Download Your family doctor

Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community Healthcare | Mar y Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center | Tacoma General Hospital | MultiCare Clinics
HealthyLiving
WINTER 2008 | www.multicare.org
Your family doctor
The bond with your family
physician can last a lifetime.
PAG E 8
KIDS
COUNT!
LOOK INSID E
[spotlight]
A message from the CEO
Happy 2008!
Most of us start out
the new year brimming
with resolve—to eat
better, exercise more
and be healthier. But by
February many of us fall
into our old ways and
are discouraged by our
lack of progress or willpower.
Change is hard to accomplish and sustain.
Research has shown that it takes at least three
weeks to shake old habits and for new ones to
take root—and that relapses are normal.
Let MultiCare give you extra motivation to
stay on track at the ninth annual Do Something Healthy—featuring keynote speaker
Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser television program—Thursday, Jan. 2, from
6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention
and Trade Center (see page 11 for details).
Last year more than 1,000 people
attended this inspiring event, where we also
kicked off Pierce County’s Biggest Winner in
partnership with the YMCA of Tacoma–Pierce
County and the Tacoma–Pierce County Health
Department. Two teams totaling 10 community members competed to reach their fitness
and weight-loss goals.
We’ll be kicking off the 2008 Pierce County’s
Biggest Winner competition at Do Something
Healthy. So call to reserve your spot today.
Good health is the best gift we can give to
ourselves, our families and our community.
Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2008.
Diane Cecchettini, RN
President and CEO
MultiCare Health System
MultiCare
now answers
the phones 2/7
You’ve got a lot on your plate. We know not
everything can get done during regular workday hours. That’s why MultiCare is pleased to
unveil our new 2/7 call center.
Now you can call MultiCare for physician
referrals and class and event registration
2 hours a day, seven days a week.
Appointment scheduling will continue to be
available during the hours of 7am to 7pm.
MultiCare Health System is a leading-edge,
integrated health organization made up of four
hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent
care clinics, multispecialty centers, Hospice and Home
Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit
organization based in Tacoma since 1882, MultiCare has
grown over the years in response to community needs.
Today we are the area’s largest provider of health care
ser vices, ser ving patients at 93 locations in Pierce,
South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Learn more
at www.multicare.org.
HEALTHY LIVING is published as a community service for the
friends and patients of MultiCare Health System, P.O. Box 5299,
Tacoma, WA 9815-0299. 800-342-9919, www.multicare.org
For comments or suggestions about HEALTHY LIVING, please write
to us at [email protected]. Information in HEALTHY LIVING
comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any
concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your
health, please contact your health care provider.
Copyright © 2007 Coffey Communications, Inc.
2 | Healthy Living
CUN21159c
7
8
Mischief
makers at
it again?
Sharing toys and
games is great,
but germs? No,
thanks. Here are
a few quick tips
to keep pesky
germs at bay.
10
Kids’ weight:
Tackle the
issue now
Nowadays it’s
not just adults
who deal with
weight—your
kids are also
fighting the battle
of the bulge.
Cancer care expands
in South King County
Healthy Reflections Boutique:
Well-being for women
Covington MultiCare Clinic’s Healthy Reflections Boutique carries
hard-to-find health care items—exclusively for women—that
can help enhance your physical and mental well-being
during pregnancy, new motherhood, surgery recovery
or cancer treatment, in a sensitive and supportive
setting.
Products include: • breast pumps and accessories • nursing bras • nursing gowns and night wear
• partial, traditional and attachable breast forms
• mastectomy bras • postsurgical bras • wigs
• Jane Iredale skin-care products and mineral makeup
Our staff is certified in bra and prosthetics fitting to provide women with
personalized attention and a customized
fit (appointments are recommended for
fittings).
Visit www.multicare.org/hrboutique
or call 253-372-7265 for additional
information and directions. Open Monday
through Friday, 9am to 5pm.
11
Show up
and Do
Something
Healthy!
Meet Jillian
Michaels, of
TV’s The Biggest
Loser, and discover fun ways
to get and stay
healthy.
12
Take steps
for better
health
The MultiCare Regional Cancer Center has
opened an office in Auburn, headed by longtime area physician Daniel J. Moore, MD.
Dr. Moore is a boardcer tified physician who
specializes in hematology/
oncology and internal
medicine. He received his
medical degree and internal
medicine residency training
Daniel J.
from the University of Texas
Moore, MD
Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. He completed
fellowships in hematology/oncology and developmental therapeutics at Georgetown University
Lombardi Cancer Center in Washington, D.C.
