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See our special Healthplex section inside PACESETTER www.kadlec.org Beverley Raffety has relied on Kadlec for care for 70 years. Read her story inside. Celebrating 70 years of changing lives IMAGINE a quiet farming community along the Columbia River. That was the village of Richland in the early 1940s before the birth of Hanford forever changed the landscape of our community. At the height of World War II, with battles raging in the Pacific and in Europe, the U.S. Government May 2014 launched the Manhattan Project, the secret, incredibly ambitious plan to build Hanford. Our story, our community’s story By 1944, 50,000 workers were on the job at Hanford, and the population of the Richland Village swelled to more than 11,500. This new community was built under the direction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spearheaded by Lt. Col. Harry Kadlec. In essence, it was Kadlec’s job to build what is today the city of Richland. That included the medical facilities, which in January of 1944 amounted to the original, one-story building, which was over 55,000 square feet on the site of the current Corrado Medical Building. When it opened seven months later, the hospital staff totaled 11 — the superintendent, assistant superintendent, two doctors and a part-time surgeon, five nurses and a pharmacist. To meet medical needs, the staff had to expand quickly. The maternity ward of the building itself also proved to be too small; even before it opened plans were made to expand it. From its start, the medical facility called Kadlec was built to serve the medical needs in the community. As that community grew, so did the hospital. Now, 70 years later, the medical center draws patients regularly from Washington, Idaho and Oregon, and sometimes beyond, and has a medical staff of over 550 providers representing almost 60 specialties. Care for children and babies was an important mission of that early hospital, and today it still is. Throughout its seven decade history, important services and programs were developed at Kadlec to improve the quality of life of the residents of the region and to provide a high level of care close to home. While Kadlec has responded to — Continued on page 2 A higher level of care Celebrating 70 years — Continued from front cover the growth of the region, Kadlec’s own growth, in turn, has helped play an important role in the economic development of the community. What began 70 years ago with just 11 people on staff now totals more than 2,500. Kadlec Health System is one of the largest employers in the community. Throughout it all, Kadlec has been changing lives. Our story, your story Our story of 70 years is your story, too. It’s about being there when you need health care. Sometimes it’s been during times of joy, such as the birth of a baby. Sometimes it’s in times of emergency, when important critical care has been just moments away. Sometimes it has been getting important hospital services such as rehabilitation therapy or diagnostic tests. Sometimes it’s about compassion when facing difficult decisions or situations. It’s been about getting care, including highly specialized care, close to home. Certainly much has changed at Kadlec these past 70 years. But through it all, our commitment remains, to provide the residents of the Tri-Cities area the highest level of care possible. Tracing our story of changing lives Spread throughout this issue is a timeline of major events in the Kadlec story. To read a more in-depth history of Kadlec, visit www.kadlec.org/70years. BEVERLEY RAFFETY HAS lived in the Tri-Cities since 1944. Through the years, the active 82-year-old, who loves karate, has experienced significant need for health care: Some have been moments of joy and some while facing serious health issues. Her children were born in 1953, 1957 and 1960. In 1968, at age 36, she had carotid artery surgery following a stroke. When she was 76, she had open heart surgery for a heart dissection, which was followed by colon cancer surgery. She also had a granddaughter who delivered a premature baby and needed important neonatal intensive care. For each of these, her hospital of choice for care was Kadlec Regional Medical Center. “I was so pleased to be able to have surgeries here at home, with family here,” she said. “I really have Population of Richland Village 200 1940 Beverley Raffety appreciated [Kadlec] for being here when I needed it, for all my surgeries, my babies and now for