Heartbeat wi14 lr by Kate Vanskike

heartbeat providence

WINTER 2014

Quality health care in the Inland Northwest

A Remarkable Recovery A college kid makes a comeback from almost-certain death

When Food Is the Enemy An innovative program is helping people overcome eating disorders

A Longer Goodbye Randy Bjorklund has early-onset Alzheimer’s

Alzheimer’s isn’t just an older person’s disease

KETTLE FALLS

PRIEST LAKE

COLVILLE

CHEWELAH

LAKE ROOSEVELT

2 DEER PARK

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Providence Spokane Valley Medical Park Open Spring NEWPORT 2014! Urgent Care Primary Care Cardiology Outpatient Surgery 95 Lab, Imaging & Pharmacy

POST FALLS AIRWAY HEIGHTS

SPOKANE

COEUR D’ALENE LIBERTY LAKE

MEDICAL LAKE

LAKE COEUR D’ALENE

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CHENEY

Choose Providence We’re everywhere you need care!

4 Hospitals 3 Urgent Care Clinics 6 Senior Care & Home Health Services 50+

Primary Care & Specialty Clinics

Chosing the right health care providers for your family has never been more important. At Providence, we can help you understand your choices. We are the largest provider of health services in Eastern Washington with the complete range of services your family needs. And, they’re all close to home!

Visit phc.org to discover how Providence can serve your family.

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 Jim Van Gundy Steven Navratil

{ FROM THE HEART }

The Next Era of Health Care

Copyright 2014 © Providence Health Care. Online at phc.org. Published three times a year by McMurry/TMG, LLC. Send comments to heartbeat@providence.org or Public Relations, PO Box 2555, Spokane, WA 99220.

Elaine Couture, Chief Executive

Board of Directors Gary Livingston, PhD, Chair Marian Durkin, Secretary-Treasurer LoriLei Bruggink Patricia Butterfield, PhD Ramon Canto, MD Jeff Clode, MD Dan Dionne, MD Susanne Hartung, SP Elaine Hoskin Keith Marton, MD Dean Martz, MD Rob McCann, PhD Sr. Judith Nilles, OP Paul Pimentel Mike Reilly Mary Selecky 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 PAML (Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories) Providence Adult Day Health Providence DominiCare (Chewelah) Providence Emilie Court Assisted Living Providence Infusion & Pharmacy Services 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

Health care across our nation has been facing times of great change … and there’s more to come. With the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, families have had to take a close look at the new insurance exchanges and make some tough choices. Health care providers, too, have faced changing regulations and requirements to ensure they achieve the greatest savings possible, doing their part to help make medical care affordable. Providence Health Care (PHC) has taken significant steps toward lowering costs for the people of the Inland Northwest and improving access to care. One is the implementation of the new Epic electronic health system, which allows PHC caregivers at all of our locations to see real-time information about your health and the treatments you’re undergoing. This means less duplication in testing and in asking you (again!) for the medications you take. Epic also provides you with access to your health record, lab results and billing and a secure connection to email your physician with questions. More than just a fancy new “app,”

As people of Providence, we reveal God’s love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate service.

Epic is helping us to reduce the cost of health care by eliminating the time and expense of duplication, as well as by helping to improve coordination among your providers. Another way we demonstrate our commitment to lowering health care costs is by providing the right services in the most appropriate setting. In the past, the hospital was considered the center of the care delivery system; not so, moving forward. Hospitals will be in place for the most critically ill and injured, while many treatments and services will be available in other locations, often dubbed “ambulatory care centers.” This spring, PHC’s first multispecialty ambulatory care center will open in Spokane Valley. The Providence Medical Park, near I-90 and Sullivan Road, will have urgent care, a surgery center, primary care, specialty clinics, an on-site pharmacy and laboratory services. We’re very excited about opening this new facility and showing our community that we’re serious about being part of the solution in making health care more affordable. Enjoy this issue of Heart Beat. I hope you’ll share my pride in the amazing services featured. We are blessed here in the Inland Northwest! Sincerely,

Elaine Couture Chief Executive Providence Health Care

The Providence Vision “Creating Healthier Communities Together” We continue to pioneer care delivery working with partners to improve our communities’ health and well-being.

Core Values Respect • Compassion • Justice Excellence • Stewardship

PHOTOGRAPH BY Diane Maehl

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 3

{contents }

On the cover: Learn how Randy Bjorklund and another local resident are dealing with early-onset Alzheimer’s. See page 18. Photo by Gary Matoso.

W I N T E R 2 0 14 , Vo lu m e 5 2 , N o. 1

3 From the Heart Providence Health Care is ushering in the new era of health care. Discover what that means for you. 5 Take Action Enroll in MyChart to take control of your health care; see whether a free program called Lifeline might help an elderly loved one; and take a poll. 6 Insider Meet some of our new physicians; see how many years of life a smoker can add by quitting; and get insights on our community’s health.

Healthy Living Try out a tasty recipe for red beans and rice, and get ideas for keeping your college kids safe and healthy.

10 CHILDREN’S HEALTH Learn why a young girl’s specialized medical care includes playtime with a child life specialist.

12 Cardiac report Think what you’re doing is good for your heart? Not necessarily. Here, we bust three myths.

14 A Remarkable Recovery

family that stood strong against the almost-certain death of their son A celebrates his comeback.

18 A Longer Goodbye

lzheimer’s and other kinds of dementia aren’t just older people’s A diseases. Meet two brave people with early-onset symptoms.

24 When Food Is the Enemy 14

n innovative program is helping patients fight eating disorders. A Here’s one family’s story. 27 FOUNDATION The Jensen Fund helps relieve financial difficulties of cancer treatment.

28 community The new Providence Medical Park provides the convenience of comprehensive quality care in one setting. 30 MD SPOTLIGHT A Providence physician talks about her deep roots at Sacred Heart and how joining the hospital feels like coming home. 31 COMMUNITY CALENDAR See what activities and classes you can join this winter.

31 4 ● Winter 2014 Heart Beat

32 Role Model Meet a lifelong champion of preventive health care.

take action { mailbag } }

enroll today! Enroll in “MyChart” today to keep track of appointments and even email your provider. Just go online to phc.org (look for MyChart in the upper right).

Epic Eases the Way All Providence Health Care (PHC) hospitals and medical clinics have moved to a new computer system (“Epic”) that creates a single, secure electronic health record for each patient. Now, all PHC caregivers will see your same medical history, medication list, treatment records and test results. And … you have access to that information from the convenience of your home.

connect with us facebook.com/ProvidenceSpokane facebook.com/ProvidenceSacredHeart facebook.com/ProvidenceHolyFamilyHospital facebook.com/pages/Sacred-Heart-ChildrensHospital/113933418168 youtube.com/ProvidenceSpokane twitter.com/Providence_PHC

TAke A Poll

SHARE YOUR thoughts Dementia is a severe decline in thinking skills affecting everyday activities. Do you know anyone who suffers from dementia? A) What is dementia exactly? I don’t know enough about it to answer. B) O ne of my loved ones has dementia. C) One of my friends has dementia. D) I don’t know anyone with dementia. Tell us your response online at phc.org/ heartbeat. Turn to page 18 to learn more about dementia, the signs and symptoms, what Providence is doing to treat patients, and resources for caregivers.