“I work closely with each individual and their
families,” says Dr. Moore, “providing not only the
highest-quality care, but the support, education
and guidance they need to make the best possible decisions about their health and well-being.”
The MultiCare Regional Cancer Center is
the region’s most complete resource for
cancer treatment, offering an exceptional
level of expertise and experience, leadingedge treatment options, and innovative ways
to provide the personal support and care that
cancer patients need.
The MultiCare Regional
Cancer Center in Auburn
735 12th St. S.E.
Auburn, WA 98001
253-876-7900
www.multicare.org/clinics
Open daily: 8am to 5pm
From yoga and
aerobics to support groups and
safety classes,
MultiCare wants
to help you take
charge of your
health.
www.multicare.org | 3
[winter sports]
Protect your knees
The slippery slope of
winter sports
Regardless of the activity you choose
this winter, safety should be a top priority—
especially when it comes to protecting your
knees.
“The knee is the
largest joint in the
body and one of the
most easily injured,”
says Andrea Young,
MD, orthopedic
surgeon with MultiCare
Sports Medicine at the
Andrea Young,
Covington MultiCare
MD, orthopedic
Clinic. “Each year
surgeon
millions of people end
up in doctors’ offices
with knee pain.”
When pain management and lifestyle
changes are not enough to keep knee pain
from interfering with your life, surgery may
be a good option. With recent advances
in surgical procedures, knee surgery has
become far less invasive, reducing pain,
scarring and recovery time. And specialists
like Dr. Young, who is fellowship-trained
in sports medicine, can offer the most
advanced procedures, such as ligament
reconstruction and cartilage transplants,
to help people return to their active
lifestyles following a knee injury.
the knee. Tears in the meniscus can occur
when you twist or overflex the knee.
“A clean tear in a younger athlete
can most likely be repaired,” Dr. Young
explains. “Removing the damaged area is
3 common injuries
a more likely option for the older adult, as
“We find that the most common knee
the meniscus becomes more brittle with age
injuries are from overuse,” Dr. Young says. and is more prone to tearing.” With a very
“Patients are not prepared for the level of
traumatic injury, she adds, a meniscus can
activity they are asking their bodies to do.” be transplanted.
Ligaments are bands of tough, elastic
Getting into shape before hitting the
connective tissue that surround a joint to
slopes can make all the difference, Dr. Young
give support and limit the joint’s movement.
says. She also stresses wearing protective
gear while participating in winter sports,
The ACL is frequently injured when the
particularly helmets for all high-speed
knee is force-twisted. This commonly
winter activities and wrist guards for
occurs when a skier sits back while falling
snowboarders.
or when the tip of the ski gets wedged in
“Be realistic about your skill level,”
the snow and the skier’s body keeps moving
forward. The damaged ligament can be
she cautions. “Don’t go down the black
diamond if you are a beginner.”
reconstructed using a strip of tendon from
The three most common winter sports
the patient’s knee or donor tissue.
knee injuries are meniscus tears, anterior
Cartilage is a smooth tissue that covers
the ends of bones in a joint and enables
cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries and
cartilage damage.
joints to support your weight when you
The meniscus is cartilage that acts as a
bend, stretch, walk and run. Cartilage loss
buffer between the two large bones of
can occur when there is trauma to the knee
2 3 1 Children on the slopes: Playing it safe
More than 60,000 children are treated
in emergency rooms each year for winter
sports-related injuries. Help your kids stay
safe this season.
• Buy your children properly fitted winter
sports helmets for skiing, sledding and
snowboarding.
• Make certain that their helmets and other
equipment are in good working order.
| Healthy Living
• Look for clothing made of newer coldweather fabrics that provide warmth without
bulk.
• Ensure that they wear sunglasses or
goggles.
• Arrange for them to take lessons before
they try to ski or snowboard.
• Remind them to watch out for trees, rocks
and other people.
• Train them to monitor their speed so that
they can stay in control.
• Supervise their activities.
• Direct them to skating rinks instead of
ponds.
For more information about keeping
your family safe this winter or helmet sales
and rentals, call the Mar y Bridge Center for
Childhood Safety at 253-403-1234.
caused by a sports injury or accident.
a cartilage transplant—taking healthy cartilage
from another location in the joint and placing
it in the damaged area—may be the best
option in this case.
another option for repairing damaged
cartilage is microfracture surgery, in
which the bone is penetrated to expose
marrow cells. The cells can then access
the damaged area and fill in the cartilage gap.
