heartbeat providence
50 t h Ye a r s ’ t a e Hea r t B
Quality health care in the Inland Northwest Summer 2012
Bone Matters
Osteoporosis facts and prevention tips for all ages
At Work in the Community Providence is committed to ensuring that everyone receives quality health care
Modern-Day Heroes
Chris and Kurt Holbart are among several amazing people who have given or received a lifesaving organ donation
Jeff Philipps, CEO Rosauers Supermarkets Providence Health Care Foundation Board of Directors
WHY DO I
GIVE? Rosauers has a passion for improving the
quality of life in our community. Our gifts to Providence Health Care Foundation help ensure world-class health care right here in Spokane, and provide access to medical treatment for all – especially our poor and most vulnerable.
phc.org 509.474.4917
Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center | Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital | Providence Holy Family Hospital
heartbeat providence
Executive Editor Joe Robb
Managing Editor Kate Vanskike
Medical Editor Jeff Collins, MD
Senior Content Editor Kari Redfield
Art Director Monya Mollohan
Photographers Gary Matoso Steven Navratil
{ FROM THE HEART }
Welcoming a New Medical School
Copyright 2012 © Providence Health Care. Online at phc.org. Published three times a year by McMurry. Send comments to heartbeat@ providence.org or Public Relations, P.O. Box 2555, Spokane, WA 99220.
Michael Wilson, Chief Executive
Board of Directors Mike Reilly, Chair Gary Livingston, PhD, Vice Chair Marian Durkin, Secretary-Treasurer Patricia Butterfield, PhD Ramon Canto, MD Dan Dionne, MD Susanne Hartung, SP Elaine Hoskin Paul Larsen, MD Keith Marton, MD Dean Martz, MD Rob McCann, PhD Sr. Judith Nilles, OP Paul Pimentel Curt Shoemaker Phil Stalp Jim Watts, MD Ron Wells Providence Health Care Eastern Washington (PHC) is the parent organization of a number of Catholic health care ministries sponsored by the Sisters of Providence and the Dominican Sisters in Spokane and Stevens counties. These ministries include:
Hospitals Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital Providence Holy Family Hospital Providence Mount Carmel Hospital (Colville) Providence St. Joseph’s Hospital (Chewelah)
Other Health Services Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories Providence Adult Day Health Providence DominiCare (Chewelah) Providence Emilie Court Assisted Living Providence Medical Group Providence St. Joseph Care Center & Transitional Care Unit Providence VNA Home Health PHC is part of the Providence Health & Services health care system, which spans five states from Alaska to California and east to Montana. For more details, visit phc.org.
Mission Statement As people of Providence, we reveal God’s love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate service.
For decades, Spokane has been a major medical hub for the Inland Northwest, drawing patients from across a four-state region. As far back as the 1960s, Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center’s kidney and heart programs helped put Spokane on the map for specialized medical care and have continued to offer services often found only in university hospital settings. Spokane physicians have been actively engaged in medical research for years, making a name for our city as a leader in the field. Over the years, many students completing their medical education through the University of Washington’s School of Medicine have come through Spokane to do their first-year or third-year residency training at Sacred Heart and other local hospitals. Through the program, they gained valuable hands-on experience, working beside our experienced physicians. But … most move on to other cities outside the Inland Northwest to finish their residencies and start their careers. That’s where Spokane has missed out, and that’s why Providence Health Care is actively supporting the development of a new four-year medical school right here in Spokane. Called the
Academic Health Science Center at Riverpoint, the school will allow students to stay in Spokane for all four years of their medical training and will accommodate additional students each year. Centralized on one campus in the heart of downtown Spokane, the new Health Science Center will include the Washington State University (WSU) nursing and pharmacy colleges, the University of Washington School of Medicine and all the allied health programs offered by both WSU and Eastern Washington University. Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center is positioned to be the academic hospital for the medical school offering comprehensive training and mentoring, and we couldn’t be more excited about it. Providence is also taking a lead in supporting the capital campaign for the school because we believe an investment in the medical providers of the future is paramount to the health and wellbeing of our region. The Academic Health Science Center will not only create jobs and attract people to Spokane—it will allow new physicians to complete their education and begin their health care careers here, too. I believe this is one of the most important expansions to occur in our region for many years, and I am excited about the many positive ways it will affect our health care delivery system as we all work together to improve access to care and enhance the overall health for the citizens of the Inland Northwest. You can learn more about this new project at morethanamedicalschool.com. Sincerely,
Michael D. Wilson Chief Executive
The Providence Vision Together, we answer the call of every person we serve: Know me, care for me, ease my way.
Core Values Respect • Compassion • Justice Excellence • Stewardship
PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC CHAMBERLAIN
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ●
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On the cover: Chris Holbart received a lifesaving kidney from brother Kurt. Read about Kurt and other generous heroes involved in organ donation on page 18. Photo by Gary Matoso.
3 From the Heart Spokane is getting a four-year medical school, and Providence is proud to support the effort. Hear more from Michael Wilson, chief executive. 5 Mailbag A happy reader tells of her new life at Providence Emilie Court. 6 Insider Find out about a special room for parents who are grieving the loss of a baby and learn how Providence is expanding with urgent care centers and clinics. 8
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Healthy Living Enjoy some delicious chicken pita pockets this summer on a picnic, and employ these tips to avoid common summer accidents.
10 Children’s Health Safety first: Take these five steps to keep your children safe all year-round.
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12 Cardiac report Use this maintenance guide so you can keep your ticker running smoothly.
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14 These Bones Are Made for Walking
Osteoporosis is preventable in many cases. Know the signs, and use these tips to keep your skeletal system healthy at any age.
18 Heroes Among Us
iscover how an organ donation can change families’ lives forever. D These uplifting stories feature people who have given the ultimate gift of life.
24 Making a Difference and Saving Lives
rovidence Health Care’s commitment to helping those in need P provides lifesaving care to countless people all across the region. 27 HISTORY Heart Beat celebrates its 50th anniversary.
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28 PEOPLE Who are the Board of Directors? Find out how these servants guide health care and make decisions that benefit you and your loved ones. 30 MD spotlight R. Kim Hartwig, MD, talks about changes in medical practice. 31 Community calendar Local events, activities, classes and special support groups. 32 Role Model A Lifetime of Healing: Learn how Arch Logan, MD, has spent his life caring for the poor in the most compassionate way.
{ mailbag }
Helping Hands Dear Heart Beat: I recently made a very difficult decision to give up my home and my two dogs Sugar and Lulu to move into Providence Emilie Court. It was a decision that I put off way too long. Most people my age have children and grandchildren to count on; however, both of my children have met with untimely deaths so I had no one to count on. Fortunately, God provides! A dear family who lived nearby located the perfect place for me and gently encouraged me for more than a year. As my health began to deteriorate, I finally moved. When I arrived at Providence Emilie Court, I was so frail and had lost so much weight that I had to depend on the nursing staff to help me with all of my personal care. The staff went out of their way to make sure my needs were met from the first day I moved in. They got me up and dressed me every morning and encouraged me to eat three balanced meals daily in the dining room where I was able to meet new friends. I started getting out of my apartment and enjoying activities regularly, which has helped my social life to grow and become more diverse. Moving to Providence Emilie Court has been the best decision I ever made. I have put on weight for the first time in years and have gained enough strength to feel more confident and in control of my life.—V. Gervais We’re so happy Ms. Gervais found a home—and friends—at Emilie Court! Want to learn more about Providence’s assisted living facility on the Sacred Heart campus? Visit phc.org or call 509-474-2550.
facebook.com/ProvidenceSacredHeart facebook.com/ProvidenceHolyFamilyHospital youtube.com/ProvidenceSpokane twitter.com/Providence_PHC
TAke OUR Poll
who gets the most attention? Regarding health care, whose needs are you most concerned about? A) Your own. After all, if you’re not well, you can’t be sure everyone else is well. B) Your kids. They’re most apt to bring home the germs and are most accident prone. C) Your aging parents. You worry about their risks for so many different things. D) No one. I don’t think about health care until there’s a need for it. Visit phc.org/ heartbeat or capture this image on your smartphone and tell us what you think!
