allenmore hospital | good samaritan community … 23rd ave. s.e. puyallup, wa 98372 253-841-4378...

HealthyLivingAllenmore Hospital | good Samaritan Community Healthcare | Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center | Tacoma general Hospital | MultiCare Clinics

HealthyLivingAllenmore Hospital | good Samaritan Community Healthcare | Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center | Tacoma general Hospital | MultiCare Clinics

Jillian Michaels of Tv’s The Biggest Loser wants you to Do Something Healthy!

Meet her Jan. 24PAge 8

WINTER 2008 | www.multicare.org

expansion news!PAge 6

KIDS COUNT!

Kids’ weight: Tackle the issue nowNowadays it’s not just adults who deal with weight—your kids are also fighting the battle of the bulge.

10 Catching up with the losersPierce County’s Biggest Winners are still going strong. Check their progress since the contest.

11

[spotlight]

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 services, serving 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 98415-0299. 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. CUN21161c

An exciting new yearDear Healthy Living readers,

The new year is a time

to look to the future. We

here at good Samaritan are

ringing in 2008 with much

anticipation for what is to

come.

Later this year, we will

begin moving ground for our new 350,000-

square-foot Patient Care Tower, forever chang-

ing the good Samaritan campus and the

community.

Our expansion will position good Samaritan

as a regional medical center, able to serve

a greater number of patients in our commu-

nity. in February we will be hosting the first of

many celebrations at good Samaritan with a

ceremony designating our construction site.

This site celebration will serve as the kick-off

for our multiyear construction plan. Read more

about our expansion plans in this issue of

Healthy Living on page 6.

Meanwhile, get inspired for your own excit-

ing new year at the ninth annual Do Something

Healthy—featuring keynote speaker Jillian

Michaels, from The Biggest Loser television

program—Thursday, Jan. 24, from 6 to 9pm

at the greater Tacoma Convention and Trade

Center (see page 8 for details).

Last year, more than 1,000 people attended

this inspiring event, which also kicked off

Pierce County’s Biggest Winner, a partnership

with the yMCA of Tacoma–Pierce County, the

Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department and

our affiliate, MultiCare Health System. Two teams

totaling 10 community members competed to

reach their fitness and weight-loss goals.

i invite you to take a few minutes to read

about the exciting changes taking place here

at good Samaritan. i find the excitement on

our campus contagious, and i believe that,

after reading Healthy Living, you will feel it too.

yours truly,

John Long, President

good Samaritan Community Healthcare

Thoracic surgery expanded to east Pierce CountyMultiCare Cardiothoracic Surgical

Associates—Allen graeve, MD;

Charles Anderson, MD; and Dennis

Nichols, MD—are now performing

thoracic surgery at good Samaritan

Hospital, as well as offering consulta-

tions and follow-ups at the good

Samaritan Ambulatory Surgery Center.

For more information, call 253-

403-7257.

MultiCare goes red Taking care of your heart is more important than you may

know. That’s why MultiCare Health System has joined

forces with the American Heart Association to launch

Pierce County goes Red. This yearlong movement gives

women the tools and knowledge they need to reduce

their risk of heart disease and stroke and protect their

health.

“Too few people realize that heart disease is

the No. 1 killer of women—and men,” says Uma

Krishnan, MD, cardiologist and go Red For Women

ambassador. “But the good news is heart disease

can be largely prevented.”

How can you go Red? Learn the signs and symp-

toms of a heart attack. Schedule a heart checkup.

Wear a red dress. However you choose to go Red, do it

for the health of your heart.

To schedule your heart checkup, call 253-403-2898.

Join MultiCare and the American Heart Association on National Wear Red Day

for our Go Red For Women Rally, featuring free health screenings, food, entertainment and more!

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

Friday, Feb. 1 Tacoma Mall (outside of Macy’s) 11am to 1pm

2 | Healthy Living

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.

12 Take steps for better healthFrom yoga and aerobics to sup-port groups and safety classes, good Samaritan wants to be involved in your health.

13

Sheela Ahmed, MD

Specialty: Pulmonary/Critical Care

good Samaritan Pulmonary/

Critical Care Clinic

702 23rd Ave. S.e.