Small incisions mean
big improvements
arthroscopy enables dr. Young to
diagnose and treat knee injuries by
providing a clear view of the inside
of the knee through small incisions
using a pencil-size instrument called
an arthroscope. The scope uses a small
camera to transmit an image of the knee to
a television monitor. during the procedure,
surgical instruments can be inserted through
other small incisions in the knee to remove or
repair damaged tissue.
The benefits of arthroscopy include smaller
incisions, faster healing, a more rapid return to
typical activities and less scarring. arthroscopic
surgical procedures are often performed on an
outpatient basis, and the patient is able to return
home on the same day. every case and patient
is unique, dr. Young notes, but the typical full
recovery time from arthroscopic knee surgery is
two to six months, depending on the procedure.
Getting you back in action
Regardless of the type or severity of the knee
injury, dr. Young spends time with each patient
to evaluate his or her condition and provide the
information and guidance he or she needs to
determine the best course of treatment.
“I give my patients all the options and the pros
and cons of each one,” dr. Young says. “We work
together to find the solution to their problem
and determine the best way to get them
well and back to living healthy, active
lifestyles.”
To contact dr. Young at MultiCare
orthopedics & sports Medicine
Center at Covington MultiCare Clinic,
call 253-372-7121.
www.multicare.org | 5
[emergency care]
MultiCare Urgent
Care near you
Emergency
or urgent care?
Get appropriate care when you need it
You’ve gotten sick or hurt yourself. You know you need to go to see a
doctor right away; you can’t wait several days
for an appointment. The question now is,
do you need to race to your local emergency
can serve as reference for you and your
family to help you decide which location
will provide the right health care for you.
Remember, unless you need treatment
for a potentially life-threatening condition,
you’ll probably be seen
Urgent care centers, which see patients on faster in an urgent care
center than in the emera first-serve basis, are often less crowded.
gency department.
department, or visit an urgent care center?
“Emergency departments take the sickest patients first, and that can mean a
“It can be tough to tell,” says David
Eidt, MD, a physician with Auburn Urgent long wait for less serious problems,” says
Dr. Eidt. “Urgent care centers are often
Care. “Sometimes the gray area can seem
awfully wide.”
less crowded, and they see you on a firstWhile not exhaustive, the checklist below come, first-served basis.”
Emergency Care
Urgent Care
Difficulty breathing
Minor cuts
Chest or upper abdominal pain or pressure
Upper respiratory infections
Sudden confusion or difficulty speaking
Fevers and flu symptoms
Sudden weakness or numbness, especially on
one side of the body
Earaches
Fainting or sudden dizziness
Sprains, strains and minor fractures
Coughing or vomiting blood
Foreign objects in the eyes, ears or nose
Injuries requiring a specialist, such as a fracture or tendon injury.
Labor and Industries claim assistance
| Healthy Living
MultiCare Urgent Care Centers are located
throughout the region. Your neighborhood
center is open for extended hours during the
week, as well as on weekends.
Auburn MultiCare Urgent Care
202 Cross St. S.E.
253-876-8111
No appointment necessary
Monday through Friday: 9am to 9pm
Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 9am to 5pm
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
•
•
•
Covington MultiCare Urgent Care
17700 S.E. 272nd St.
253-372-7020
No appointment necessary
Monday through Saturday: 9am to 9pm
Sunday and holidays: 9am to 5pm
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
•
•
•
Kent MultiCare Urgent Care Center
222 State Ave. N.
253-372-7788
No appointment necessary
Monday through Friday: 9am to 9pm
Saturday, Sunday and holidays: 9am to 5pm
(Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas)
•
•
•
Are
your
kids
making
you
sick?
Be a germbuster!
1
LATHER UP! Use soap and water all over
your hands—don’t miss a fingernail! Scrub
20 seconds, long enough to sing the “Happy
Birthday” song twice.
2
AH-CHOO!
If you can’t
reach a tissue, sneeze
or cough into the inside
of your elbow (not your
hands—YUCK).
3
Keep germs at bay
There are several ways to reduce the germs
your kids bring home, Patrick advises:
• Teach kids to wash their hands well,
especially after using the toilet. You can
find pointers for effective handwashing
techniques at the right or at the u.s.
