allenmore hospital | good samaritan community healthcare ... · rising from 56th place in 2007....

HealthylivingAllenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community Healthcare | Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center | Tacoma General Hospital | MultiCare Clinics

Big strides in the Children’s

Therapy unitPAGE 8

Spring 2008 | www.multicare.org

KIDS COUNT!

looK inSidE

MultiCare Health System is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent

care clinics, multispecialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profi t organization based in Tacoma since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. learn more at www.multicare.org.

HEAlTHY liVinG is published as a community service for the friends and patients of MultiCare Health System, P.o. Box 5299, Tacoma, WA 98415-0299. 800-342-9919, www.multicare.org

For comments or suggestions about HEAlTHY liVinG, please write to us at [email protected]. information in HEAlTHY liVinG 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 health care provider.

Copyright © 2008 Coffey Communications, inc. Cun21457c

[spotlight]

4 Transfusion-free medicine

A new mom fi nds peace of mind through MultiCare’s Transfusion-Free Medical and Surgical Program.

Bedtime a nightmare?

learn about kids’ sleep disorders and how to help them develop healthy habits.

MultiCare places eighth in national ranking of Top 100 integrated Health networksMultiCare Health System has placed eighth in

Verispan’s annual rankings of the Top 100

integrated Health networks in the united States,

rising from 56th place in 2007. This is the

sixth consecutive year MultiCare has ranked in

the Top 100, more years than any other inte-

grated health network in Washington state.

MultiCare’s climb in the rankings was

profi led in Modern Healthcare magazine in

early February. The industry magazine cites

MultiCare’s new electronic health record and

integration with Good Samaritan Community

Healthcare as key factors in the higher

ranking.

MultiCare Chief operating offi cer George J.

Brown, Md, and Good Samaritan Community

Healthcare President John long are both fea-

tured in the article.

“For MultiCare to achieve such a jump in

the rankings is a real credit to those who have

worked so hard to bring MultiCare and Good

Samaritan together as we strive to be the

providers of choice for residents in the South

Puget Sound,” long says. “The hallmarks of

this strong showing are unwavering commit-

ment to patient care and strong fi nancial

performance.”

The affi liation with MultiCare gave

Good

Samaritan

the surge of

support needed

to continue its goal

of becoming the re-

gional medical center for

east Pierce County. With the expansion

of programs, such as cardiac care, and the

$400 million campus development, Good

Samaritan is one step closer to achieving its

main objective.

For more information, visit www.multicare.org

or www.verispan.com.

6

2 | Healthy living

dear Healthy Living readers,

Springtime has brought

a lot of activity to the Good

Samaritan campus. Con-

struction crews have begun

preparing our campus for

the extensive building proj-

ects that will occur here

shortly. right now, crews are rerouting traffi c

to make room for the large construction

equipment that is needed to build our new

350,000-square-foot Patient Care Tower,

central utility plant and parking structure.

This three-year campus construction project

will position Good Samaritan as a regional

medical center, able to serve a greater num-

ber of patients in our community in new and

exciting ways.

in February the fi rst of many public celebra-

tions was held to mark our construction site.

later this fall, a groundbreaking celebration

will be held at the site of the future Patient

Care Tower.

The celebrations continue in this issue of

Healthy Living. read the story on page 4 about

how our Transfusion-Free Medical and Surgical

Program helped give Serena resendez peace

of mind during her high-risk pregnancy. Then

take a look at our unique Children’s Therapy

unit on page 8, where you’ll discover that

therapy, like that experienced by Virginia

Godinez, can be child’s play.

Enjoy this edition of Healthy Living. i’ll

check back again in the summer to give

an update on our construction progress,

as well as share inspiring stories from our

patients.

Yours truly,

John long, President,

Good Samaritan Community Healthcare

Breaking new ground

Big strides

See how the Children’s Therapy unit at Good Samaritan Hospital helped 31⁄2-year-old Virginia Godinez learn to walk.

8 1210 Physical therapy

Advanced tech-nology and ex-pert staff make inpatient rehabil-itation at Good Samaritan feel like a hospital within a hospital.

Time to Go red

Join women all across the nation who are taking action to take out heart disease.

Tour the Good Samaritan Family Birth CenterThe Good Samaritan Family Birth Center in Puyal-

lup is the region’s premier site for childbirth.

our state-of-the-art center features suites with

jetted tubs, exquisite design, picture windows

looking out on the Puyallup Valley, and unparalleled

amenities, including beeper loaners. our expert,

caring staff works with the region’s most respected

board-certifi ed specialists in obstetrics, pediatrics

and neonatology to care for you and your baby.

