A Foundation of Caring

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2 A Foundation of Caring Langley Residents Donate $50,000 Langley residents Douglas and Deborah Troxel brought their Aloha spirit of generosity with them from Kona, Hawaii, where they live when they are not on Whidbey Island. The couple donated $50,000 to the WhidbeyHealth Foundation in support of the hospital and its programs. Donors Deborah Troxel, who is involved with Douglas and the annual Links for Life cancer awareness Deborah Troxel of Langley. golf tournament at Useless Bay Golf & Country Club, was impressed when she learned about our accredited Cancer Care program and our Medicare-certified Hospice Care program. It s important to show support especially when you see that the building project is going on and what services are being offered by the hospital, notes Deborah Troxel. We help our local hospital in Hawaii and we wanted to show our support here, too. But beyond their background of philanthropy, Douglas Troxel says the reality is that the couple will turn to WhidbeyHealth when they need care on Whidbey. Recently, I had to come to the Emergency Room, which was a good experience, Douglas Troxel said. We re getting up there in years and when we need medical help in the future we re not going to want to wait in line for a ferry. So we decided to show our support now to help the hospital because it s so important when living on the island. Whidbey Island Public Hospital District Board of Commissioners District 1 Grethe Cammermeyer, RN, PhD District 2 Georgia Gardner District 3 Ron Wallin District 4 Nancy Fey District 5 Eric Anderson, DVM On the Cover Town Hall Meeting Our next town hall meeting is scheduled for 5 to 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Coupeville Library at 788 NW Alexander St. WhidbeyHealth CEO Geri Forbes will be joined by Central Whidbey hospital district commissioner Georgia Gardner, board president Ron Wallin and various members of the medical staff. To learn more, see our front page news at whidbeyhealth.org. 2 Pictured on our cover are three of our primary care providers including Jennifer Gruenwald, ARNP (bottom left) of WhidbeyHealth Primary Care Goldie Street; Christopher Bibby, MD (center) of Primary Care Cabot Drive; and Annette Fly, ARNP of Primary Care Clinton. Our feature story in this issue is all about the importance of Connected Care. (See story on Pages 4-5.) These and our other WhidbeyHealth primary care providers will see an estimated 65,000 primary care visits in four clinics in Our primary care providers help you to enjoy better health, while connecting you to a broad continuum of WhidbeyHealth services.

3 3 A Publication of WhidbeyHealth for the Whidbey Island Community Features 2 Foundation of Caring 3 Welcome 4 Connected Care 6 From the Desk of Geri Forbes 7 Patient Perspectives 8 Health News 9 Health News 10 WhidbeyHealth Foundation 11 Community Classes 12 Patient Gratitude 2016 FALL Volume 24, No 3 The Pulse is published as a public service to our Whidbey Island Community by WhidbeyHealth Medical Center 101 N. Main Street Coupeville, WA Telephone Fax and Web contactus@whidbeyhealth.org CEO Geri Forbes Patricia Duff, Editor Keith Mack, Co-Editor Graphic Design Carol Moliter of Big Rock Designs Cover Photographs WhidbeyHealth Welcome Dr. Robert Tearse joined WhidbeyHealth Sleep Care in October. Tearse, who has more than 30 years of experience in sleep medicine, previously operated the Emerald Sleep Disorders Clinic in Eugene, Ore. He attended medical school at the University of California and completed a Neurology residency at Barnes Hospital. Tearse seeks to engage patient paticipation in the successful treatment of sleep disorders. He is committed to treating any medical problems that interfere with achieving optimal sleep. Tearse is certified by the American Board of Sleep Disorders Medicine and the American Board of Neurology and Psychiatry. Women s Care Now in Freeland Women s health services are available at WhidbeyHealth Primary Care in Freeland. Longtime obstetrician and gynecologist Dr. Robert Burnett sees patients in Freeland on Mondays and Tuesdays, and certified nurse midwife Alicia Darr, ARNP, is in clinic on Tuesdays. Services include acute care, well-woman exams, contraception and pregnancy care. Enjoy the convenience of primary care, specialty care and lab services in one South Whidbey location. Call WhidbeyHealth Women s Care at to schedule an appointment in Freeland. Buttoned Up for Winter Now and in the coming months, workers will install: n Heating, ventilation and air conditioning systems n Plumbing and water lines n Structures for ceiling lifts and a new generator pad n Connectors to the existing building The inpatient wing continues on track for a late spring 2017 finish. Our new building is ready for whatever winter brings. After a busy summer working on the exterior of the new inpatient wing, Andersen Construction is focused on the inside of the weather-tight structure.