Puyallup, WA 98372

253-841-4378

Kenneth Berger, MD

Specialty: Urology

Puyallup Surgical Consultants

1519 3rd St. S.e., Suite 210

Puyallup, WA 98372

253-840-4994

Hani Ghali, MD*

Specialty: Internal Medicine

Sound inpatient Physicians

253-697-4000

Ashley Keays, DO

Specialty: Family Medicine

good Samaritan Family Medicine

1518 Main St.

Sumner, WA 98390

253-697-7400

Jay Klarnet, MD

Specialty: Hematology/Oncology

MultiCare Hematology/

Oncology Clinics

Tacoma, gig Harbor and Covington

253-403-1677

Christine Lee, MD*

Specialty: Anesthesiology

Rainier Anesthesia Associates

253-445-5828

Jason Love, MD*

Specialty: Pathology

Western Washington

Pathology Associates

253-403-1043

Rajesh Manam, MD

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Digestive Health Specialists

1703 S. Meridian, Suite 305

Puyallup, WA 98371

253-841-3933

Nellie Nanda, MD*



253-697-4000

Jeffrey Newman, MD

Specialty: Dermatology

Puyallup Dermatology Clinic

929 e. Main Ave., Suite 210

Puyallup, WA 98372

253-841-2453

Anahita Rezaie, MD*

Specialty: Gastroenterology

Digestive Health Specialists

253-272-5127

Derek Scott, MD

Specialty: Physical

Medicine and Rehab

U.S. Healthworks

3850 S. Meridian

Puyallup, WA 98373

253-840-1840

J. Scott Taylor, MD*

Specialty: Emergency Medicine

Mt. Rainier emergency Physicians

good Samaritan Hospital

emergency Department

253-697-4000

Kevin Trice, MD

Specialty: Pulmonary/Critical Care

good Samaritan

Pulmonary/Critical Care Clinic

702 23rd Ave. S.e.

Puyallup, WA 98372

253-841-4378

Scott Walker, MD

Specialty: Radiology/

Neuroradiology

Medical imaging Northwest

222 15th Ave. S.e.

Puyallup, WA 98372

253-841-4353

Lori Walund, MD*



253-697-4000

Anna Zampona, MD*

Specialty: Family Medicine


253-697-4000

*Hospital-based physicians

interested in weight control?

Look for the tape measure!

Pages 8 to 11

www.goodsamhealth.org | 3

New docs on the blockPlease welcome the following physicians to the good Samaritan

community. For more information, visit www.goodsamhealth.org

and click on “Find a Physician” or call our physician referral line

at 253-697-4444.

[winter sports]

RegaRdless of the type of activity you choose this winter, safety should be a top priority—especially when it comes to pro-tecting your knees.

“Knees are more prone to injury when individuals try to perform above their skill level or when they aren’t physically in shape for an activity, such as ski-ing,” says James Wyman, Md, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon at advanced orthopaedic specialists in Puyallup,

who regularly performs surgery at good samaritan.

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. specialists like dr. Wyman can offer the most advanced procedures, such as ligament reconstruction and cartilage transplants, to help individuals

meniscal tear is removal of the torn tissue,” dr. Wyman says. “But if the tear is in a favorable area, where there is still blood supply available, it can sometimes be repaired.”

3 Cartilage is a smooth tissue that covers the ends of bones in a joint and enables

joints to support your weight when you bend, stretch, walk and run. Cartilage loss, where divots, or pieces, of the cartilage are broken free, can occur when there is trauma to the knee caused by a sports injury or accident.

a cartilage transplant—taking healthy cartilage from a donor or from another location in the joint and placing it in the damaged area—may be the best option. In some cases replacement cartilage can be grown in a lab and then inserted into the patient’s knee. This requires two surger-ies, one where cartilage cells are harvested from the knee to be cultured, and a second to insert the new cartilage after a sufficient number of new cells have been grown.

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

return to their active lifestyles following a knee injury.

3 common injuriesThe three most common winter sports knee injuries are anterior cruciate ligament (aCl) injuries, meniscus tears and cartilage damage.