Lifeline can help Managing chronic disease at home is a challenge for many older adults. Providence Lifeline’s service for seniors provides peace of mind that if they fall or need help, the push of a button is all it takes. Now Providence offers a Medication Dispensing Service to ensure you or your loved one is getting the right medication dose at the right time. Another plus: Some people qualify for financial assistance for Lifeline. Call Providence Spokane Lifeline at 509-474-2615 to sign up or see if you qualify for financial assistance.

Get Heart Beat in your email inbox It’s easy. Visit phc.org/heartbeat to sign up.

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 5

{INSIDER }

Reasons to Quit Smoking

7,000

One of the programs coordinated by Inland Northwest Health Services is TeleHealth, which connects doctors in Spokane with physicians in rural areas.

Community Health News The Empire Health Foundation (EHF) Board of Directors has discontinued its role as a member of Inland Northwest Health Services (INHS), making Providence the sole member of INHS. Providence made a $40 million donation to the foundation as part of this membership restructure. The membership restructure took effect in January. “This is a win for the health of our communities in eastern Washington,” says Antony Chiang, EHF president. “This means the foundation can focus on its mission and expand its investment in ideas and organizations that improve access to health care, education, research and public policy that will result in a healthier region. And, this restructuring strengthens INHS’ role in providing vital health care services to the community,” continues Chiang. INHS, with more than 1,000 employees, has built a successful, financially sound organization serving Inland Northwest communities for nearly 20 years. INHS divisions and service lines include St. Luke’s Rehabilitation Institute, Northwest MedStar, Information Resource

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Management, and Community Wellness, among others. INHS will continue to provide services to hospitals, providers and communities throughout the Inland Northwest. It will continue as a separate not-for-profit corporation, and the INHS Board of Directors—which includes community representatives—will maintain its governance responsibilities. “During this time of dramatic change in health care as national and state level reform initiatives are implemented, Spokane must take a leadership role in transforming the health care system for the future by developing new models of care that reduce the cost of care, improve access, enhance quality and the patient care experience,” says Elaine Couture, chief executive of Providence Health Care. “The INHS Board, its leadership, and Providence believe that providers and consumers across the region will be best served through closer alignment of INHS and Providence. Our commitment is to continue to make the vital services INHS delivers across the Inland Northwest available and accessible to all, especially the poor and the vulnerable.” PHOTOGRAPH BY DEAN DAVIS

Number of chemicals in a single cigarette. More than 70 are known carcinogens.

50%

If you quit smoking before age 50, you reduce your risk of dying from a smoking-related disease by 50 percent.

4 years

Kicking the habit adds an estimated four years of life to those who stop smoking in their 60s. Providence offers Quit For Good, a free, four-week smoking/tobacco cessation program. Call 509-232-8138 for more information. Sources: CDC, National Cancer Institute, New England Journal of Medicine

New Doctors Providence Medical Group is the region’s largest network of affiliated physicians, featuring more than 500 primary care and specialist providers for the residents of Spokane and Stevens counties. We welcome these new additions to the team. Spokane County

Providence Family Medicine (North)

Find a physician Need help finding a doctor? Visit phc.org and click “Find a Physician” or call our Physician Referral Line at 877-304-1408.

Providence Maternal Fetal Medicine

Providence Transplant Surgery

Gabor Mezei, MD

Samer Bani-Hani, MD, nephrology

Providence Neurology

Providence Urgent Care (Hawthorne)

Casey Doggett, DO

Providence Valley Family Physicians Carijean Queen, MD, internal medicine

Providence Anesthesia Services

Providence Orthopedics

Erik Condon, MD Jacob Bettesworth, DO

Chad Harbour, MD

Providence Center for Congenital Heart Disease Jennifer Plymale, MD

Providence Hospitalists (Sacred Heart) Ruxandra Costa, MD, neurology Olivier Drouin, MD, internal medicine Amy Eddy, MD, internal medicine Dexter Preugschat, MD, internal medicine Dinesh Ratti, MD, internal medicine Meghan Roberts, MD, internal medicine Bardomiano Sanchez, MD, internal medicine Kerstin Uhder, MD, internal medicine

Providence Liver and Pancreatic Surgery Juan Mejia, MD

Benjamin Atkinson, MD Marie Atkinson, MD Jennifer Pary, MD Luis F. Pary, MD

Providence Orthopedics (North) Craig Barrow, MD Russell Oakley, MD Scott Redman, MD

Providence Pediatric Nephrology Nelio Guzman, MD

Providence Rheumatology Rebecca Muntean, MD, ND, FACR

Providence Spokane Heart Institute Matthew Forrester, MD, cardiovascular/ thoracic surgery Mark Harwood, MD, cardiology Steven Le, MD, cardiology Nandini Nair, MD, cardiology Sean Spangler, MD, cardiology

Joshua Beers, MD Jacob Deakins, MD Andrea Johnson, MD Mitchell Tippetts, MD

Providence Urgent Care (5th & Division) Roger Hanson, MD Kenneth Rinehart, MD Samuel Schneider, DO Sarah Serpinas, MD Scott Strongin, MD Janet Walker, MD Marc Wangsgard, DO Stevens County

Providence NorthEast Washington Medical Group Katrina Gardner, MD, family medicine Kal Kelly, MD, family medicine

Providence NorthEast Washington Medical Group (Garden Homes) John Klim, MD, internal medicine Bryan Mitchell, MD, orthopedics William Page, MD, orthopedics

Scholar-in-Residence In a unique joint appointment with the WSU College of Nursing, Martin Schiavenato, PhD, RN, has been hired as a Providence Scholar-in-Residence. He works with nurses at Providence Holy Family Hospital and at Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital to promote evidencebased practice and increase involvement in performance improvement and research. Dr. Schiavenato is a pediatric pain researcher. He has a PhD in nursing and is an alumnus of the Pain in Child Health program, sponsored by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Nurse Faculty Scholars program. His interests are in developing methods and devices to better assess pain in infants, young children and other nonverbal populations. Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 7

{HEALTHY LIVING} Zesty Veggie Red Beans and Rice This isn’t your regular red beans and rice dish. Spices and vegetables give it a flavorful punch. Traditional meat eaters will be surprised and delighted by the flavor this dish gets from the soy chorizo. Plus, soluble fiber, like that found in the red beans and soy, may help reduce cholesterol levels. Ingredients 1 garlic clove, minced 1 large green bell pepper, cored, seeded and diced 1 large onion, chopped ¼ teaspoon salt 1/ 8 teaspoon pepper ¼ teaspoon crushed dried oregano 1 bay leaf 1/ 8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes ½ teaspoon chili powder 6 ounces vegetarian soy chorizo (2 links), sliced ½-inch thick* 1 (15-ounce) can red beans, drained and rinsed 1 cup diced, reduced-sodium canned tomatoes 1½ cups water 2/ 3 cup long-grain rice

Directions 1. Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Add garlic, bell pepper and onion. Cook over medium-high heat for 5 minutes or until onion is translucent, stirring frequently. Add salt, pepper, oregano, bay leaf, crushed red pepper flakes and chili powder. Stir well. 2. Add chorizo, beans, tomatoes and water. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer 30 to 35 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Discard bay leaf before serving. Nutritional information Makes 4 (1½ cups) servings. 230 calories, 6 g total fat, 12.5 g protein, 35 g carbohydrates, 560 mg sodium, 5 g dietary fiber If desired, substitute chicken-based andouille or chorizo sausage for soy chorizo. You’ll get slightly less total fat and about the same amount of calories, but 30 mg of cholesterol per serving not in the original dish.