4 Primary Care: Connection to Better Health Primary care is essential to achieving better care, smarter spending and healthier people 4 We ve all done it. We wait until we are sick or injured before going to the doctor. And eventually we begin to associate visits to the doctor with something negative. But here s the good news: Scheduling regular well check-ups and seeing your provider when you are not sick may be the key to life-long health. After more than 30 years in healthcare, WhidbeyHealth Chief Nursing Officer Linda Gipson, PhD, is convinced that having a good relationship with a primary care provider can assist patients in navigating the healthcare system for the best possible outcomes during the course of one s life. It s important to have a good relationship so you feel comfortable sharing all of your health concerns, Gipson explains. When your provider knows you well, he or she can help you prevent disease or illness, manage a chronic disease you may already have, or cure a disease if it is caught early enough. Cost savings is another benefit of a regular relationship with a primary care provider. Prevention is always cheaper than treatment, Gipson says. 65,000 Estimated 2016 WhidbeyHealth Primary Care Visits Gipson s views are echoed by Dr. Judye Scheidt of WhidbeyHealth Primary Care Cabot Drive in Oak Harbor and Hannah Carlson, ARNP of WhidbeyHealth Primary Care Clinton. Here are some of what each had to say about their experiences as primary care providers. Why do you think primary care is important to one s overall health? JS: There is truth to the old saying An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. A primary care provider not only treats you when you are sick, but hopefully prevents things from Treating a whole person is about so much more than a prescription. It involves education and a trusting relationship. Hannah Carlson, ARNP developing. Our goal is to have continuity of care, knowing you inside and out and all your health issues. Also, it s been shown that having a relationship with a primary care provider lowers the cost of care. Your primary care provider knows what tests you ve had, what your blood work shows and already knows about your life, your family and your stressors. What are some of the things you look at when you are caring for patients? HC: I love getting to know my patients and finding out what motivates them and what is important in their lives. It s important to find health solutions that work for their life, their family and their budget. Treating a whole person is about so much more than a prescription. It involves education and a trusting relationship. Dr. Judye Scheidt

5 5 How do you educate patients about living the healthiest life possible? HC: My first goal is to find out what the patient already understands about their own health and try to find specific needs or knowledge gaps. I then offer health information tailored to that person. I like to discuss the rationales and statistics behind vaccines and important screenings, such as mammograms and colonoscopies, so patients can make an informed decision and be in charge of their own health. I think it s important that patients understand the power of lifestyle changes, disease prevention, and early detection. For example, I d rather chat about how to prevent high blood pressure rather than treat it. What are some of the things you do that people may not realize? JS: People are often surprised by all that we do here. We offer a wide range of services such as flu shots, vasectomies, circumcisions, pilot physicals, immunizations, well checkups, STD testing and collaborate with other physicians and specialists of WhidbeyHealth. We also do stress testing, lung testing and skin biopsies. We provide women s health measures such as Pap smears, contraceptive management, intrauterine device Hannah placement, and treatment for menopauserelated issues. We also provide chronic disease Carlson, ARNP management for diabetes, chronic heart failure, atrial fibrillation, high blood pressure and asthma. How does the WhidbeyHealth continuum of care help you take better care of your patients? HC: As a primary care provider, I am privileged to work with all of the specialties offered at WhidbeyHealth. For example, the Home Health team is a particularly amazing resource on our island. Their staff provides regular communication on some of our most complex patients, who are homebound and in need of care. I am very grateful for this skilled team working with my patients in their own homes often during their most vulnerable times. I very much value their care and hear the same feedback from my patients. Primary Care Locations Clinton Freeland Cabot Drive Goldie Street Our Clinics Greater Access, Higher Quality n Expanded Capacity - Four new providers have joined our Freeland, Cabot Drive and Goldie Street locations since October. n More Convenience and Patient Safety - Electronic health records connect primary, surgical and orthopedic care with the hospital. n Greater Quality - WhidbeyHealth clinics are partnering with regional and national health and wellness initiatives to improve care. n Emphasizing Prevention Will launch technology to automatically remind patients of recommended screenings and tests. n Expanded Lab Services Now available in Clinton on Mondays. Connections Our primary care providers help you enjoy better health, while connecting you to a broad continuum of WhidbeyHealth services that include: d Women s Care d Family Birthplace d Surgical Care d Orthopedic Care d Sleep Care d Cancer Care d Cardiac Rehab d Home Health d Palliative Care d Hospice Care d Diagnostic Imaging d Physical, Speech and Occupational Therapy d Wound Care d Respiratory Care d Laboratory Services d Diabetes Education d Inpatient Care d

