impact advancing health care
through philanthropy
Fall 2009
Innovative clinic
CHANGES THE RULES
Breaking ground at Swedish’s
ISSAQUAH CAMPUS
The True Family Women’s Cancer Center:
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL MODEL
from the CEO
impact advancing health care
Swedish Medical Center Fall 2009
Introducing a new clinic concept and a new look to our readers
Volume 1, Issue 1
As the area’s largest nonprofit health care system, Swedish is incredibly fortunate to have strong support from the community. Thanks to your gifts of time, talent and resources, we are able to provide high-quality care to people throughout the region, including the underserved. Philanthropy makes it possible for Swedish to bring innovative technologies and treatments to the Pacific Northwest, ensuring vital programs and services are available to all patients who need our care. It also allows us to broaden the health-care safety net. In 2008, we provided more than $70 million in community benefits, including $20 million in direct charity care, $40 million in Medicaid subsidies and $10 million in health screenings, education and research. That’s why it’s fitting that this new magazine for our donors is named IMPACT. It truly reflects the effect your generosity has on the health of the community. This new magazine replaces FORUM as our featured publication, and we hope to make it your source of news and information about how philanthropy is helping to advance health care, at Swedish and throughout the region. In our inaugural issue, we’re proud to tell you about how we’re creating greater access to primary care for the uninsured and underinsured through an innovative Innovative clinic ISSAQUAH new medical home clinic. This new apCAMPUS CHANGES proach has the potential to change the THE ESTABLISHING A way primary care is delivered and play a NATIONAL MODEL RULES role in addressing the national healthcare crisis at a local level. The pilot project would not be possible without financial support from the community. We look forward to keeping you updated about our other major health initiatives through this new publication, and we’ll also use this vehicle to keep you informed of different ways you can get involved. On behalf of the Swedish Board of Trustees and the Foundation Board of Governors, thank you for supporting our nonprofit mission. We hope you enjoy learning how your support is making a difference in the health of our community.
impact advancing health care
through philanthropy
through philanthropy
Fall 2009
EDITOR Lindsay Hopkins DESIGNER Angela Bogdanovich Turk FEATURE WRITER Janet Simmelink CONTRIBUTING Maggie Angle WRITERS Gwen Colwell Marnie Foust Bob Hinck Natalie Kozimor Ellen Kuo Kate Purcell
FEATURE James Krall, PHOTOGRAPHER San Juan Photo Arts CONTRIBUTING Ben VanHouten PHOTOGRAPHERS Team Photogenic Swedish Medical Photography and Video
Breaking ground at Swedish’s
The True Family Women’s Cancer Center:
Warmest regards,
Rod Hochman, M.D.
I M P A C T FA L L 2 0 0 9
impact advancing health care
through philanthropy
Fall 2009
Innovative clinic
CHANGES THE RULES
Breaking ground at Swedish’s
ISSAQUAH CAMPUS
The True Family Women’s Cancer Center:
ESTABLISHING A NATIONAL MODEL
ON THE COVER Miranda Lu, M.D. and staff at the newly opened Community Health Medical Home in Ballard. Cover photo by James Krall
Welcome to Swedish Medical Center’s Impact magazine. This publication is designed to provide you with the latest information about Swedish services and events, health care and medical topics, and the activities of the Swedish Medical Center Foundation and its supporters. Impact is published as a community service by Swedish Medical Center. Any questions or comments may be addressed to Lindsay Hopkins, editor, Swedish Medical Center, 747 Broadway, Seattle, WA 98122-4307.
CONTENTS
FALL
For additional content and information on ways to give, visit us online at www.swedishfoundation.org.
2009
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Capsules 2 4 7
Medical Home Ballard at the epicenter of innovative primary care
Dr. Miranda Lu and staff take primary care to a whole new level in Ballard. Page 8
Breaking ground Swedish/Issaquah begins to take shape
15 years running Swedish SummeRun breaks record
Two special men; one common goal How two former patients honored Swedish for exceptional care
Feature 8 13
Welcome home Ballard clinic changes the rules and wins fans
Make an impact Be part of innovative approaches to health care
Foundation News 14 16
What’s in a name Philanthropic Seattle family’s $2 million gift helps establish a national model in women’s cancer care
Corporate giving Local construction company makes $1 million gift to Swedish
Photo by James Krall
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Swedish breaks ground on new Eastside campus
Sometimes health care can be complicated, confusing and time consuming. Swedish is changing that on its newest medical campus.
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n August, Swedish started work on its new community-centered “medical commons” on land in the Issaquah Highlands. Plans call for a 175-bed acute-care hospital, a comprehensive outpatient cancer center and a five-floor medical office building (MOB). The MOB, which will house physician offices and follow-up clinics, is targeted to open in summer 2011, with the hospital following at the end of the first quarter of 2012. When complete, Swedish will open the doors to a patient experience that will set the tone for the future of health care in the state of Washington. 2
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Patient-centered care Typically, patients travel to multiple places for the care they need – a primary care provider might be close to home, but specialists may be scattered throughout the Seattle/Bellevue metro areas. Swedish is offering an alternative to this out-of-date patient experience. The new Issaquah campus will include ambulatory care services dedicated to outpatient primary care and specialty services, including physician offices, outpatient surgery, infusion therapy, laboratory, pharmacy and advanced imaging services. The Swedish Cancer
Institute’s medical and radiation oncology programs will also occupy significant space in the new MOB so oncology patients will be able to obtain their followup treatments closer to home. The new 175-bed hospital will provide inpatient care, including obstetrics, pediatrics, orthopedics, emergency services and general surgery. In essence, the new “medical commons” will offer one-stop shopping for patients. “In the past, Eastside patients often had to travel to multiple locations for needed care,” says Kevin Brown, senior vice president and chief administrative officer for Swedish. “We’ve designed this
Make an impact The following are featured fundraising objectives at our Issaquah campus. If you would like more information on how to support these or other projects, please contact Maggie Angle at maggie.angle@swedish.org or (206) 386-6770.