3 Things to Know About Vitamin D Saima Ahmad, MD, a Providence physician, explains what vitamin D is—and whether we get enough of it. What is vitamin D and what does it do? It’s a fat-soluble vitamin that, among other things, helps the body absorb calcium and phosphorus, both of which are especially important for bone health. Do we need to supplement? Most people do. Vitamin D is called the “sunshine vitamin” because our bodies manufacture it from the sun. But we’re not outdoors enough. And when we are, we’re either covered up because it’s cold, or covered in sunscreen (important for skin health and cancer prevention), which prevents our bodies from producing the vitamin. And very few foods contain vitamin D. Fish is one of the best sources, and milk is fortified with vitamin D. How much do we need to supplement? The average person should be able to safely take about 800 IUs, though certain populations will need more. If you’re elderly, or have certain medical conditions like osteoporosis or kidney disease, or if you’re pregnant or nursing, consider seeing a doctor to check your levels.

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More Parenting Advice For tips on keeping teens and kids healthy, go to phc.org, then click “Health Resources.”

Help Your College Kids Stay Healthy Take this advice for keeping your children safe when they leave the nest When your child heads off to college, it can be an exciting time for both of you. But with all that newfound freedom comes a new set of challenges. While you may be tempted to take up residence in the dorm room next to your child, he or she almost certainly won’t be hip to that. So instead, heed this advice in three key areas for keeping your college kid safe:

Alcohol. About four out of five college students drink alcohol to some degree, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. Before your child leaves for school, explain the dangers of binge drinking. Point out celebrities as examples of young people who have succumbed to the perils of addiction. When your college kid comes home to visit, ask him or her how the weekends are going and how he or she is spending time. Be aware of the signs of alcohol abuse—alcohol bottles, hangovers, slurred speech and a general change in behavior, suggests Cora Collette Breuner, MD, MPH, a member of

the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Adolescence. Talk with your child about the importance of making responsible decisions. Be consistent, and explain clearly what you expect. “And most importantly, tell him he should never go into a car with someone who has been drinking, and if he’s been drinking he cannot drive,” Dr. Breuner says.

Electronic cigarettes. More college kids are using electronic cigarettes, battery-operated devices that deliver nicotine through inhaled vapor. According to a study published in the Journal of American College Health, e-cigarettes are more socially acceptable to use in public than traditional smokes. But that doesn’t mean they’re safe. “They still deliver nicotine to the system, and it’s nicotine that causes cancer,” Dr. Breuner says. Make sure your child is aware of these dangers. “Speaking with them continuously is not going to win you any popularity contests, but the game isn’t about being their friend,” she says.

Depression. College can be an overwhelming time. Kids can have difficulties adapting to a new schedule, feel homesick, have trouble adjusting to life with a roommate or struggle to make friends. Ask your student if he or she knows where the campus health clinic is and point out that it’s there to be used, suggests Dr. Breuner. Keep an eye out for symptoms of depression, which include irritability, dramatic changes in appetite and sleep habits, a decline in grades and interest in social activity, and the loss of interest in things that would normally bring pleasure. If you’re worried, discuss it in specific terms. “I notice you seem to be missing a lot of classes” or “You’re not calling home nearly as much as you used to. What’s going on?” If you have serious concerns, get in touch with your child’s roommate, resident advisor or even campus administrators. While they may not share information with you about your son or daughter, they should be willing to hear your concerns and make a plan to address your concerns. Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 9

{CHILDREN’S HEALTH } Madelyn Grace is a happy, thriving 4-year-old despite having a birth defect affecting her diaphragm.

A Child’s Hope and Happiness A young girl improves through care that includes “distraction therapy” By Moriah Simpson

Despite a congenital diaphragmatic hernia (a type of birth defect of the diaphragm), Madelyn Grace is a happy, thriving 4-year-old—and her future is promising. While she was in the womb, the birth defect caused Madelyn’s abdominal organs to push up on her lungs and heart—and it was touch and go for the unborn baby. “After my ultrasound, the maternal-fetal medicine team at Providence thought Madelyn’s condition was pretty severe,” her

10 ● Winter 2014 Heart Beat

mom, Chasity, says. “We didn’t know if she’d survive—we just took it day to day, moment by moment.” When Madelyn was born Nov. 6, 2009, a team of specialists went to work to stabilize her and repair her hernia—and her parents saw a ray of hope. “Shortly after Madelyn’s birth, a rainbow appeared outside the hospital,” says Chasity. “I took a picture of it because it was so incredible. Was it a coincidence? I’ll let you decide. Personally, I don’t believe in coincidence.” Extraordinary Care After weeks in the hospital where she was born in Portland, Ore., Madelyn finally went home to Cheney, Wash., and met the team at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital that has, through the years, helped her grow into the spunky, charming little girl she is today. Interim Nurse Manager Jama Jaderquist, at Sacred Heart’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU), has known Madelyn since she was a few months old. Jaderquist leads a

PHOTOGRAPH BY JIM VAN GUNDY

team of 60 nurses in the PICU who care for children from 7 days old up to age 17 years. “Madelyn’s a tough little gal,” Jaderquist says. “She has been to so many subspecialists here—cardiologists, pediatric surgeons, pediatric pulmonologists, hematologists—that she’s grown comfortable around the hospital and with medical procedures. Much of what she goes through here isn’t fun, but at the same time, we try to make the rest of her time in the hospital fun.” Growing up Strong Today, Madelyn is doing well. She’s working on breathing on her own without her ventilator, for longer periods, a process known as sprinting. She still eats primarily through a feeding tube and receives in-home nursing care most days. And yet, she likes to run around the house, play with her dolls, create things out of Play-Doh, and do arts and crafts like any other little girl. “We try really hard to give her a normal life,” Chasity says. “Madelyn can’t do dance lessons or gymnastics or preschool,

but she can do horseback-riding lessons. She can’t swim, but we can hold her in the pool so she can enjoy the water. Sometimes, people look at Madelyn and say, ‘Look at that poor little girl, isn’t that sad?’ But she has a great life. She’s happy, joyful, enthusiastic and excited.” Over the years, Madelyn’s mom and dad, Casey, have learned what they call “a medical textbook worth of information” about how to care for their daughter’s condition. “At first, we felt unequipped,” says Chasity. “But you do what you have to do. I want people to know that when you have a kid who’s disabled, despite the circumstances, life can still be good. It’s overwhelming at times, but it’s OK to be happy.” Madelyn’s parents say they’re grateful for the many hospital staff, family and friends who have supported them. “The nurses and staff have become like friends to us, and to Madelyn,” says Chasity. “We all have hopes for her. We’d love to eventually see her off the medical equipment, off the ventilator for good, able to eat on her own.”

Making a Hospital Visit

Happy

One way Sacred Heart helps children like Madelyn have fun during hospital visits is by employing child life specialists like Nettie Welshons. These team members provide “distraction therapy” so procedures like IV starts can take place without a hitch. “We help patients process and cope with what they’re going through by explaining who they’ll meet, what they’ll see and hear, and what the different procedures will feel like,” Welshons says. Child life specialists also participate in art, games and other

forms of play to help pediatric patients focus on something other than pain or a medical procedure. Welshons’ office at Sacred Heart looks part preschool classroom and part artist’s studio. Her shelves are filled with books and toys, and the walls are covered with art projects she has done with patients. She likes to incorporate items children frequently encounter in the hospital, such as BandAids or Tegaderm dressings for IV sites, into the art so children come to view them more positively.