Are you expecting? Call 253-697-5300 to sched-

ule a free tour of the Good Samaritan Family Birth

Center and see what it has to offer you.

www.goodsamhealth.org | 3

Michelle Benoit, MD

Specialty: Gynecologic oncology

northwest Medical Specialties

1624 i St., Suite 405

Tacoma, WA 98405

253-428-8700

Christen Cage Vu, DO

Specialty: Family medicine

Summit View Clinic

11019 Canyon road E., Suite A

Puyallup, WA 98373

253-537-0293

Huy Dang, DPM

Specialty: Podiatry

Pacifi c Podiatry Group

7800 Pacifi c Ave.

Tacoma, WA 98408

253-473-5566

Eduardo Gil de Rubio, MD*

Specialty: Internal medicine

Sound inpatient Physicians

at Good Samaritan Hospital

253-697-4000

Heather Hento, DPM

Specialty: Podiatry

Pacifi c Podiatry Group

15807 Pacifi c Ave. S.

Tacoma, WA 98444

253-531-2123

Shaily Jain, MD

Specialty: Gastroenterology

digestive Health Specialists

17700 S.E. 272nd St., Suite 420

Kent, WA 98042

253-838-9839

T. Ben Johnson, DO

Specialty: Diagnostic

radiology

Medical imaging northwest

222 15th Ave. S.E.

Puyallup, WA 98372

253-841-4353

Julie Komarow, MD


with obstetrics

Sound Family Medicine

19820 Highway 410 E., Suite 101

Bonney lake, WA 98391

253-848-5951

Mohit Mahajan, MD



11102 Sunrise Blvd. E.,

Suite 102

Puyallup, WA 98374

253-848-5951

DarenMealer, MD


with obstetrics


19820 Highway 410 E.,

Suite 101

Bonney lake, WA 98391

253-848-5951

A. Alex Mohit, MD

Specialty: Neurological surgery

neurosurgery northwest

1708 S. Yakima, Suite 105

Tacoma, WA 98405

253-426-4420

Heather Salton, DPM

Specialty: Podiatry

Puyallup Foot and Ankle Center

new docs on the blockPlease welcome the following physicians to the Good Samaritan

community. For more information, visit www.goodsamhealth.org

and click on “Find a Physician” or call our physician referral line

at 253-697-4444.

10116 116th St. E., Suite 103

Puyallup, WA 98373

253-841-3668

*Hospital-based physician

When A close friend told Serena Resendez about the Transfusion-Free Medical and Surgical Program at Good Samaritan hospi-tal, she was eager to enroll. her baby was due in november, and she wanted to be certain her wishes to avoid a blood transfu-sion were on record before she entered the hospital.

“i called as soon as i heard about the pro-gram,” she says. After speaking with Cynthia Moorman, MultiCare Transfusion-Free Medical and Surgical Program Coordina-tor, Resendez was pleased to learn that every effort would be made to provide medical care for her child without the use of blood

transfusions.* “i have very strong per-sonal beliefs about blood

transfusions,” Resendez says. “My feelings

are primarily based on my principles, but i am also very concerned about the possible com-plications that can occur from blood

transfusions. it was important to me that

my beliefs and wishes were acknowledged and

honored. i was so pleased that Good Samaritan offered

this program.”

Peace of mindUnder the orders of her obstetrician/gynecologist, Christopher Young, Md, of Sound Family Medicine, Resendez was admitted to Good Samaritan hospital’s maternity ward last november with type 1

Valuing a patient’s choiceTransfusion-free medicine

4 | Healthy living

Valuing a patient’s choicediabetes, anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. She and her unborn baby were carefully monitored for a week, and on nov. 20 baby Olivia arrived. Both mother and daughter are doing great.

Although she was very uncomfortable and under a great deal of stress during that week before Olivia’s birth, Resendez was impressed with the care of nurses and staff during her stay.

“The nurses were wonderful, and each one took note of my hospital wristband and acknowledged that i was part of the transfusion-free program. it was very reas-suring,” she says.

*In some cases, state and federal laws im-pose limitations on the ability to withhold or withdraw blood transfusions for minors.

Transfusion-free, defi nedMultiCare’s Transfusion-Free Medical and

Surgical Program, in place at Good Samaritan

since 2005 and expanded across MultiCare

Health System this year, is committed to pro-

viding the highest quality medical and surgical

care while respecting each patient’s informed

decisions about blood and blood products.

More than 50 physicians from a variety of

medical specialties currently participate in

the program.