Swedish Cancer Institute Outpatient Center The Swedish Cancer Institute Outpatient Center in Issaquah will provide Eastside residents with comprehensive oncology services plus increased accessibility to state-of-the-art equipment and care. The Center will include medical oncology, a chemotherapy infusion center, radiation therapy, diagnostic radiology, a clinical laboratory, complementary therapies, patient education and support programs, and a breast care center with breast screening, diagnosis and surgical consultation.
Women and Children’s Services Providing the best treatment possible for women and their children at every stage of life will be a major priority for the new campus. In addition to Labor and Delivery suites, the campus will also include an Infant Stabilization Unit to ensure the safety of newborns as well as Pediatric Specialty Care services. To make accessing health care as easy as possible, the new campus will also include a Women’s and Children’s Center featuring a drop-in daycare center as well as concierge services so women have one point of contact to help with scheduling appointments for the entire family.
Environment of care Rendering provided by CollinsWoerman
as a one-stop, integrated ‘medical commons’ with a strong emphasis on ambulatory services, backed up by an acutecare hospital.” The new Swedish campus will provide the very best care along with efficient processes that respect the patient’s time, provide convenient access and utilize electronic medical records. The campus will be virtually paperless and include bedside access to the latest wireless communication and entertainment systems, plus consumer health education and training. i Keep updated on construction by visiting us on the Web at www.swedishissaquah.org or www.swedish.org/issaquah.
To create a truly healing environment, the new campus will feature an outdoor play area for children, an expansive art collection and a garden with both a meditation area and water feature. In addition, reducing the impact on the environment, especially in relation to energy use, has been a priority throughout the design phase of the new facility. Environmentally-friendly components such as an expanded use of daylight and energy efficient equipment will not only generate goodwill in the community and lead to substantial cost savings, but will also add to the overall healing environment.
On June 11th, Foundation Board member Lida Buckner and her husband, Kyle, hosted an event in their Issaquah home to educate fellow community members about the plans for Swedish’s new campus in the Issaquah Highlands. In addition to a presentation by Swedish leaders, the 60 guests also enjoyed looking at floor plans for the new campus, asking questions and learning about ways to get involved now to support this state-of-the-art medical center. If you would like to learn more about this exciting project, please contact Maggie Angle at maggie.angle@swedish.org or call (206) 386-6770.
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15th Annual Swedish SummeRun celebrates record success
It’s a great morning to support a great cause, as participants at the 2009 Swedish SummeRun join together in the fight against ovarian cancer.
With 3,500 participants and a fundraising total of more than $550,000, the 2009 Swedish SummeRun on July 26 enjoyed a record-breaking year.
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ll Swedish SummeRun proceeds benefit the Marsha Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research and its mission to save lives and reduce suffering through improved treatment, early detection and prevention of ovarian cancer. Dr. Saul Rivkin, founder and chairman of the Marsha Rivkin Center, started the Swedish SummeRun in 1993 with the
help of his five daughters in memory of his wife, Marsha, and in recognition of the ongoing fight against this deadly disease. Since its inception, the Swedish SummeRun has raised over $4 million for ovarian cancer research. The Swedish SummeRun consists of a 10k run and 5k walk/run. This year’s event featured live music, costumed dancers and plenty of sunny weather.
SIDEBAR The festivities also included a tribute to ovarian cancer survivors. Lisa Thompson served as the 2009 SummeRun Survivor Honoree. She worked tirelessly to promote the event and to highlight the importance of raising funds for ovarian cancer research. With help from her sister, Darcy Thompson, Lisa gathered family and friends to participate as part of her team, Hell’s Angels. Hell’s Angels and Team Mary Anne, captained by Lisa Kreissler, both raised an amazing amount to support the Marsha Rivkin Center as the top fundraising
Over 180 Team Leslie supporters turned out for this year’s SummeRun, the largest single-team participation in history.