Readers Respond The Spring issue of Heart Beat asked: “When you think of Providence hospitals being Catholic, what comes to mind?” Half of the respondents said “whether a hospital is Catholic has no bearing on my decision about where to receive care.” For the rest, however, being a Catholic hospital mattered a great deal, with nearly half of the total respondents saying that Catholic hospitals care for the whole person or ensure that all people receive care. See page 25 to learn more about what it means to be a Catholic health care system.
Want to receive Heart Beat via email? It’s easy. Just email heartbeat@ providence.org with “e-magazine sign-up” as your subject line.
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ●
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{insider}
Be Part of Something Beautiful You can help. To learn more about supporting services and programs at Providence, visit phc.org and select “Giving.”
Where Angels Gather
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Thanks to the generous support of donors to the Providence Health Care Foundation, caregivers overseeing the Forget-Me-Not perinatal bereavement program at Sacred Heart Medical Center received $17,000 to convert a storage area into a comforting, sacred place. In what they’ve dubbed The Angel Room, parents can spend some uninterrupted time with their baby. Sacred Heart’s Forget-Me-Not program cares for an average of
60 families per year who are mourning the early passing of an infant. Staff members offer to arrange photography and to make other keepsakes, such as plaster molds of baby’s feet, knowing that these make a difference to the families. “I am grateful we have a new Angel Room for our families,” says Carolyn Ringo, perinatal bereavement coordinator at Sacred Heart. “It’s wonderful to offer such a beautiful space for parents to be with their baby at a very difficult time.”
Expanding Care to the Community True to its promise to provide medical care in the most costeffective manner possible, Providence Health Care has announced the opening of several new outpatient facilities in the Spokane region. “The hospital is no longer the center of the health care delivery system,” says Michael Wilson, chief executive of Providence ministries in Spokane and Stevens counties. “To help patients experience quality care in the most affordable setting close to where they live and work, it’s vital to provide more convenient clinics outside the hospital setting, and in a variety of locations. This is central to our vision to answer the call of those we serve to ‘Know Me, Care for Me, Ease My Way.’ ”
Services: Urgent care, X-ray imaging, lab, ultrasound and more.
Providence Urgent Care–Hawthorne
The outpatient expansion efforts mentioned above are enhanced through a clinical affiliation between Providence Health Care and Group Health physicians. “Both of our organizations believe we can meet patients’ needs and meet the new demands of health care by coming together and designing care delivery processes that improve outcomes and costs for all involved,” says Wilson. “Our partnership shows patients we’re putting their needs first.”
551 E. Hawthorne at Newport Highway Hours: 8 a.m.–8 p.m. Monday-Friday and 9 a.m.–6 p.m. weekends. Services: Routine urgent care, including lab and X-ray imaging.
Providence Urgent Care– 5th & Division (Coming January 2013!) 421 S. Division Hours: 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Providence Valley Outpatient Center (Coming in 2014!) I-90 at Sullivan Much more than an urgent care facility, this multispecialty ambulatory care center will house “everything except inpatient beds,” says Wilson. Patients will have access to outpatient surgery, cancer treatment, a wide range of imaging services, short-stay observation and sameday care from a variety of specialists. Providence is investing $44 million in this new facility to serve Valley residents and neighboring communities.
Partnering with Group Health Cooperative
Clinics Join Providence Medical Group Providence is proud to welcome the following physician groups this summer: Spokane Valley Family Medicine and Physicians Clinic of Spokane. Providence Medical Group includes more than 200 primary and specialty physicians dedicated to quality patient care coordinated closely with the Providence family of services. Look for a clinic in your neighborhood: Hawthorne, Indian Trail, Manito, Holy Family and Valley, plus Chewelah.
Find a Physician Need help finding a Providence physician? Visit phc.org or call our Physician Referral Line at 877-304-1408.
Award-Winning Care Providence Health Care hospitals continue to garner national recognition with numerous rankings in U.S.News & World Report’s “America’s Best Hospitals” for 2011-2012. Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital • Cardiology & Heart Surgery • Diabetes & Endocrinology • Gastroenterology • Gynecology • Nephrology • Pulmonology • Urology
Providence Holy Family Hospital • Gastroenterology • Geriatrics • Pulmonology • Urology Providence Mount Carmel Hospital • Gynecologic Surgery
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{HEALTHY LIVING}
Hike the Beautiful Outdoors Spokane County’s parks department includes an active Conservation Futures program that acquires property for the purpose of benefiting wildlife and protecting natural resources. These areas open up a whole world of opportunities for families to explore our region. Fifteen designated conservation areas around the county include hiking trails of varying degrees of difficulty. Find one that meets your family’s style and get out and enjoy nature!
Reap the benefits of hiking:
Chicken Pita Pockets with Garlic Mayo Pack this simple but delicious picnic lunch and go on an outdoor adventure this summer Cut the calories and fat in mayonnaise by mixing it with fat-free yogurt, and then spice it up with a little garlic. You’ll have a gourmet delight that’s excellent with tuna or burgers, or in this case, inside chicken pita pockets. Feel free to expand the veggie selection in this recipe to your liking. Try adding sprouts, fresh cucumber or spinach for even more flavor and crunch. Pack in coolers for a great summer picnic or enjoy for lunch since the kids are home from school. Ingredients 2 small garlic cloves, minced 1⁄ tsp. salt 8 ½ c. low-fat mayonnaise 3 Tbsp. fat-free plain yogurt 2 (7- to 8-inch) whole-wheat pitas
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2 cooked boneless, skinless chicken breast halves 2 medium tomatoes, sliced 4 lettuce leaves, torn into pieces
• Get physical exercise • Learn about plants, birds, geology and more • Enjoy time away from the computer/ TV/electronic toys
Quick tips for a great outdoor adventure: • Carry water and snacks • Pack a simple first-aid kit • Wear appropriate shoes • Print a trail map to take along • Tell someone where you are going
Directions Mash garlic and salt together with a fork in a bowl. Stir in mayonnaise and yogurt. Cut each pita into two half circles. Spread mayonnaise mix in each pita pocket. Thinly slice the chicken and distribute it equally into the four pita pockets. Add tomato slices and lettuce. Nutrition information Makes 4 servings. Per serving: 310 calories, 6.5 g total fat, 34 g protein, 28 g carbohydrates, 79 mg cholesterol 400 mg sodium and 2.3 g dietary fiber.
For maps and details about our region’s conservation areas, visit spokane county.org.
Summer Safety Ah, summer. A time for barbecues and pool parties and trips to the lake. Unfortunately, it’s also a time when many people end up in hospital emergency departments. But planning ahead and using common sense can go a long way toward protecting you and your family, says Heather Barfield, RN, Providence Sacred Heart’s trauma coordinator. In the summertime, the hospital’s emergency department commonly sees patients who have suffered from falls, bike accidents, lawnmower mishaps, drownings and boating accidents.
On the WATER The No. 1 cause of boating accidents, Barfield says, is alcohol consumption. “Driving a boat is the same as driving a car,” she explains. “The same rules apply. Don’t drink and drive anything.” That includes personal watercraft. To prevent drownings, be sure that everyone on the boat— yes, adults, too—is wearing a life jacket. Even people who know how to swim, Barfield notes, should wear a life jacket when on the lake.