1 Ligaments are bands of tough, elastic connective tissue that surround a joint

to give support and limit the joint’s move-ment. The aCl is frequently injured when force is applied to the knee, such as falling while skiing or snowboarding. This force causes the ligaments within the knee to tear as they work to keep the knee from being dislocated. The damaged ligament can be reconstructed using a strip of tendon from the patient’s knee or donor tissue.

2 The meniscus is cartilage that acts as a buffer between the two large bones of

the knee. “Meniscal tears are less common in skiers

than anterior cruciate ligament injuries,” dr. Wyman explains. But they can occur when the knee is twisted or overflexed.

“The most common treatment for a

The slippery slope of Protecting your knees this winter sports season

winter sports

James Wyman, MD

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.

• Look for clothing made of newer cold-

weather 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 Mary Bridge Center for

Childhood Safety at 253-403-1234.

Children on the slopes: Playing it safe

4 | Healthy Living

area and fi ll in the cartilage gap.“Microfracture surgery is one of the

most common cartilage procedures per-formed,” dr. Wyman says. “But it may not be the best procedure for everyone.”

Small incisions mean big improvementsarthroscopy enables dr. Wyman to diag-nose and treat knee disorders by providing a clear view of the inside of the knee withsmall incisions, using a pencil-size instru-ment called an arthroscope. The scope hasa small camera that transmits an image ofthe 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.

“almost all the sports-related injuries that require surgery are being done arthro-scopically,” says dr. Wyman.

The benefi ts of arthroscopy include smaller incisions, less pain, faster healing, a more rapid recovery and less scarring. arthroscopic surgical procedures are typi-cally performed on an outpatient basis and take only a few hours, and the patient is able to return home the same day. every case and patient is unique, dr. Wyman notes, but typical full recovery time from arthro-scopic knee surgery is three to six months, depending on the procedure.

getting you back in actionThe best course of treatment for a knee injury depends on a number of factors, dr. Wyman notes, including how the injury occurred, the severity of the injury and the age of the patient. But regardless of those factors, dr. Wyman’s ultimate goal is to get his patients back to their pre-injury performance level.

“Typically over 90 out of 100 patients will return to their prior level of perfor-mance,” dr. Wyman says. “That should be the expectation.”

Need a referral to an orthopedic surgeon? Call good samaritan’s

Physician Referral line at 253-697-4444.


Building

[Patient Care Tower]

THRee YeaRs, 350,000 square feet and $400 million dollars. Those are the num-bers surrounding the biggest construction project in east Pierce County. last year good samaritan’s Board of directors and the City of Puyallup unanimously approved plans for the construction of good samar-itan’s new Patient Care Tower and Medical offi ce Building. This project will provide the community with a new emergency department, surgery and Imaging depart-ments, and private patient rooms.

This good samaritan legacy project will require hundreds of construction workers, thousands of construction hours and plenty of construction plans. along the way, there will be many milestones that we plan to share with our community.

The fi rst milestone in 2008 is the designa-tion of the construction site. In february good samaritan will host a public site celebration that will provide an opportunity for the community to see the latest con-struction plans along with an actual scale model depicting the new good samaritan campus.

later in the year, good samaritan will host a ground-breaking for the new Patient Care Tower. This event will kick off the

heavy-construction period on the campus. Below is an architect’s drawing of how the campus will look when construction is complete in late 2010.

Watch our progress and mark the milestones

for the future

For progress updates on good Samaritan’s new Patient Care Tower, be sure to visit www.goodsamhealth.org.

6 | Healthy Living

Another extraordinary event! Another extraordinary event!

The Foundation supports Mobile Health at good Samaritan

Save the dates! good Samaritan Foundation is working on

some fantastic events for 2008. Stay tuned

for more information about the following:

• Feb. 22 —good Samaritan Construction

Site Celebration

• March 27—Annual Meeting

• Spring—girls Night Out at Windmill gardens

• June 21—Northwest Corks & Crush

• July 25 —19th Annual good Samaritan

golf Classic

• August—Home Team Northwest Rummage

Sale

• September—Toscanos Café & Wine Bar

Anniversary Benefi t

• October—Come Walk With Me Cancer Benefi t

• November—Tis the Season

visit www.goodsamhealth.org/foundation

for more details.

The Mobile Health vehicle visits Bonney Lake

and the greater Puyallup area.