Largest team participation in SummerRun history Runners cross the starting line of the 15th Annual Swedish SummeRun.
teams. Their efforts and those of all the other team captains played a huge role in making the event a success. A unique partnership between the Swedish Cancer Institute and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, the Marsha Rivkin Center has become a major catalyst in advancing ovarian cancer research worldwide. Working with doctors and researchers at both institutions, the Rivkin Center funds innovative pilot studies, grants scientific scholar awards to up-and-coming research investigators, hosts educational symposiums and provides funding for vital early detection screening at leading institutions across the United States and abroad. Special thanks to SummeRun presenting sponsor BDA, as well as sponsors Kaye-Smith, KWJZ, GrandMasters, Swedish Medical Center Auxiliary/First Hill, Athena Partners and Genentech. i
It all started with an idea Jackie cipation in SummeRun history, over Kotkins had in March to support her 180 friends and family came to support sister, Leslie Schafer, who has been Team Leslie. Leslie, thinking she would battling ovarian cancer for the past just be walking with her two sisters seven years and reand their families, cently finished her was beyond over85th chemotherapy whelmed when she treatment. As a surwas greeted by a prise, Jackie wanted massive group of to gather her sisfriends and family ter’s closest friends all wearing Team and family for this Leslie t-shirts. The year’s SummeRun. fun and surprises “This year felt continued, as Jackie right,” says Jackie. had organized a “Under the care of Dixie band to play Dr. Hank Kaplan, as her sister stepLeslie celebrated her Saul Rivkin, M.D. and Leslie Schafer, Lisa Cowen ped out of her car, 65th birthday. And and Jackie Kotkins of Team Leslie. and had cupcakes with a disease that goes on for so long, decorated in teal to represent ovarian it can be so easy to continue on with cancer awareness. our busy lives. This was one day we “It was a spectacular morning – the wanted to remind her of all the people course is flat enough for everyone to who support her – a cheering section enjoy and I know my sister was overthat she can hold close to her heart.” joyed to see everyone supporting her and With the largest single-team parti- her battle,” says Jackie. w w w. s w e d i s h f o u n d a t i o n . o r g
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ICU nurse mentoring meetings are an open, friendly forum to discuss workplace goals, stressors and strategies.
ICU nurse mentoring program is a success Since 2007, this innovative Swedish program has brought a much-needed cultural change to its skilled nursing staff.
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hree years ago, Karen Sprague, nurses leave within six months and 75 RN, attended a class on nurse percent leave within two years, primarily mentoring. This sparked her due to the high-pressure environment. Since its establishment in 2007, 25 desire to overhaul the current culture of nursing within her ICU unit nurses have gone through the mentoring – from one of competition between sea- program and 23 are still at Swedish (the soned and new nurses – to an atmosphere other two relocated to the East Coast but are still in nursing). of nurturing and approachability After two years, both veteran and among everyone. new nurses say there Nurse mentoring is a noticeable culis a way to offer less ture change. “This experienced nurses program has not a forum to discuss only offered guidprofessional goals ance to new nurses, and workplace stresit has also revitalsors, as well as a way to get to know ICU nurse mentoring program participants take a i z e d a n d r e - e n gaged the more their peers on a more break from discussions for a group photo. personal level. Through a supportive and experienced ones. Our mentors have felt encouraging relationship, the seasoned rewarded,” says Sprague. “They felt mentor guides the new nurse in his or they were not only doing something for her professional growth. Not only does the unit, but for the nursing profession this strengthen bonds between nurses, as well.” i but it also aids in retaining staff and reducing turnover. For more information on the ICU Nurse According to Sprague, national sta- Mentoring Program, please contact Karen tistics show that 50 percent of new ICU Sprague at karen.sprague@swedish.org.
LEGACY
How two men from same era – but different backgrounds – made a difference Determined to give back, an early heart patient and a charity care patient never forgot the impact Swedish had on their lives.
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he John L. Locke, Jr. Charitable Trust has awarded $300,000 to Swedish in 2009 to support programs and activities directed by the Swedish Heart and Vascular Institute. Projects funded range from enhancing technology for urgent clinical stroke consultations via telemedicine, to wireless upgrades for mobile electrocardiogram carts. The Locke Trust was created in the 1970s with bequests from the late John L. Locke, Jr. and his mother, the late Irene Fisher “Peggy” Locke. Mr. Locke was a grateful patient who was born with a heart defect that restricted his activity and physical development as a child. Despite his disability, John was a bright and active boy with interests in scouting, boating, and photography. The medical technique that would eventually fix John’s condition, surgical repair of a congenital heart lesion known as a patent ductus arteriosus, was not perfected until John was a young adult. In 1954, when he was 28, this “breakthrough” procedure was performed on him at Swedish and he became a vigorous young man who went on to develop several businesses in Alaska and take a leadership role in his family’s businesses. Tragically, John’s life was cut short by an inoperable brain tumor 14 years later. Since its founding, the Trust has given over $4 million to benefit Swedish’s cardiovascular patients and increase understanding of the medical conditions for which they are treated. The family’s involvement with Swedish continues as John Locke’s grand-niece, Lida Buckner, serves on the Swedish Medical Center Foundation Board of Governors.
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orn in the 1920’s to a family of modest means, Arnold “Arnie” J. Burland was shuffled through many homes around Seattle as a child of the Great Depression, even sp e n d i n g a few months in the “hobo jungle” at 6th and Lander. Yet when he passed away in March 2009, it was his Greenwood home of 51 years that he generously donated to Swedish, resulting in over $260,000 that will directly benefit underserved patients at Swedish Ballard. A humble man, Arnie flew bomber missions in World War II and worked in the blueprint trade for 48 years at Superior Reprographics. He loved to hunt, fish and golf, and was a body builder as a younger man. Despite a life that included more than his share of hard times, Arnie kept a positive outlook and attitude. It was a diagnosis of cancer that ultimately stopped Arnie. He spent three months as an inpatient at Swedish Ballard, where he told neighbors he received “wonderful care.” With little savings and no health insurance, Arnie relied on the charity care that Swedish provides to those in need. He was so grateful for Swedish’s support that he left his only substantial asset, his Greenwood home, to the Ballard campus to provide assistance for others in the community who cannot afford care. Swedish, and the patients who will benefit, are grateful for Arnie’s generous gift.