Transfusion-free medicine and surgery

provides medical care without using donated

or banked blood.

“Transfusion-free care is based on scientifi -

cally sound medical practices,” says Cynthia

Moorman, MultiCare Transfusion-Free Medical

and Surgical Program Coordinator. “individu-

als may choose this alternative to avoid the

risks associated with a blood transfusion or

because of religious beliefs.”

Be your own blood bankThe goal of transfusion-free medical care is for

the patient to retain as much of his or her own

blood as possible. This requires comprehensive,

integrated care during all phases of treatment

and may include one or more of the following:

Prescribing medications for several weeks

before surgery to boost red blood cell produc-

tion and prevent anemia

reducing the amount of blood drawn when

collecting blood specimens for testing

Performing minimally invasive surgical pro-

cedures whenever appropriate

diluting the blood running through the body

during surgery to minimize blood loss and

preserve clotting factors

Cleaning and recirculating blood that spills

into the body during surgery

using pulse oximetry monitors during sur-

gery to track blood oxygen levels

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is it right for you? As with any decision regarding medical treat-

ment or surgery, patients must carefully weigh

the risks and benefi ts involved when consider-

ing a transfusion-free procedure.

“MultiCare has developed a team approach

to ensure the best possible outcomes when

the decision has been made to avoid blood

transfusions,” Moorman says. “our standard

of care during surgery is to always minimize

blood loss, and we are committed to reach

that goal with all of our patients.”

Transfusion-free medicine may not be

appropriate for everyone, so you should

talk to your physician to see if it’s right for

you. or call 253-697-2721 or 253-697-2722

to schedule a free consultation with the Multi-

Care Transfusion-Free Medical and Surgical

Program staff. For more information, visit

www.multicare.org/transfusionfree.


Bedtime blues[children’s health]

Kimberly Mebust, Md

Gita Patel, do

When kids don’t get enough sleepsome kids with symptoms of attention-defi cit/hyperactivity disorder turn out to be sleep deprived instead, dr. Mebust says.

Studies show that lack of sleep can also cause weight gain and obesity in kids.

Fractured sleepMost sleep distur-bances in kids stem from poor sleep hab-its. According to Gita Patel, dO, a pul-monologist at Good

Samaritan, parents may set their kids up for problems by staying in the room until they fall asleep.

“We all wake up slightly during the sleep cycle,” dr. Patel says. “Kids who are used to mom being right there may not go back to sleep without her.”

Other kids have more specifi c disorders, such as:

Sleep apnea: snoring or trouble breathing during sleep.

Restless leg syndrome: an uncomfort-able, crawly sensation in the legs.

Periodic limb movement: involuntary leg twitching or jerking.

Night terrors: screaming inconsolably; can’t be woken up or comforted.

Sleepwalking and sleep talking: sepa-rately or together.

An overnight sleep study may be neces-sary to diagnose some disorders.

Getting some shut-eyeif your child seems sleep deprived, even if he orshe is sleeping enough hours, see your doctor.

“Childhood sleep habits can persist into adulthood,” says dr. Mebust, who sees kids older than 10 for sleep disorders. “And sleep is essential for health.”

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When YOUR baby fi nally sleeps through the night, you’ve reached an important milestone.

But it may not be your last hurdle when it comes to your child’s sleep. Sleep prob-lems are common in young children.

Sleepy timeKids need a lot of sleep. That means 14 to 20 hours a day for infants up to 3 months, and 12 hours until they reach 6 months. even at age 6, kids should get 10 to 12 hours of sleep.

According to Kimberly Mebust, Md, a board-certifi ed sleep specialist at Good Sam-aritan hospital, lack of sleep can cause daytime sleepiness, irritability, headaches and learn-ing diffi culties. in fact,

local help for sleep disorders About 40 million people in the u.S. lose

sleep each year because of a sleep disorder.

if you’re one of them, you can get help at the

Good Samaritan Sleep Medicine Center.

The center is staffed by experienced phy-

sicians and technologists who specialize in

diagnosing sleep problems in adults. The

equipment is state-of-the-art, and so are the

accommodations.

Kids older than 13 can also be evaluated at

the Good Samaritan Sleep Medicine Center, and

younger kids can go to the Mary Bridge Pediatric

Sleep disorders Clinic in Tacoma.

Good Samaritan will add a new four-bed

center in South Hill this summer. Call

253-697-5250 for more information.

