Peace of Mind - PeaceHealth · Oregon Health & Science University. He says all of the dialysis staff members are great and always friendly and answer all his questions. The staff

SPRING ■ 2009

4 Volunteers

share their

experiences

9 Help with

on-the-job

health

New Peace

of Mind clinic

opens

From left, Peace of Mind providers

Robert Axelrod, MD; Julie Dickson, MD;

Susan Mejo, ARNP, PsyD;

Brent Francisco, MN, ARNP, PMNP; and Pam McGill, ARNP

A publication of St. John Medical Center and PeaceHealth Medical GroupA publication of St. John Medical Center and PeaceHealth Medical Group

See story on page 6.

www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 2 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 3 St. John Medical Centerwww.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia

kidney care

Daniel Lute’s eyes light up when he talks about his music and his bride of several

years, Lily Jane. Lute plays the mandolin, and Lily Jane plays bass. Together they

enjoy weekly bluegrass and country jam sessions with other local musicians.

Lute’s life, like his music, seems very much in tune. But, like most of our

lives, it isn’t all sweet harmony. Despite his robust look, Lute visits St. John’s

Broadway Campus three times a week for four-hour dialysis treatments.

While 90 percent of St. John’s dialysis patients have a history of diabetes and

hypertension, sometimes kidney problems are hereditary—as in Lute’s case.

He’s had a healthy lifestyle and isn’t sure why he has problems, but his mother

and others in his family have also had kidney problems.

A support system Like most everything else, Lute takes dialysis in stride.

Before starting the treatments, he was tired and listless. But since starting

dialysis in March 2008, he says he has more energy.

“It’s not like a switch comes on and you feel better right away. It took a while,

but now I have more energy,” he says. Without treatment, his condition may

have confined him to bed or have been fatal.

When his PeaceHealth physician, Louis Cotterell, MD, told Lute it was time

to start dialysis, he transferred to dialysis at St. John, after first being treated at

Dialysis treatment isn’t stopping this musician

Although PeaceHealth’s Dialysis Center treats 60 patients

every day, each patient receives special care. When our

patients go out of town and have their dialysis elsewhere,

they miss the warmth and friendliness of our staff.

For these patients, whose kidneys have little or no func-

tion, dialysis performs two important tasks. It removes fl uids

and cleans waste from the blood. The process takes about

four hours. Most patients get treatment three times a week.

Unless they have a kidney transplant, these patients

will need to have dialysis for the rest of their lives.

Sometimes our patients need more care from another

department. They can take comfort knowing they can get

that care right here at the medical center.

Care with results This quality care shows in the results

of an independent study from the U.S. Centers for Medi-

care & Medicaid Services (CMS).

The study reveals much greater than average survival

rates for patients who receive care at the PeaceHealth

Dialysis Center. Among all U.S. dialysis centers, 88 per-

cent had a higher mortality rate.

The CMS report also shows that PeaceHealth Di-

alysis Center patients needed 9 percent less hospital

care than patients at other U.S. dialysis centers.

Setting the bar higher Carey Wallace, Clinical

Manager of Dialysis Services, says the CMS

results confi rm the center’s high standards for

patient safety and quality.

“We set our requirements higher than CMS, and

we’re continually refi ning our program to improve

patient safety and quality,” she says. “Since the

CMS survey was completed, we’ve added blood

volume monitors and implemented new access

techniques, both of which enhance patient care.

Another important factor is the excellent care pro-

vided by the outstanding staff at the PeaceHealth

Dialysis Center!”

For more details about the CMS report,

visit www.medicare.gov and select “Com-

pare Dialysis Facilities in Your Area.”

SAFE, SUCCESSFUL DIALYSIS AT ST. JOHN

A life

First hemodialysis

treatment is done with a

rotating drum artifi cial

kidney developed by Dutch

doctor Willem Kolff.

1943history of

Dialysis and PeaceHealth

www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 2 St. John Medical Center

www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 2 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 3 St. John Medical Center

A life in tune

Photos from left to right:

Dialysis treatment helps Daniel Lute

(left) enjoy his weekly jam sessions with

The Joy Band guitarist Dave Bellamy.

Dialysis social worker Donald Prebus,

MSW, and Daniel Lute enjoy a moment

before Lute begins his dialysis treat-

ment for the day.