Make an impact Do your estate plans include Swedish? Making a planned gift to Swedish Medical Center is a generous way to demonstrate your commitment to our community’s health. Become a partner with us. Your future gift will ensure that our patients continue to receive the best care possible. For more information about making a planned gift, such as a bequest or a gift annuity, please visit our Web site at www.swedishfoundation.org/plannedgiving or contact Lindsay Hopkins at lindsay.hopkins@swedish.org or call (206) 386-2751. w w w. s w e d i s h f o u n d a t i o n . o r g
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FEATURE
Innovative clinic changes the rules
A place to call home story by
JANET SIMMELINK
It’s mid-afternoon at Caffè Fiorè on Ballard’s Leary Avenue, and the soft autumn light adds its warmth to an already inviting setting. Behind the counter, baristas serve steaming coffee to a steady flow of customers who are pushing strollers, chatting with friends, or intensely focused on the laptop screens in front of them. The baristas are all in their 20s. They are cheerful, hardworking, and – until recently – among the millions of Americans who might have insurance to cover a catastrophic illness, but can’t afford the primary health care it takes to stay well. (cont.)
photography by
JAMES KRALL
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FEATURE “Our business is too small to be able to provide health care for our staff; our first priority is making sure we can pay their wages,” says Katrine Callahan, Caffè Fiorè’s general manager. “We are always looking for ways to help them out, to get them care. What we want for ourselves and our staff is a doctor who knows us when one of us walks in the door. I want someone who is actually concerned about helping me stay healthy instead of waiting for an issue to come up and then trying to fix it. But how could we afford that?” Katrine was surprised to find the answer just a few blocks away on Swedish Medical Center’s Ballard
– Come in for an unlimited number of appointments – Expect each appointment to last as long as she needed – Schedule same-day or next-day office visits – Email or talk to a physician outside clinic hours – Log on to a secure Web site to review her medical chart, email her doctor or make an appointment – Have routine tests and lab work done in the clinic Swedish Community Health is a pilot program, built on a new model called the patient-centered medical home.
generation is too young to remember: doctors who have the time to pay close attention to their patients. “At my first appointment, I was really surprised that my doctor spent a full hour with me,” Katrine says. “In other places, I’ve typically gotten 10 minutes, if that. I’m pretty healthy, but have minor recurring concerns, and have been having a difficult time getting any consistency with health care. I talked with Dr. Lu about that and other ongoing concerns. It’s clear that the goal is to prevent issues and keep me healthy. That’s the most natural concept I’ve ever heard, but for some reason, it’s a ‘new’ concept.”
“It’s clear that the goal is to prevent issues and keep me healthy. That’s the most natural concept I’ve ever heard, but for some reason, it’s a ‘new’ concept.” K AT R I N E C A L L A H A N Caffè Fiorè General Manager
campus. The recently opened Swedish Community Health Medical Home was designed to provide the community with unprecedented access to primary health care. The word is spreading as friends tell friends: that the clinic space is beautiful – large, light-filled and calm – but the waiting room is small because, well, there’s really no waiting. That you can request appointments online, and get seen within a day. That when you call the office, a real person answers, and if you have a medical question, the doctor calls you back. For $45 a month, Katrine learned, she could: 10
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While many clinics across the country are converting existing programs to this model, Swedish is one of the first to start with a vision for accessible, affordable primary care and then build the clinic from the ground up. The focus is on wellness, disease prevention and day-to-day management of chronic illnesses. It is an approach, Swedish believes, that will be more convenient and affordable for patients, improve health outcomes and help reduce out-of-control health care costs.
New concept/Old-fashioned care
At the heart of Swedish Community Health is an old-fashioned concept Katrine’s
Miranda Lu, M.D., says consistency, communication, and tracking patient information are all key to facilitating optimal patient heath. The clinic’s doctors build time into their daily schedules to make follow-up calls to patients, especially those who are medically complex. The physicians also take turns being on call outside regular clinic hours. Typically, patients who call after hours are trying to decide if they should go to an emergency room: recent examples include an eye irritation and bleeding around a newborn’s umbilical cord. Often, instead, the on-call physician assesses the situation and schedules an office visit online for the next day.
Miranda Lu, M.D., primary care physician at Swedish Community Health Medical Home, takes a break from paper work and phone calls to explain the advantages of the clinic’s unique approach to patient care.
In addition – thanks to a seamless system of electronic medical records throughout Swedish – the staff can keep close tabs on patients who are hospitalized at Swedish or referred for specialty care. Although much goes on behind the scenes, what patients seem to appreciate most is, simply: Time. Anecdotes abound, including: – The patient with a learning disability who transferred to the clinic because
“I had one patient with a heartpounding sensation who had been to the emergency room, multiple doctors and a cardiologist,” Dr. Lu says. “It turned out that an over-the-counter medication was causing the problem. She had been using a nasal spray for over 20 years and had never thought to mention it as part of her medical history. We were 30 minutes into our conversation when this came up and I know that if I had
clamoring for time or services they don’t really need.