In regard to Madelyn, Welshons says: “My role is to focus on Madelyn as a little girl rather than on her medical issues. So many people are dedicated to healing her body—I just get to play.” When Madelyn was hospitalized to get her tracheostomy, Welshons found an American Girl doll and fixed it up with a trach and a stomach tube just like the ones Madelyn has. That type of care and attention not only helps a child emotionally, but boosts physical health, too.

Comprehensive Care for Kids Learn more about the wide variety of specialized care available for kids at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital: shmcchildren.org.

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 11

{cardiac report }

3 Heart-Health Myths Busted! Think what you’re doing is good for your heart? Not necessarily. Here are some common mistakes to avoid By Leslie Pepper

You choose healthy food, you work out at the gym and you still fit into your slim clothes. That means your heart is healthy, right? Not so fast. Even the smartest people make mistakes when it comes to keeping their ticker in tiptop shape for life.

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Myth 1 “Fat-free” means healthy. Not necessarily, especially when it comes to processed foods. When manufacturers take the fat out of a product, they usually add in other ingredients, like sugar and sodium. “You need to look closely at the labels,” says Sean A. Spangler, MD, a cardiologist at Providence Spokane Heart Institute. “If you see sugar as one of the first or second ingredients, that’s a sign there’s too much.” Is is true that you should stay away from saturated fats and trans fats. The former are found in animal products (like beef, pork and full-fat dairy products); trans fats are found in hydrogenated and partially hydrogenated oils (usually used in commercially baked products, fast foods and processed foods). These fats raise your blood cholesterol and, in turn, your risk of heart disease. Not all fats are bad for you—some you need. Monounsaturated (olive oil) and polyunsaturated fats (fatty fish such as tuna and salmon) have been found to lower the LDL (bad cholesterol) in the bloodstream and/or raise the amount of HDL (good cholesterol). The American Heart Association recommends eating between 25 and 35 percent of your total daily calories as fats.

Myth 2

Myth 3

someone who exercises has a healthy heart. This is based on some truth, as it’s absolutely true that exercise is an essential part of health. Studies show that for every hour of walking, life expectancy may increase by two hours. And a study published in the American Heart Association journal Circulation attributed as many as 250,000 deaths per year in the United States to a lack of regular physical activity. But taking that walk doesn’t give you license to be a couch potato the rest of the day. A study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology found that the longer a person sat, the greater the risk of heart attack—regardless of how much exercise she or he did at other times. Make sure you’re moving throughout the day, not just during your time at the gym. Do your own gardening instead of hiring a landscaper. Walk to a friend’s house instead of driving. Pace while talking on the telephone. Take breaks at work to stretch or move around. If possible, walk over to talk to a co-worker instead of emailing. “And exercise does not allow you to smoke or eat in excess or engage in other unhealthy habits,” says Dr. Spangler. “While exercise is one component to a healthy heart, it’s not the only one.”

Hormone therapy for a postmenopausal woman shouldn’t be used; it raises the risk of heart disease and cancer too much. It used to be that when a woman reached menopause, she would be prescribed long-term hormone replacement therapy to, among other things, protect against heart disease. Studies have found that estrogen-plus-progestin therapy actually increased women’s risk for heart attacks (as well as stroke, blood clots and breast cancer). And estrogen-alone therapy increased the risk for stroke and venous thrombosis and had no effect on heart disease. “That being said, hormone therapy does Visit psheart.org provide relief from some menopausal symptoms,” or call the Providence Dr. Spangler says. So much so that the American Spokane Heart Institute Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says: at 509-47-HEART to “Women in early menopause who are in good connect with a cardiovascular health are at low risk” for heart cardiac expert. attack and should consider hormone replacement therapy. Dr. Spangler agrees: “A woman who is early in her postmenopausal period and has a lot of symptoms is a good candidate for hormone therapy.” The Food and Drug Administration’s recommendation for menopausal hormone therapy is that it should be used at the lowest dose for the shortest period of time to reach treatment goals. Speak with your doctor about your best personal course of action.

CALL US

How Much to Exercise for a Healthy Heart? To be sure you’re protecting your ticker, the American Heart Association recommends one of the following amounts of exercise for keeping your heart healthy. Note: Established medical associations recommend more exercise than this for losing or maintaining weight. • 30 minutes or more of moderate-intensity aerobic activity at least five days per week • 25 minutes or more of vigorous aerobic activity at least three days per week • A combination of the two How are these defined? Aerobic activity uses the large muscles of your arms, legs and hips over an extended period. Doing something that causes your breathing and heart rate to increase to a moderate degree (like walking at a brisk pace, ballroom dancing, golfing) is considered moderate intensity. Doing something that causes your breathing and heart rate to increase greatly (like a step aerobics class, biking uphill, singles tennis) is considered vigorous intensity.

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 13

Griffin Healey almost died after an alcohol-related fall from a balcony. Today heâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s grateful to be alive and making every minute count.

14 â&#x2014;? Winter 2014 Heart Beat

Remark able R ec o v e r y

After Standing strong despite the near-certain death of a son, a grateful family celebrates his comeback

Story by K athy Maurer photos by gary matoso

It was exactly 1:29 a.m., the Sunday after Thanksgiving 2012, when Marcie Healey woke to the sound of her cellphone ringing. She missed the first call, then a second. “When it rang a third time, my heart just stopped,” she recalls. Marcie and her husband, Mike, were spending the holiday weekend at the family’s cabin on Vashon Island. Both their sons had cut Thanksgiving break short to return to college—Griffin, a sophomore at WSU, didn’t want to miss the Apple Cup. “Grif ’s been in an accident. He fell and the ambulance has taken him away,” said the shaky voice on the other end of the line. After a night of partying, Griffin had fallen from his fraternity house balcony and hit a brick retaining wall two stories below.

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 15

The next ferry off the island was at 4:45 a.m., and it wasn’t until they were actually on the boat that Marcie and Mike learned their son’s condition was life-threatening. “We initially had very limited information, so we were really in the dark as to the seriousness of it. To this day, I think that was a blessing,” says Marcie. In fact, the situation had become increasingly dire. Griffin had been intubated at the scene and was neurologically nonresponsive. All flights out of Pullman were grounded because of dense fog, so an ambulance was rushing Griffin to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. The Healeys were also unaware that just minutes after the accident, doctors at Pullman Regional Hospital consulted with trauma specialists and neurologists at Sacred Heart about how to best care for Griffin. Meanwhile, Jonathan Carlson, MD, one of the region’s most skilled neurosurgeons, was standing by to whisk Griffin into surgery the moment the ambulance arrived.

Paying Forward The Healey family made a donation to Providence Health Care Foundation to honor those who made a difference for Griffin during his stay. If you would like to show your appreciation to a special caregiver, visit phc.org/giving and click on “Honor Your Caregiver” in the blue bar.