my whole family. “It seems like for every medical need, Kadlec has been able to handle it. I just want to thank you very much.” We want to hear your story As Kadlec celebrates its 70th birthday this year, we want to hear your “Kadlec Story.” Have you had an experience at Kadlec that changed your life? Were you, or someone you know, born at Kadlec in 1944? Share your story as we celebrate the impact Kadlec has made on our community over the past 70 years by visiting www.kadlec.org/70years. We invite everyone to visit the website, which includes an interesting array of history, videos and stories. July 1944 Opening of Kadlec hospital with staff of 11 January 1944 Hospital construction begins 1940 2 Kadlec was ready whenever there was a need March 1945 Population of Richland Village 15,401 The magic of red wagons and Big Wheels A new program made possible by Kadlec Foundation donors helps take away some of the anxiety children feel before surgery HOSPITALS CAN BE unsettling places for kids under the best of circumstances, but for children about to undergo surgery, it can be downright scary. However, Kadlec, with the support of Kadlec Foundation, has developed a program to help make surgery a little less worrisome for kids. The program got started when Child Life Specialist Rachel Puklin worked with children before surgery. “Putting on a mask, being wheeled away on a stretcher, and leaving their parents can all be scary,” she said. “They went into surgery upset, and then would come out upset. I began to work on how to make surgery a better experience for our pediatric patients.” Tracy Hasty, Kadlec’s Preadmission and Perianesthesia Units manager, also recognized the importance of helping children prior to surgery. “Children feel as if they have no control when they have surgery, and this can be very upsetting,” she said. “Through this new program, we want to give them as many choices as we can and make the surgery experience more child friendly.” Comforting care Now, when the child arrives for surgery, Puklin meets with him or her ahead of time. She helps the child pick a scented essential oil that goes inside the surgical mask, so they smell that scent when the mask is put on. “The child may choose from several scents such as strawberry, root beer or bubblegum,” she said. “The child then can decorate the mask with stickers. We make it fun.” The child can pick out a colorful surgery hat, which was made for this purpose by Kadlec Auxiliary. Puklin shows the child pictures of the operating room, so he or she knows a little more what to expect. She has teaching dolls, which she uses to explain what is ahead for the child. She talks to the child about deep breathing, about what is the child’s job in surgery and what the nurse’s job is. She also uses an iPad and portable DVD players with child-appropriate DVDs to create a fun distraction. Before heading into surgery, the child can decide how he or she wants to go — pulled in a red wagon, peddling a Big Wheel tricycle or even riding on the traditional stretcher. All the while, Puklin is building a relationship with the child, and she accompanies the child into surgery. “The parent cannot go in, which can upset a child, but I go with them, and that helps the child because they have come to trust me.” A group effort Implementing the program has taken a team approach, including the help of the entire operating room staff. For instance, said Puklin, “We now schedule children’s surgeries first thing in the morning whenever possible. We work together to make this happen. Everyone has embraced the idea.” Parents are seeing the difference, too, said Puklin. “It’s hard when your child has surgery, but it helps when a child is less anxious. We have seen it over and over again. This program is good for children, and it’s good for parents,” she said. Early 1950s Methodist Church begins operating the hospital, opening care to residents of the region 1952 Population of Richland 27,000 1950 www.kadlec.org 3 Healthy eating starts early CHILDHOOD OBESITY HAS become recognized as a serious health concern not just on a national level, but also here in the Mid-Columbia region. Kadlec has joined with other community partners to support healthier lifestyles for children, families and our community. Everyone can play a role. For families, it is important to help everyone develop healthy eating habits. Here are some tips: ● Provide plenty of vegetables, fruits and whole-grain products ● Include low-fat or non-fat milk or dairy products ● Choose lean meats, poultry, fish, lentils and beans for protein ● Serve reasonably-sized portions ● Encourage your family to drink lots of water ● Limit sugar-sweetened beverages ● Limit consumption of sugar and saturated fat Remember that small changes can lead to a recipe for success. Looking for healthy recipes? Our Health Library can help. To find them, visit www.kadlec.org, click “Health Library” and then “Nutrition & General Wellness.” NICU expansion on time, on budget The expansion of Kadlec’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) is well underway and moving along quickly. By this fall, preterm and ill newborns will be cared for in the new, larger NICU. One of the challenges of building the NICU has been to undertake such a major expansion while patient care continues to go on throughout the hospital, according to Nick Gonzales of Bouten Construction Company. The project is nearing its final stages of finishing work and is currently on time and on budget, said Gonzales. The $9-million expansion kicked off in September 2013, thanks to the support of Kadlec Foundation donors. It expands the NICU from 3,000 to 15,000 square feet, increases the number of bassinets from 17 to 27, and adds some private rooms for babies and families. “The Foundation and the NICU Campaign Committee are very appreciative of the generous community support thus far, which has allowed for the significant progress to date,” said Glenn Welch, vice president, Resource Development, and executive director of Kadlec Foundation. “Although we are well on our way, the project is not yet fully funded and we continue to seek and accept donations. Please consider becoming involved with this worthy project and making a difference for our community.” For more about Kadlec Foundation, visit www.kadlec.org/foundation. Fun Fact Kadlec remains the only hospital in the state of Washington and only one of a few in the country that began as a government medical facility and was turned back to the citizens to be operated as a private not-for-profit institution. 1971 1969 More patient rooms become available with opening of “new” four-story hospital made possible through support of community fundraising; employment numbers were nearly 300 1963 President John F. Kennedy spoke at the groundbreaking of the N-Reactor 1960 4 1970 The Methodist Church transferred Kadlec to a community board to qualify for funds to build a replacement hospital. The community raised $1 million for the project. Kadlec Healthplex Special Pull-and-Save Section Now open Welcome to Kadlec Healthplex An innovation in outpatient care WE JUST MADE getting the outpatient care you need easier. Over 20 outpatient services and programs are now centrally located in the new Kadlec Healthplex at 1268 Lee Boulevard in Richland. Consolidating the location of these services creates a streamlined, multidisciplinary approach for patients, above and beyond traditional outpatient care. The services at the Healthplex, which range from diagnostic and therapy to education and support, are offered for both adults and children. For patients, having these services in one place can eliminate the need to drive to multiple locations for care. The 50,000 square-foot Kadlec Healthplex is also designed to be a unique health resource for the community. It includes a health library stocked with reliable health information, meeting space for community education and other classes, a demonstration kitchen, an indoor walking path, a retail shop with specialty medical equipment that may otherwise be difficult to find, and a deli and coffee shop. All programs and services have one registration area with the ability to check in via a kiosk. The complex features a center area KADLEC HEALTHPLEX 1268 Lee Boulevard Richland, WA 99352 (509) 942-2660 To learn more about the Healthplex, visit kadlec.org/healthplex. for providers and treatment rooms along the sides, creating a connection while improving communication between the various services. Whether you are looking for one service or many, Kadlec Healthplex is easily accessible with ample parking and offers a welcoming, spacious environment. www.kadlec.org Kadlec Healthplex Services and programs Therapy Services When disability, disease, injury or pain is limiting your quality of life, Kadlec therapy services provide evaluation and treatment utilizing the most current techniques. Massage therapy Therapeutic massage is an important component of recovery from an illness or injury and is shown to