Pioneering payment reform Intuitively, it makes sense: If all primary care doctors had abundant time to listen to their patients, make follow-up calls, or see three little boys in one appointment, considerable time and money could be saved. Unfortunately, across the country, the opposite is true.
“This is why I went into primary care – to take care of the whole person.” she simply needs more time to process information – The elderly couple who wanted the opportunity (and encouragement) to ask all the lingering questions they have – The mother of three young boys who wanted to bring them all in for one “family” appointment
seen her in the typical clinical setting, we never would have gotten to it.” One might think that such access to a physician would result in unnecessary calls or appointments, but so far, that’s just not the case. Because they know they can reach a physician when they need one, Dr. Lu noted, people are not
M I R A N D A LU , M.D. Primary care physician at Swedish Community Health Medical Home
“We believe the prevailing fee-forservice model is part of the problem with primary health care today,” says Jay Fathi, M.D., a family physician and the medical director of Primary Care and Community Health at Swedish. “With this model, to make money, you have to see as many patients as you can, w w w. s w e d i s h f o u n d a t i o n . o r g
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FEATURE spend as little time with them as you can, and charge payers as much as you can. Even if it’s a two-minute question, the system creates the incentive to have
that the pay-for-service model was at odds with its patient-centered vision. Instead, they created a new reimbursement system and started this medical home pilot with an option for patients without insurance coverage to pay a flat monthly fee for all medical services available in the clinic. Doctors are paid a monthly salary not connected to patient volume. Self-pay patients like Katrine and many of the café’s young baristas have the monthly fee automatically charged to their credit cards. Swedish physicians and adminiDr. Jennifer Vazquez spends time with her patient reviewing his medical strators had expected history and discussing his concerns. to find a demand for patients drive in, pay for parking, wait affordable primary care, but were still for the doctor… The time has come to surprised to find that, at the six-month be innovative. We think the payment mark, 40 percent of all Swedish Comrules should change.” munity Health patients are self-paying. The Swedish team realized early on Another 15 percent are Medicare patients,
“They listened to my whole story, and said, ‘We’d love to see you.’ You can’t imagine how that felt.” LESLI FRANKLIN Preschool teacher, single mom and Swedish Community Health Medical Home patient
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and about 10 percent qualify for Swedish’s charity care program. Swedish is partnering with Molina Healthcare, a thirdparty administrator for Medicaid, to provide the care for the remaining 35 percent of the clinic’s current patients. Soon, thanks to a recently signed partnership agreement with Premera Blue Cross, another component will be added: patients with private-pay insurance. Under the agreement, Premera will pay a monthly fee for every member enrolled in the program, and Swedish will waive their co-payments. The clinic expects to grow to a total patient population of 2,500. Of those, an estimated 800 to 1,000 patients will be Premera members. The agreement also includes additional financial incentives for meeting evidence-based standards. Examples include incentives for comprehensive immunization and screening programs and outcomes such as lowering blood pressure among patients with hypertension and achieving optimal blood-sugar levels for patients with diabetes. “This is an innovative way to reimburse for primary care, and will help prevent such things as renal failure,
Like many people without health insurance, Lesli Franklin tended to hold out as long as she could before overwhelming pain, fever and fatigue would force her to go to an emergency room. As a preschool teacher, she made too much to qualify for state aid, but not enough to get the consistent, coordinated care she needed. “I’m a single mom with two small kids and a great job teaching preschoolers, Leslie said. When I got sick, I felt like I had to just keep going.” With the opening of Swedish Community Health, Leslie finally found a medical home. “From the first time I called, they were so ridiculously nice to me,” Lesli said. “They told me it was just fine to bring my kids in with me. They listened to my whole story and said, ‘We’d love to see you.’ You can’t imagine how that felt.” In its first six months of operation, Swedish has been able to shift the care of more than 50 patients from the Swedish/Ballard emergency department to the primary health care clinic. Some haven’t seen a doctor in 5 to 10 years and have long been marginalized in the health care system. Some qualify for charity care. “We provide evidence-based, cost-effective care,” said Carol Cordy, M.D., medical director of Swedish Community Health. “All of our patients get all of our services – it doesn’t matter what their financial situations are.”
Patients are encouraged to take an active role in their health care. Here, a patient’s concerned son and daughter-in-law guide him through a recent appointment.
stroke and heart failure down the road,” Dr. Fathi says. “Premera understands the tremendous challenges facing health care today, and they are incredibly enthusiastic about being part of the solution.”
Challenges ahead Swedish is charting new territory with the way it has created this patient-centered
medical home, and questions remain: What is the best way to ensure specialty care for services beyond the scope of the clinic? Will the percentage of charity care patients rise, straining the system? Will a growing shortage of primary care doctors make the clinic challenging to staff as the patient load increases? What changes will national health care reform bring? Any bold innovation brings its share of challenges, and not all the answers are readily available. Granted, in the complex conundrum that is our national healthcare crisis, Swedish Community Health may be just one small step in the right direction. But it is a step that is working for its patients, and for its staff. “This is why I went into primary care – to be able to take care of the whole person,” says Dr. Lu. “It’s a challenging job. It keeps us on our toes. But we have a great team here, and we are making a difference in the lives of our patients every day.” i Janet Simmelink is a long time contributor to Swedish Medical Center Foundation’s donor publications. She can be reached at simmelink@comcast.net.