6 | Healthy living

June 21: northwest Corks & Crush Join us for a remarkable fundraiser that blends fine Washington wines, spectacular local cuisine, classic and unique automobiles, coveted auction lots, and extraordinary community members. This “tux and boots” black-tie-optional gala is a partnership fundraiser for The Puyallup Fair Scholar-ship Program and Pediatric Services at Good Samaritan. Tickets are $175 per person; table hosting and corporate spon-sorships are available.

For more information, please visit www.nwcorksandcrush.com.

Good Samaritan Foundation’s 2007 Annual Report is now available. To receive a copy, please

contact the Foundation office at 253-697-5090.

Making friends with food

Save the date

Medical Excellence—Providing necessary equipment,

construction, research and education funds—48 percent

Foundation Event

Expenses—

Producing first-rate

fundraising events—

24 percent

Charity Care—Guaranteeing that care is

available for patients in need—3 percent

Program Support—Sustaining clinical

programs at Good Samaritan Hospital and

Community Healthcare—26 percent

Patient and Family Support—

Assisting families with basic

needs in times of crisis—

2 percent

The FeedinG groups at the Children’s Therapy Unit (CTU) support and encour-age children who have problems with eat-ing and/or tolerating food. The amazing CTU therapists work in small peer groups to help children feel comfortable with food, increasing interaction through play, sensory exercises, and sharing and preparing foods with their peers. Seventy percent of partici-pating patients do not receive insurance or coverage for this critical group treatment.

Thanks to our community’s generous donations to the Areas of Greatest need, the Good Samaritan Foundation board of trustees was able to support this important program with a recent allocation of funds.

And the program is making a big dif-ference! Parents say that their children are being more adventurous with food, eating more and eating consistently with better success than before participating in the feeding groups.

Children’s Therapy Unit feeding groups get boost from the Good Samaritan Foundation

Program support—$1,280,352FundS rElEASEd To Good SAMAriTAn ProGrAMS

Enriching an environment of healingGood Samaritan Foundation update

Inspiring philanthropic partnerships that advance and enrich an environment of healing and compassionate care at Good Samaritan Hospital and Community Healthcare.

MMakingbig stridesMMakingbig stridesMakingbig stridesMaking

8 | Healthy living

MMakingbig strides

with specialized care

MMakingbig stridesMakingbig stridesMaking

with specialized carebig strides

with specialized carebig strides

Children’s Therapy Unit

MOST PARenTS wonder when their children will take their fi rst steps.

Amie and Ralph Godinez didn’t have that luxury. indeed, they sometimes won-dered if their daughter would ever be able to walk—or crawl or even sit up.

Still, 31⁄2-year-old Virginia has accom-plished all this and more. in fact, she’s not only walking, but actually running—and occasionally overtaking her little brother.

Virginia is defying the odds, as she has since her conception. She is an identical twin whose sister died in utero—the result of a rare condition in which twins share the same placenta.

Virginia was born with a serious heart defect that took numerous surgeries to cor-rect. in her fi rst week of life, she suffered a stroke that severely affected her body’s entire left side. daily seizures—eventually

controlled by diet and medication—further compromised her development.

The road to independence Virginia’s remarkable progress, her mother

says, is largely because of the specialized services she received at Good Samaritan’s Children’s Therapy Unit (CTU). Virginia is one of more than 30,000 children with special needs who have been helped by the CTU staff, and her story is more typical than you might suspect.

Over the course of a year, the CTU staff serves around 1,600 children, from birth to 18 years, a task made much simpler since they moved into their current facility—a spacious, child-friendly building with a whimsical noah’s Ark theme—several years ago.

Today, nearly every inch of the 42,000-square-foot building is used for therapy in some capacity. There are, of course, the dedicated therapy spaces, such as the open and airy group therapy room and the brightly tiled, nautilus-shaped therapy pool. But all the spaces, from the stair-

case lead-ing to the

second fl oor to the outdoor

playground to the hallways, are used to help

children develop and improve. it’s not uncommon to see a therapist performing some kind of exercise or game with a child in these unexpected, real-world places.

“We try to mimic what you’d fi nd out in the community as much as possible,”

says Marianne Bastin, CTU director. “We want to teach kids how to manage in the real world. Some places here are set up to be more accessible than normal, but not many.”

At 6 months, Virginia began her own program of intensive physical, occupational and speech therapy at the CTU. Through it, she slowly gained the upper body strength that allowed her—at 11⁄2—to sit up independently.

leaps and bounds About a year ago, she took her fi rst steps in the CTU therapy pool while her mother watched. Since then she has learned to climb and run in the CTU gym.

“Virginia thinks she’s playing. But every activity has a purpose—to help my daugh-ter become more independent,” Amie says.

now that Virginia is mobile, her thera-pists have more goals for her—including weaning her from the feeding tube she has used since birth.