Mobile Health at good Samaritan has a

fantastic community vaccination program,

and the Foundation was glad to lend support

to it last year.

vaccines are extremely vulnerable and need

to be maintained within a temperature range

of only 11 degrees. in the past 12 months,

Mobile Health tried three domestic-grade re-

frigerators in an effort to fi nd the temperature

sweet spot for its vaccine inventory. employ-

ees of Mobile Health were required to wear an

alarm pager to notify them if the temperature

varied beyond the allowable range. When this

happened, employees often had to return to

work after hours to move vaccines—hoping

to arrive in time to preserve the quality of

the vaccines.

All that came to an end when the good

Samaritan Foundation Board of Trustees

allocated funding for a new, medical-grade

refrigerator to replace—once and for all—

the standard, domestic-grade refrigerators

that were less than adequate.

Thanks in part to this newly funded refrig-

erator, vaccines have been available this fl u

season all around eastern Pierce County.

The fi fth annual Tis the Season, held

Nov. 16, was a great success and raised

a total of $212,000 to benefi t children’s pro-

grams at good Samaritan! The sold-out event

welcomed more than 460 guests to Watson’s

greenhouse & Nursery for an evening of shop-

ping and bidding with KiNg Tv’s John Curley

as master of ceremonies.

A special appeal was made to support

good Samaritan’s Level ii Special Care

Nursery for acutely ill and premature infants,

and the crowd responded with amazing

generosity, raising their paddles until a total

of $60,000 was reached!

Benefi ting children’s programs

at Good Samaritan:

• Special Care Nursery

• inpatient Pediatrics

• Children’s Therapy Unit

• Family Support Center


The Biggest Winners

you can win by losing —one inch at a time

TTHeRe’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 fi t, and you’ve watchedher help others lose a lot of unwanted pounds and learn how to live healthy lives. Now you can see Michaels in person at this year’s do something Healthy event, which is bound to include an inspirational dose of “anybody can do it” when it comes to getting physical, eating well and main-taining a healthy weight, Barnard says.

“People want to live a healthy life, but

Jan. 24Do Something Healthy 9

Meet Jillian Michaels and sign upfor the Million Minute Mission.

FebruaryStart classes at the

yMCA. (Register online: www.tacomaymca.org.)

8 | Healthy Living8 | Healthy Living

The Biggest Winnersare the biggest losers

sometimes they don’t know how to get mo-tivated or where to start,” Barnard says. “do something Healthy is a great first step to learning more about health and nutrition and getting the motivation to make healthy changes to their lives.”

In addition to helping others succeed, Michaels’ own healthy pursuits have led to several personal successes. she has a weekly radio show, fitness dVds and two published books, including her latest, Making the Cut: Thirty Days to the Strongest, Sexiest You.

according to her website, the energetic fitness trainer and life coach struggled with her

own weight, so she knows firsthand about the challenges. Then came martial arts, a source of her passion for fitness training.

This passion, along with Michaels’ desire to help people reach their fitness goals, should make the do something Healthy event all the more inspirational and exciting.

In addition to Michaels’ featured presen-tation, do something Healthy will include a health fair and screenings, and a registered dietitian and personal trainer will be available to answer attendees’ questions about nutri-tion, healthy eating and physical activity.

and if previous events are an indication—

Join the Million Minute Mission Here’s your mission, should you choose to accept it: Help your Pierce County friends and neigh-

bors 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: you register online—it’s easy—and then log

an average of 30 minutes of physical activity five or more days a week,

Jan. 24 through June 14. 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.

you can win by losing—one inch at a time

this is the ninth year do something Healthy is taking place—people will walk away with something they can use to better their health, perhaps profoundly so. Barnard has seen it before: “Participants have taken information from this event,” she says, “and used it to change their lives.”

DO SOMeTHiNg HeALTHy 9

Meet Jillian!

When: Thursday, Jan. 24, 6 to 9pm

Where: greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma

This year’s theme: Weight Maintenance—Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Special guest: Jillian Michaels, trainer 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.

June 14 Sound to Narrows

Fun and fitness for a great cause and the Biggest Winner

finale. See you there!

April Tracking your weight each

week is one good way to monitor your health.

www.multicare.org/mission

May Thirty minutes a day:

Keep logging your exercise at www.multicare.org/mission.