In the Yard Last year, Barfield says, a high number of lawn-mower injuries, from bad cuts and burns to severed fingers and toes, came through the emergency department. Regardless of what kind of mower you use, be sure to wear appropriate shoes (no flipflops!), and don’t let children ride with you. Barfield also suggests wearing goggles to protect your eyes from flying debris. *
On the Road Ready to head out on your motorcycle or bicycle? Don’t forget your helmet. “It’s that simple,” Barfield says. “In Washington, we have a fairly strict helmet law. And more than that, wearing a helmet can decrease your chance of a brain injury by 88 percent.” (You can learn more about bicycle helmet safety on page 10.) Make this summer your safest yet. With simple measures— like wearing life jackets on the water, being cautious doing yard work and wearing a helmet when you’re biking—you can reduce your risk for serious harm. “People need to be aware that there are ways to minimize their risks,” Barfield adds. “Traumas can be life-threatening— and many are preventable.”
Because Injuries Happen Scan the QR code for a FREE smartphone app with symptom checker, closest emergency room locator and to get information about research procedures, tests and treatments.
This article is part of Providence Sacred Heart’s trauma education as required of Level II Trauma Centers.
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{ children’s health }
Safety First Protecting your kids is paramount. Here are five precautions every parent should take By Amy Lynn Smith As a parent, you’ll do anything to keep your children safe. It’s instinctive. But exactly how you ensure your kid’s safety is something every parent has to learn. Your pediatrician is a great source of information and can also recommend books and other resources. Just to be on the safe side, though, put these five safety essentials at the top of your list—and don’t put it off. “Accidents are a major factor in childhood injuries, and most of them happen around the home,” says Susan Stacey, RN, executive director of Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. “You can never let down your guard for a moment, but there are also some great tools out there to help you.”
1
Car Seats
Parents know they need to use car seats, says Stacey, but it’s essential to use them correctly. Rear-facing seats should never be installed facing front, and infant car seats should always go in the back seat. Kids should be in a car seat or booster seat until they are at least 4 feet 9 inches tall so that the seat belt fits properly. Regular inspections are important, too. Through Safe Kids Spokane, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital offers free car seat checks performed by certified experts. (See sidebar.)
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BIKE HELMETS
In a bike accident, kids are at increased risk for hitting their heads because they tend to be topheavy, says Stacey. “Their heads will go forward first and head versus concrete or any hard surface is a bad injury,” she explains. “The rule of thumb is that if you’re moving faster than you can run, you need a helmet.” This rule applies to other sports, as well, such as skating and skateboarding, which require a helmet specifically designed for those sports. A helmet is a necessity for all ages, and a good way to encourage kids to wear them is for parents to use helmets themselves.
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Smart Move Download free safety guides for kids of all ages, and check out the listings for upcoming events at the Safe Kids Spokane website. Visit shmcchildren.org and look for the Safe Kids Spokane tab.
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WINDOW SAFETY GUARDS
A fall from a window can cause serious injuries. That’s why approved window guards should be installed on any window above the first floor that isn’t an emergency exit. “Kids are curious, fast and smart, and they can sometimes figure out how to open a window latch,” says Stacey. “Screens don’t offer any protection because they can just pop out.” Experts also recommend keeping furniture away from windows on higher floors so children can’t climb up. If you must have windows open, keep your child in sight at all times.
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SMOKE AND CARBON MONOXIDE DETECTORS
Essential safety items in every home, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are especially important with kids in the house. They are more quickly overwhelmed by smoke or odorless carbon monoxide because of their smaller size. Be sure to test your smoke detectors and replace the batteries twice a year, urges Stacey, and make sure you have them on every floor of your home. Also have an established emergency evacuation plan, including a meeting place outside to make sure all heads are counted in the event of a fire.
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POOL FENCING
If you have a pool, in-ground or above-ground, you need to have a fence that completely encloses it. The fence should be at least 4 feet high and made of mesh so you can see into the pool area. Also make sure the fence is self-closing and self-latching. When the pool isn’t in use, put on a safety cover so no one can fall in accidentally. Remove ladders or slides from above-ground pools when they’re not being used. Perhaps most important of all, don’t let your kids into the pool area if an adult isn’t able to watch them the entire time. “As a parent, it’s hard to watch everything,” Stacey says. “But there’s just no substitute for knowing where your kids are at all times, especially near water.”
Sacred Heart and Safe Kids Spokane As part of our commitment to kids’ safety, Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital now oversees Safe Kids Spokane. The organization, which is affiliated with Safe Kids Worldwide, provides education and other resources. “Safe Kids Worldwide is excited to welcome Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital into our network,” says Kate Carr, president and CEO of Safe Kids Worldwide. “We look forward to partnering with them to keep kids safe from injuries in Spokane.”
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{cardiac report }
The Heart: A User’s Manual A how-to on operation, care and maintenance so you can keep your ticker running smoothly for life
Congratulations! You are the proud owner of a miraculous creation called the heart. This user’s manual contains important information about protecting it and helping it maintain peak performance for years to come. Please read these instructions carefully for optimal results. Before Getting Started To keep your heart working properly, you need to learn everything you can about your health history and possible risk factors for disease. “People should know about heart problems in their first-degree relatives—that is, their parents and siblings,” says Douglas Waggoner, MD, a cardiologist with Heart
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Clinics Northwest. “Also, find out the time in their lives when they had their problems.” Having a parent or sibling with heart disease increases your risk of developing the condition. Janice Christensen, MD, a cardiologist with Providence Spokane Cardiology, notes that a family history of diabetes is also a strong risk factor. In addition, she asks
patients about a family history of abdominal aortic aneurysms, which is of particular note for men’s heart disease risk. Dr. Waggoner recommends sharing your family health history with your doctor, because this might affect how aggressively your own heart condition is treated. “I might recommend starting medication therapies earlier,” he
says. “I also counsel patients on their risk factors.” While you can’t change your family history, other risk factors are within your control, Dr. Christensen adds. Smoking, she says, is the top risk factor. In addition, people with diabetes have a higher risk of heart disease. Controlling diabetes involves eating well, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight— which all affect heart health, too. Other risk factors include high cholesterol and high blood pressure. “I always attack a patient’s biggest modifiable risk factor first,” she says. Recommended Maintenance At least once a year, or as often as your doctor advises, get screened for those risk factors of heart disease, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes. Your doctor may want to begin electrocardiograms as well, particularly if you have certain risk factors or are experiencing symptoms. And be sure you know the results of your tests, Dr. Christensen says. “There’s power in knowing your numbers,” she says. “Those numbers are predictive and help you understand your risk.” Care Guidelines Much of what’s required to keep your heart in good condition is up to you. People with a round shape and excess belly fat are at higher risk of heart disease and type 2 diabetes. To determine if your belly is bigger than it should be, check your waist circumference with a tape measure. A woman’s waist should measure less than 35 inches and a man’s should be less than 40 inches. If your waist is larger than that, it’s time to take action.
The right menu can make all the difference, both in weight loss and good heart health. Avoid foods that are high in fat, salt and cholesterol, Dr. Waggoner advises. Focus on fruits and vegetables, lean meats, low-fat and nonfat dairy, and whole grains, and you’ll be well on your way to a healthier heart. Dr. Christensen recommends a Mediterranean diet—a lifestyle that emphasizes lean meat and fish, vegetables and healthy fats. In studies, she notes, this diet not only improves heart health even if people don’t lose weight, but it’s been shown that people more commonly stick to it. “There are several excellent Mediterranean cookbooks on the market,” Dr. Christensen says. “I tell patients to go buy one and to focus on finding things they enjoy.” Operating Instructions Then, of course, there’s exercise, which is essential to good heart health. Studies show that people who do at least 30 minutes of moderate aerobic activity daily lower their risk for cardiovascular disease. Dr. Waggoner echoes the need for 30 minutes of cardiovascular exercise—the kind that gets your heart pumping fast and your breathing heavy—five days a week or more. In addition, he recommends strength training, which decreases your percentage of body fat at the same time that it increases lean muscle. It’s also important—for plenty of reasons—to get enough sleep. People who sleep less than seven hours a night have a higher level of stress hormones, which can increase your blood pressure and heart rate.