And her mother has no doubts that this, too, is something Virginia will do.

“The staff at CTU is extraordinary,” Amie says. “Where others might see weak-ness, they saw strength. Where there were limits, they saw possibility. When, as par-ents, we were exhausted, they encouraged us. They have been incredible at showing us Virginia’s promise and potential.”


MULTiCARe hAS joined forces with the American heart Association (AhA) to launch Pierce County Goes Red. This yearlong movement empowers women with the tools and knowledge to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke and protect their health.

Follow these 10 simple steps from the AhA to help protect your heart health.

Make a date (and keep it). each year on your birthday, schedule a

checkup. have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked, and ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to follow your health care professional’s

recommendations, including taking pre-scribed medications.

Tune in as you tone up. Add more physical activity to your life by step-

ping, marching or jogging in place for at least 15 minutes a day while watching your favorite TV shows. increase your activity by fi ve minutes each week until you’re getting a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week. exercise and diet may not get you to your goal. if not, ask your doctor about adding medication.

Grab some H2O when you go. Take a water bottle with you wherever

[heart health]

10ways toGo Red

HEAlTHY rEFlECTionS BouTiQuE

Special services just for womenA selection of cards, books, baby garments,

organic skin care and aromatherapy products

displayed around Healthy refl ections Boutique—

which has locations at Covington MultiCare Clinic

and the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park—

gives it the feel of a traditional gift shop for

women.

But this is more than just a gift shop or

women’s store. Although it is well-stocked

with items to encourage women to come in

and shop just “because,” Healthy refl ections

Boutique focuses particularly on products that

women need during pregnancy and childbirth,

as well as when they are preparing for or recov-

ering from surgery or dealing with cancer treat-

ment and recovery. items available include

wigs of many styles, chic hats, scarves, gar-

ments designed especially to be worn with

artifi cial breast forms, mastectomy bras,

10 | Healthy living

you go. it’ll keep you hydrated and the bottle’s weight will strengthen your arms.

Keep out of sight, out of mouth. Keep packages of unhealthy food

hidden in the pantry. Put raw veggies and fruits in front in the refrigerator and healthy snacks in the front of the pantry, so that’s what you see first. if you keep grabbing healthy foods for a minimum of 21 times, it will soon become a habit. Also, look for the AhA’s heart-check mark. This easy, reliable grocery shopping tool helps you identify food that can be part of a sensible eating plan.

eat right to control cholesterol. eating foods high in saturated fat

can lead to high cholesterol. To help keep your cholesterol levels down, eat foods low in saturated fat, such as lean chicken or tur-key (roasted or baked, with skin removed), fruits and veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and whole grains. Look for AhA cookbooks in your local bookstore for healthy and delicious recipes.

Shake the salt habit. To help lower high blood pressure, watch your salt

intake. it may be disguised in food labels as sodium alginate, sodium sulfite, sodium case- inate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate,

and take charge of your health

ways toGo Red

morning sickness bands, breast pumps and

nursing bras.

“The boutiques were developed to cater

to women in each phase of their lives,” says

MultiCare’s Mary leeper, who oversees both

locations.

Many of the items carried at the boutique

are difficult to find outside of medical specialty

stores, which can be uncomfortable places for

women to shop, especially for items they may

feel self-conscious about buying. Healthy

reflections Boutique, on the other hand, is

a place where women can feel at ease.

“The boutique’s environment is warm and

friendly, and because many of our staff have

personal experience with the life events

our customers are here to shop for, there’s

a great sense of empathy,” says leeper.

“For our customers, the boutique becomes

more than just a place to buy things; it be-

comes an important source of emotional

support.”

Each sales representative is a certified

bra and prosthesis fitter, and some, leeper

mentions, are also cancer survivors and moth-

ers, adding an extra level of support and ex-

pertise to the women who shop there.

Gig Harbor sales attendant nancy Peterson

enjoys coming to work every day because of

the family feeling that has grown as customers

return to say hello, show off their newborns,

share their progress and shop.

“i love the people contact,” she says. “i

love being able to connect with women and

assist them through whatever phase of life or

challenges they are experiencing.”

sodium hydroxide, monoso-dium glutamate (MSG) and sodium citrate.

Kick butts. if you smoke, quit.

Try this four-step way to snuff your habit. On day one, cut the num-ber of cigarettes you smoke by half. On day three, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke in half again. On day five, cut your smoking in half again. On your quit day, quit!