Oregon Health & Science University. He says all of the dialysis staff members are

great and always friendly and answer all his questions. The staff even worked to get

him scheduled for afternoon treatments after learning he wasn’t a morning person.

Moving forward Lute is on a list for a kidney transplant, though finding

a match can take two years or longer. “It’s not really about waiting for your

number—it’s getting the right match,” Lute explains. “If a kidney comes in and

it’s a seven-point match and no one else is a match, then you get it.”

The donor kidney needs to be healthy, and it needs to be the best match for

your body, so there’s less chance for rejection.

Before getting a transplant, Lute advises people to check their insurance to

see if it covers the costs associated with a kidney transplant. The prescriptions

can be very costly, running thousands of dollars each month, and a transplant

patient will need them for the rest of his or her life.

Lute also advises that people get regular medical checkups. Your healthcare

provider can do some prescreening to check for potential kidney problems.

Despite it all, Lute is optimistic about the future and grateful for his dialysis

team. He and his music group, dubbed “The Joy Band,” have been asked to be

taped on the local public access channel, and they are considering performing

at St. John for other dialysis patients.

Since starting

dialysis treatment,

Daniel Lute says he has

more energy.

KIDNEY DISEASE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

Kay and Lynn Croy

gather with other patients,

families, and friends at a

monthly Kidney Disease

Education session.

This PeaceHealth class

helps dialysis patients

and their families under-

stand dialysis better. It also teaches them how diet

and a healthy lifestyle help kidneys stay healthy.

Classes are held in the mornings on the third

Thursday and Friday of every other month (May,

July, September, November) at the PeaceHealth

Broadway Campus. To register or learn more, call

(360) 414-2268.

When dialysis shunts are developed by Dr. Belding

Scribner, dialysis can only be used to treat patients

whose kidneys are expected to recover. Because

these shunts are outside the patient’s body, they

often become infected or clotted.Befo

re

1960

Dr. James Cimino and

colleagues fi nd a way to

connect an artery and vein

inside the arm, a procedure

called an arteriovenous fi stula. 1966

more



your community

Volunteer Ed Bruce mentors teen

volunteer Natalie Byman at the

PeaceHealth Dialysis Center. Both

fi nd working with the dialysis staff

and patients rewarding.

Congress passes a law to supply funds for treatment for many

dialysis patients. This helps dialysis patients continue to work

and also helps outpatient dialysis and technology grow.

1972

Nephrologist Dr. Glenn Gee

plays an important role in the

creation of the PeaceHealth

Dialysis Center. Dr. Gee, along

with patients, families, and

1985

Dialysis

When asked what they like about volunteering in

the PeaceHealth Dialysis Center at PeaceHealth’s

Broadway Campus, Ed Bruce and Natalie Byman

say it’s a great reward to help the patients.

Going strong In September 2005, Ed Bruce

became the first person in the community

to volunteer in the Dialysis Center. He was

already familiar with the staff and many of the

daily activities because he had spent four and a

half years going with his late wife, Yvonne, for

her treatments.

Bruce volunteers three days a week and

clocked more than 1,099 hours last year—more

than any St. John volunteer in 2008. He quips,

“When you get to my age—80—you have to do

something. You can’t stay at home. I knew what

I could do and where I could help out.”


She’s able to observe what the dialysis nurses

do up close and gain a better understanding of

the patients’ needs, several of whom she also

works with in her job on the rehabilitation floor

at Northwest Continuum.

Byman says volunteering in dialysis has

changed her views about the treatment. “Peo-

ple think it’s a sad place, but there’s such a great

atmosphere. The staff members keep it positive

and truly care about their patients,” she says.

“Ever since I started volunteering, I’ve learned

that putting a little time in can help so many

people. It feels like one of the most worthwhile

things I’ve ever done!”

Interested in volunteering? We have

many opportunities available. Call St.

John Medical Center’s volunteer program at

(360) 636-4126 or visit us at www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia/volunteerservices.

For a dialysis-friendly

recipe you can try at

home, turn to the

calendar on page 11.

generationsspan

And help out he does. This

seasoned volunteer does every-

thing from helping patients get

up to holding the site fistulas in

their arms. He likes to help people

and has high praise for the dialysis

techs and nurses. “They never tell [you

what to do]; they ask,” he says. “They are

wonderful.”