Marchget your Passport

to Healthy Dining at www.piercecountygetsfit.org.


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 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 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

Help your kids manage their weight

Pierce County gets your family fi t

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. a pediatrician can determine if your child is overweight. He or she also can give you advice on safe ways to help children take off extra pounds.

Call good samaritan’s 24-hour Physi-cian Referral line at 253-697-4444.

Pierce County residents, are you ready to

make good on those New year’s resolutions?

Let Pierce County gets Fit help you and your

family meet your 2008 fi tness goals.

Pierce County gets Fit is a partnership

between MultiCare Health System, the

Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department

and the yMCA of Tacoma–Pierce County.

Formed in 2005, the goal of Pierce County

gets Fit is simple: Help

you and your family get

fi t. Best of all, it’s easy

to participate.

Whatever your health challenges or fi tness

goals, Pierce County gets Fit has something

for everyone. For health, nutrition and fi tness

resources for adults and kids alike, visit

www.piercecountygetsfi t.org.

[healthy families]

10 | Healthy Living

lasT feBRUaRY, two teams of fi ve contes-tants took part in a four-month weight-loss competition modeled after The Biggest LoserTV show. a collaborative effort of MultiCareHealth system, the YMCa of Tacoma–Pierce County and the Tacoma–Pierce County Health department, Pierce County’s Biggest Winner contest and ongoing weight-maintenance program were designed to help Pierce County residents adopt healthier lifestyles.

While the competition ended months ago, the contest’s top two “losers” are still going strong.

What’s new with Aaronaaron stewart may have been the contest’s fi rst-place winner, but he considers his im-proved health and lifestyle the real prize.

“It was the best experience of my life—from the fellowship to the weight loss to the whole transformation of my diet and how I think about food,” he says.

a 32-year-old executive pastor from University Place, aaron is a former college football player who feels just as strong today as he did while playing for Pacifi c lutheran University more than a decade ago. aaron weighed 295 pounds coming into the com-petition and has lost a total of 52 pounds, or 20 percent of his body weight. He credits MultiCare dietitians, the YMCa trainer, fellow teammates and his wife for his success.

“What I really learned is that it’s not about dieting,” he says. “It’s about

Catching up with the Biggest Winners

2008: Be our next Biggest Winner!

MultiCare Health System, the yMCA of Tacoma–Pierce County and the Tacoma–Pierce County

Health Department challenge you to get fi t and be healthy in 2008. A MultiCare physician and

registered dietitian, along with a personal trainer from the yMCA, will oversee the Pierce County

Biggest Winner program to ensure that participants are losing weight and exercising in a safe,

healthy way. Applications for the program are available at www.piercecountygetsfi t.org.

changing the way we eat.” aaron continues to exercise

regularly at the YMCa with his wife, as well as fellow team member Chris Waiss. He’s kept the weight off and plans to lose fi ve to 10 more pounds.

Checking in with Aprilapril Waddington was determined to make a dramatic change in her weight and life-style. and she did, coming in second overall in the contest and losing nearly 50 pounds and 17 percent of her body weight.

The 34-year-old family support worker from Puyallup battled her weight for more than a decade and was 278 pounds when the competition began. athletic in school, april was inspired to participate by the competitive nature of the contest.

“Having such a great team motivated me to do more—for myself and the team,” she explains. “I had to be accountable to someone, and that made a big difference.”

april looks forward to reaching her goal weight of 165 pounds. The key, she says, is combining low-fat proteins and a high-fi ber diet chock-full of fruits and vegetables with an exercise program that includes fi tness classes, weight training and yoga.

“There’s no magic pill,” she says. “It takes work, but it’s worth it. I feel 100 percent better!”

[update]


LATHER UP! Use soap and water all over

your hands—don’t miss a fi ngernail! Scrub

20 seconds, long enough to sing the “Happy

Birthday” song twice.

AH-CHOO! if you

can’t reach a

tissue, sneeze

or cough into the inside

of your elbow (not your

hands).

NO WATER? gellin’

works too. Rub cleaning

gel (at least 60 percent

alcohol) all over your

hands until they’re dry.

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)!

Be a germbuster!

1

4

2

3

Are your kids making you sick?