6 From the Desk of Geri Forbes, CEO Change is the new normal in healthcare. I have seen more change in the last five years than in the previous 30. This year, change has included our new name, rapid progress on our building project, enhanced technologies and new providers. Change is also happening at the state and federal levels, and for good reason. Americans pay more for healthcare than any country in the world, yet we rank 32nd in the quality of healthcare outcomes. This is not acceptable or sustainable, and lawmakers are insisting on changes. Every healthcare organization including WhidbeyHealth will need to make their communities healthier, while spending money more effectively. We will work to ensure that our teams are prepared to embrace new models of care as these models evolve. Patient and Family Advisory Council Jill Usher, council co-chair WhidbeyHealth Patient and Family Advisory Council provides a bridge between patients, families, hospital staff and the community to improve the patient experience. We are volunteers who engage with our hospital community of patients Prevention will be a big part of these efforts. It is much less expensive and better for health to prevent injury and illness than to treat them. Geri Forbes 6 Senior falls is one example. If an elderly person is injured in a fall, they will receive appropriate treatment, but in the future, the government will also expect us to provide education and other interventions to keep falls from happening in the first place. That s why we co-sponsored Falls Prevention Day (Page 8) to raise awareness about this public health issue. Look for more such activities in Prevention is also essential to primary care (Page 4). Establishing a relationship with a primary care provider is one of the best things you can do for your health. Your provider will identify ways to prevent disease, maximize health and, if necessary, connect you with expertise elsewhere in the WhidbeyHealth continuum. Although much is changing, one thing won t change our highly trained staff will continue to provide exceptional care with compassion and respect. Wishing you a happy and healthy holiday season and a great start to Sincerely, and staff. We are spouses and parents, working and retired, military and civilian, care-receivers and caregivers. Our common thread is that we have received medical care from WhidbeyHealth and are interested in using our experiences to help others. To be effective, we need to hear from you patients, families and caregivers. Better yet join us. We are seeking new members. us at AdvisoryCouncil@ WhidbeyHealth.org or visit whidbeyhealth.org and click About to learn more. Council members will attend the upcoming WhidbeyHealth Town Hall meeting 5 p.m. Thursday Jan. 19 Coupeville Public Library

7 7 Patient Perspectives After Oak Harbor resident Mike Starring was diagnosed with chronic obstructed pulmonary disease (COPD), all his hope for the future was gone. I had six collapsed vertebrae and very constricted breathing, Starring says. And my heartbeat was like a hummingbird s. Starring became depressed and sedentary, which created other problems. Luckily, he was introduced to what he called the high-functioning and well-planned WhidbeyHealth Pulmonary Rehab program. He began pulmonary rehab twice a week. In three months, he went from six laps on the rehab center s track to 72 laps, which equals one mile. Not only could I breathe again, but I had a whole new outlook on life, Starring says. Gym and exercise may be scary words to some, says Starring, but fears subside because you go at your own pace. Blood pressure, heart rate and oxygen levels are constantly monitored and recorded to show progress, which he found encouraging. They teach a lifetime commitment to exercise, because it only takes 12 days without exercise to revert back to your original condition. The program includes classes about cardiac care, relaxation techniques, nutrition, and injury prevention. I learned to navigate my illness, Starring says. Everything from drug treatments and reactions to survival skills such as how not to fall. Today, Starring feels more confident about doing some things he had given up, such as having a dog because now he has the breath to walk it. I ve seen real miracles at the Life Center. My story is not the most dramatic by far, but it has been life-changing and life reaffirming. It lifts you right out of depression. ~ Mike Starring To learn more about WhidbeyHealth Pulmonary Rehab , ext or , ext To learn more about WhidbeyHealth Rehabilitation Care When Coupeville resident Callie Harvey entered rehab at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center, she was in a lot of pain. I had lower back pain that went into my hips. I have scoliosis, so my doctor recommended physical therapy, says Harvey. Harvey began twice-weekly therapy at WhidbeyHealth s Life Center in July and was pleasantly surprised by the experience. It is a beautiful team effort that started with the person who greeted me at the front desk and continued to the wonderful compassion of my therapist, Stephanie Cattano, who really listened to me, Harvey says. Harvey learned that our Rehab Department has a four-foot deep heated therapy pool, where she worked with weights, while walking through the water. In the rehab gym she used the machines and bands, and appreciated that Cattano knew when she needed extra support. I tell everybody. People don t realize we have a pool here. I m just very thankful and grateful for the compassion and caring that I received. I m thrilled that I don t have to go off-island to get excellent care. ~ Callie Harvey