Warning! Misuse can damage your heart and lead to costly repairs, and there’s no manufacturer’s warranty. Protect your heart from these hazards:
Smoking. Quitting smoking is the most important step you can take to a healthier heart, says Janice Christensen, MD, a cardiologist with Spokane Cardiology.
High-calorie liquids. Sports drinks and soda are loaded with sugar, so avoiding them is an easy way to cut calories. Alcohol has many calories, too. Women should limit themselves to one drink per day, and men to two per day.
Stress. Too much stress can lead to increased rates of high blood pressure. To reduce your stress level, set aside time for rejuvenating pursuits such as meditation.
FREE Personal Medication Record Whether you are taking medicine for a heart condition or not, it’s important to keep a list of your meds. Carry it in your purse or wallet, and be sure to fill in each medicine’s name, dose instructions and condition treated. This will help prevent drug interactions. Get yours free by emailing heartbeat@providence.org or calling 509-474-3081.
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These
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WALKING
At a rest stop along I-84,
Osteoporosis is preventable in many cases. Know the signs and treatment options, and take these steps at all ages to keep your bones healthy and strong for life
Genevieve Crandall stepped out of the car. It was summer 2011, and the Florida resident was enjoying her vacation— which included celebrating her grandson’s graduation in Spokane and taking a trip with her daughter to Portland to watch a tennis tournament. In an instant, the independent lifestyle she had enjoyed for 86 years was swept away. “A gust of wind picked my mother up and threw her 10 feet backward, breaking her left hip, pelvis and wrist,” recalls Stephanie Pappas Butler. At a nearby hospital, surgeons did a partial hip replacement and set her wrist. She returned to Spokane with her daughter and began physical therapy. But her pain increased. Butler took her mother to see Carla Smith, MD, a surgeon with Providence Orthopedic Specialties and the principle investigator on two bone studies at Providence Medical Research Center. Dr. Smith discovered that when Crandall fell, she had also broken her right hip and had multiple fractures to her pelvis. With adjustments in her daily therapy program, however, she began to recover. Indication of Osteoporosis Before Crandall was strong enough to return to Florida, she fell again, this time from a standing position. She was
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rushed to Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital, where Dr. Smith performed surgery to repair her broken right hip. “Healthy bones are strong,” says Dr. Smith. “So when Genevieve fell from a standing position and broke her hip, there was strong indication of osteoporosis, a disease that makes bones fragile and likely to break.” Crandall is not alone. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), osteoporosis and its precursor—low bone density (referred to as osteopenia)—occur in more than 44 million people in the U.S. The AAOS says that fragility fractures have become nearly epidemic among older Americans with more than 2 million fractures occurring each year—“more than heart attacks, strokes and newly diagnosed breast cancer combined.” Like so many who have experienced hip fractures, Crandall’s broken bones resulted in a dramatic change in lifestyle. Always adventuresome and independent, the avid golfer and onetime cast member of the 1944 Betty Grable film Pin Up Girl found herself in need of assisted living and daily help from her daughter. Osteoporosis is not curable, but if properly diagnosed it is treatable. And that’s the catch. “Osteoporosis is silent,
s
Story by Liz DeRuyter • Photos by Gary Matoso
Stephanie Pappas Butler and her mother, Genevieve Crandall, are learning about osteoporosis together and how to improve bone health at any age.
Take Steps to Prevent Falls In addition to exercise, Carla Smith, MD, a surgeon with Providence Orthopedic Specialties, says that it’s also important to understand what can be done to prevent falls: • Make certain your home is well lit. • Remove obstacles that may cause you to trip, such as rugs. • Keep eyeglasses handy, and use them whenever moving about. • Use assisted walking devices. • Make a plan to ensure you take your daily supplements and medications.
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These
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often going undiagnosed or undertreated,” says Dr. Smith. “People need to advocate for diagnosis and treatment, especially those who have experienced a fragility fracture, since they are 86 percent more likely to suffer a second fracture.” Not a Women’s Disease Father Severyn Westbrook had long suspected that he might have osteoporosis. “I’d always had lousy posture, but it wasn’t until I was receiving postoperative care following a second arm fracture that I requested a bone density scan. My suspicion turned out to be true.” His first fracture rendered his arm virtually unusable, compromising his quality of life and leaving him vulnerable to a second break. The 78-yearold—accustomed to an active life and daily work ministering to others— had given up hope of having use of his arm again. “When I broke my arm the second time and met Dr. Smith, the first thing she said was that she cared about my quality of life and wanted to improve it,” he recalls. “Father Westbrook debunks the myth that men don’t get this disease,” says Dr. Smith. In fact, the National Osteoporosis Foundation (NOF) says men over the age of 50 are more likely to break a bone due to osteoporosis than they are to get prostate cancer. And each year, more than 80,000 men break a hip. “Father Westbrook is a great example of someone who advocated for himself. He benefited from an innovative surgery that restored the use of his arm, and follows a program outlined by his primary care physician,” says Dr. Smith. Determine your risk Another misconception is that there is nothing anyone can do. Wrong again. Regardless of age (it
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“Osteoporosis is silent, often going undiagnosed or undertreated. People need to advocate for diagnosis and treatment, especially those who have experienced a fragility fracture, since they are 86 percent more likely to suffer a second fracture.” is true—your bones weaken as you grow older), gender (women are more likely to develop osteoporosis than men) and body size (small, thin-boned women are at greatest risk), a lot is controllable. These risk factors include: physical inactivity, low levels of calcium and vitamin D, anorexia, use of some medication such as steroids, low levels of testosterone and estrogen, cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol use. Dr. Smith’s advice is to work with your primary care physician in understanding your risk and determining if further evaluation is needed. This may include one or more of the following: medical history review, physical examination, bone density test, FRAX score (fracture risk assessment), laboratory test, X-rays, vertebral fracture assessments and bone scans. “The bone density test, also known as a DXA [dual energy X-ray absorptiometry] is most valuable for patients who have risk indicators, but who have never had a fracture,” says Dr. Smith. “Physicians are moving away from DXA for anyone who
Father Severyn Westbrook has worked with his doctors to strengthen his skeletal system and recover the use of his arm, which has been broken twice.
has already experienced a fragility fracture—since the event itself is very predictive and signals a need to educate the patient about bone health and engage the primary care physician in the treatment plan.” Bone health at every age Butler never thought much about osteoporosis until her mother fell. “I was subliminally aware of the disease in my 20s, but even in my 30s I didn’t think much about it,” she says. As she knows now, it is never too soon to take defensive action to protect your bones. Childhood through our 20s: This is a critical time in development of healthy bones as bone tissue formation outweighs bone loss.
Free Bone Density Screening Call today to schedule your FREE bone density screening at the Sacred Heart Women’s Health Center: 509-474-2400. For more tips on preventing falls and supporting bone health, visit phc.org.
Exercise—Use It or Lose It!