Centers for disease Control and Prevention’s website, www.cdc.gov/cleanhands.
show kids how to cough and sneeze into
their sleeves rather than into their hands.
encourage kids to keep their hands
away from their faces.
find out if your child’s school permits
the use of alcohol-based sanitizers or
antibacterial cloths. Wiping off shared
surfaces will reduce the germs in the
environment.
In addition, a strong immune system
helps kids fight off infections, Patrick says.
so make sure your child is eating right and
getting enough rest and exercise.
“getting vaccinated for vaccinepreventable illness is [another] good way
to stay healthy this winter,” adds Rosalind
Ball, Rn, Mn, CIC, Infection Control
Practitioner, good samaritan Hospital.
visit www.multicare.org/kids for more
tips about keeping kids healthy.
4
•
•
•
BE SURE
TO WASH:
• Before touching
food • After
handling pets
• After coughing, sneezing or nose-blowing
• Before and after touching a wound
or being with a sick person • After
touching garbage
• After using
the toilet
(FOR SURE)!
✂
You TeaCH your kids to share their toys
and games. But how do you teach them not
to share their germs?
“Think about the 25 to 30 students in
typical classrooms,” says Marcia Patrick, Rn,
Msn, CIC, director, Infection Prevention
and Control at MultiCare. “That’s a lot of
germs being shared, and lots of opportunities to bring something home.”
Consider all of the shared areas in
classrooms—desks, pencil sharpeners,
pencils, crayons, light switches, textbooks
and other instructional materials, computer
keyboards, and cafeteria and gym surfaces.
“any or all of these can contain germs
from the mouths and noses of kids, as well
as fecal matter from hands not washed
thoroughly after using the toilet,” Patrick
says. “another child comes along and
touches that surface, then rubs his eyes
or nose, and ends up with the infection,
which he, of course, takes home with him.”
NO WATER? Gellin’
works too. Rub
cleaning gel (at
least 60 percent alcohol) all
over your hands until they’re
dry.
Sources: Marcia Patrick, RN, MSN, CIC, and the U.S. Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
www.multicare.org | 7
Your
health
Primary
care
physicians
FAMILY DOCTOR. It may sound a little oldfashioned. But the concept behind it—
building a long-standing relationship with a
physician over a number of years—is one that
many health care professionals believe is crucial to the best health care experience possible.
“The family medicine process is unique
since it is centered on the patient-physician
relationship,” says von Chang, Md, family
medicine physician with the Kent MultiCare
Clinic. “It is the extent to which this relationship is valued, developed, nurtured and
maintained that sets family medicine apart
from other specialties.”
Who they are
“Family physicians
are specially trained in
preventive medicine
[because] preventing a
health problem is better
than having to treat one.”
—Von Chang, MD, family medicine
physician, Kent MultiCare Clinic
8 | Healthy Living
In today’s terminology, physicians we
once may have referred to as family doctors
are now more likely to be our family medicine physicians or primary care physicians.
They may specialize in fields such as family medicine, pediatrics, internal medicine
or obstetrics. They may treat patients of all
ages and in all stages of life. But they all
have one thing in common: a dedication
to treating their patients as a whole, with
a focus on long-term health and wellness.
Primary care physicians see patients for
everything from routine exams and vaccinations to diagnosis and treatment of illness
and, if necessary, coordination of patient
care through specialists.
“Today’s primary physicians know the
most current treatments and technologies,
and are required to train for three years in
real practice settings,” dr. Chang says. “family doctors re-certify more than any other
medical specialty, while continuing their own
professional education. This allows them to
lifetime
care partners
apply the latest medical breakthroughs to
the everyday care of their patients.”
Why you want one
some health insurance plans require subscribers to select primary care physicians to
coordinate all their health care. But even
if your health insurance doesn’t make this
demand, you can benefit from choosing a
physician to serve in this role. Why? simple.
The continuity of care.
“The role of the primary care physician
is to be the principal manager of a patient’s
health care,” says John Morrison, Md,
internal medicine and pediatric specialist at
Covington MultiCare Clinic. “Ideally, this
involves establishing a long-term relationship with the patient, understanding all of
their medical concerns and forming a partnership with the patient. In instances where
specialty care is needed, it is the primary
care physician’s role to keep track of the
‘big picture’ and to advocate for what he
or she believes is best for the patient.”