8 Health News Cancer Care Report 8 Lung Cancer Screening We are committed to diagnosing cancer as early as possible. Lung cancer is still common on Whidbey, and is usually diagnosed at Stage III or IV. This means it has typically spread to other areas, and the patient s prognosis is worse. Can lung cancer be diagnosed earlier? Low Dose Computed Tomography scans can be used to screen people with a history of smoking, assuming they fit certain criteria. Our medical staff received education about diagnosing lung cancer earlier using this technology. Radiologist Dr. Robert Hawkins presented several public education sessions about the procedure, including who is eligible for testing. As a result, WhidbeyHealth did 41 scans, and is happy to report that no new lung cancers were found. Some highrisk patients will continue to be monitored in the hope of catching any cancer early. Financial Navigation All new chemotherapy patients meet with our financial navigator to review the cost of care and assist with accessing financial resources. By the end of 2015, 17 patients had received information about the cost of their care, many with financial assistance. The Commission on Cancer was interested in sharing this plan as Best Practice for other cancer programs. We passed our Commission on Cancer accreditation survey in Our Cancer Care program has been accredited since Cancer Survivorship Program Twenty-nine staff members from rehab services, oncology, social work and Home Health learned about the importance of cancer rehab to support physical and emotional recovery from cancer treatment. Patients are screened early to identify physical and emotional needs and are referred for appropriate services rather than waiting until treatment is over. These are only a few of the updates for the WhidbeyHealth Cancer Care program. Please go to whidbeyhealth.org for more in-depth information about these items and others, such as our Palliative Care program, additional screening programs and treatment updates. In 2016, Dr. Robert Hawkins educated community members about early detection of lung cancer.

9 9 Health News, continued Keeping Kids Safe The WhidbeyHealth Foundation partners with SafeKids Northwest to make a difference in our community through car seat safety. For example, the Foundation helped out after a young couple was involved in a bad accident with their infant in the back seat. Mom fractured her back, dad suffered a fractured hip, and the baby, who thankfully suffered no injury, was transported to another facility to be treated for pertussis. The mother was being treated at WhidbeyHealth Medical Center when we were contacted by a nurse who was caring for the infant. She couldn t discharge the baby without a new car seat. (Car seats that have been involved in major car accidents can t be reused.) Luckily, that nurse spoke with one of our nurses, who knew that our Foundation provides free car seats to families in need. Next, WhidbeyHealth paramedic Robert May called a SafeKids coordinator in the area, who delivered a new car seat, donated by the Foundation. The WhidbeyHealth Foundation generously supports Safe Kids Northwest each year, providing dozens of new car seats to families who could not otherwise afford them. Call Ahead to Save Time Now you can call one number to schedule diagnostic imaging, mammography, respiratory therapy and nutrition services anywhere these services are provided within the WhidbeyHealth system. Once your provider has ordered one of these services, please call Central Scheduling Services at , Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m., to make an appointment. Falls Prevention Nationally, every 11 seconds, an older adult is seen in an emergency department for a fallrelated injury. Our Emergency Department saw an estimated 1,500 patients last year for falls-related injuries. That s why WhidbeyHealth partnered with the City of Oak Harbor and Central Whidbey Fire & Rescue to hold an event Sept. 22 at the Oak Harbor Senior Center in recognition of National Falls Prevention Awareness Day. WhidbeyHealth paramedic Robert May and physical therapists Jennifer Wesley and Stephanie Cattano spoke to attendees about common risk factors for senior falls and how they can be prevented. Studies show that a combination of behavioral changes can significantly reduce falls among older adults, including participation in a physical activity regimen, assessing one s risk for falling, having medication reviewed periodically, keeping up to date on eye and ear checks and keeping the home environment safe from falling hazards. For more information on preventing senior falls, call Robert May at or him at mayrob@whidbeygen.org. Physical therapists Jennifer Wesley and Stephanie Cattano speak at the Falls Prevention event at the Oak Harbor Senior Center.