Make an
impact
Swedish is at the forefront of exploring innovative approaches to ensure high quality primary care for everyone in our community. Philanthropy is key to supporting this effort. To learn more about how you can help, please contact Kate Purcell at (206) 386-3194 or kate.purcell@swedish.org. Suggestions include:
Swedish Charity Care at Swedish Community Health Currently, Swedish absorbs the cost of charity-care patients who cannot afford their monthly co-pay. A gift to the Community Health Medical Home program will help ensure everyone who needs quality primary care will be able to get it.
Provide specialty care The Mother Joseph Clinic provides important specialty follow-up care to patients, many of whom are uninsured or underinsured, who require care beyond the scope of primary care. Gift funds will be used to renovate and expand the clinic to help meet the increased demand for specialty followup care.
Support the “Global to Local” pilot project Being launched in South King County in partnership with organizations such as the King County Health Department, Swedish is working to ensure vulnerable patients in south King County have access to quality primary care and community resources. The project will implement initiatives in the neediest areas of our county that have been proven successful in the global health arena. Philanthropy will help build a new clinic and underwrite the costs of creating this innovative program. w w w. s w e d i s h f o u n d a t i o n . o r g
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True gift to fund Women’s Cancer Center public service in the Seattle area, and they collectively support dozens of charitable and nonprofit organizations. In addition, Janet True currently serves as a member of Swedish’s Board of Trustees, as a member of the Swedish Medical Center Foundation Board of Governors and as co-chair of the Campaign Leadership Council for Campaign for Swedish. “We are extremely grateful to the True family members for this generous gift,” says Rod Hochman, M.D., CEO of Swedish Medical Center. “They are generous, dedicated and hard-working people and an inspiration to those of us who are associated with them. As a family and as individuals, they have demonstrated a level of The True family at Celebrate Swedish 2009: (left to right) Dustin, Effie, Janet, Doug, Patty, Bill, Ruth and Peter True. commitment to philanthropy and volunteer service that makes them, without exaggeration, an invaluable resource for our city and region.” The $10 million in capital costs for the True Family Women’s Cancer Center will come entirely from philanthropy. n the evening of April 18, soon have access to a new, state-of-the-art With continued support from the comCelebrate Swedish 2009, with facility that will provide coordinated and munity, Swedish is planning to begin conits jazzy theme of Steppin’ Out, comprehensive treatments for the cancers struction on the Center in 2010. became a magical memory for that affect women. For information on how you can support all who attended. One of the night’s most The Center is being designed to deliver The True Family Women’s Cancer Center, exciting moments occurred when it was this advanced care in a supportive, patient- please contact Becca Kelly at (206) 386-2138 announced that the True family of Seattle centered environment that will become a or becca.kelly@swedish.org. i had made a $2 million gift to help fund national model for reducing the stress and Swedish’s planned $10 million Women’s anxiety that a cancer diagnosis can cause The True Family Women’s Cancer Cancer Center on the First Hill campus. for patients and their families. at Swedish will establish a new Center To recognize this generous gift, and Patty is the widow of Cecil Leslie True, and innovative national model, providing to honor more than a quarter century of an oil and gas entrepreneur and founder women from the Puget Sound region service to Swedish from this extraordinary of Gull Industries. Among her many accomand beyond with comprehensive preventive and diagnostic measures, therapies, family, Swedish Medical Center announced plishments, she was a volunteer at Swedish’s access to clinical research studies, and that same evening that the new Center Cherry Hill campus for 25 years. “Like so patient-centered education and support would be named the True Family Women’s many people in the community,” she says, activities for breast and gynecological Cancer Center, in honor of Patricia “Patty” “the members of my family have always cancer patients. The Center will be a J. True and her two sons and their wives, felt good about knowing that Swedish was single portal, offering women facilitated Doug and Janet True and Bill and Ruth there, ready to provide the best possible access to all the specialists, skills, tools, information and support they need, from True and their families. care when someone we care about faced diagnostic screening through survivorThanks to the generous support of the a serious illness. This Center will continue ship, enabling them to navigate the comTrues and many other donors who have that tradition by making Swedish a national plexities of the care system, and giving contributed to help Swedish build the leader in treating women’s cancers.” them the best possible chance for a posiCenter, women in the Puget Sound region Each of the True sons and their wives tive outcome. facing breast and gynecological cancer will has a long record of philanthropy and
An extraordinary Seattle family makes an extraordinary night even more magical.
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Make an
impact
Within the walls of the True Family Women’s Cancer Center will be yet another wall.
A full house of generous donors listens to a presentation at the Celebrate Swedish 2009 gala.