improve functioning of the circulatory and nervous systems. Occupational therapy Occupational therapy focuses on helping patients to function in daily activities, on helping adults to restore function that has been lost due to illness, injury or disease, or on helping with achievement of milestones for children with developmental delays, autism or sensory processing disorders. Physical therapy Physical therapists are experts in the way the human body moves. They use a variety of techniques to promote movement, reduce pain, restore function, and prevent disability. During physical therapy, emphasis is placed on the evaluation and treatment of patient disabilities, which may be due to accident or injury, illness, disease or other dysfunction. Speech therapy This therapy specializes in the assessment and treatment of people of all ages with communication, cognitive, swallowing and/or hearing problems due to a variety of conditions or diagnoses. Warm-water therapy The healing nature of warm water can play an important role in rehabilitation. Warm-water therapy helps people who have musculoskeletal, orthopedic and neurological conditions. The new, larger warm-water therapy pool offers the opportunity for new classes and programs for all ages. Testing and Rehabilitation Whether a patient is recovering from a heart attack, has a lung condition, needs diagnostics of nervous system function or needs other health care testing services, Kadlec Healthplex is here to help. Cardiopulmonary rehabilitation Kadlec’s cardiopulmonary rehabilitation program is designed to assist patients with cardiac or pulmonary disorders resume productive lives and make a lifelong commitment to exercise and good health. Hearing screening These tests help determine what kind of hearing a patient may be experiencing by measuring the ability to hear sounds that reach the inner ear through the ear canal (air-conducted sounds) and sounds transmitted through the skull (boneconducted sounds). Metabolic testing Metabolic testing is a simple 10-minute breath test to determine exactly how much oxygen a person’s body consumes. Once completed, the metabolic rate can be used to calculate target caloric zones to show how to eat the maximum amount of food and still lose weight. Neurodiagnostics Neurodiagnostics analyzes and monitors nervous system function to promote the effective treatment of neurological diseases and conditions. Diagnostics include electroencephalograms (EEG) and evoked potentials (EP). Respiratory therapy and testing Also referred to as pulmonary function testing, this is a group of breathing techniques and maneuvers to measure the air movement throughout the entire airway. These tests can provide important information and help determine the function of the breathing passage. Asthma education is also available. Healing and Monitoring Services Many conditions require specialized care or important medications that need consistent monitoring. Frequently, these go hand-in-hand for patients. Now with centralized outpatient services at the Healthplex, patients can get this care in one location. Coumadin clinic Anticoagulation is the process of preventing clots from forming in the blood. Certain conditions require anticoagulant medications (Coumadin). Therapy is physician ordered, monitored closely and adjusted accordingly. *A Coumadin clinic is also available at Kadlec Clinic Kennewick Primary Care. Kadlec Wound Healing Genetic counseling Wounds can be demanding, timeconsuming and costly to manage. Kadlec Wound Healing offers stateof-the-art, high quality, cost-effective care for non-healing acute and chronic wounds. Ostomy care is also provided. *There is an additional Kadlec Wound Healing site at the Richland Medical Center, which includes hyperbaric services. Licensed genetic counselors help people understand the genetic contribution to disease and provide preconception, prenatal, pediatric and adult consultation. Support Services Kadlec Healthplex is designed to be a healing environment for those who need support for medical conditions, need information to care for others or are interested in learning more about conditions. Asthma education Personalized asthma education offers people support to help manage the symptoms of asthma and enjoy a better quality of life. Community education classes The new facility allows ample room to hold many community classes. These include prenatal classes, infant massage, babysitting classes, pregnancy or infant loss support groups and fitness classes