“The primary care physician can take the
time to know all of the patient and not just
one limited organ or specialty,” says nicola
Walker, Md, family medicine physician at
Covington MultiCare Clinic. “The primary
care physician knows the whole history and
can better diagnose medical conditions with
this knowledge. even if the patient requires
specialist care, the primary care physician
can help facilitate this.”
“Continuity of care is important in a
doctor-patient relationship, especially for
chronic conditions or long-term health care,”
agrees nilo santos, Md, internal medicine
specialist at auburn Multicare Clinic. “a
primary care physician treats the person as
a whole over time, not just as a disease at a
point in time.”
need a family physician? visit www.
multicare.org to find one near you.
“I chose family
medicine as it seemed
the best specialty to
help the majority
of people. I really
enjoy helping people
through all stages of
life and providing their
continuity of care.”
—Nicola Walker, MD, family medicine
physician, Covington MultiCare Clinic
“[Family medicine]
allows me to deal
with a wide variety of
medical conditions and
manage patients in a
more holistic manner.”
—Nilo Santos, MD, internal medicine
specialist, Auburn MultiCare Clinic
Four questions to ask your physician
Looking for a new doctor? Here are four
important questions to ask:
What is your training and experience?
Having an idea of a physician’s background and areas of expertise helps you
evaluate whether he or she will be a good
fit for you, particularly if you have specific
needs.
How accessible are you? Your physician’s accessibility is important. For
example, if you work full time, you may need
1
2
to find a physician who offers extended hours
or same-day appointments.
What range of services do you offer?
If you have specific needs, such as
maternity care, confirm that this is available.
What is your philosophy of care? Are
you looking for a physician with a collaborative approach? One who is more authoritative? How large a role do you want to play in
managing your health? Make sure you and
your physician see eye-to-eye.
3
“I chose primary care
for the variety it offers
and the chance to
develop long-term
relationships with
patients.”
—John Morrison, MD, internal
medicine and pediatric specialist,
Covington MultiCare Clinic
www.multicare.org | 9
Help your kids
manage their weight
gRoWnuPs aRen’T the only ones at
risk for being overweight or obese. More
and more children are too.
What can parents do to help? Take
action, says nutrition expert Monica dixon,
Phd, Rd. dixon is working to establish an
optimal Weight Clinic at MultiCare’s Mary
Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center.
she is researching the causes of the
childhood obesity epidemic and exploring
what hospitals, schools, governments and
others can do to turn the tide.
It’s a complex matter, she says. But she
adds that the best place to begin preventing
childhood obesity is at home.
“There’s a lot parents can do to help kids
manage their weight,” dixon says.
get started by following these tips:
Serve whole foods. “Think fresh fruit,
vegetables and dairy, whole grains, nuts
and oils, and less processed foods,” dixon
10 | Healthy Living
says. offer kids water instead of pop
or juice.
Eat together. family meals give you
better control of food choices and are also
a chance to bond with your kids and teach
them manners.
“There are so many advantages,” dixon
says. “There are even studies that show that
kids who eat with their families often are
less likely to use drugs or join gangs.”
Exercise as a family. “There are lots
of things you can do together—hiking,
biking, playing in the park,” dixon says.
“Having an active family helps children
remain active as adults.”
Talk to your doctor. Your child’s doctor
can determine if your child is overweight.
They also can give you advice on safe ways
to help children take off extra pounds.
for more information, visit
www.multicare.org/kids.
GET IN STEP WITH COVINGTON
Helping keep
students healthy
South King County’s Coalition for a Healthy
Community obtained a $12,000 grant from
the MultiCare Health Foundation in late
2007 and, in partnership with Covington
Elementary School, put together the Get in
Step with Covington program.
The program includes a number of fitness
and nutrition-oriented programs, such as:
• Be Healthy, Be Active—a special beforeschool exercise program run twice a week
by the Auburn YMCA for select students at
Covington Elementary School.
• Pedometers for teachers—to help them
set a good example for students.
• An interactive nutritional education series—
presented to students once a month by a
MultiCare dietitian.
• The delivery of fresh fruit and vegetable
snacks to students twice a week.
For more information about the Coalition
for a Healthy Community, call 253-372-7245.
Do Something Healthy
Join the ‘losing’ team
THeRe’s a picture of Jillian Michaels
on her website sporting a black, sleeveless
T-shirt with “Bully” written across the front.
sure, the black team’s coach on Tv’s
The Biggest Loser has the title of television’s
toughest trainer. But ask MultiCare Center
for Healthy living’s elizabeth Barnard her
impressions of the weight-loss reality show
star, and she’ll point out how Michaels cares
and wants others to reach their healthy goals.