Marcie doesn’t remember much about the 4½-hour drive to Spokane, but one thing sticks with her— the phone updates she received from the on-call chaplain at Sacred Heart. “He wanted us to know that our son wasn’t alone, that he was in good hands and that he was being well cared for,” Marcie says. “That was very comforting.” ‘Thank God That’s Not Our Son’ When the Healeys arrived at Sacred Heart about 9:30 Sunday morning, they had been up all night and were physically and emotionally exhausted. “We ran up to the ICU and were told that Griffin was in post-op and they’d be bringing him back shortly,” Marcie says. The Healeys soon noticed a patient on a gurney, surrounded by hospital staff, with multiple tubes coming out of his body. “We assumed it was Grif, and both my husband and I ran up and got within about one foot of this guy’s face before we reeled back,” Marcie says. “This person was unrecognizable to us. We were embarrassed for getting so close, but we also thought, ‘Thank God that’s not our son.’ ” But as they were wheeling the patient away, Marcie caught a glimpse of something familiar. She recognized her son’s eyebrow. “It was horrible and chaotic, and we were in shock,” she recalls. “We couldn’t believe that was our child.” So began what Marcie describes as an “unbelievable dance” to keep Griffin alive, one that lasted two

weeks and required the expertise of countless medical professionals and caregivers who were as relentless as they were compassionate. “They worked so hard,” Marcie says. “They were nonstop, they were focused, they were dedicated. They never gave us false hope, but they were always positive. And they encouraged our prayer.” Griffin had sustained a softballsized hematoma on the right side of his head, above his ear. The blow was so severe that there was significant “midline shift”—the movement of one part of the brain past its center line to the other side. This type of traumatic brain injury usually results in permanent brain damage and is often deadly. To alleviate the pressure on the brain and allow it to heal, surgeons removed part of Griffin’s skull. But the worst was yet to come when Griffin developed aspiration pneumonia with a fever of over 104 degrees. “He was in an induced coma for about eight days,” Marcie remembers. “At one point we counted 11 IV bags with tubes going into his body—they were pumping him with everything from saline to hard-core drugs.” Why Sacred Heart? One of the early questions the Healeys faced was whether to keep Griffin at Sacred Heart or move him to a hospital closer to their home in Bellevue. After much prayer, soulsearching and firsthand observation, Marcie blogged on Griffin’s Caring Bridge website: “Stop wondering why he’s not at Harborview. We’re

Brain Injuries BY THE NUMBERS Traumatic brain injury (TBI) isn’t rare in the U.S. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer a TBI each year, with the top causes being car accidents, firearms and falls. Sometimes these cases are considered “mild” in that there was loss of consciousness for less than 30 minutes. But many are severe: 50,000 people die from TBI each year, and 5.3 million people are living in the U.S. with disabilities caused by TBI.

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1 .5 million people in the U.S. experience a TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY each year, mostly from car accidents, firearms and falls.

confident in Sacred Heart and we know he’s in the right place. “We saw the confidence of Dr. Carlson, the brilliance of the nursing staff and their dedication and devotion to every aspect of Grif ’s care,” explained Marcie. “Even when things were going really badly, the right caregivers were there to get him the help he needed. Not for one moment did their care or concern for my son wane. Thank God he was at Sacred Heart.” A month later, Griffin was admitted to an inpatient rehab facility, at Denver’s Craig Hospital, that specializes in traumatic brain injury. The following February, he returned to Spokane for surgery to replace the part of his skull that had been cryogenically frozen and stored at Sacred Heart. The Healeys could have chosen a hospital closer to home for the surgery, but there was no question—they were going back to Sacred Heart. “When we came back, just three months after the fall, he was

walking and talking, totally normal,” Marcie says. “He beat all the odds.” Back to School In another development that could be described as miraculous, Griffin recently headed back to WSU. Marcie understands why some wonder how she could send her son back to the very environment that contributed to his injury. “Griffin jumped through many rings of fire to prove to us that he is capable and mature enough to go back to school,” she explains. It helped that all of his therapists subscribed to the same rehab philosophy: not a drop of alcohol for at least two years. He is back in his fraternity, but the fraternity is now dry as a result of the accident. “Those kids have taken a very mature approach to this. They’re not blaming my son, the school, the administration—they’re taking accountability and making themselves better,” Marcie says.

She also gives WSU high marks for its efforts to stem underage binge drinking. “The fact of the matter is, I know that 20-year-olds are going to drink. It breaks my heart that my son decided to drink that much alcohol, and it’s no one’s fault but his own. There has to be a culture shift, like there was with drinking and driving, and WSU is on the cutting edge of that.” The university has offered Griffin a variety of special services, including a note taker and longer time to take tests, but he has refused them all. In fact, his mom says he is doing better academically than ever before. When recalling her family’s journey, Marcie relays a conversation she had with one of the first responders who treated Griffin at the scene of the accident. “She told me that they were trying to stabilize my son long enough so that we could make it to Spokane to say goodbye to him. By all accounts, my kid is a miracle. And we owe that to Sacred Heart.” Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 17

Longer A Goodbye Amy Shives, who has early-onset Alzheimerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, considers her dog, Chester, a first-rate companion.

Story by Stephanie Conner Photos by Gary Matoso

Alzheimer’s isn’t just an older person’s disease anymore Amy Shives had spent more than 25 years as a Spokane Community College faculty member. She knew all of the students she worked with, and the details of their academics and schedules. She knew which classes transferred to the University of Washington and which didn’t. She helped students with their academic queries and helped them navigate mental health challenges, too. Then, over about a year, Shives started to realize she was forgetting things. She couldn’t remember which classes transferred or where her students were in their programs. In time, remembering her computer logons became impossible. She was just 52, but she suspected Alzheimer’s disease was the culprit.

“I had a huge hint,” Shives says. “My mother died of [complications of ] younger-onset Alzheimer’s.” The diagnosis process began with simple tests to eliminate the possibility of other causes for the memory loss, such as infections or vitamin deficiencies. Ultimately, a specialized scan revealed that Shives was in fact suffering from younger-onset Alzheimer’s. “The brain damage was right there [on the scan],” she says. “It was unequivocal.” Finding Support Four years later, Shives struggles with short-term memory but is able to function day to day. “I do most things just fine,” she explains. “I don’t remember the things a normal person can. But I can take care of myself.”

She’s also active with the Alzheimer’s Association—speaking about the disease to help others better understand its impact, as well as participating in fundraising and the annual walk. She and her husband of 30 years—whom she calls her “care partner”—attend regular Alzheimer’s Association support group meetings at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital. The group provides an opportunity for care partners to have their own time to discuss concerns and allows those with the disease to talk with one another about their experience. It’s also where she met Randy Bjorklund. Bjorklund was a successful business owner and cabinetmaker when his wife noticed something was wrong.

“I was getting short with him because he’d ask me questions again and again,” explains his wife, Claudia. “I figured it was stress because there were a lot of changes at our cabinet shop at that time. But he was the face and the skill of the cabinet shop, and he couldn’t put pencil to paper anymore and do the designs.” Finally, they decided to see a doctor. When an MRI showed nothing, the Bjorklunds sought out a PET scan. In June 2009—the week Randy turned 55 and the week their youngest child graduated from high school—Randy was diagnosed with younger-onset Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s Association defines younger-onset (or earlyonset) Alzheimer’s as a form of the disease that affects people younger than 65. More than 5 million Americans have Alzheimer’s, and roughly 4 percent of them—about 200,000 people—have younger-onset disease. To receive an “old person’s” diagnosis at such a young age is shocking, Claudia says. “I was more traumatized than he was,” she says. “I started reading, learning all I could. Then, Randy shared at group one time that all I did was read books and cry … and I realized I needed to change and make the most of the time we have left.” One of the things Bjorklund imparts to his support group peers is a positive attitude. Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 19

“I do most things just fine. I don’t remember the things a normal person can. But I can take care of myself.”

One of Shives’ hobbies is to collect Fiesta ceramic dinnerware in bright colors like those pictured.

