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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? Page before SKC STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER! | SIGN UP FOR A CLASS. SEE PAGE 12.