“she’s trying to help people realize that
they can do it,” says Barnard, the Center’s
Community events Coordinator. “she’s not
pushing them beyond
their capabilities—
she’s pushing
them to their
capabilities.”
If you’ve
seen the show,
you know
Michaels is extremely fit, and
you’ve watched
her help others
lose a lot of
unwanted pounds and learn how to live
arts, a source of her passion for fitness
healthy lives. now you can see Michaels in training.
person at this year’s do something Healthy
This passion, along with Michaels’ deevent, which is bound to include an inspisire to help people reach their fitness goals,
rational dose of “anybody can do it” when
should make the do something Healthy
it comes to getting physical, eating well and event all the more inspirational and exciting.
maintaining a healthy weight, Barnard says.
In addition to Michaels’ featured presen“People want to live a healthy life, but
tation, do something Healthy will include
sometimes they don’t know how to get
a health fair and screenings, and a registered
motivated or where to
start,” Barnard says. “do “Participants have taken information from
something Healthy
this event and used it to change their lives.”
is a great first step to
learning more about health and nutrition
dietitian and personal trainer will be available
and getting the motivation to make healthy to answer attendees’ questions about nutrichanges to their lives.”
tion, healthy eating and physical activity.
In addition to helping others succeed,
and if previous events are an indication—
Michaels’ own healthy pursuits have led to
this is the ninth year do something Healthy
several personal successes. she has a weekly
is taking place—people will walk away with
radio show, fitness dvds and two published something they can use to better their health,
books, including her latest, Making the Cut: perhaps profoundly so. Barnard has seen it
Thirty Days to the Strongest, Sexiest You.
before: “Participants have taken information
according to her website, the energetic
from this event,” she says, “and used it to
fitness trainer and life coach struggled with change their lives.”
her own weight, so she knows firsthand
about the challenges. Then came martial
Meet Jillian
in Tacoma!
When: Thursday, Jan. 2, 6 to 9pm
Where: Greater Tacoma Convention and
Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma
Theme: Weight Maintenance—Maintaining
a Healthy Lifestyle
Special guest: Jillian Michaels from
NBC’s The Biggest Loser, 7pm
• Health fair and screenings, 6 to 7pm
• Bring a question for “Ask the Dietitian”
• Have Michaels sign her book
• Cost: $10. Preregistration is required.
Register online at www.multicare.org.
Join the Million
Minute Mission
Here’s your mission: Help your friends and
neighbors reach a goal of logging millions of
exercise minutes. It’s called the Million Minute
Mission—a community-wide fitness event led
by the MultiCare Center For Healthy Living—
and it’s a fun way to get physical, get healthy,
and win individual or team prizes.
Here’s how it works: Register online—it’s
easy—and then log an average of 30 minutes
of physical activity five or more days a week,
Jan. 2 through
June 1. Kids can aim
for 30 to 60 minutes.
You also track your
progress online, so
you can see your healthy minutes add up! Get
the details at www.multicare.org/mission.
www.multicare.org | 11
[calendar of events]
Smart steps for a healthy life
CHECK YOUR HEALTH
Bone Density Screening
HEALTHY MIND, HEALTHY BODY
Breast Health Center
Comprehensive DEXA screening for
osteoporosis.
Massage
Everything you need for breast health:
digital mammography, ultrasound,
stereotactic biopsy, clinical breast
exams and education.
auburn MultiCare Health Center:
253-876-8190
Covington MultiCare Clinic:
253-372-7240
auburn MultiCare Health Center:
253-876-8190
Covington MultiCare Clinic:
253-372-7240
Relaxation, therapeutic and pregnancy
massage. Physician referrals accepted.
Covington MultiCare Clinic, MultiCare
orthopedics & sports Medicine Center,
Tacoma general Hospital
253-372-7008
Men’s and Women’s HeartAdvantage Screening
A personalized consultation, risk assessment
and basic lab tests.
fee: starts at $55
Tacoma general Hospital
800-342-9919
Nutrition Counseling
Nutrition counseling is available on an individual basis
for concerns such as high
cholesterol.
253-372-7010
Good health for active adults
EverActive®
Home Health Resources
If you’re at least 55, enroll now and
enjoy benefits in health and finance,
travel, and entertainment.