According to the NOF, 85 percent of adult bone mass is acquired by age 18 in girls and age 20 in boys. To build bone and joint strength, kids need to be active and get plenty of calcium (1,300 mg per day between the ages of 9 and 18) and vitamin D. By your late 20s, your bones are as strong and thick as they will ever be. 30s and 40s: At this age, both men and women begin losing small amounts of bone mass each year. Calcium (at least 1,000 mg daily), vitamin D (essential for the absorption of calcium) and vitamin K (increases bone mineral density), along with high-impact physical activity, are essential to preserving bone mass. 50s and beyond: Talk with your doctor to assess your risk. Determine
if additional tests are warranted. “Many who suffer from osteoporosis also have secondary diagnoses that contribute to poor bone health, increase the risk of falling, or slow recovery. Your health providers need to consider all factors and then tailor care to your specific needs,” advises Dr. Smith. Ask if you would benefit from calcium (at this age, you need 1,200 mg per day) and vitamin D supplements or medication that helps strengthen bones. Eat plenty of nutritious food, avoid processed foods high in sugar and fat, and increase consumption of antioxidants such as blueberries and green tea. Finally, renew your commitment to exercise.
No matter what your age, Carla Smith, MD, a surgeon with Providence Orthopedic Specialties, recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day. “Activity does not have to be strenuous to be beneficial, but it is important that it puts stress on your bones,” she says. Here are some options: • High- and low-impact aerobics classes. • Walking and stair climbing. • Elliptical training, stair stepping and treadmill machines. • Running, jumping rope, tennis. • Dancing. • As you get older, add strength training to your workout at least two to three times a week along with balance training at least once a week. • According to a study published in Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, progressive resistance training— resistance in the form of weights or bands—has a direct, positive effect on bone density.
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 17
Heroes
among us
Discover just how amazing organ donation is and how much of a difference it can make
18 â—? Summer 2012 Heart Beat
by kate vanskike At Providence Sacred Heart and Providence Holy Family hospitals, when visitors stop to read a TV screen in the main lobby, they’re not watching the news or hospital infomercials. They’re reading about people who have received the gift of life and families whose loved ones have made that possible. Stunning photos on LCD displays, thanks to the Providence Health Care Foundation, provide a glimpse of men, women, children and babies who have saved or improved the lives of others through organ donation. Here, Heart Beat shares the stories of many families forever changed by organ donation. We meet a local boy who received a heart, a family of brothers fighting kidney disease and the parents of a teen whose death is still changing lives. We also present an important request of our readers: to register as an organ and tissue donor. Will you say yes?
Tell Us How You're Helping We’d love to hear from you if you registered as an organ donor after reading about Masin, Chris, Kurt and Drew. Visit Sacred Heart on Facebook or email heartbeat@providence.org.
>>
Visit facebook.com/ ProvidenceSacredHeart or capture this image on your smartphone to share. Masin Hawkins’ doctors describe his heart transplant as coming just in the nick of time.
PHOTOGRAPH BY GARY MATOSO
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 19
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Today, after receiving his new heart from a generous family, Masin is healthy and happy.
FOG E H T CLEARING Masin Hawkins was an active 14-year-old who loved basketball and riding bikes. One day, he’d been playing football with friends at Post Falls Middle School, and when he went inside, he told a teacher that he felt dizzy. It’s the last thing he remembers before a school nurse performed CPR to restart his heart and an ambulance whisked him away. Later at Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital, pediatric cardiologist Carl Garabedian, MD, diagnosed him with cardiomyopathy—a condition that 20 ● Summer 2012 Heart Beat
causes the heart to enlarge and prevents it from pumping well. Masin also started having ventricular tachycardia—a super-fast heartbeat—and had to have an implantable cardiac defibrillator to regulate the heartbeat. In September 2011, Masin’s mom, Cindy, became concerned with his decreasing energy and scheduled another appointment at Sacred Heart. “We were told what we knew we may hear but didn’t want to—that Masin needed a heart transplant,” Cindy recalls.
Masin’s heart function had decreased to just 15 percent of its normal capacity. He was placed onto the national transplant list and for three long months, he remained at Sacred Heart. “I was very concerned and afraid,” Cindy says, “but I didn’t want to ever walk into his room and have him see me upset. Our whole family helped us get through this unbearable time, and [also] hospital staff members who were always positive and helped to keep him occupied. I could at least leave the hospital and get a break from the PHOTOGRAPH BY GARY MATOSO
“I wish I could put into words what it’s like to have my son. I am sad when I think of the loss another family had and hope it helps them to know that they saved my son’s life.” situation, but Masin had no choice and was there every single day and night, just waiting. He is an amazing child.” Ask Masin how he coped and he’ll say that in addition to having staff members take him outside or up on the roof to meet a MedStar helicopter pilot, he played video games—a lot. “It helped me escape,” he says. Barely Holding On As often happens with patients awaiting transplant, Masin experienced a false alarm, a call to prepare for surgery, only to hear that the donor’s heart was not a great fit. That was “providential” as people of Providence say when lifechanging coincidences occur. “His condition was so tenuous, it wouldn’t have been a good time to proceed with surgery,” says Beth Dullanty, RN, coordinator of congenital heart services. A few weeks later, the Hawkins family prepared again for the lifesaving transplant Masin so desperately needed. It was a Friday morning in mid-December and Sacred Heart transplant surgeon Timothy Icenogle, MD, was ready to fly to the location where a heart for Masin could be retrieved from a donor who was on life support. “Spokane was completely fogged in,” remembers Dullanty. “There were no flights going in or out.” The days prior had been sunny, without a cloud in the sky. “I couldn’t understand why this was happening,” Cindy says.
The surgery was called off again and staff encouraged Masin to go to the cafeteria for his favorite menu item, orange chicken. He was about to take their advice when he experienced his longest run of “V-tach” (the super-fast heartbeat) and was sent straight to bed. Perhaps there was fog for a reason. At home on Saturday, Dullanty put on her “Heart for Hawkins” T-shirt and prayed for a miracle. That evening, Dr. Icenogle drove to Coeur d’Alene’s small municipal airport where the fog had lifted and planes were cleared for takeoff. At 9 p.m., Masin’s new heart was in place and working fine. “It was an act of God,” Dullanty says of the event. Thank You to the Family That Saved Him Days after his transplant, Cindy learned of her acceptance into North Idaho College’s nursing program. She was fearful of committing to it with Masin at home recuperating, but he reminded her she’d wanted to be a nurse for a long time. “Go to school, Mom,” he said. “I will be OK.” And he is. He’s been enjoying his favorite activities again—dirt bike riding, snowboarding and shooting hoops with friends. He’s also taking driver’s ed classes to prepare for his next exciting journey. “I wish I could put into words what it’s like to have my son,” Cindy says. “I am sad when I think of the loss another family had and hope it helps them to know that they saved my son’s life.”
Sensitive work “Making organ and tissue donation possible takes an incredible amount of teamwork among multiple health care providers and other partners— and it requires great sensitivity toward all the people involved,” says Timothy Stevens, RN, director of Transplant Services at Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital. The team includes caregivers, chaplains, patients and families. Each member of the team has emotional and spiritual needs that must be respected. “Caregivers working in intensive care units put up a good fight for their patients’ lives and when those efforts don’t have the intended outcome, it’s hard,” he says. “Then they switch gears and begin the difficult conversation about whether this patient could be a donor.” “These are seasoned nurses, physicians and chaplains who face death regularly, but losses take their toll,” Stevens says. Providence takes seriously the task of caring for the caregiver. Debriefing sessions help the staff express their feelings and celebrate their role in being there for families. In addition, Sacred Heart has a Donation Champions Committee that includes hospital staff as well as representatives from LifeCenter Northwest and SightLife (organ and tissue procurement agencies) to address the complex world of donation, which includes special counseling and care for families of patients who decide to donate during those last few hours of life, and live donors who require a special kind of care. “We know Sacred Heart takes excellent care of the patients receiving organ transplants,” Stevens says. “This committee is about taking care of the people who do the donating.” It’s sensitive and challenging work. But every person who becomes a donor has the potential to save or change lives. And that makes it all worthwhile.