“The biggest thing I’ve gotten out of this is that even though I can’t do the work that I did before, I still have the ability to reach out to people with this disease—or any disease,” he says. “Health conditions happen, and we have to deal with it.” With Alzheimer’s, he has learned, there’s nothing he could have done to prevent it, and he can’t beat it into submission. “You have to give up a lot of things that you’re used to doing. And the more you fight that, the tougher it is,” Bjorklund says. “I’m going to make the best of it.” His positive attitude and sense of humor, his wife says, are what have kept her sane through this challenging transition. He shares his attitude during support group meetings and, Claudia notes, it’s helpful to others. “A lot of people are angry,” she says. “And he’ll share that he looks at it from the perspective of what

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he can do instead of focusing on the things he can’t do. He is a poster child for younger-onset Alzheimer’s. And his attitude toward it has been shared with a lot of people as they come into our group.” PROVIDENCE ADULT DAY HEALTH Through the support group, Shives and the Bjorklunds learned about Providence Adult Day Health, where for more than 35 years, Providence has been caring for older adults facing challenges like Alzheimer’s, dementia, injuries and other agerelated issues. Unlike a skilled nursing or assisted-living facility, Adult Day Health is not a residential program. Clients come to Adult Day Health for outpatient services like physical therapy as well as for the opportunity to socialize and enjoy activities in a safe, monitored environment.

Adult Day Health Services Clients at Providence Adult Day Health have access to the following services: • Activity coordinators, social workers, case managers • Skilled nursing • Rehabilitation therapists • Routine health monitoring • Fitness classes • Educational classes • Cooking and gardening classes • Group discussions and support groups • Crafts and recreational activities LEARN MORE To learn more about Providence Adult Day Health, call 509-482-2475 or visit providenceadh.org today.

“ You have to give up a lot of things that you’re used to doing. And the more you fight that, the tougher it is. I’m going to make the best of it.”

When Randy Bjorklund was diagnosed, he adopted two dogs to help keep him company since he is often home. Pictured with him is Buddy.

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 21

Randy and his wife, Claudia, and their two dogs, Harley and Buddy, sit on one of Randy’s most recent projects: an old truck he’s turning into a flower bed.

The average age of Adult Day Health clients is 74. And in recent years, Oscar Haupt, manager of Adult Day Health, has noticed an increase in younger-onset Alzheimer’s disease among his clients as well as younger individuals affected by stroke and other conditions. Of the nearly 50 clients served at Adult Day Health every day, about 70 percent have some type of cognitive issue, Haupt says. Adult Day Health is beneficial to both the person with Alzheimer’s and to the caregiver. Providence partners with the Alzheimer’s Association to offer support groups for caregivers

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of those with Alzheimer’s disease. A men’s group, a women’s group and an all-gender group each meet monthly. “I believe that when we think about the dynamics of caregiving, we need to educate the caregivers,” Haupt says, offering this analogy: “When you fly on an airplane, they tell you that if the pressure changes, before you put the mask on the person you are with, you need to put the mask on yourself. With any type of condition, caregivers need to know to take care of themselves.” Bringing a loved one to Adult Day Health for two or more days a week provides caregivers with peace

of mind; they know that while they take a break their loved one is being cared for in a safe environment. And for the client, the experience is enriching. “They’re not just getting emotional and spiritual support, but they are exercising, participating in memory activities or receiving occupational therapy,” Haupt explains. “They’re eating well, and they’re socializing, which is such an important component of anyone’s life.” The facility is staffed with registered nurses, rehab therapists, a social worker, personal aides and volunteers. And for those who are no longer

It May Not Be Alzheimer’s If you find yourself forgetting things—or observe forgetfulness in a loved one— don’t pull the panic alarm just yet. Some degree of forgetfulness is normal with age, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. A warning sign of Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia is “forgetting important dates or events or asking for the same information over and over” to the extent that it affects ability to function, according to the Alzheimer’s Association. Forgetting which word to use every now and again is not a big cause for concern, but struggling to carry on a conversation is. An occasional bad decision might be normal, while poor judgment and inability to make decisions to the extent that it disrupts life (for example: spending a lot of money with telemarketers) could be a sign of Alzheimer’s. Likewise, occasionally misplacing items is normal for all of us at any age. But losing things and not being able to retrace steps to find them, or accusing others of stealing misplaced belongings, could be signs of Alzheimer’s. So, before you jump to a conclusion of dementia, consider other possible reasons for your forgetfulness, and always consult with a physician.

able to drive, Providence can help arrange transportation to the site. The greatest benefit, Haupt notes, is that coming to Adult Day Health helps older adults stay as independent as possible, for as long as possible. “Some people have been coming for five or 10 years, and they’re able to stay in their homes,” he adds. LENDING A HAND Shives and Bjorklund have been volunteering at Adult Day Health for more than a year and a half. The experience has provided them with insight and opportunity.

“It’s neat for me because I will be at that stage someday,” says Shives, who volunteers every Friday. “We all know we’ll be older. But I know I’ll [also] progress through Alzheimer’s.” She also enjoys the opportunity to use her professional skills as a counselor to talk to people. “I need to contribute after working in a helping position for so long. And I get to do that,” she says. Bjorklund, who volunteers on Wednesdays and Fridays, finds similar benefits. “I’m in a situation where I can make a difference for people. Providence has enabled me to be part of

this,” he says. “I really feel blessed that I can go in there and make a difference in a small way. It’s very gratifying.” During his volunteer shifts, Bjorklund greets clients and helps them settle in. He might get coffee for them or hang up their coats. “And throughout the day, I help out wherever I can,” he adds. “I’m an extra set of hands.” But, he says, the most enjoyable thing is visiting with the clients. “I get a lot of hugs,” he says. When Claudia picks him up at the end of the day, everyone smiles, hugs him and tells him goodbye. “Providence has really given him an opportunity to shine,” she says. “It gets him out of the house and around people—people who appreciate him. They make him smile, and he makes them smile.” Plus, Claudia adds, this introduction to Adult Day Health has provided a comfort to them. “It’s great to know there’s a facility here that’s as personable and enjoyable as Adult Day Health. I would not hesitate when the time comes to have Randy go there,” she says. “I know he’d be well taken care of.” Shives’ and Bjorklund’s contributions don’t go unnoticed. “They’re giving something back,” Haupt says. “They have a lot of empathy for the people here. They have such big hearts.” A diagnosis of younger-onset Alzheimer’s isn’t easy to come to terms with, but for the Bjorklunds, their faith has helped them navigate Randy’s diagnosis—and to see the positive. They’re focused on making the most of their time together and on making the most of the situation, which has meant making a difference in the lives of others. “So many blessings have come out of this diagnosis,” Claudia says. “And Randy volunteering at Adult Health is one of them.” Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 23

united against

Story by Kate Vanskike, with reporting by Staci Lehman Photos by Gary Matoso

24 â&#x2014;? Winter 2014 Heart Beat

A Providence specialist and unique new program in Spokane partner to help people fight eating disorders