10 Foundation Update 10 Annual Fund What keeps people healthy? It s that combination of healthy habits and access to quality care when you need it. WhidbeyHealth Foundation is here to make sure that your medical center, clinics and providers are there for you, ready to provide a broad array of high quality services, close to home. Our annual fund supports exceptional healthcare, all year long. Honor someone on your holiday gift list with a donation in their name we will send a card letting them know they were remembered in this special way. Donors who give more than $500 may request an engraved leaf on our Tree of Life sculpture, located in the lobby of the medical center. This is an especially lovely way to mark an occasion or to remember someone who has passed away. Make a gift with the envelope provided or visit whidbeyhealth.org/ foundation. To learn more, call Helen Taylor at , ext LC Logan with Hobo. Legacy Giving: A Donor s Story One local man continued his daily act of paying it forward until the end. When Navy veteran and longtime Oak Harbor businessman Louis LC Logan died this past March at age 98, he left more than $290,000 to the WhidbeyHealth Foundation with instructions that it support hospice care. With this legacy gift, Logan demonstrated his gratitude to the hospice staff for the six months of skilled and compassionate endof-life care his wife Leona had received before her death. Logan also benefited from hospice care before his passing. The Hospice staff is so grateful for Mr. Logan s thoughtful gift, says Diane Fiumara, manager of WhidbeyHealth Hospice Care. His generosity will go a long way toward helping patients and families for years to come. His generosity may seem remarkable, but the down-to-earth Logan was well-known in the community for simple acts of kindness. He loved gardening and maintained a longtime ritual of bringing fresh vegetables and flowers to elderly, housebound folks around town. Legacy giving is also sharing with your neighbors, whether the gift is large or small. Consider a legacy gift. It can be designated to any area of care, for any purpose that is meaningful to you, or that would honor your loved one. To learn more, contact WhidbeyHealth Foundation Executive Director Helen Taylor at tayloh@whidbeyhealth.org. Gala Coming in May The first ever WhidbeyHealth Foundation gala will feature dinner, dancing and an auction! To learn more about this event, contact Helen Taylor at tayloh@ whidbeyhealth.org. Call for Volunteers Be a WhidbeyHealth Volunteer! n Welcome patients n Volunteer in our gift shop n Help with clerical duties n Serve as a volunteer chaplain n Connect with patients who are alone n Help with a fundraising event n And much more Interested? Contact Heather Zustiak, events and volunteers coordinator, at zustih@whidbeyhealth.org.