Over the years, he’s become close to the staff.

The granddaugh-

ter of one of the

techs that cared

for his wife deliv-

ered a handmade

card to Bruce to

show her thanks

for his help.

Building for the future Natalie Byman,

CNA, has been a St. John volunteer since Feb-

ruary 2008, and started volunteering in dialysis

last December. A Mark Morris High School

senior, she plans to get her bachelor’s degree in

nursing. Byman feels the education she’s receiv-

ing as a dialysis volunteer is valuable.

Ed Bruce is her volunteer trainer, and, as

Byman says, “He’s a good one. He knows every-

thing about it. I can ask him any question.”

volunteers


Local organization

The PeaceHealth Dialysis Center has a 22-chair hemodialysis unit and a

highly trained staff. According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medic-

aid Services, our patients show a survival rate significantly greater than

the national average.Toda

ymembers of the community

support group KINDS (Kidneys

in Need of Dialysis), are instru-

mental in the Certificate of Need

process for the Dialysis Unit.

To learn more about how you can make a contribution to the PeaceHealth

Dialysis Center or any other program on behalf of our patients, call the

St. John Foundation at (360) 414-7900 or visit www.peacehealth.org/

lowercolumbia/foundation.


We have all passed by the building with the large

F.O.E. sign on the outside. You find these in nearly

every town. What you may not know is that inside

are people working to make a difference in the

communities that they serve.

F.O.E. stands for “Fraternal Order of Eagles.”

But you might think it really stands for “Full of

Energy!” They are people helping people with a

passion that lifts the spirit.

For nearly a century, the Fraternal Order of

Eagles has promoted the values of home, family,

and community. They will do whatever it takes

to raise money for a project that is near and

dear to their hearts. They live and breathe their

mission to unite in the spirit of liberty, truth,

justice, and equality; to make human life more

desirable by lessening its ills; and to promote

peace, prosperity, gladness, and hope.

Over the years, the Longview Aerie #2116,

Kelso Aerie #1555, Castle Rock Aerie #556,

Rainier Aerie #4022, and Ocean Beach Aerie

#3602 Eagles have given generously to St. John

Medical Center. They have given a combined

total of over $60,000 to projects such as those

for cardiology, radiation oncology, dialysis, and

cancer.

When asked why they choose to give to St.

John, they say they want the money to stay

local—to help their friends, families, and

neighbors. Our thanks and gratitude go to the

Eagles for their commitment and support of

our local hospital.

differencein healthcare

makesa


wellness

For years, the healthcare teams at St. John Medical

Center have been meeting the behavioral health

needs of the community.

In 1997, St. John opened A Child’s Place.

The clinic serves children and teens who need

professional help with behavioral and emotional

problems.

Adults with serious, long-term behavioral health

problems have also been able to get care for many

years at St. John.

But over time, demand for adult services has

increased. As a result, St. John has opened Peace

of Mind, a new outpatient adult behavioral health

clinic.

“Peace of Mind allows us to provide even better

Meeting mental health needs

A Child’s Place Children’s health needs are different than those

of adults—and that goes for behavioral health

too. A Child’s Place caters to those special

needs. It offers children, adolescents, and their

families professional help with behavioral and

emotional problems.

“Kids used to have to go out of town to be

treated,” Rahn says. “A Child’s Place was created

to provide local services to children in our com-

munity. We have long-term community mem-

bers on staff that know the community and are

in touch with the needs of our children.”

Gayle Tate, MSW, LICSW, a PeaceHealth

clinical social worker, has been on staff since

A Child’s Place opened in 1997.

“It’s provided a real benefit to have a clinic for

children and adolescents that is such a vital part

of the community,” Tate says. “We

are able to provide support

to kids and their fami-

lies. We help them

get through tough

times and suc-

ceed at school

and home.”

Peace of Mind St. John has always provided quality services

to adults with serious behavioral health prob-

lems. But it became apparent that there was

a need for more treatment for less serious

cases.

“We have done a great job of taking care of

those patients who are severely and chroni-

cally mentally ill,” says Robert Axelrod, MD, a

psychiatrist and PeaceHealth Medical Direc-

tor of Behavioral Health Services. “But not

every person needs that kind of treatment.”