Age 6. That’s when girls today start to express concerns about their weight or shape. According to the National Eating Disorders Association (nationaleatingdisorders.org), roughly half of all elementary school girls ages 6 to 12 are concerned about becoming too fat. If that fear were based on awareness of the growing obesity epidemic in our nation, that would be one thing. Instead, it’s more likely a result of the prevalence of kids on TV who are wearing skinny jeans and whose shape fits an overly thin “ideal.” The pressure to be thin—or an uncontrollable fixation on food— can be insurmountable for many, and the resulting disorders have a devastating effect on a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Disturbed by the Scale When Ericka and Matt’s daughter Katie turned 13, they noticed a change in her—behavioral and physical shifts they assumed were just part of becoming a teenager, or maybe just a stage she was going through. It was the nurse practitioner at their doctor’s office who picked up on a key clue that something more was going on. Every time Katie stepped onto the scale, she became upset. Even then, Ericka says, they were reluctant to admit their daughter had an eating problem until the first time they saw Ponrat Pakpreo, MD, at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital’s Adolescent Medicine Clinic, who pointed out that Katie was extremely underweight for her height. It was hard for the family to accept the diagnosis, until they discovered that Dr. Pakpreo was completely on their side in fighting the eating disorder. “It became a working partnership because we were all on the same page,” says Ericka. “I feel like she had our best interest in mind because she was very honest and forthright.” It Takes a Team Dr. Pakpreo treats many young people who come to her clinic with eating

disorders. Early in her training, which included public health as well as pediatrics and adolescent medicine, Dr. Pakpreo learned about the need for a multidisciplinary approach in helping these young people. Because eating disorders are a form of mental illness, it’s important that the team include counselors or therapists as well as nutrition experts. “There is no one person on the team who is any more important than the others,” she says. Her team of specialists has now grown, and is closely connected, thanks to the arrival of The Emily Program to Spokane. The Emily Program—a comprehensive approach to treating people of all ages who suffer from eating disorders—was created in 1993 by a Minnesota therapist whose own sister recovered from one such illness. Though he had initially started a hospital-based treatment, he discovered that the mental health aspects of eating disorders required different methods and settings. Today, there are four locations in the nation for The Emily Program, including the newest one in Spokane. Dr. Pakpreo, who was already seeing a large number of affected youths in her clinic setting, now contracts to provide care at The Emily Program clinic on the South Hill two days a week. The arrangement fosters close coordination with therapists, dietitians, a nurse practitioner and other support staff to anticipate and address patients’ needs more effectively. “It’s a natural fit,” Dr. Pakpreo says. “Many of my patients needed more than the time I could provide. Now I am able to hook them up with higher levels of care in a more structured setting.” A Family Affair When Dr. Pakpreo diagnosed Katie with anorexia nervosa (see sidebar), she recommended family-based treatment (FBT) for Ericka, Matt, Katie and the rest of the family. FBT is an intensive treatment where parents play an active role in Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 25

“What I do can’t be done in five minutes or 15 minutes. It takes time to develop a relationship,” says Dr. Pakpreo.

helping their child restore normal weight levels, overcome the eating disorder and regain normal development. While the approach can involve the entire family, parents are key players in the recovery. Katie sees Dr. Pakpreo at least every other week and is making progress. She has put on weight, is back in school and is more involved in planning what she eats and her portion sizes. Even so, Ericka thinks Dr. Pakpreo will be in her family’s life for quite a while. The moral support Dr. Pakpreo offers is important for parents who often suffer from guilt over their child’s disorder. “I feel like she’s concerned about me and my husband personally,” says Ericka. “She offers us encouragement and lets us know we’re doing the right thing.” Treating an eating disorder is a tough road, and that’s why the family is sharing the story of the experience. “It’s better to know about it and get help than to have your child affected their entire teen years or potentially into adulthood,” Ericka says. “If you suspect something is wrong and your health care provider isn’t educated on the topic, don’t be shy about finding your own Dr. Pakpreo.”

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Eating Disorders Defined Characterized by extreme emotions, attitudes and behaviors surrounding weight and food issues, eating disorders come with serious emotional and physical problems that can have life-threatening consequences. The disorders affect both sexes and all ages. Here are some of the basic types and their signs: • Anorexia nervosa—a relentless pursuit of being (and staying) thin; intense fear of gaining weight • Bulimia nervosa—frequent episodes of eating large amounts of food, followed by purging to avoid weight gain • Binge eating—recurring binge eating that is not followed by purging • Compulsive overeating—eating when not hungry, grazing throughout the day, fantasizing about food Ask Yourself • Do you feel as if you sometimes lose or have lost control over how you eat? • Do you ever make yourself sick because you feel uncomfortably full? • Do you believe yourself to be fat, even when others say you are too thin? • Does food, or thoughts about food, dominate your life? • Do thoughts about changing your body or your weight dominate your life? • Have others become worried about your weight? If you (or a loved one) answer “yes” to two or more questions, follow up with your health care provider. Or, contact The Emily Program in Spokane at 509-252-1366. Visit emilyprogram.com for additional resources. Help is here!

Other Adolescent Concerns Through Providence’s Adolescent Medicine Clinic, Ponrat Pakpreo, MD, handles a wide range of other conditions affecting young people, such as obesity; anxiety and depression; and adjustment issues related to chronic health problems such as diabetes, Crohn’s disease, headaches. To connect with the clinic, call 509-474-5445.

{ Foundation } Micah Dunlap, and her brother, Chris Jensen, set up the Jensen fund to help families dealing with cancer.

Helping Kids With Cancer A child’s cancer diagnosis can be devastating, emotionally and financially. Fortunately, there is help By Kathy Maurer Foundation to the family’s plight, and Dawn Veltri’s world was shatthe foundation, through the Jensen tered when she received the Fund, provided the family with gas cards news no parent ever wants to to help pay for their frequent trips to hear. Her 2-year-old son, Holden, had Sacred Heart. a cancerous tumor in his abdomen and would need immediate treatment at Helping Hands Sacred Heart Medical Center & ChilThe fund started in 2007 when Jensen dren’s Hospital, a 100-mile round trip Distribution Services and Coaches vs. from the family’s home in Athol, Idaho. Cancer teamed up to support fami“As my husband and I sat reeling lies struggling to meet the most basic from our toddler’s cancer diagnosis, one needs during a child’s cancer treatment. of the first things we thought was, ‘How Managed by Providence Health Care on earth are we going to afford to get Foundation, it covers necessities such him there for treatment?’ ” as gas, lodging, food, clothing and other Holden would need to make the jourexpenses that can result from ney to Spokane several times a extended hospital stays. week. The family’s budget was “We understand already stretched thin and how overwhelming a the thought of spending cancer diagnosis can additional money on gas be, especially when was overwhelming. You can make a difference it is a child, and the A hospital social in the lives of families goal of the Jensen worker alerted Provistruggling with a child’s Fund is to help ease dence Health Care cancer diagnosis. Visit

You Can Help!

the financial burden that comes with that diagnosis in any way we can,” says Micah Dunlap, president of Jensen Distribution Services. Micah and her brother, Chris Jensen, are the fifth generation to work in the family business. Giving back to the community is something they learned at a young age. “It’s a legacy that’s been passed on from our parents, grandparents and the generations before that. We are most proud that the employees at Jensen have stepped up and contributed to the fund as they have,” Chris says. In 2013 the Jensen Fund responded to more than 200 funding requests, awarding more than $60,000 in aid. The fund has been a lifeline for families like the Veltris. “I don’t think I have the words to truly describe what a blessing the gas cards from the Jensen Fund are to us,” Dawn says. “You have allowed us to concentrate on more important things.”

phc.org/giving. PHOTOGRAPH BY steven navratil

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 27

{ COMMUNITY }

One-Stop Medical Shop The convenience of comprehensive quality care in one setting If we could build a facility that made it easier for you to get all the health care you most often need, what would it look like? That’s the question Providence Health Care (PHC) doctors and staff asked themselves before designing Providence Medical Park in the Spokane Valley. The new facility, opening this April near I-90 and Sullivan, was created to make access to health care easier for you and to provide better coordination of top-quality care while reducing costs wherever possible. “We designed a 127,000-square-foot multiuse medical building and added a network of services so that you can see your primary care doctor, meet with a specialist, get X-rays and Providence Medical Park lab work, fill is at 16528 E. Desmet Court, your prescripSpokane. Directions: From I-90 tion, and in the Spokane Valley, take the much more— Sullivan exit north to Indiana, then all without east on Indiana for 1.1 miles, turn leaving the right onto Desmet to Providence building,” says Medical Park. See us online Kirk Rowboat providence.org/ tham, MD, chief SpokaneValley. medical officer of Providence Medical Group. “We added urgent care and a surgery center, designed to provide a variety of services and surgical procedures that do not require a hospital stay. “With today’s advancements in medicine and technologies, we can help drive down the cost of care by providing exams, day surgeries and routine procedures in a less expensive setting like Providence Medical Park,” Dr. Rowbotham says. Here’s what you’ll find at the Providence Medical Park.

visit us!