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 21
the bond between brothers THE HOLBART FAMILY Polycystic kidney disease runs deep in the Holbart family. Brothers Chris, Kurt and Mike never knew their grandfather because he had died from the condition, and they lost their dad the same way when they were teens. They knew they had a 50-50 chance of suffering from kidney disease themselves. The oldest of the three, Chris, was diagnosed at age 29. At first, the decrease in kidney function was gradual. But at age 44, he was constantly fatigued and had to begin dialysis—the process of removing waste from the body via machines when the kidneys can’t do the job.
22 ● Summer 2012 Heart Beat
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During his eight weeks of dialysis, he learned he needed a transplant if he wanted to return to his normal active life, which included skiing and dirt bike riding, as well as working in construction, a job he shared with both brothers. When Kurt, just 14 months younger, learned his big brother needed a kidney, he was immediately willing to go through the lengthy process of determining whether he was a good match. He wasn’t the only one, however. Chris had a number of friends willing to join Kurt in the effort. “I was so blessed, humbled and grateful for everyone
Giving up one of his two kidneys was a gift that Kurt Holbart (left) was happy to provide to his brother Chris.
who volunteered to be tested,” Chris says. Ultimately, Kurt turned out to be a perfect match, and Chris knew that his chances of a successful longterm transplant would be much greater with his brother’s match. “I was happy to do it. There was no hesitation,” Kurt says, although he admits to a fear of needles and wasn’t thrilled that the downtime following surgery resulted in an extra inch on his waistline. The Gift of a Lifetime There were bigger changes for Chris. With his new kidney, his color returned, and he could eat more PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVEN NAVRATIL
freely and enjoy more energy. In general, he just felt better. But those were only the physical benefits. “My priorities definitely changed,” Chris says. “I’m fully aware of how blessed I am to have my family, wife, children and friends. To live where I do, in a country where a transplant is even possible! To enjoy life and be able to see my kids become adults.” Chris and Kurt’s little brother, Mike, now has those same opportunities, too. After Chris’
transplant, Mike needed one also. They joke that they couldn’t in good conscience take Kurt’s other kidney, so Mike received his lifechanging gift from a woman he hardly knew. “She’s a real hero, too,” they agree. Kurt says people who find themselves with the opportunity to donate a kidney to a loved one should know, for many, it’s easy: “You don’t even notice you’re missing anything.”
TRIUMPH FROM TRAGEDY Drew Swank
drew swank was a goodhearted teenager. He was the kind of kid who on Valentine’s Day bought red roses for every girl in his class so none of them would be left out. He was a football player who would tackle an opponent and then pat him on the back. Today, he’s still making a difference—through his life-changing gift. Sadly, Drew suffered a fatal football injury. His mother, Patti, found herself standing over her son in an intensive care room at Sacred Heart. “The worst day of our life became the best day of someone else’s,” Patti says.
Life for Many Drew’s young heart is living strong inside a father named Lee who proudly remarks that his heart is younger than those of his kids. His liver went to another teenage boy in Washington state who shared the same jersey number—15. A man in Seattle received Drew’s lungs, an Alaskan received a kidney and a woman in Ohio received the other kidney, plus Drew’s pancreas. His corneas provided the gift of sight to two others. The Swank family has met the recipient of Drew’s lungs, and even listened to the breath in those lungs with a stethoscope. “That was a tearful moment for our entire family,” says Drew’s big sister Tara. “God is doing a great and mighty work through our son,” says Drew’s dad. It’s a sentiment shared by many who choose for their loved ones to become donors. Giving life to another individual helps to add purpose to a tragedy that otherwise is senseless.
BY THE NUMBERS
100+
Highly trained nurses who care for children and adults needing transplant care at Sacred Heart
34
Members of the Transplant Services department who coordinate the process
9 5
Transplant physicians
States served by the Sacred Heart transplant program (Washington, Idaho, Oregon, Montana and Alaska)
3
Sacred Heart’s transplant follow-up clinics outside Spokane (Great Falls, Mont.; Missoula, Mont.; Tri-Cities, Wash.)
3
U.S. heart transplant centers (out of 110) to receive the Heart Transplant Excellence Award from HealthGrades. Sacred Heart was one of them.
Make the Choice There’s another number you should know: 113,600. That’s how many people in the U.S. are on the waiting list for an organ transplant. Become a potential donor by signing up and talking with your family to make your wishes known. Registering takes only a few minutes at donatelife.net. Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 23
When Irina Lapin became pregnant at 19, she visited the Maternity Clinic at Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital, which offers prenatal care to both insured and uninsured women. Lapin calls her doctors “amazing,” and as she and her husband add to their family, she says the Maternity Clinic, subsidized by PHC, is the only place she’ll go for care.
Providence Health Care is committed to helping everyone attain quality health care, as demonstrated in 2011’s community benefit report
Improving & Health 24 ● Summer 2012 Heart Beat
Story by Liz DeRuyter & Kate Vanskike Photograph by Gary Matoso
Y
ou know that Providence Health Care (Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital, Holy Family Hospital, Mount Carmel Hospital, St. Joseph’s Hospital, VNA Home Health Services, DominiCare, St. Joseph Care Center, Emilie Court Assisted Living and Adult Day Health) are nonprofit and Catholic, but what does that mean? It means that Providence Health Care’s (PHC) mission and vision is to care for the entire person. It means that PHC is committed to helping everyone in need of medical attention, regardless of ability to pay. In 2011, PHC ministries provided more than $100 million to address unmet health needs in Eastern Washington. These dollars provided free and discounted care to 47,929 individuals who were unable to pay their medical expenses. In addition, by funding
essential programs that do not generate enough income to support themselves, the PHC network was able to provide access to quality health services such as trauma, psychiatric triage and prenatal care (at the Maternity Clinic at Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital). Equally important is access to basic health care so that members of our community, especially the poor and vulnerable, receive quality medical attention before health problems escalate. PHC also invested in the future by providing training opportunities for new physicians and by funding important clinical research. “It is our belief that continuation and enhancement of graduate medical education and research in Spokane helps ensure access to quality health care for generations to come,” says Mike Wilson, chief executive of Providence Health Care in Eastern Washington.
What It Means To Be a Catholic Health System The Sisters of Providence began their health care ministry in the West 155 years ago and built Spokane’s first Catholic hospital more than 125 years ago. But as attitudes and perceptions about religious affiliation among schools, hospitals and other social structures change, many people are left to wonder what it means for a health system to be Catholic. In an online poll, Heart Beat asked readers whether a hospital’s Catholic identity makes a difference. Half of respondents said “it has no bearing on my decision about where to receive care.” The other half, however, said they are more likely to go to a Catholic hospital. Ann Hurst, vice president of Mission and Values for Providence Health Care, explains what makes a Catholic hospital special. Catholic hospitals help care for the whole person—mind, body and spirit. A person has many dimensions, including physical, emotional, psychological, spiritual and social. “All of those come into focus when you’re providing health care because one
influences another,” says Hurst. “That’s what we call holistic care. “We recognize that people live in complex situations: poverty and unemployment and all types of abusive situations. We believe health care is more than fixing broken body parts; people are broken in many ways. We seek to address those needs as well as to alleviate suffering and promote health for everyone who comes to Providence for care.” Non-Catholic patients receive the same care as those who are Catholic. Some people think you have to be Catholic to come to a Catholic hospital. “We’re here to serve the needs of all people,” Hurst clarifies. “We welcome and embrace people of all faith traditions and those who have none at all. We seek to provide care in a way that respects the dignity of all people and honors each person’s values and spiritual beliefs.” Catholic hospitals make sure all people receive care, and support many community services. Providence Health Care supports the
community through charity care and donations to other important services—to the tune of millions of dollars every year. “There are no shareholders who split a profit made by Catholic hospitals,” Hurst says. “Our revenue is injected back into this community to improve access to care for all people and by working with partner agencies to help build a healthier community.” Providence recently partnered with the Spokane Regional Health District and Empire Health Foundation to conduct a community health needs assessment with input from many organizations that address physical, social and health needs. Mental health and substance abuse rose to the top of the list of concerns because of continual cutbacks in federal and state funding for these services. “Together, we’re talking about how to address those concerns in light of shrinking resources,” Hurst says. “Providence is an active partner in that fight.” Making tough decisions There’s another characteristic of continued on next page Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 25
continued from previous page
Catholic organizations that Hurst is proud to see reflected in the work of PHC: decision making based on an ethical discernment process. In times of changing landscapes in health care, all medical providers have to think differently and evaluate what services might operate better under a partnership to provide lower-cost care to more people.