designed to help with medical conditions such as COPD or strength training after breast surgery. Kadlec Healthy Ages A free membership program committed to the cares and concerns of the older adult, offering education programs, Medicare counseling and specially trained program coordinators to help you find community services and resources. Kadlec Neurological Resource Center Kadlec Neurological Resource Center provides education and support to people with neurological disorders, their families, caregivers and the community on more than 30 of the most prevalent chronic neurological disorders. Nutrition counseling Registered dietitians offer medical nutrition counseling for weight management, eating disorders, cholesterol management, kidney disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome or specialized needs. Monday through Friday, to answer questions from patients regarding their Kadlec bill. No appointment is necessary. Family Features For children needing outpatient care, many of these services will be at Kadlec Healthplex in one convenient, family-friendly location. It can mean a one-stop site for children accessing multiple services. Kadlec Healthplex was designed with families in mind: ● A separate pediatric waiting room with reading nook and homework area because many times siblings come to appointments, too ● Day lockers for backpacks and coats ● Separate area for families to observe a child’s therapy ● Designated pediatric gym with track and suspended equipment ● Larger warm-water therapy pool, which provides the opportunity to expand class offerings ● Accessible parking ● A walking track, which can be used by members of the family Patient Financial Services Available from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Diabetes education Education is the first step toward managing diabetes. Kadlec’s Diabetes Learning Center helps both adults and children gain a better understanding of diabetes and the self-management skills and confidence to live full and happy lives. www.kadlec.org Kadlec Healthplex H E A LT H P L E X GUEST MAP 6B Pediatric Gym Staff Area 6C Pediatric Therapy Services 6G 6F 6H Observation 6I 6J 6E Staff Area Pool 6D 6K Pediatric and Adult Therapy Services 6A 6L Family Changing Room Pediatric Waiting Room Locker Rooms/ Showers Wound Care Waiting Room 4G 4F 4A 4B 4E EEG 4D 4C Ostomy Adult Therapy Services 7B 7A Physical Therapy Gym Staff Area Talking Room C Pulmonary Function Testing PFS or Talking Room Maple Events Wall Community Sycamore and 3A 3B 3C Coumadin Clinic, 2F 2E 2D Genetic Counseling, 2A 2B 2C Healthy Ages, Massage, Occupational, Physical and Speech Therapies 1F 1E 1D 1A 1B 1C WSU Tri-Cities LEGEND Rest Rooms Seating Kadlec Neurological Resource Center and Health Library Handicapped Rest Room Public Telephone Stairs Information Retail Shop Dining R Education Cedar 3D Diabetes Education, Registration Center 3E PFS or Talking Room Talking Room A Conference 3F Talking Room B Waiting Area CardioPulmonary Rehab Gym Oak Waiting Area 7C Waiting Area 7D Waiting Area 7E Kitchen Patient Lockers Check-in Kiosks Deli and Seating Coffee Shop Kiosk R location ENTRANCE KADLEC HEALTHPLEX • 1268 Lee Boulevard • Richland, WA 99352 • (509) 942-2660 • www.kadlec.org KADLEC HEALTHPLEX • 1268 Lee Boulevard • Richland, WA 99352 • (509) 942-2660 • www.kadlec.org Kadlec Clinic Plastic Surgery and Dermatology 104 Columbia Point Drive, Richland (509) 942-3190 www.kadlec.org/plastics Kadlec Clinic Focus Plastic Surgery and Dermatology KADLEC CLINIC PLASTIC Surgery and Dermatology has moved into a larger location, but the move wasn’t far. The new site, which provides more than twice the space, actually uses the same parking lot. Annette McClendon, ARNP, has recently joined the staff and will provide expanded dermatology care. Plastic Surgery and Dermatology offers medical services that include treatment of hand problems and hand surgery, treatment of skin cancers including full-body exams, Providers and breast reconstruction. The newest dermatology service provided by the clinic is the addition of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) for skin cancer. PDT is a light therapy used to treat precancerous lesions and is a preventative skin cancer service. The clinic also provides cosmetic services that include an array of surgical, non-surgical and esthetician services. Frank Fleming, MD Vicki Haines, DCNP ● Annette McClendon, ARNP ● Lori Knutz, medical esthetician ● ● Plastic Surgery services: Abdominoplasty (tummy tuck) and liposuction ● Birthmark excision ● Botox Cosmetic® and Juvederm® injections ● Breast augmentation and breast lifts ● Breast reconstruction and reduction ● Carpel tunnel syndrome repair ● Ear pinning ● Eye, neck and face lifts ● Hand reconstruction and repair ● Skin resurfacing ● Dermatology services: ● Acne ● Cysts ● Eczema ● Hyperpigmentation ● Moles and lesions ● Photodynamic Therapy ● Psoriasis ● Rashes ● Rosacea ● Skin cancer Kadlec Clinic Plastic Surgery and Dermatology is accepting new patients. From left: Lori Knutz, Annette McClendon, ARNP, Frank Fleming, MD, and Vicki Haines, DCNP 1980 50 Kadlec opened the region’s first Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with eight beds years 1981 Patients had access to new imaging technology, NICU and ICU with an expansion project 1980 1991 A cutting-edge MRI facility opened 1990 www.kadlec.org 5 What’s happening at Kadlec WELCOME NEW PROVIDERS C O N G R AT U L AT I O N S TO OUR HERO OF THE MONTH KADLEC REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER 888 Swift Boulevard Richland (509) 946-4611 Dawn Swanson, MD Adult Hospitalist KADLEC CLINIC PLASTIC SURGERY AND DERMATOLOGY 104 Columbia Point Drive Richland (509) 942-3190 Annette McClendon, ARNP Dermatology RICHLAND PRIMARY CARE 1135 Jadwin Avenue Richland (509) 942-3300 Stephanie Charron, MD Pediatrics SOUTH RICHLAND PRIMARY CARE 560 Gage Boulevard Suite 206 Richland (509) 942-3286 Charles Batayola, DO Family Medicine Amanda Friese, PA-C Family Medicine Joel Quiroz, PA-C Family Medicine J. Daniel Vaughn, MD Family Medicine URGENT CARE 4804 W. Clearwater Avenue Kennewick (509) 942-2355 Amanda Petersen, PA-C Urgent Care WEST KENNEWICK PRIMARY CARE 10121 W. Clearwater Avenue Kennewick (509) 942-3291 Shannon Dramis, DO Family Medicine Tehea Elsethagen, ARNP Family Medicine COMMUNITYBASED PROVIDERS COLUMBIA BASIN HEMATOLOGY AND ONCOLOGY 7360 W. Deschutes Avenue Kennewick (509) 783-0144 Lisa Shaffer, ARNP Hematology and Oncology CLEARWATER DENTAL 5000 W. Clearwater Avenue Kennewick (509) 783-5000 Sara Thomas, DDS Dental 2000 Kadlec staff had grown to 700 2002 2001 Open heart surgery added to Kadlec 2000 6 Each month, Kadlec’s Hero of the Month program honors children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have faced, and overcome, difficult circumstances. Kadlec is one of numerous hospitals participating in the program, which is sponsored by the Kids Wish Network. The most recent Kadlec Hero is: March — Gabriel Lamoreaux All-digital Outpatient Imaging Center opens 2005 New operating rooms now open WHEN THE RIVER Pavilion was designed and built, it included two operating room (OR) shell spaces on the second floor in anticipation of future needs. That time has come; surgery volumes at Kadlec increased by 12 percent in both 2012 and 2013. In response, Kadlec recently finished construction on the two new ORs. This brings the OR complement to 12 rooms. The addition of the two ORs helps patients get access to surgical services more quickly, particularly for non-emergency surgeries. It is also intended that one of the new ORs will be designated primarily for robotic-assisted surgeries, an area of care that has experienced significant growth, and additional increases are anticipated as new physicians join the Kadlec medical staff. Between 2000 and 2005, admissions were up 60 percent, outpatient visits doubled, and inpatients from outside Benton and Franklin Counties more than doubled 2006 Kadlec Clinic created to help meet physician needs for the region 2006 More patient rooms were on the way with the River Pavilion Mark your calendars 20 years of Safe Kids Saturday This year’s Safe Kids Saturday, held on May 10, marked the 20th anniversary of the event. Through the years, thousands of families have benefited from Safe Kids Saturday — whether it’s having bike helmets properly fitted, getting fingerprints for family records, or having car seats safely installed. Kadlec Neurological Resource Center has two popular programs set for this summer. It’s been a true community partnership; more than 50 community agencies have participated through the years. The first event drew an estimated 600 people, while now the event regularly draws 2,500 to 3,000. PRESCRIPTION FOR CAREGIVERS CONFERENCE June 3, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Three Rivers Convention Center Featured speaker is acclaimed author and radio host Kari Berit, MS, who will share stories and lessons from her 20 years of experience in the