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Primary care Extended hours and Saturday appointments •F amily Medicine (Providence Valley Family Physicians are relocating to Providence Medical Park, and Providence Family Medicine – Spokane Valley is opening a second office in the park) • Internal Medicine Full-service laboratory •R un tests and draw blood • Fast results for you and your doctor

Specialized care • Cardiology • Rheumatology • Gastroenterology • Endocrinology • Neurology • Pulmonology • Urology • Orthopedics •O ther specialists may be on-site as schedules allow

Urgent Care Open 8 a.m.–8 p.m. daily (including weekends) •T reatment for common illnesses, minor injuries, plus triage for hospital care when needed •A djacent to Inland Imaging for rapid response, convenience and privacy •P hysicians always on-site

Inland Imaging Open Monday through Saturday •M RI •C T •M ammograms •G eneral X-ray •U ltrasound lab

Ambulatory Surgery Center •F our operating rooms •A rthroscopic surgery •S houlder/knee repairs •M inor procedures •T hree gastroenterology procedures suites for colonoscopy, endoscopy, prostate surgeries •O b/Gyn or bladder surgeries and procedures •S eparate exit provides for added privacy

Retail and Community Services •R etail pharmacy (Rite Aid) •C offee shop (Thomas Hammer) •C onference rooms available for community use (capacity 100) •O pen for patient care April 28!

Winter 2014 Heart Beat ● 29

{ MD Spotlight } Dr. Eddy (center) with her Aunt Rebecca (left) and Aunt (Sister) Maria. All have ties to Sacred Heart.

‘Coming Home’ to Providence

Amy Eddy, MD, talks about her deep roots in the Sacred Heart family You’re a young physician, but your connection to Providence is long. Tell us a bit of your history. My grandfather, Constancio Cleto, was an intern at Sacred Heart Medical Center in 1956. The hospital has been the setting of several of our family’s milestones: My mother was born there; my grandfather was there during his last days, while my aunt was giving birth to my cousin. Other family members have worked there, including my Aunt Rebecca (who still works in Case Management), my uncle (who trained as a lab technician), and my mother, who did her clinicals in nursing there.

You have a connection to the Sisters of Providence as well. Any stories to share? When my grandfather’s sister, Maria Lourdes, told him she was interested in joining the religious life, he put her in contact with the Sisters of Providence, and she later joined their order. When my mom brought my twin sister and me to town, she would enlist the help of Aunt/Sister Maria and another Sister to

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FIND A PHYSICIAN

For a listing, visit phc.org. Or, call our Physician Referral experts at 877-304-1408.

babysit us at the convent. She loves to tell the story of the time they gave us baths and we escaped. There were two nuns chasing two wet, naked toddlers down the halls of the convent!

What made you want to be a doctor? I’ve always been interested in science and caring for people. When I was in high school, my dad was diagnosed with metastatic colon cancer. His oncologist was amazing—caring, down-to-earth, incredibly knowledgeable and kind. He helped our entire family through a very difficult time. I wanted to try to do that for other people.

How did you choose the internal medicine/ hospitalist field? I had a wonderful experience during my internal medicine rotation—the fast pace of hospital medicine, the variety of cases I get to see and the patients I get to care for. The schedule is also appealing; it works with my family schedule and helps me balance my roles as a physician, a wife and a mother of four.

What is most gratifying about being a hospitalist? It is such a privilege. I care for patients at some of the worst times in their lives. I am awestruck that they entrust their fears and hopes to me.

How would you describe your colleagues? I am grateful for the people I get to work with; each works their hardest to provide the best care for our patients and to make sure our patients feel cared for.

PHOTOGRAPH BY GARY MATOSO

{ Community cALENDAR }

A click Away!

Winter 2014 Classes, Events and Activities

Check out the full calendar of events, with more details and free informative sessions, at phc.org. Click “News & Events,” then “Calendar.”

FREE Providence Group Health Bloomsday Training Clinics March 15 through April 26 • 8:30 a.m. warm-up in the gym, 9 a.m. on the road! Spokane Falls Community College Start with 1 mile; increase 1 mile each week. Walk or run at your own pace to train safely for the big run. Register at phc.org. Kids at Heart Lunch Feb. 25 • 11:30 am Spokane Convention Center Come have lunch with us and help raise money for pediatric cardiac care at Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital! Learn more at kidsatheart charitylunch.org. Learning about Essential Tremor March 5 • 3–5 p.m. Providence Auditorium, 20 W. Ninth Ave. Speakers David Greeley, MD (movement

disorders neurologist), and Jonathan Carlson, MD (neurosurgeon), will discuss the diagnosis, treatment and research of essential tremor. To register, visit phc.org or call toll-free, 888-387-3667. Topics in heart health Each quarter, experts from Providence Spokane Heart Institute lead FREE seminars on the latest and greatest in heart disease research and treatments. To learn about the next seminar, visit psheart.org or call 509-47-HEART.

Spokane Goes Red For Women® The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement is the world’s largest network standing together to end heart disease, the No. 1 killer of women. Go Red for yourself and the women in your life. Here are ways you can make a difference. Feb. 7 is National Wear Red Day. Raise awareness about the leading killer of women and encourage every woman to take action. Visit goredforwomen.org to download free materials. Go Red For Women Luncheon, Feb. 19. Every year, more than 500 women gather at the Spokane Convention Center to attend educational sessions and hear from heart disease survivors and experts. Learn more at spokanegoredluncheon.org. Providence Health Care is a proud sponsor of this event.

Go Red and Go Red For Women are trademarks of AHA. The Red Dress Design is a trademark of U.S. DHHS.

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Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital 101 W 8th Ave Spokane, WA 99204

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Health Matters Edmund Gray, MD, is a champion of promoting good health. He became a rural family medicine physician in 1953 at Providence Mount Carmel Hospital so he could help heal the sick, deliver babies and perform surgery. But he always knew that prevention was key to his community’s health. For five decades, Dr. Gray served in leadership roles to improve sanitation and vaccination, and helped to develop Washington state’s first Basic Health Plan to increase access to medical care. Providence honored Dr. Gray with the 2013 Sister Peter Claver Humanitarian Award, named after Sacred Heart’s beloved former leader. Sister Peter Claver’s decisions broadly improved the health of the poor and vulnerable, and Dr. Gray’s career has left the same kind of mark, making our communities healthier today.

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 GARY MATOSO