11 11 Classes Abdominal Deep Breathing and Relaxation Learn to reduce tension and stress by attending this free one-hour class. When: 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of each month Where: WhidbeyHealth Medical Center Life Center Instructor: Janie Keilwitz, RN, MN, Heartwise Coordinator Phone: , ext Fee: Free; Please pre-register Car Seat Safety Check Free child car seat safety checks available for parents or caregivers. Where: Oak Harbor Fire Station When: 3 to 5 p.m. on the first Tuesday of January, March, May, July, September and November through Phone: Information: whidbeyhealth.org/stay-healthy Chronic Heart Failure If you have been diagnosed with chronic heart failure, we offer a free consultation to empower you and help you learn self-management techniques. When: By appointment any time during the year Where: WhidbeyHealth Medical Center Life Center Instructor: Kim Arends, BSN, RN Phone: , ext Fee: Free; By appointment only Getting Ready for Medicare 2017 Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisors (SHIBA) are available on Wednesdays to help you with your Medicare related insurances. Call to schedule a one-on-one appointment with a SHIBA counselor. You will receive free, unbiased advice to help you decide how to meet your medical needs. Instructor: Joan Wortman, SHIBA volunteer Phone: Fee: Free Living with Loss This free, six-week seminar is designed to help you work through the normal and needed process of grief that follows the death of a loved one. A pre-class interview with Dave Bieniek, Bereavement Coordinator at WhidbeyHealth Hospice Care, is required before enrolling. Classes meet once a week for six weeks at two locations: When: 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Jan. 4 to Feb. 8 Where: Trinity Lutheran Church, Fireside Room, WA-525, Freeland When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, April 18 to May 23 Where: Coupeville United Methodist Church, Adult Sunday School Room, 608 N. Main St. Coupeville Instructor: Dave Bieniek, BCC Phone: or bienid@whidbeyhealth.org. Fee: Free; Pre-class interview required Nutrition for Health Nutrition for Health covers basic nutrition, meal planning, reading food labels and mindful eating. Handouts are included and there will be time for participant questions. Take it in combination with Abdominal Deep Breathing and Relaxation! When: 2 to 3 p.m. First Wednesday of the month through the year Where: WhidbeyHealth Medical Center MAC Unit Education Room Instructor: Maggie Schuster, RD Phone: , ext Fee: Free; Please pre-register Suicide Grief Support Group The Suicide Grief Support Group is for loved ones who have lost someone to suicide. The group is moderated by Dave Bieniek, Bereavement Coordinator at WhidbeyHealth Hospice Care. When: 6:30 to 8 p.m. generally, every second and fourth Wednesday Where: WhidbeyHealth Hospice Care Board Room, 202 N. Main Street, Coupeville Instructor: Dave Bieniek, BCC Phone: or bienid@whidbeyhealth.org. Fee: Free Remembrances of the Heart 2017 The Remembrances of the Heart Memorial Service is presented annually by WhidbeyHealth Medical Center and clinics for anyone in the community who has had a death of a loved one within the past year. Chaplain David Bieniek, WhidbeyHealth Hospice Care Bereavement Coordinator, will preside over this year s service. When: 2 p.m., Saturday, March 11 Where: Coupeville United Methodist Church Watch for details in the mail, on the WhidbeyHealth website or in local newspapers.

12 The Pulse Whidbey General Hospital Whidbey Island Hospital Foundation 101 N Main Street Coupeville, WA Postal Patron Nonprofit Org U.S. Postage P A I D Seattle, WA Permit # 1 Waking up from a Health Nightmare Sleeping through the night was once impossible for Oak Harbor resident Diane Dennis. Dennis was diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnea, a common disorder where pauses in breathing cause airway collapse during sleep. Her sleep apnea was so severe that, during her sleep study at WhidbeyHealth Sleep Care, she stopped breathing 708 times in 474 minutes, averaging 89.5 times an hour. Her oxygen level dropped as low as 52 percent. Sleep Care patient Diane Dennis with Lynda Reidling, ARNP. That was Dennis had always had trouble sleeping and suffered from many sleep apnea-related health problems, such as high blood sugar and obesity. She was concerned about her cardiac health. Her anxiety was so great that she rarely ventured off island and she stopped driving for fear of falling asleep at the wheel. After her sleep study, Dennis began using a CPAP machine, a small device that supplies constant and steady air pressure through a hose and mask worn while sleeping. Immediately, her life changed. It was the first time in years I slept through the night, she says. I didn t realize until then how serious my health problems were. Years later, Dennis s results have been exceptional. I lost 90 pounds without dieting. I no longer fall asleep at my computer. Yeast infections on my skin have repaired themselves. Even my doctors are amazed. Dennis says her sleep care provider, Lynda Reidling, ARNP, was wonderful. She is more thorough than any other doctor I ve ever had for any reason. I m sad that I don t get to see her more than once per year now. I have not slept without my sleep machine since I got it, Dennis says. I m so grateful. They saved my life. Learn More To learn more about sleep apnea and other sleep disorders, visit the Sleep Care page under the locations tab at whidbeyhealth.org or call