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Celebrate Swedish 2009 sets a new record
elebrate Swedish 2009 raised an unprecedented $6.2 million to help sustain Swedish’s charity care program and Fund-A-Need initiative. Even in challenging economic times, our community members rallied to make this year’s event a remarkable success. $5.4 million of this total was raised in support of the 2009 Fund-A-Need project, which will finance the creation of the True Family Women’s Cancer Center at Swedish: a unique new clinical facility focused exclusively on cancers affecting women. When completed, the Center will be the largest, most comprehensive clinical cancer center for women in the Northwest, delivering multidisciplinary professional and supportive care in one location. Other funds raised at the event will support Swedish’s charity care program,
which ensures expert care for members of our community who would otherwise be unable to access health care services. Over 800 Swedish supporters joined the festivities at the Sheraton Seattle Hotel on April 18th, which featured silent and live auctions, the Fund-A-Need program, dinner and dancing with the Greta Matassa Band. Our sincere thanks to the event’s honorary chairs, Eve Alvord, Barbara Buchman, Dorothy Fluke, Karen Lytle and Janet True; procurement chair Diane Edwards; theme and décor chair Kim Strumwasser and all the Celebrate Swedish 2009 committee members. Special thanks to lead presenter, Wells Fargo, and to major sponsors Cardinal Health, Premera Blue Cross, Sellen Construction, Eastside Emergency Physicians, Seattle Radiologists and American Airlines. i
Constructed entirely of wood, each commemorative block will carry a personal inscription or message of strength from a donor.
Remember a loved one. Thank a caregiver. Be creative. Help us build a wall that will inspire and give hope to thousands of women facing cancer. For more information, please contact Gwen Colwell at (206) 215-3034 or gwen.colwell@swedish.org.
2009 Leadership gifts supporting the True Family Women’s Cancer Center Chap and Eve Alvord Mr. and Mrs. Elias C. Alvord II Dr. Joseph and Barbara Buchman Peter D. Byrnes and Family CellNetix Pathology & Laboratories Mr. and Mrs. Peter Cheney Janet and Glenn Edwards Dr. and Mrs. Al B. Einstein Jr. Epic Systems Corporation
Mr. and Mrs. Mark Everitt Katherine and John Harnish Dr. and Mrs. Rod and Nancy Hochman Lorna and Jim Kneeland Calvin and Maureen Knight Rae and Mark Lembersky Chuck and Karen Lytle Mail Advertising Bureau Inc. Michael and Barbara Malone
The Norcliffe Foundation Mr. and Mrs. Bruce A. Nordstrom Pacific Gynecology Specialists, P.C. Everett P. and Andrea Paup David and Sandra Sabey and Family Sellen Construction Co. Inc. Jim and Janet Sinegal Swedish Cancer Institute Breast Surgeon Providers
Swedish Medical Center/ First Hill Auxiliary The True Family Jeff and Kim Veilleux Jean Baur Viereck and Robert Leventhal Janee Pennington-Watson and Colin Watson Mr. and Mrs. James R. Yates
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Sellen Construction makes $1 million Campaign gift to support women facing cancer
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ith a resounding enall of us at Swedish are gratedorsement of the ful for the many things that Campaign for Swedthey do, including their leaderish, Sellen Construcship giving to the Campaign tion has pledged $1 million to for Swedish,” says Cal Knight, support the True Family Women’s president of Swedish. “Their Cancer Center. Sellen has been philanthropy reflects a strong a pillar of this community since commitment to improving the the company’s founding in 1944. health care of our region. We With strong local leadership and hope their generous gift will inover 600 employees, the company spire other corporate leaders is committed to the Puget Sound to join them in supporting the region and to the people who live Campaign.” here. “We take our corporate reSellen’s generosity will improve sponsibility very seriously,” Sellen leadership (from left to right): Bob McCleskey, chief executive officer; Swedish’s ability to deliver care commented Sellen CEO, Bob Scott Redman, president; Wilf Wainhouse, chief operating officer. of the highest quality to women McCleskey. “This is our home and we strongly believe in support- facing cancer. On October 1, 2009, Sellen was the presenting ing the important work being done by organizations like Swedish.” sponsor at the Women’s Wellness Luncheon where additional “Sellen is a great example of corporate citizenship, and funds were raised for the Center. i
2009 Women’s Wellness Luncheon doubles previous total respectively. The program included a witty and poignant talk by the featured speaker, Nancy Abramson, about her experiences with breast c a n c e r. C l a i r e Buchanan, M.D. addressed the necessity of a team Scott Bartell (center front) and volunteer dancers after their dynamic luncheon approach for properformance. viding better cancer treatment to patients, while Hank Kaplan, M.D. and Pat wedish Medical Center’s annual Dawson, M.D., Ph.D. also participated Women’s Wellness Luncheon on in the program. A video by Visual Media O c t o b e r 1 s t r a i s e d a r e m a r k a b l e Group provided reflections on the cancer $577,000. More than doubling the 2008 experience and the importance of highlyfundraising total, this year’s event raised coordinated treatment. The event also funds for the True Family Women’s included an inspiring dance performance by Scott Bartell and a troupe of energetic Cancer Center at Swedish. 930 guests participated in this year’s volunteer dancers. Money raised at the 2009 Women’s luncheon at the Westin Seattle Hotel. Longtime Swedish supporters Martha Wellness Luncheon will help finance the E. Harris and Jean B. Viereck served as creation of the True Family Women’s the event chair and honorary chair, Cancer Center.
Thanks to the generosity of event guests as well as other community, corporate and foundation supporters, more than $7 million of the $10 million goal has been raised to date. Several leadership donors were recognized at the Women’s Wellness Luncheon, including Peter D. Byrnes and family, Rae and Mark Lembersky, Dr. and Mrs. Al B. Einstein Jr. and Mail Advertising Bureau, Inc.
$577,000 raised for the True Family Women’s Cancer Center.