People who had less severe problems

couldn’t always get care right away. “We have

had more people seeking psychiatric services

than we could handle,” Rahn says. “And most

of the services at our current facility were

designed for the chronically mentally ill

population. It was apparent that people with

less acute problems were having difficulty

accessing services.”

With that in mind, the Peace of Mind

clinic, which opens this spring, was created.

It caters to the needs of patients who have less

serious behavioral health issues that may not

require the long-term care offered at St. John’s

other adult behavioral health clinic.

The new clinic is designed for patients who

do not have a history of behavioral health

problems but find themselves dealing with

disorders such as depression or anxiety.

“They may have had a crisis in their life

that has led to depression,” Dr. Axelrod says.

“They may just need to receive focused treat-

ment for a short period of time.”

The staff at Peace of Mind conducts psychi-

atric evaluations and offers patients therapy

and counseling. Along with Dr. Axelrod, the

clinic staff also includes psychiatric nurse

practitioners and a social worker.

Anyone who has depression or anxiety that

lasts for more than a couple of weeks should

consider seeking help from the professionals

at Peace of Mind, Dr. Axelrod says.

“When something is interfering with

your ability to work or is affecting

your relationships with family and

friends, it’s time to get some

help,” he says. “And if you have

thoughts about suicide, that’s

definitely a warning sign.”


Two clinics and a

caring team equal

behavioral health care

for all ages.


Meeting mental health needs

New St. John adult clinic joins children’s center in providing community behavioral health services to patients of all ages

behavioral health services to the community,” says

Kyle Rahn, MS, PeaceHealth Regional Director of

Behavioral Health Services. “We are confident that

we can meet all the healthcare needs of community

members, both young and old.”

From left, Peace of Mind providers Susan Mejo, ARNP, PsyD;

Brent Francisco, MN, ARNP, PMNP; Robert Axelrod, MD;

Julie Dickson, MD; and Pam McGill, ARNP

A Child’s Place has a full-time child psychiatrist,

Anca Balasu, MD, on staff. Tate and psychiatric nurse

practitioner Susan Mejo, ARNP, PsyD, are also on hand

to work with children and their families.

The clinic offers patients an array of services, includ-

ing psychiatric evaluations, individual and family coun-

seling, parent education, intensive case management,

medication management, and other support programs.

Tate says you should consider getting help at A

Child’s Place if your child:

•Cries easily.

•Is noticeably more irritable or anxious.

•Has a negative view of his or her world.

•Has difficulty concentrating.

•Has distinct changes in eating or sleeping patterns.

•Has a significant change in school performance.

•Bullies or is bullied.

•Tries to hurt himself or herself or has thoughts of

suicide.

“If you see any of these things impacting your child’s

ability to go to school and function successfully, you

should seek help,” Tate says. “Our goal is to help children

and adolescents do what they need to do to be successful.”

If you have concerns about the behavioral

health needs of yourself or a loved one, call

the Peace of Mind clinic at (360) 414-2235

or A Child's Place at (360) 414-2222.



providers

Get back InMotion!

Give us a call today at

(360) 414-2700 to learn

how we can help.

Want to know more about InMotion

services or the InMotion team?

Visit www.peacehealth.org/inmotion

or call us at (360) 414-2700.

Hand surgeryRandall Espinosa, MD

Certification: American

Board of Orthopaedic

Surgery

Degree: University of

Colorado School of Medicine, Denver

Internship: General surgery, William Beaumont

Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas

Residency: Orthopedic surgery, William Beau-

mont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas

Fellowship: Hand surgery, Walter Reed Army

Medical Center, Washington, D.C.

Dr. Espinosa was a military surgeon in the

Army for 30 years. He served in places such

as Iraq and Afghanistan, where he performed

emergency surgery for injured soldiers and

civilians.

Dr. Espinosa is a recently retired Army colo-

nel and joined PeaceHealth Medical Group at

the InMotion Clinic last fall. He brings a wealth

of experience and specialized skills in orthope-

dic hand surgery to our community.