Comprehensive in-home services provide
nursing, therapy, social work and aide care
to help people manage their illness and
recovery at home.
fee: $25/single, $39/couple
800-485-0205
12 | Healthy Living
King County: 253-876-8175 or 800-762-7766
Pierce County: 253-459-8355 or 800-762-7766
Unless otherwise noted, visit www.multicare.org/classes or call 800-342-9919 for information or to register.
January
Unless otherwise noted, visit www.multicare.org
www.multicare.org/classes
www.multicare.or
g/classes
g/classes
or call 800-342-9919 for information or to register.
through
March 2008
OUR HEALTHY COMMUNITY
Programs and activities to help us build a healthier community.
Healthy@Work
Boost productivity and reduce absenteeism
with this work site wellness program. Program offerings include health screenings
and health education programs and
classes, all taught on-site for both large
and small companies.
253-403-7895
MultiCare Center For Healthy Living
FAMILY HEALTH AND SAFETY
Car Seat Inspections
Car seat inspections weekly throughout
South King County.
Kent and other locations
253-372-7729
Education and programs for community
members and corporations. We promote
health and wellness with exercise, nutrition,
weight loss, life balance and tobacco cessation.
(This community resource is made possible by
generous gifts donated through the MultiCare
Health Foundation.)
800-485-0205, www.multicare.org
Weight Management
Custom-Fit Helmet Sales
Get custom-fit helmets, available in both
child and adult sizes, to use with bikes,
scooters, skateboards, skates, skis and
snowboards. Wearer of the helmet must
be present for custom fit.
Bike helmet: $7
Multi-impact helmet: $10
ski helmet (november–february): $15
• Kent and Tacoma, Thursdays, 3 to 5pm
• Covington, second Tuesday of each
month, 3 to 5pm
253-372-7729
LEARN: A 12-week weight management program taught by a registered dietitian.
starts Jan. 9, 6:30 to 8pm
Covington
800-342-9919
Give your skin its winter fix
The stress of the season and the harshness of winter can wreak havoc on our skin.
If you are experiencing dryness, dehydration or acne and want to look your best, we
have a solution for you!
Free life jacket loaners available year-round.
Loaned for up to one week, limited quantities.
A Winter Fix Facial from Covington MultiCare Clinic’s
Healthy Reflections Medical & Day Spa can help calm,
soothe and hydrate your skin while gaining control over
those breakouts caused by stress.
Thursdays, 3 to 5pm
Kent and Tacoma
253-372-7729
Call us today for an appointment and discover radiant
skin. Don’t wait! This offer expires on March 31, 2008.
Life Jacket Loans
$15 OF
F
fee: $60 ($15 savings)
for more information and a complete list of services and
treatments, call 253-372-7008.
www.multicare.org | 13
[calendar of events]
Smart steps for a healthy life
TAKE CONTROL
Cardiac Health & Rehabilitation Program
Medically monitored exercise therapy and
lifestyle education on risk-factor reduction,
medications, nutrition and stress-reduction
techniques for patients who have had a heart
attack, cardiac bypass surgery, angioplasty/
stents, heart valve surgery or angina. Requires
a physician referral.
Tacoma general Hospital
253-403-1058
For best results, we recommend weekly group
attendance for one year following your final
quit date. Call for more information.
• allenmore Hospital, boardroom:
Mondays, noon to 1pm
• good samaritan Community Healthcare:
Mondays, 7 to 8pm
• Tacoma general Hospital, 6M:
Tuesdays, 11:45am to 12:45pm
• MultiCare gig Harbor Medical Park:
Wednesdays, 7 to 8pm
253-223-7538
Diabetes Education
A 12-hour or eight-hour group diabetes education course. Individual appointments are
available.
Cost covered by most insurance companies.
253-372-7010
Insulin Pump Instruction
Individual education.
Cost covered by most insurance companies.
253-403-1726
QuitTobacco Support Group
Great success rates! No matter where you are in
the quitting process, this group is for you. Topics
include tobacco addiction, successful cessation
practices, individualized quit plans, nicotine
replacement therapies, cessation medications,
withdrawal symptoms, coping skills, relapse and
recovery. Drop-ins and support people are welcome; low-cost nicotine patches are available.