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Event chair Martha E. Harris and honorary chair Jean B. Viereck.
Special thanks to presenting sponsor, Sellen Construction, who also donated $1 million to the new Center. We are grateful to all of our event sponsors, including Seattle Radiologists and the Swedish Medical Center/First Hill Auxiliary. Thanks also to the women and men who served as table captains at this year’s luncheon. i
With your help, With your help, With your help, With your help, we’ll all we’llall allbe besitting sittingpretty. pretty. we’ll be sitting pretty. we’ll all be sitting pretty. When youyou visitvisit Swedish you’ll see see these pink chairs in nearly a dozen When Swedish you’ll these pink chairs in nearly a dozen
When you visit Swedish you’ll see these pink chairs innearly nearly aour dozen When you visit Swedish you’ll see these chairs aasdozen different places where we treat women withpink cancer. As in excellent different places where we treat women with cancer. As excellent as our
different places we treat women with cancer. excellent as our different places we treat women with cancer. AsAs excellent ourall care is today, it where will be even better when we get get all those chairs — and all care is today, itwhere will be even better when we all those chairs —asand care is today, it will beeven even better when we —— andand all all care is today, it— will better weget getall allthose thosechairs chairs those patients together under onewhen roof. those patients —be together under one roof. those patients togetherunder under one one roof. those patients ——together roof.
We’ll callcall thatthat place thethe True Family Women’s Cancer Center, andand We’ll place True Family Women’s Cancer Center, We’ll call that place the True Family Women’s Cancer Center, andon its its purpose is to it far easier for for ourour bestbest minds to collaborate on purpose is make to make it far easier minds to collaborate itsdeveloping purpose ispersonalized toplace make treatment it far easier for our best minds to women collaborate onand developing plans. And, by giving women and their We’ll call personalized that the True Family Women’s Cancer Center, treatment plans. And, by giving and their developing treatment plans. And, bythey’ll giving women and their families a convenient, supportive place to go, they’ll have thatthat much less families apersonalized convenient, supportive place to go, have much less
its purpose is to make it far easier for our best minds to collaborate on families a convenient, supportive place to go, they’ll have that much less
stress added to their lives. stress added to their lives. developing personalized treatment plans. And, by giving women and their stress their lives. Whileadded we’vetoalready raised a good share of the money to make this While we’ve already raised good share of please, the money tojust make this center a reality, your help is still needed. So,So, please, don’t just sit there. center a reality, your help is astill needed. don’t sit there. stress added to their lives. center reality, your help iswomen still in needed. So,life, please, don’t justwho sitwho there. Give forafor yourself, for for the women your life, and for for anyone everever Give yourself, the in your and anyone
we’ve already raised aplace good to share the money to make familiesWhile a convenient, supportive go, of they’ll have that muchthis less
While we’ve already raised a good share theformoney make Give for yourself, forwith the women in your life,ofand anyonetowho everthis comes faceface to face with cancer. www.swedishfoundation.org/wcc comes to face cancer. www.swedishfoundation.org/wcc center a reality, yourwith helpcancer. is stillwww.swedishfoundation.org/wcc needed. So, please, don’t just sit there. comes face to face Give for yourself, for the women in your life, and for anyone who ever comes face to face with cancer. www.swedishfoundation.org/wcc
For more information, contact: For more information, contact: Becca Kelly,Kelly, Senior Director, Major GiftsGifts | Swedish Medical Center Foundation Becca Senior Director, Major | Swedish Medical Center Foundation For more information, contact: 206-386-2138 becca.kelly@swedish.org 206-386-2138 becca.kelly@swedish.org Becca Kelly, Senior Director, Major Gifts | Swedish Medical Center Foundation 206-386-2138 becca.kelly@swedish.org
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Swedish Health Services 747 Broadway Seattle, WA 98122-4307
Our Web site is new, too.
Board of Trustees
Foundation Board of Governors
Experience the new and improved www.swedishfoundation.org. The site contains up-to-date information, patient stories and provides opportunities for you to get involved.
Martin Siegel, M.D. Chair
Cheryl Gossman Chair
Jonathan Chinn, M.D. Vice Chair
Nancy Auer, M.D. Vice Chair
Teresa Bigelow Don Brennan John Connors Ned Flohr Cheryl Gossman Mike Kelly, M.D. William W. Krippaehne, Jr. Charles S. Lytle Kirby McDonald John Nordstrom Janet True Henry “Ned” Turner
Lucius A.D. Andrew III Barbara Buchman Lida Buckner Tom Gores J. Scott Harrison Rod Hochman, M.D. Lorna Kneeland William W. Krippaehne, Jr. Todd Lee Rae Lembersky Eric Liu Charles S. Lytle Kirby McDonald Diane Sabey Janet True Jane Uhlir, M.D. John H. Vassall II, M.D. Jean Baur Viereck
Ex Officio Members To learn more about ongoing projects and how your gifts are hard at work here at Swedish, please visit today.
Rod Hochman, M.D. Chief Executive Officer Todd Strumwasser, M.D. Chief of Staff
Officers Cindy Strauss Corporate Secretary Jeff Veilleux Corporate Treasurer
Officers Cindy Strauss Corporate Secretary Don Theophilus Executive Director, SMC Foundation Jeff Veilleux Corporate Treasurer