Hand surgeryRandall Espinosa, MD

Certification:Board of Orthopaedic

Surgery

Degree:Colorado School of Medicine, Denver

Foot surgeryNatalie Mesnier, MD

Certification: American

Board of Orthopaedic

Surgery

Degree: Northwest

University Medical School, Chicago

Internship: Surgery, University of Pittsburgh

Residency: Orthopedic surgery, University of

Pittsburgh

Fellowship: Foot and ankle surgery, Institute for

Foot and Ankle Reconstruction, Baltimore

Dr. Mesnier joined PeaceHealth Medical

Group at the InMotion Clinic after completing

her fellowship. Her skills in orthopedic surgery

and her subspecialty of foot and ankle surgery

are valuable resources for our community.

Foot surgeryNatalie Mesnier, MD

Certification:Board of Orthopaedic

Surgery

Degree:University Medical School, Chicago

Pain interventionAnnette Stephens, MD

Certification: Anesthesia

and pain medicine,

American Board of

Anesthesiology

Credentials: American Board of Pain Medicine

Degree: University of Texas at Houston

Residency: Anesthesia, Emory University,

Atlanta

Fellowship: Pain, Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

and affiliated programs at New York Presbyte-

rian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and

the Hospital for Special Surgeries

Dr. Stephens treats a wide range of painful

medical conditions and specializes in inter-

ventional injection therapy. Conditions that

respond to interventional techniques include

acute and chronic pain of the back, neck, hips,

and legs; headaches; peripheral neuropathies;

and some forms of spinal cord injury. Treat-

ments include epidural steroid injections,

radiofrequency (RF) and pulsed RF therapy,

advanced implantable devices, and medication

management.

Pain interventionAnnette Stephens, MD

Certification:and pain medicine,

American Board of

Anesthesiology

Credentials: American Board of Pain Medicine

Physician assistantChristine Matthews,

PA-C

Certification: Physician

assistant, Albany Medi-

cal College, New York; surgical residency, Yale

University, Norwalk, Conn.

Degrees: Bachelor’s in biology, State University

of New York; associate’s in science, Hudson

Community College, New York

Membership: American Academy of Physician

Assistants

Matthews joined Longview Surgical Group

in 1994 and began work at InMotion Orthope-

dic in March 2009. Please join us in welcoming

her as an orthopedic physician assistant.

Physician assistantChristine Matthews,

PA-C

Certification:assistant, Albany Medi-

cal College, New York; surgical residency, Yale

Get to know the newest members of

our team

SERVICES TO KEEP YOU INMOTION

•Chiropractic care

•Health psychology

•Orthopedic surgery, including

hand, foot, and joint replacement

•Pain management

•Physical medicine and

rehabilitation

•Physical therapy

•Rheumatology

•Sports medicine

Randall Espinosa, MD,

explains to a patient how

a bone in the hand works.


workplace wellness

Hurt at work?

We can help


To learn more about Workplace Wellness,

visit www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia/

workplacewellness.

Have you ever hurt yourself at work and wondered what to do next? Where would

you go if you needed medical attention? What about all that paperwork?

At Workplace Wellness Services, PeaceHealth’s Occupational

Medicine Clinic, we specialize in workplace injuries and can help

you with the worker’s compensation system.

Helping you make sense of it. From your first office visit, our

friendly staff helps you make sense of the forms you need to file

your claim. We provide quality care and work with your employer

to get you back to your job as quickly and safely as possible.

Only a block away from St. John’s main campus, Workplace

Wellness coordinates your care with other medical center depart-

ments. If needed, our helpful staff can manage imaging services and

specialist referrals for you. We can also help if your injury care begins

in the emergency room.

What happens next. Please come to your first visit prepared, and bring an

accurate job description. You may be able to get one from the Human Resources

or Safety Management departments where you work. This is very helpful for

our providers and helps them make decisions about modifying your job tasks or

removing you from your job for a while, if needed.

If you get injured at work, let Workplace Wellness Services help you get back on

your feet. We’re here for you.

James Joubert, MD,

evaluates a patient’s

injured arm.

WORKING TOWARD WELLNESS: MEET TWO OF OUR PROVIDERS

Injured on the job?

Let our friendly staff help

you make sense of the

paperwork.

Workplace Wellness Services is pleased to announce that two

new providers have joined our team.

James Joubert, MD, received his bach-

elor’s degree from Pennsylvania State

University in University Park in 1990 and

his medical degree from Louisiana State

University School of Medicine in New

Orleans in 2004.

Dr. Joubert completed his psychiatry internship and his

neurology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina

in Charleston. In addition to his neurology training, Dr. Joubert

was previously a physician assistant in civilian family medicine

and in the Louisiana Army National Guard.