caregiving industry. ANNUAL SOUTHEASTERN WASHINGTON AUTISM CONFERENCE August 12 – 13 Three Rivers Convention Center Keynote presenter is Temple Grandin, PhD, a professor at Colorado State University, bestselling author and autism activist. For more information and to register for these programs, visit www.kadlec.org/knrc or call (509) 943-8455. Fun Fact All medical services for the Richland Village were expected to be met by the hospital force of 11 staff members when it opened as well as providing employee physicals, dentistry and public health — water quality, environmental health care and preventive care. Medical care was practically on an emergency-only basis. The 2009 The Don and Lori Watts Pediatric Center opens burgeoning population necessitated an increase in the staff as quickly as they could be procured. By July 1, 1945, the hospital employees totaled 117. 2014 2011 2009 Care for neurological health issues was expanded with Kadlec Neuroscience Center 2010 Cardiac, stroke care and emergency receive important designations, reflecting the high level of care at Kadlec Today Kadlec services include a regional hospital, a freestanding Emergency Room, an Urgent Care Clinic, 27 Kadlec Clinic sites, a multitude of programs and services, a medical staff of over 550 and a total staff of 2,500 2013 With the help of the community through Kadlec Foundation, expansion of the NICU begins www.kadlec.org 7 Pacesetter is published by Kadlec Health System 888 Swift Blvd., Richland, WA 99352 (509) 946-4611 www.kadlec.org Mary Lynn Merriman, MLM Communications, editor Kim Fetrow, Jim Hall, Mitch Lewis, Mark Roberts, photography 888 Swift Blvd. Richland, WA 99352 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 Pacesetter Editorial Board chair: Nikki Ostergaard Pacesetter Editorial Board members: Anali Chavez, Angela Mohondro, Antoinette Burnside, Bill Baldwin, Cara Hitt, Heidi Hill, Jeff Clark, Jim Hall, Julie Chavez, Julie Meek, Kris Gauntt, Meg Fallows, Nan Domenici, Renee Sams, Stephanie C. Williams The material in Pacesetter is not intended for diagnosing or prescribing. Consult your physician before undertaking any form of medical treatment or adopting any exercise program or dietary guidelines. Information in Pacesetter comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Copyright © 2014; Coffey Communications CUN30373 The value of volunteers WHEN YOU WALK into the Vineyard Lobby on a Wednesday morning, Carl Taylor may be welcoming you. He’s one of Kadlec’s over 480 volunteers who make a significant contribution to the care of patients and visitors at the medical center every day. “I started volunteering over two years ago,” he said. “I’m there to take care of the people, greeting them and giving them information and directions. I just love talking to them. It’s a good thing to do.” Carl also has a personal reason to volunteer. “I had my first brain surgery in 2002, and the doctor at Kadlec saved my life. Afterward, I thought it would be neat to volunteer there. I wasn’t even sure what volunteering at a hospital meant.” A few years later, he made good on that thought. “If you retire, you’ve got to do something. Helping other people at the hospital is one of those things I can do,” he said. “It keeps me going.” Last year, Kadlec’s volunteers put in nearly 75,000 hours — a hospital record. That’s equal to 36 full time employees. They work with the professional staff in almost every area of the hospital providing a variety of services from greeting people like Carl does, to sewing, playing music, escorting patients and guests, and much more. www.kadlec.org “I think as a volunteer, we help the staff so they can do their jobs even better,” he said. “We can take time with the patients and families, so the nurses can do what they need to do. “I’ve learned that the people who are volunteers are so cool,” he said. “They have to like people. Sometimes people just need someone to listen to them and as a volunteer, I have learned to do that and have the time to do that. I thoroughly enjoy volunteering.” For more information on becoming a volunteer at Kadlec, call (509) 942-2248. Fun Fact In the early years it was difficult to obtain all of the essentials to equip the new hospital. There was no storage unit filled with supplies to fall back upon during the wartime crunch. The Auxiliary stepped in to help fill the gap, sewing and repairing linens and creating other items used in the hospital. That same support continues today, 70 years later. A higher level of care