Be a good loser. excess weight increases your risk of heart disease,

stroke and diabetes. To achieve steady, pain-less weight loss, take it easy. each day, if you eat 200 to 300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you’ll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that’s steady and painless.

Don’t let a slip keep you down. if you get off your exercise schedule,

have a cigarette or mess up on a meal, immediately get back on track toward reestablishing a healthy lifestyle.

Say, “Yea for me.” To maintain momentum with exercising, losing

weight or quitting smoking, keep track of your achievements and reward yourself by doing something you enjoy. Reprinted with permission from the American Heart AssociationGo Red and Go Red For Women are trademarks of AHA. The Red Dress Design is a trademark of U.S. DHHS.

uma Krishan, Md, director, MultiCare Women’s Heart Center


[physical therapy]

GOOd SAMARiTAn Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Services offers the high-est level of care and services for people re-covering from serious injuries or illnesses.

“Our inpatient rehabilitation program is designed to help people return to their full-est level of function as soon as possible,” says Caroline Prewitt, a physical therapist with Good Samaritan inpatient Rehabilitation.

And that approach is all about teamwork. At Good Samaritan, the inpatient rehabilita-tion team may include health care profes-sionals from a variety of different specialties. in addition, a physiatrist—a doctor who specializes in physical medicine and rehabili-tation—directs each patient’s program.

every case and every person is differ-ent. depending on a patient’s needs, other members of the rehabilitation team may include physical, occupational and speech therapists; psychologists; neuropsycholo-gists; social workers; dietitians; neurologists; orthopedists; pulmonologists; internal medicine doctors; pediatricians; urologists; or oncologists.

The rehabilitation team works closely with each patient and his or her family.

“From the fi rst day of rehabilitation, our team will be training, educating, discussing goals and helping the patient and his or her family prepare for a return home,” Prewitt explains.

“it is so gratifying seeing people make progress,” she says. “The patient has to be engaged. They are required to spend three hours a day minimum in physical therapy and occupational therapy to be able to be a part of the inpatient program. So the indi-viduals we are seeing are very motivated.”

Inpatient rehabilitation

A hospital within a hospital

Good Samaritan hospital offers a state-of-the-art inpatient rehabilitation facility that features:

25 inpatient beds, gymnasiums extensively equipped for physical therapy and occupational therapy, and a special gym and other facilities for children.

Patient rooms and therapy areas designed and built for people with special needs, such as those with spinal cord or brain injuries.

A dining room for patients and their families.

A rehabilitation courtyard where patients can practice outdoor activities, such as gardening and walking, on different types of terrain.

A rehabilitation apartment to help patients and their families prepare to go home from the hospital.

Because rehabilitation does not end when a patient leaves inpatient care, our team also makes plans to ensure a smooth transition to outpatient rehabilitation once a person leaves the hospital.

And Good Samaritan hospital offers one of the most comprehensive outpatient re-habilitation programs in the Pacifi c north-west, providing a full range of rehabilitation services and using leading-edge equipment and the latest therapy techniques—all co-ordinated by a team of caring professionals who are experts in outpatient treatment.

For more information about inpatient rehabilitation, call 253-

697-5192. To learn more about all of Good Samaritan hospital’s physical therapy services, visit www.goodsamhealth.org or call 253-697-2065.

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12 | Healthy living

Smart steps for a healthy life

SENIORSEnhanceFitness An ongoing senior exercise class offered by the Good Samaritan Celebrate Senior-ity program designed to improve strength, fl exibility and balance and improve your cardiorespiratory system. This class is three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at various locations and times. Call Sarita Stotler, certifi ed instructor, at 253-697-7389 for further information.

Gentle Yoga for SeniorsThree-week series offered by the Good Samaritan Celebrate Seniority program. Give it a try! Learn about strength, stretch-ing, balance, relaxation and more effi cient breathing. Fee: $15 per series For dates and times, visit www.goodsam health.org or call 253-697-7385.

Tai Chi ClassA class designed to reduce stress,

improve strength, increase circulation, and enhance focus and concentration.Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 8:30 to 9:30am, Sumner Senior Center, 15506 62nd St. Court e. Call david Lettich or Sumner Senior Center at 253-863-2910.

Visit www.goodsamhealth.org for

a complete calendar list or to register.

Click on “Classes and events for the public.”