His background in neurology and primary care will comple-

ment his practice of occupational medicine in Workplace Well-

ness Services.

Shelly Norman, ARNP, PhD, has

worked for more than seven years with the

injured workers and employers of South-

west Washington and Northwest Oregon.

She’s known for providing quality care and

helping patients recover quickly so they

can return to work. She understands the Labor and Industries

Workman’s Compensation process and the effect it can have on

employers and workers.

Norman has a master’s degree with a focus on case man-

agement from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. She

received nurse practitioner training and a master’s degree from

Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Wash., and is double board-

certified in family medicine.

She is also a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Air

Force Auxiliary, and she participates in Air Search and Rescue.

new providers have joined our team.

elor’s degree from Pennsylvania State

Orleans in 2004.

Dr. Joubert completed his psychiatry internship and his

worked for more than seven years with the

west Washington and Northwest Oregon.

She’s known for providing quality care and

can return to work. She understands the Labor and Industries


Patricia “P. J.” Peterson, MD, FACP, is a newly elected Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP).

ACP Fellows are recognized by their peers for personal integrity, superior competence in internal medicine,

professional accomplishment, and demonstrated scholarship.

As a Fellow, Dr. Peterson can serve on ACP committees that work to overcome the challenges facing

internal medicine professionals, hold offi ce in the ACP, and mentor future internists. She was also selected

as an overseas Fellow in the Royal Society of Medicine in London.

PeaceHealth is proud to celebrate and honor Dr. Peterson. She currently practices at PeaceHealth Medical Group’s Internal

Medicine Team B, serves on PeaceHealth's Regional Governing Board, and has served as a Chief Medical Offi cer for PeaceHealth

in the Lower Columbia Region.

CONGRATS, DR. PETERSON!

ACP Fellows are recognized by their peers for personal integrity, superior competence in internal medicine,

as an overseas Fellow in the Royal Society of Medicine in London.

PeaceHealth is proud to celebrate and honor Dr. Peterson. She currently practices at PeaceHealth Medical Group’s Internal


Visit the class calendar on the Women’s Health Pavilion web site, www.peacehealth.org/healthinfo/women, for more information for women.

CELEBRATING SURVIVORSHIPRadiation Oncology staff proudly wear survivor T-shirts to cel-

ebrate survivorship. From left are (back row) Summer Bonner-

Davenport, Nikki Breen-Ely, Bev Eaton, and Julian Tran; and

(front row) Jeri Espejo, Lacy King, and Michelle Vedders.

This year’s National Cancer Survivors Day Picnic is June 7.

Patients of PeaceHealth Radiation Oncology and Medical

Oncology will receive a special invitation to this event in their

honor. All providers and staff will join the celebration. For more

information, call Radiation Oncology at (360) 636-4841.

Cardiac Rehabilitation ProgramMondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays

Reclaim your health after a

cardiac event. This three-phase

program offers support, education,

and monitored exercise. Call (360) 414-7384.

classes for your healthWellness ServicesEnhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP)Do you have angina but no longer

fi nd relief from medications?

EECP may be right for you. To

fi nd out, call (360) 636-4846 or

contact your provider. A physician

referral is required.

PeaceHealth offers a variety of health education classes that are open to the public. Fees vary—and some are even offered at no cost.

Kidney Disease Education Third Tuesday and Friday morn-

ings of every other month, May,

July, September, November

PeaceHealth Broadway Campus

Learn about dialysis for kidney

failure. Family and friends are

welcome. Call (360) 414-2268 to

register or check class availability.

See page 3 for related story.

Learning to Live With Cancer SeriesA six-week course for people with

cancer, their family, and friends.

Call (360) 414-7968 for the next

schedule.

Childbirth EducationAll classes are held in the

Women’s Health Pavilion,

1660 Delaware St., Longview

(corner of Delaware and 17th

Avenue). Call (360) 501-3700.

Preparing for Delivery, Labor, and Birth$60 per couple (state medical

coupon accepted)

New parents prepare for labor and

birth, breastfeeding, and baby care.

Call for a schedule.

Big Sister, Big Brother To BeFirst Thursdays, 10:30 to

11:30 a.m., free

Fun activities for kids from 3 to

10 years old who will become

siblings. They will learn their

special role and make a card for

the baby. Call to register.

