroomVolunteers•MailDelivery

Guilds and Auxiliaries•GraceCochrumGuild• J.E.M.Guild•SkagitValleyHospitalGuild•SkagitValleyHospitalAuxiliary

Contact UsTo inquire about volunteering or

request services, please contact Steve Schultz at 360-814-2142 or contact our main information desk at 360-814-5059.

Pianists WantedSkagit Valley Hospital has a wonderful

volunteer opportunity – play our beautiful grand piano for guests of the hospital to enjoy. If you are an accomplished pianist who would like to share your talent for others to enjoy, call 360-814-2142.

Health Insurance Questions?Call the SHIBA HELPLINE at 360-

814-2345. We have a wonderful group of volunteers to help people of all ages with their health insurance needs as well as assistance with understanding insurance options. SHIBA = Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors.

HealthQuest TV on Cable-Access Television Station 10

If you are a Comcast cable subscriber in Skagit County, be sure to tune in to channel 10 at 7 p.m. each evening to watch HealthQuest TV. This half-hour show features a new guest each week showcasing our local physicians and health care professionals on a variety of topics ranging from latest treatment options for heart, cooking shows and cancer care to prevention topics highlighting local physical activity programs, grocery store tours and more.

If you are not a Comcast cable subscriber you can still see some of the HealthQuest shows on our Web site. Just visit www.skagitvalleyhospital.org, click on About Us, then click on Skagit Valley Hospital Interactive in the menu on the left of the page.

Join us to learn more about how to improve your health and health care options in our area.

need a Physician?Call our free Physician Referral

Line at 360-848-5555 or 360-629-5850 from Stanwood or Camano Island. The Physician Referral Line is open weekdays between 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program

You may be eligible for a free women’s health exam that includes a breast exam, a mammogram, a pap test and exam through the Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program.

You are eligible if:•youareage40through64,and•yourincomefallswithinprogramguidelines•youarenotonMedicaidorMedicare•areexperiencingbreast

symptoms regardless of age

You may be referred to a specialist. The Breast and Cervical Health Program will pay for many diagnostic services and connect you to treatment if needed. For referral to a nearby clinic or eligibility information call 1-888-651-8931.

ParentHelp 123Visit ParentHelp123.org to apply for

state-sponsored health insurance and food programs. ParentHelp123.org is a great resource to help families find out income guidelines and their eligibility for state-sponsored benefit programs, complete an application for programs such as Children’s Health Insurance, Pregnancy Medicaid, Basic Health, WIC and Basic Food (Food Stamps) or access educational materials about family health, breastfeeding and more.

in the 1415 Deli at

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Skagit Valley Hospital

Any Monday in October and Save

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Thiscouponentitlesyouto$1offtheregularpriceofoneentréeinthe1415DelionanyMondayduringthemonthofOctober.One

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•AcuteCare• Administration•BreastCareCenter•CamanoCommunityHealthClinic• Cancer Care•CardiacRehabilitation• Cardiac electrophysiology•CardiacCatheterizationLab• Care Center• Care management• Chemotherapy•Children’sTherapyProgram•ClinicalEducation• Clinical Services/Infection Control•ComputedTomographyImaging(CTScan)• Critical Care•DiagnosticImaging• echocardiography • electrophysiology•EmergencyTraumaCenter• endoscopy•FamilyBirthCenter• Food Services • gift Shop•HealthInformationManagement•HealthQuest•Heart&VascularInstitute•HospiceCare•Hospitalistsonsite24/7• Interpreting - translating• IV therapy•KidneyDialysis-outpatientandinpatient•Laboratory

•Library•MagneticResonanceImaging(MRI)• materials management• medical Staff Services•NuclearMedicine•NursingAdministration•NutritionCounseling• oncology•OutreachandDevelopment• Pastoral Care/Chaplains• Patient Advocate• Pet/Ct• Pharmacy•Physical,Speech&OccupationalTherapy• Physician referral Services• Positron emission tomography (PETScanning)•PsychiatricCare/Counseling•QualityManagement• radiation therapy•RehabilitationServices• respiratory therapy•SkagitHospiceFoundation•SkagitValleyHospitalFoundation• Sleep Center•StatewideHealthInsuranceAdvisors(SHIBA)

•SunriseInn•SurgicalServices•Ultrasound•VolunteerServices•WoundHealingCenter• X-ray

Skagit Valley Hospital provides a full continuum of care to our community, ranging from outpatient diagnostics and rehabilitation services to surgery and acute care. Learn more about the following services by going to www.skagitvalleyhospital.org.

List of services atSkagit Valley Hospital


ABOVE: Nurse Tina Abshier cares for a newborn in the nursery of the Family Birth Center.

TOurS: Tours of the well-appointed private rooms and other amenities for patients and families are offered twice a month. To register, call 360-814-2424.

FALL2009 39

Refund PolicyA full refund will be granted if the

class is cancelled or if you cancellation is received at least three working days in advance of the class date.

Cancellations received within two working days of the class date will be charged a $10 processing fee.

Totalamountenclosed:

Name: _______________________________________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________________

City,State,ZipCode: ___________________________________________________________

DayPhone: __________________________ HomePhone: ______________________________

e-mail address:________________________________________________________________

Check(make checks payable to SVH-HealthQuest)

mastercard VISA

CreditCardNumber: ____________________________________

ExpirationDate: _______________________

Signature:____________________________________

tYPe oF PAYmeNt (Please do not send cash)

Registration FormPlease complete the following information (use one copy for each participant - feel free to duplicate

this form or register on our Web site, www.skagitvalleyhospital.org and click on Calendar)

CLASSorSCREENING DATE FEE

Questions on Registration?

Call Skagit Valley Hospital at 360-814-2424, from Stanwood and Camano Island call 360-629-6481 or for hearing impaired, please call TTY 360-814-2219

No refund will be given after the class has begun.

To request a refund, call 360-814-2424 or in Stanwood/Camano Island call 360-629-6481 or TTY 360-814-2218, then submit a written request to:

HealthQuestSkagitValleyHospitalP.O.Box1376MountVernon,WA98273

Class Registration

4 Easy WaysPHOnE24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a WeekCall 360-814-2424 or 360-629-6481Call us anytime day or night and leave your detailed course information with your name, address and phone number in our voice mail, or with the scheduler. You will receive a confirma-tion in the mail.

INterNet24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a WeekGo to: www.skagitvalleyhospital.orgClick on Calendar

MAILHealthQuestSkagitValleyHospitalP.O.Box1376MountVernon,WA98273-1376Fill out this form and include your check or charge card number.

FAX24 Hours a Day, 7 Days a Week360-814-8222Complete this form and fax it to the number above.

Skagit Valley HospitalP.O. Box 1376Mount Vernon, WA 98273-1376

Sponsored by Skagit Valley Hospital Foundation

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDSAM INC

ECRWSS RESIDENTIAL CUSTOMER

Documents

2009 Fall HealthQuest