Tobacco Cessation QuitSmart™
Identify and conquer your personal challenges
in quitting tobacco by laying a solid foundation for a successful quit. Class topics are
designed to take you through the first year of
quitting. A variety of activities ensures easy
absorption of the material. You don’t have to
have quit to come to class, just have an interest in learning how to do it! QuitSmart works
in conjunction with our support groups.
Workbook included.
fee: $80 (scholarships available to incomequalified participants)
• allenmore Hospital: saturday, Jan. 19,
9:30am to 3:30pm
• good samaritan Community Healthcare:
saturday, feb. 9, 9:30am to 3:30pm
• MultiCare gig Harbor Medical Park:
saturday, March 15, 9:30am to 3:30pm
800-485-0205
MARCH IS NUTRITION MONTH!
start the month off right—get your Passport to Healthy dining. MultiCare Center for Healthy
living—in partnership with the Washington state Restaurant association, Tacoma–Pierce County
Health department and the YMCa of Tacoma–Pierce County—will present a yearlong program
designed to provide you with healthy meal options in restaurants. The get fit Passport to Healthy
dining gives you a list of restaurants that will be offering four get fit meal options. each meal
option will meet our get fit healthy criteria.
But wait, there’s more! not only will you have get fit meal options, but you
can also earn get fit incentives. for every 10 get fit meals you purchase,
you’ll be able to receive an incentive, such as a pedometer, a water bottle
and more.
for more information, please visit www.piercecountygetsfit.org.
1 | Healthy Living
Unless otherwise noted, visit www.multicare.org/classes
or call 800-342-9919 for information or to register.
YOUR HEALTHY PREGNANCY
Breast Pump Rental Depot
and Breastfeeding Supplies
Value, choice and selection. Rent or buy.
253-403-3020
253-403-1331
Breastfeeding Support Hotline
Expert answers...now.
253-403-1331
Car Seat Workshop
for Expectant Parents
s
’
l
r
 i ht
Nig t
Bring your own car seat and learn
from a car seat technician how to
properly install and use it.
fee: $20
Tacoma
800-552-1419, ext. 1234
Ou
Healthy Reflections Medical &
Day Spa and Boutique
Covington MultiCare Clinic
Everything You Ever
Wanted to Know About
Rejuvenating Your Skin
• Jan. 28, 5:30 to 8:30pm
Featuring laser procedures, hydrofacials
and physician-strength products.
Learn About Nonsurgical
Facial Enhancements
• March 24, 5:30 to 8:30pm
Walter Rooney, MD, will present
options such as:
■ Botox
■ Restalyne
■ Radiesse
Looking for
a doctor?
To R.s.v.P. for
these events, call
253-372-7008.
MultiCare primary care physicians
can care for you and your
whole family.
see page 8 to learn more.
www.multicare.org | 15
In your words:
MultiCare staff
goes the extra mile
Do you have a MultiCare story you’d like to share? We’d love to hear it, and it may
appear in a future issue of Healthy Living. Send it to [email protected].
Winter’s
here!
An excerpt from a letter received by
Covington MultiCare Clinic:
ouR son Is a patient of dr. gayathri
Rao at Covington. she, her staff—dawn
and Kim—and the receptionist, vicki, were
all so great to work with that I had to write
to say “thank you” for having such a caring
and competent staff.
last december my son came down with a
virus that left him vomiting all day. I got on
dr. Rao’s calendar and brought my son in.
The lobby was packed, with nearly all
chairs full and patients lined from the desk
to the door. vicki took one look at my
son, holding his “just in case” barf bowl,
and expedited him to an exam room so he
could lie down. she took care of the checkin paperwork and handled everything.
My son had to be transported to the
hospital for an overnight stay. dawn stayed
with us, as did dr. Rao. It was now after
hours on a friday as we waited for the
ambulance to arrive. Both dawn and
dr. Rao could have been on their way home
to their families, but they stayed with us and
were cheerful and comforting the whole time.
during the weekend dr. Rao called
the hospital to follow up on my son’s
condition, and the following Tuesday she
placed a call to our home to see how he
was doing. To find this level of personal
attention, service and caring is amazing.
It is a comforting feeling to know that
whenever we need medical attention, we
can come to MultiCare Covington without
a second thought. Having such reliable
care is a luxury, a blessing and is very
comforting indeed.
MultiCare Health System
P.O. Box 5299
Tacoma, WA 9815-0299
Nonprofit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
MultiCare
Health System
He’s ready!
Are you?
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SKC
STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER! | SIGN UP FOR A CLASS. SEE PAGE 12.