DIABETESDiabetes EducationWhether you just discovered you have diabe-tes or have lived with it for years, we offer a variety of education programs for children and adults. Registration and a physician referral are required.253-770-2300

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH Heart Healthy Eating ClassPerfect for anyone with a personal or familyhistory of heart disease or high cholesterol. Learnhow fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates and salt af-fect heart health, plus how to look out for your heart at the grocery store and in restaurants. 253-697-8141

VOLUNTEERING Good Samaritan’s strong force of more than 900 volunteers has discovered the secret of feeling great. By sharing some of your time, you can too. Volunteer opportunities are avail-able in a variety of areas.253-697-1568

STAYING SAFEFirst AidUnderstanding of standard fi rst aid and adult CPR. Certifi cation requires written and skills exams.253-474-0600

Life Vest and Helmet Fitting ProgramThe Helmet and Life Vest Program is active all year. Helmet and life vests are fi tted and sold by trained volunteers.

Throughout the year, program volunteers go to special events, including the Spring Fair, Fall Fair, Tour de Pierce, and health and safety fairs. A variety of helmets are sold, including bike helmets, multi-impact helmets and ski helmets. The life vests for sale are type III, which are great for the local lakes. • Good Samaritan Celebrate Seniority Offi ce: Thursdays, 2 to 4pm• Good Samaritan kiosk at South hill Mall: Second Saturday of each month, 11am to 3pm

April through June 2008


Smart steps for a healthy life

unless otherwise noted, visit www.goodsamhealth.org for information or to register.

[calendar of events]

QUITSMART™ TOBACCO CESSATIONA medically based program that prepares you mentally and physically to quit using tobacco. A trained facilitator helps you identify and conquer challenges that may prevent you from succeeding and teaches you new, healthy habits to replace the unhealthy ones.

Fee: $80 (partial scholarships available for income-qualifi ed participants)• Allenmore hospital: Saturday, April 26, 9:30am to 3:30pm• Covington MultiCare Clinic: Friday, May 23, 9:30am to 2:30pm

PARENTING AND CHILDRENChildhood ImmunizationsFree to qualifi ed parents.

253-697-8160

Children’s Diabetes Education and ClinicIndividual education for children newly diagnosed with diabetes and for their families. By appointment for those who need further education or review. Classes, camps and support groups also available. Mary Bridge Children’s hospital253-403-3131

Kangaroo KapersChildren ages 3 through 7 who are about to become big brothers or sisters will love this! The one-hour class provides nonmedical, nontechnical information about childbirth.Fee: $15/family

Tour the Family Birth CenterSaturdays, 1pm

no registration required.

Mom and Baby Support GroupNew moms fi nd opportunities to meet other new moms and discuss the joys and challenges of adjusting to parenthood. Separate one-hour sessions for newborns to 6-month-olds and for 6- to 12-month-olds. Fee: $3/session

Children’s Asthma EducationEducation for children with asthma and their families.Mary Bridge Children’s hospital253-403-3131

Water BabiesIn-pool exercise class for new moms and their babies ages 3 to 12 months. Includes cardio-vascular and strengthening exercises specifi -cally designed for postpartum moms along with movement games and water acclimation activities for the babies. Fee: $72/six-week session To register, call Glenda at 253-697-2775.

Prepared ChildbirthFive-week sessions as well as some weekend and one-day sessions for fi rst-time parents-to-be. Comprehensive topics include breathing and relaxation techniques, stages of labor and delivery, medications, cesarean delivery, caring for yourself after delivery, newborn characteristics, and feeding your newborn. Fee: $85 or medical coupon; $75 for one-day class Register online at www.goodsambaby.orgor call 253-697-5300.

BOOT CAMP FOR NEW DADS As the Johnson & Johnson® commercial says, “having a baby changes everything.” it can be the most rewarding experience, but for a fi rst-time dad, it can also be a bit overwhelm-ing. So if you’re a new dad or dad-to-be, take Boot Camp for new dads at Good Samaritan’s Family Birth Center.

This three-hour class trains fi rst-time fathers to become knowledgeable, confi dent dads. Taught by experienced fathers who bring their own babies, this class teaches participants about feeding, diaper changing and supporting mom. Fee: $25; preregistration is required. Call 253-697-5300 for more information.

14 | Healthy living



CANCERFor information about Good Samaritan’s wide range of cancer support services, call 253-697-4899.

Puyallup Support Group For patients, caregivers, adult family members and friends. Meeting includes educational program, refreshments, a sharing circle and a lending library of resources. First Thursday of each month, 1 to 3pm,Puyallup United Methodist Church, 1919 W. Pioneer Ave. 253-697-4863

Women’s Support GroupThis group is open to any female with

a diagnosis of cancer. The atmosphere is very informal, and it is an excellent opportunity to share and learn with others. Occasional speak-ers also present on topics of interest to group members. If you are feeling alone or isolated, please consider joining us.