For PHC, Hurst explains, “The conversation never centers on profitability. We have a detailed process of addressing a wide range of questions so that our decisions are consistent with our values and mission.” As an example, PHC continues to subsidize psychiatry services that don’t make money but that serve the mission by providing dignity to people who suffer from mental illness.
Over a 155-year history, the Sisters of Providence have opened and closed many services in response to changing community needs. “Leaders of their ministries today are charged with the task of strengthening the organizations to ensure we are here another 150 years and beyond,” says Hurst. “And we’ll do that by following the same guiding principles the Sisters themselves have shared with us.”
Providence Health Care’s 2011 Community Benefit Report
Sacred Heart Medical Center
Holy Family Hospital
Mount Carmel Hospital (Colville)
St. Joseph’s Hospital (Chewelah)
Non-Hospital Ministries*
Providence Health Care Total
Cost of Charity Care
$11,031,744
$5,073,172
$916,856
$517,531
$278,069
$17,817,372
Unpaid Cost of Medicaid & Other Government Programs
$34,351,888
$12,330,618
$501,837
$2,154,048
$2,697,801
$52,036,192
Subsidized Services
$11,747,249
$0
$1,102,726
$1,683,752
$0
$14,533,727
Medical Education & Research
$13,556,499
$18,352
$210,169
$148
$7,382
$13,792,550
$1,473,936
$262,981
$132,398
$39,910
$27,743
$1,936,968
$72,161,316
$17,685,123
$2,863,986
$4,395,389
$3,010,995
$100,116,809
Community Programs & Services Total
As a not-for-profit organization, Providence Health Care received $25.4 million in federal, state and local tax exemptions in 2011. However, it provided $100.1 million back to the community, or $74.7 million in excess of exemptions. In addition, there are taxes for which Providence is not exempt and pays in the normal course of operations, just as any business in the community. These totaled $73 million.
PHC’s 2011 Tax Status Benefit 110 100
80 70
For more information on the ways Providence Health Care supports the community, go to phc.org and “Community Benefit Report” to see our 2011 report and an article on how we assess the community’s health needs.
60
Non-Hospital Ministries include: Providence Adult Day Health, Providence DominiCare, Providence Emilie Court, Providence St. Joseph Care Center, and Providence Visiting Nurses Association.
20
*
26 ● Summer 2012 Heart Beat
$100.1
90
Total Taxes Paid
$73
50
Community Benefit Provided
40 30
$25.4
10 0
Total Tax Exemptions
In millions of dollars
*
{ HISTORY }
The Beat Goes On Celebrating five decades of heartfelt storytelling By Amy Lynn Smith
1982
2007 1962 1992 You could say that Heart Beat has always had heart. Because in its more than 50 years of publication, people have mattered most, both in the stories told and the writers and editors who have told them. Heart Beat was born in the 1960s as a monthly newspaper, mostly for internal distribution. By the 1970s, its distribution and content expanded to include physicians, supporters and other friends of the hospital. Now a communitywide publication, it has kept up with To subscribe or share your the times in conown Heart Beat story, visit tent and design. phc.org/heartbeat. As much as the magazine has evolved, though, it has never lost sight of what matters most: people. “The publication has always been very much about the relationships,” says Kate Vanskike, the current managing editor and one of the
Be Part of the Story
magazine’s primary writers. “It’s focused on connecting people with caregivers and with our Mission.” Like all the magazine’s editors and writers, Vanskike gets her greatest satisfaction from sharing the stories of patients and staff who have experienced amazing things. About the People The late Al Huber, the magazine’s first editor, was a pure-blooded newspaperman who liked to call himself “Ye Olde Editor.” Others have followed—Maureen Goins, Marilyn Thordarson and Vanskike— each of them bringing his or her own personality to the role of editor. Around 1978, Thordarson developed a friendship with a family whose child was in the neonatal intensive care unit and created a narrative about their experience. “I wrote about these premature babies being like fragile flowers, and one of our leading obstetricians read my story to his students, to help teach them the human aspect as well as the science,” says Thordarson.
One of the stories that left the most powerful impression on Vanskike involved a well-known area woman who was struggling with mental illness and was able to regain her life because of the psychiatric care she received at Sacred Heart. “Not only did the story help people understand what the treatment actually involves, it gave them insights into mental illness, which still has an incredible stigma,” she explains. “For months after that issue of Heart Beat came out, this woman was hearing from people who had been greatly impacted by her testimony.” Stories like these leave a lasting impression on both the readers and the creators. Vanskike and Thordarson have stayed in touch with many of the people they’ve written about. What’s more, people remember what they’ve read. “Just the other day a doctor asked for an issue from 30 years ago,” says Vanskike, “so it’s something people really identify as part of our organization.”
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 27
{ people }
Front row L to R: Gary Livingston, Patricia Butterfield, Marian Durkin, Sr. Judith Nilles, Dan Dionne. Back row L to R: Phil Stalp, Ray Canto, Jim Watts, Rob McCann, Mike Reilly, Ron Wells, Elaine Hoskin, Paul Pimentel, Dean Martz. Not pictured: Keith Marton, Sr. Susanne Hartung, Paul Larsen and Curt Shoemaker.
Leading With Compassion Who makes up the Board of Directors? Find out how these servants guide health care in the community At Providence Health Care (PHC), the Board of Directors is a diverse group of professionals who use their expertise and insights to help govern and oversee Providence’s ministries. Members are doctors, executives of major corporations and civic leaders, experienced in making decisions that affect many and in navigating complex regulations. In this exclusive interview, you’ll learn how their vision has
28 ● Summer 2012 Heart Beat
positively affected the direction of health care in our community. You’ll also hear how they share a common belief that quality health care should be available to all people. One recent and major initiative led by the PHC Board is the development and oversight of a new kind of health care delivery to Providence, such as urgent care center and multispecialty outpatient centers. (See page 7.)