Conscious FatheringSecond Mondays, 6 to 9 p.m., free

Join other expectant or new dads as

Brian McClain explores baby care ba-

sics, the changing role of fatherhood,

and forming a strong parenting part-

nership with the mother. To register,

call Brian at (360) 795-8612.

Community EventsCall (360) 501-3700 for more

information.

March for BabiesSaturday, April 25, 8 a.m.

registration, 9 a.m. walk

Join us for this year's March of

Dimes fundraiser, beginning and

fi nishing at the Women's Health

Pavilion. To register for the March

of Babies walk around Lake Saca-

jawea or for more information,

visit www.marchofdimes.com.


Support GroupsCancer Support GroupFirst and third Mondays,

5:30 to 7 p.m., free

Lower Columbia Regional

Cancer Center

Registration not required. Call

Susan Schwarz at (360) 414-7968 for information.

Cardiac Support GroupSecond Thursdays, 1:30 to

2:30 p.m., free

Cardiac Rehabilitation

Exercise Center

For cardiac patients, their families,

and caregivers to discuss exercise,

coping with heart disease, stress

management, nutrition, and more.

Call (360) 414-7384 or

(360) 636-4839.

I Understand: Breast Cancer Support GroupMondays, April 27, May 18,

June 22, 6:30 p.m.

Women’s Health Pavilion Re-

source Center, 1660 Delaware

St., Longview

Call Ruth Melvin at

(360) 414-2707.

Try this dialysis-friendly recipe the next time you want

something sweet.

CHERRY CREAM CHEESE MINI-TARTS

Preparation

•Preheat oven to 350° F.

•Place the cream cheese, sugar or Splenda, lemon juice,

and vanilla in a large bowl. Blend with an electric mixer.

•Add the eggs, and beat until fl uffy.

•Line a cupcake tin with paper holders. Place one

vanilla wafer into the bottom of each cup.

•Fill cups 2⁄3 full with the cream cheese

mixture and bake for 20 minutes.

•Remove from oven and cool 1 hour.

•Top each tart with a cherry and

1 teaspoon of pie fi lling.

Helpful hints

•If Splenda is used, calories are reduced

to 96 and carbohydrate is reduced to 6 grams

per tart (1⁄2 carbohydrate choice).

•Try low-fat or fat-free cream cheese to reduce the

fat content.

•Do not overbeat mixture.

•Do not overbake—tarts may appear soft and

moist but will fi rm up after cooling.

Portions: 24 (2 dozen) • Serving size: 1 tart

Nutrients per serving: calories, 114; protein, 2g; carbohydrate,11g; fat, 7g; cholesterol, 28mg; sodium, 75mg; potassium, 39mg; phosphorus, 20mg; calcium, 2mg; fi ber, 0.1g

Renal and renal diabetic food choices: ½ starch; ½ fruit, low potassium; 1 fat • Carbohydrate choices: 1

Recipe from DaVita’s web site. Find more reci-

pes from DaVita at www.davita.com/recipes.

Ingredients2 8-ounce packages

cream cheese

¾ cup granulated sugar

or Splenda granular

no calorie sweetener

1 teaspoon lemon juice

1 teaspoon vanilla

fl avoring

2 eggs (or 1 egg

plus 2 egg whites)

24 vanilla wafers

1 can cherry pie fi lling

Paper cupcake holders

and regular-size cup-

cake tin


Correction: In

the last edition

of HouseCall the

Physical Thera-

pist Assistant in

this photo was

identifi ed as Judi. She is actually Jody

Brand, PTA, shown assisting a patient

with physical therapy at Columbia

Rehab.

LaLeche League of Cowlitz CountySecond Wednesdays,

10 a.m. to Noon, free

Women’s Health Pavilion

Support and education

for breastfeeding mothers.

Children are welcome. Call

(360) 636-3284 or visit www

.lllusa.org/web/longviewwa.html.

No registration required.

Reach to RecoveryWomen’s Health Pavilion

Support for women being treated

for cancer, including wigs from the

American Cancer Society. Referral

to a Reach to Recovery volunteer

required.