Second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 to 8:30pm, Good Samaritan Cancer Center, conference room, 400 15th Ave. S.e., fi rst fl oor Fee: donations welcome253-697-4863

Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group

Do you have questions about prostate cancer? Join a group that can provide answers and support, facilitated by trained volunteers who have recovered from prostate cancer. First Wednesday of each month, 7 to 9pm,Good Samaritan (call for room location)Call Weldon Plett at 253-582-8440, ext. 76531

Focus on Healing Dance Movement Class

An exercise class specifi cally designed to address concerns of lymphedema for breast cancer sur-vivors. The class uses gentle dance movements that target certain muscle groups and encourages

overall body toning. The class is open to any female with a diagnosis of cancer. Mondays (except holidays), 5:15 to 6:15pm,east Main Campus conference room, 1317 e. Main, Safeway plaza (enter at the rear of the west end of the building) Preregistration required.Call deb Makin 253-332-6154 to sign up or 253-697-4863 for more information.

Look Good ... Feel BetterThis program for female cancer patients is offeredin partnership with the American Cancer Society, the National Cosmetology Association and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Asso-ciation Foundation. Trained volunteer cosme-tologists teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss, using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetics industry.Women also learn ways to disguise hair loss with wigs, scarves and other accessories. 253-697-4863

SUPPORT GROUPSGood Samaritan hosts support groups for a variety of topics, including brain injury, cancer, chronic fatigue/immune dysfunction syndrome, bereavement, sarcoidosis and parent support.

Cancer Support GroupsSee the cancer section below.

Brain Injury and Stroke Support Group: Understanding Symptoms and RecoveryHelps families understand how neurologic conditions affect thinking abilities and emotions.253-697-1807

Grief Support GroupsGood Samaritan Hospital offers bereavement support groups. Registration is required.253-697-2419

QuitTobacco Support Group Free weekly support groups with great success rates! No matter where you are in the quit process, this group is for you. Topics include tobacco addiction, successful cessation prac-tices, individualized quit plans, nicotine replacement therapies, cessation medications, withdrawal symptoms, coping skills, relapse and recovery. Drop-ins are welcome; low-cost nicotine patches are available. For best results, we recommend weekly group atten-dance for one year following your fi nal quit date.• Good Samaritan Community healthcare: Mondays, 7 to 8pm• Allenmore hospital, boardroom: Mondays, noon to 1pm• Tacoma General hospital, 6M: Tuesdays, 11:45am to 12:45pmCall for more information, 253-223-7538.Ask about our QuitSmart Classes!

Caregiver Support GroupThis group is open to caregivers of any diag-nosis. It is a place to receive support, ask questions and connect with other caregivers.Second Monday of each month, 1:30 to 3pm, Good Samaritan Community Services (Behavioral healthcare), 325 e. Pioneer Ave., Room C113 (middle entrance)Fee: Suggested donation is $2/meetingCall Kathie McCormack, LMFT, at 253-697-8532.


CALENDAR OF EVENTS | SiGn uP For A ClASS THiS SPrinG. SEE PAGE 13.

MultiCare Health SystemP.o. Box 5299Tacoma, WA 98415-0299

Nonprofi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMultiCare

Health System

GS

How many hours of sleep does your child need each night?

Find the answer on page 6.

On your mark,get set,go!PUT On YOUR running (or walking) shoes and head to Vassault Park in Tacoma on Saturday, June 14, for the Roman Meal®

Sound to narrows™ 2008 fundraising event.

Whether you’re a competitive runner, a brisk walker or a leisurely stroller, the 36th Annual Sound to narrows is a wonder-ful Tacoma tradition and a great morning of healthy fun for people from all walks of life.

The 12-kilometer run and walk traverses the scenic and hilly terrain of west Tacoma and beautiful Point defi ance Park. The 5k run and walk is a short, yet challeng-ing, course. A 1.2-mile Junior Shuffl e tests the hearts and legs of children ages 4 to

10, while the 20-yard diaper dash, a fan favorite, is a showcase of Olympians in the making.

A highlight of the day is announcing the winner of the second annual Pierce County Biggest Winner contest—a 14-week, team-based weight-loss competition sponsored by the MultiCare Center For healthy Living, the YMCA of Tacoma–Pierce County and the Tacoma–Pierce County health department.

Sound to narrows is a MultiCare Center For healthy Living event benefi ting health and wellness in our community.

For more information about the event or to register to participate,

visit www.soundtonarrows.org.

allenmore hospital | good samaritan community healthcare ... · rising from 56th place in 2007....

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