“We look at the changing landscape of health care today and help ensure that the strategies Providence leaders employ will sustain the ministries well into the future,” says Mike Reilly, chair. “This means providing oversight of the broader community’s needs, finances and, of course, the Mission of Providence, which is to care for all people, regardless of their ability to pay. In today’s climate, that’s a challenge. So part of our responsibility
PHOTOGRAPH BY GREEN GABLES PHOTOGRAPHY
is to be another set of eyes on the plans the senior leaders envision, and a sounding board when they face tough decisions.” Looking Out for Area Residents While these individuals speak for Providence, they also represent the people of this region. Member Marian Durkin says, “We provide feedback from the community to make sure that Providence is connected and continues to play a vital role for all our citizens.” This includes both urban and rural concerns. “Through Board participation, I’m able to help address rural health issues important to my hometown and help Providence continue to excel in its mission of serving all, especially the poor and vulnerable,” says Phil Stalp, a resident of Colville. It also means looking for ways to improve processes that benefit patient care. Neurosurgeon Dean Martz, who performs many of his surgeries at Sacred Heart, says being on the Board allows him to have input in hospital functions, which ultimately impacts his patients. The members agree that Providence Health Care is absolutely essential to the overall betterment of health in the Inland Northwest. A Calling Many members, like Paul Pimentel, say being on the Board is an opportunity not only to use their leadership and business skills, but their faith as well, in service of the community. “I want to support the mission of the Sisters of Providence,” Pimental adds. “Providence has always tried to do what was best for the community,
and I think God blesses that,” shares Dan Dionne, MD. Honoring the caregivers Their work is not all business, however. The Board members feel a kinship to the nurses and support staff members who carry out the work on a day-to-day basis and are eager to recognize employees who go above and beyond the call of duty. They developed the PHC Exemplary Award, which they present to individuals who have gone to great lengths to answer the call of every patient to “know me, care for me, ease my way.” In the past six years, Board members have joined ministry leaders in bestowing the award on more than 180 employees. Board Member Jim Watts says the team is passionate about recognizing the people who live the legacy of the Sisters of Providence. Along with hospital staff, he recently surprised employees on an intensive care unit with the Exemplary Award. A retired ObGyn who practiced at Sacred Heart for 34 years, he has seen his share of emotional situations, but the story of these staff members really moved him. “Here was this woman with Down syndrome, dying and alone because a snowstorm prevented her family from making it to the hospital, and these employees sat at her side, singing songs to offer her some compassion and peace. I can only imagine how that helped the woman’s family members, too, to know their loved one had not been left to die alone. “All of our employees touch people’s lives in a very special way,” he adds. “The Exemplary Award is one way to let staff members know their work does not go unnoticed.”
phc board of directors Mike Reilly Board Chair Retired insurance broker Patricia Butterfield, PhD Dean, Washington State University College of Nursing Ramon Canto, MD Internist, Northeast Washington Medical Group (Colville) Daniel Dionne, MD Internist, Physicians Clinic of Spokane Marian Durkin Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, Avista Corporation Susanne Hartung, SP Chief Mission Integration Officer, Providence Health & Services Elaine Hoskin Vice President, Sterling Savings Bank Paul Larsen, MD Physician, Providence Family Medicine (Chewelah)
Gary A Livingston, PhD Former Chancellor of the Community Colleges of Spokane Keith Marton, MD Retired Chief Medical Officer, Providence Health & Services Dean Martz, MD Neurosurgeon, Inland Neurosurgery & Spine Associates Rob McCann, PhD Executive Director, Catholic Charities Spokane Sr. Judith Nilles, OP Dominican Sister Paul Pimentel Former CFO of Itronix Curt Shoemaker Attorney Phil Stalp Senior Accountant, Kinross Gold Corporation James H. Watts, MD Retired physician, Spokane Obstetrics and Gynecology Ron Wells Developer
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 29
{ md spotlight }
Family Medicine in Focus A physician at one of Providence’s newest clinics talks about changes in medical practice and how she wishes more patients valued their health R. Kim Hartwig, MD, grew up on the Nez Perce Reservation in Idaho. Today, she and her husband are raising their six children (ages 3 to 14) in Spokane. She practices at Providence Family Medicine–Manito on the South Hill.
Why were you interested in working with Providence? Because of Providence’s involvement in Catholic health care and its great work in developing a quality ambulatory care model.
The Manito clinic where you practice is one of Providence’s newest locations. What are you hearing from patients?
R. Kim Hartwig, MD
What’s the biggest challenge in family medicine right now? The changing expectations of primary care delivery are very challenging. Providence has a commitment to providing quality, efficient care with a team-based approach, which is different than the hierarchical approach previously used. This new delivery model is a patient-centered care experience with clinical outcomes supported by a team effort. It’s exciting, but change— especially surrounding health care—is difficult.
Your clinical interests include sports medicine and diabetes. Why are these important to you?
I was a college athlete and I believe that sports helps people incorporate a positive, healthy lifestyle into their care plan which is preventive for many diseases. Treating and preventing diabetes is a passion, as it affects so many of my patients and family. Most cases are preventable with early identification and lifestyle modification, so identifying these patients and helping them change their risk brings me a sense of accomplishment. The new Jamil Abou-Harb, health care model of team-based care delivery MD, member of Providence will really help to improve diabetes prevention Medical Group and management.
Providence’s expansion throughout the city is exciting! I have met several patients who have experienced quality care from our hospitals and have a desire to continue to receive that same quality in the outpatient setting.
What do you wish more patients did about their health? I would like patients to be more aware of the value of their health and take seriously their responsibility in caring for themselves. I am certainly privileged to be able to be a part of their care and providing education so they understand the goings-on of their health. This helps them to embrace the importance of their role in their health.
Find a Physician Looking for a new primary care physician? Providence has opened new clinics throughout Spokane. For a listing, visit phc.org. Or, call our Physician Referral experts at 877-304-1408.
30 ● Summer 2012 Heart Beat
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Summer 2012 Classes, Activities & Events CLASSES & SEMINARS MOTHER-BABY TIME Wednesdays • 10 a.m. Sacred Heart Women’s Health Center Come with your new baby to meet new friends, support one another and receive answers to your questions. A lactation consultant will be there to address infant health care issues and to weigh your baby. Call 509-474-2400. Stress Reduction and more Providence Center for Faith and Healing Call 509-474-3008 to learn about a variety of classes and seminars related to spirituality and stress reduction. Mindfulness Meditation Wednesdays • 4:45-5:15 p.m. For more information, call 509-474-3008.
Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction Wednesdays, July 18-Aug. 15, 6-8:30 p.m. Call 767-277-9119 to inquire or register or awarecare.net. Healing Foods Kitchen Interested in contributing to your good health while potentially reducing your cancer risk? These classes are for you! Call 509-482-2271.
Support Groups GENERAL CANCER SUPPORT First, third and fifth Tuesday of every month • 5:30-7 p.m. Providence Holy Family Hospital For more information, call 509-474-5490. Breast Cancer Support Second and fourth Wednesday of every month • 6-8 p.m. Providence Holy Family Hospital For more information, call 509-474-5490.
Cancer Survival CLASS Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center A 10-week class to help cancer patients, their families and caregivers. For more information, call 509-474-5490. Cancer Support GroupS Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center Call 509-474-5490 to learn more about other cancer support groups. OSTOMY Support First Tuesday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m. Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center, Leahy Room FREE. For more information, call 509-474-4950.
Online Calendar Go to phc.org for full class descriptions and locations.
Summer Concert Series Thursdays through Aug. 16 • Noon–1 p.m. Providence Healing Garden Sacred Heart Medical Center campus Bring a lawn chair or blanket and come enjoy the talents of local Spokane musicians. The Summer Concert Series, sponsored by the Providence Center for Faith and Healing, features everything from gospel and folk to jazz. FREE! For details, call 509-474-3008.
Summer 2012 Heart Beat ● 31
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Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital 101 W 8th Ave Spokane, WA 99204
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A Lifetime of Healing The name Arch Logan, M.D., is synonymous with “care of the poor.” He served Spokane as a physician for 40 years. Upon his retirement and for the next 22 years, he served at the House of Charity’s medical clinic staffed by Providence volunteer medical professionals. Most of his patients had never enjoyed a patientdoctor relationship or had anyone listen long enough to discover their nonphysical needs. That has changed, thanks to Dr. Logan and the nurses and other volunteers who dedicate themselves to this work. Providence thanks Dr. Logan, now retiring from his post, for his legacy of healing and ministry of grace. If you’d like to volunteer at the House of Charity medical clinic, call Providence Sacred Heart Volunteer Services at 509-474-3166.
Our Mission is to reveal God’s love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate service. Our values are respect, compassion, justice, excellence and stewardship. If you have a story of an employee demonstrating these, please email heartbeat@providence.org.
PHOTOGRAPH BY STEVEN NAVRATIL