GOLDEN LABSt. John Medical Center’s laboratory received the gold standard

for laboratory accreditation by the College of American Patholo-

gists (CAP). To be accredited by CAP, labs are required to have

an unannounced inspection every two years, maintain excellent

quality control, do a self-inspection, and inspect a laboratory at

another facility.

Correction:

the last edition

of

this photo was

St. John evening shift lab

staff members are just

part of the hard working

crew that keeps St. John’s

“golden” lab going ’round

the clock. From left are

(back row) Justin Baker

and Tom Burckhardt;

(center row) Jennifer Mahitka, Theresa Cotterell, and Reggie

Rose; and (front row) Starla Grasseth and Becky Knopf.

Directions: From Interstate 5, north or south, take exit

36 (Longview/Long Beach exit) over the Cowlitz River to

Hwy. 432, which becomes Tennant Way. Turn right on 15th

Avenue. Turn left on Delaware for parking.

Ocean Beach Hwy. Allen Street

Nichols Blvd.Kessler Blvd.

Lake Sacajawea

Ore

gon

Way

433

15th

Ave

.14

th A

ve.

Delaware

7th

Ave

.

Broadway

Tennant Way

N

5

17th

Ave

.

Dedicated to Exceptional Medicine and Compassionate Care

P.O. Box 30021615 Delaware St.Longview, WA 98632

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDPeaceHealth

St. John

Medical

Center

Workplace Wellness Services

Broadway Campus

Women’s Health Pavilion

Directions: From Interstate 5, north or south, take exit 36

(Longview/Long Beach exit) over the Cowlitz River to

Hwy. 432, which becomes Tennant Way. Turn right on

15th Avenue. Turn left on Delaware for parking.

MAKING IT EASYPeaceHealth Medical Group patients

can now pay their clinic bills, make an

appointment, or view some of their medical record information

with the click of a mouse.

Visit www.peacehealth.org and click the PatientConnection

logo to learn more. Or stop by a PeaceHealth Medical

Group Clinic during April and staff will be on hand to answer

your questions or assist you with signing up.

WE’RE HERE FOR YOUSt. John Medical CenterPeaceHealth Medical GroupMain number: (360) 414-2000Toll free: 1-800-438-7562

The Medical Center offers: Behavioral Health ServicesCancer Treatment Cardiac CareColumbia Regional Breast CenterCritical Care ServicesDiabetes and Nutrition ServicesDialysis TreatmentImaging and Diagnostic ServicesPediatric ServicesPrimary and Family CareRehabilitation ServicesSleep Disorders CenterSurgery, including short-stay and ambulatory proceduresTrauma and Emergency ServicesWomen’s Services Varicose veins?

St. John Medical CenterPeaceHealth

HOUSE CALL is published as a commu nity service for the friends and patrons of ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER and PEACEHEALTH MEDICAL GROUP. Sponsored by the Sis ters of St. Joseph of Peace since 1943. ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER and PEACEHEALTH MEDICAL GROUP are affi rmative action, equal opportunity employers.

If you would like to be removed from future mailings from St. John Medical Center and PeaceHealth Medical Group, please call and request to be removed from the mailing list.

www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia (360) 414-20001-800-438-7562

1615 Delaware St. Longview, WA 98632

Information in HOUSE CALL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specifi c content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider.

Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Icons used with permission from iStock International, Inc.

Copyright © 2009 Coffey Communications, Inc.Copyright © 2009 PeaceHealth CUM23326c

We can help

Varicose veins should be treated when they cause pain,

swelling, foot and ankle ulcers, clotting, or bleeding. This

procedure is also performed for cosmetic reasons.

The VNUS Closure treatment at Longview Surgical

Group is a simple, noninvasive procedure. A flexible

instrument is threaded through the varicose vein

and used to shrink it so that it ultimately

closes and blood is rerouted to

healthy veins.

For most patients, this is a

brief outpatient procedure that does not require

a hospital stay. Most people are able to return to work within a few days and

quickly resume normal activities. More than 95 percent of people treated have

long-lasting relief from their symptoms.

This procedure causes little or no pain and is performed by the board-

certified vascular surgeons at Longview Surgical Group. It is covered by

most insurance plans. For more information about VNUS Closure, call

(360) 501-3500.

Documents

Peace of Mind - PeaceHealth · Oregon Health & Science University. He says all of the dialysis staff members are great and always friendly and answer all his questions. The staff