YoU TeaCH your kids to share their toys and games. But how do you teach them notto 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 opportuni-ties 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.”

Keep germs at bayThere 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 fi nd pointers for effective handwashing techniques at left 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 germ load in the environment.

In addition, a strong immune system helps kids fi ght off infections, Patrick says. so make sure your child is eating right and getting enough rest and exercise.

“getting vaccinated for vaccine-preventable 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.

Sources: Marcia Patrick, RN, MSN, CiC, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

✂

12 | Healthy Living

Smart steps for a healthy life

SENIORSEnhanceFitness An ongoing senior exercise class offered by the Good Samaritan Celebrate Senior-ity program designed to improve strength, fl exibility and balance and improve your cardiorespiratory system. This class is three days a week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, at various locations and times. Call Sarita Stotler, certifi ed instructor, at 253-697-7389 for further information.

Gentle Yoga for SeniorsThree-week series offered by the Good Samaritan Celebrate Seniority program. Give it a try! Learn about strength, stretch-ing, balance, relaxation and more effi cient breathing. Fee: $15 per series For dates and times, visit www.goodsam health.org or call 253-697-7385.

Tai Chi ClassA class designed to reduce stress,

improve strength, increase circulation, and enhance focus and concentration.Tuesdays, � ursdays and Fridays, 8:30 to 9:30am, Sumner Senior Center, 15506 62nd St. Court E. Call David Lettich or Sumner Senior Center at 253-863-2910.

Visit www.goodsamhealth.org for a complete calendar list or

to register. Click on “Classes and events for the public.”

January through

March 2008

DIABETESDiabetes EducationRegistration and a physician referral are required.253-770-2300

CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH Heart Healthy Eating ClassPerfect for anyone with a personal or fam-ily history of heart disease or high cholesterol. Learn how fats, cholesterol, carbohydrates and salt affect heart health, plus how to look out for your heart at the grocery store and in restaurants. 253-697-8141

VOLUNTEERING Good Samaritan’s strong force of more than 900 volunteers has discovered the secret of feeling great. By sharing some of your time, you can too. Volunteer opportunities are available in a variety of areas. 253-697-1568

STAYING SAFEFirst AidUnderstanding of standard fi rst aid and adult CPR. Certifi cation requires written and skills exams.253-474-0600

Life Vest and Helmet Fitting ProgramThe Helmet and Life Vest Program is active all year. Helmet and life vests are fi tted and sold by trained volunteers.

Throughout the year, program volunteers go to special events, including the Spring Fair, Fall Fair, Tour de Pierce, and health and safety fairs. A variety of helmets are sold, including bike helmets, multi-impact helmets and ski helmets. The life vests for sale are type III, which are great for the local lakes. • Good Samaritan Celebrate Seniority Offi ce: � ursdays, 2 to 4pm• Good Samaritan kiosk at South Hill Mall: Second Saturday of each month, 11am to 3pm

“Hold Onto Your Kids”—Dr. Gordon Neufeld Best-selling author dr. gordon Neufeld talks about the piv-otal role a good bond with parents plays in a child’s healthy development. according to dr. Neufeld, societal change is endangering the child-parent relationship, and peers are in-creasingly replacing parents as key players in kids’ lives. Join us for a dynamic, inspiring discussion about what we can do to cultivate the kind of relationships with our children that keep them safe, healthy and thriving throughout their lives.fee: $18 in advance; $25 at the doorTuesday, March 11, 7 to 9pm, annie Wright school–Kemper Center, Tacoma. Register online at www.parentmap.com; click on “Pathways.”

PATHWAYS LECTURE SERIES


Smart steps for a healthy life

Unless otherwise noted, visit www.goodsamhealth.org for information or to register.

[calendar of events]

QUITSMART™ TOBACCO CESSATIONA medically based program that pre-pares you mentally and physically to quit using tobacco. A trained facilitator helps you identify and conquer chal-lenges that may prevent you from suc-ceeding and teaches you new, healthy habits to replace the unhealthy ones.

Fee: $80 (partial scholarships avail-able for income-qualifi ed 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

PARENTING AND CHILDRENChildhood ImmunizationsFree to qualifi ed parents.

253-697-8160

Children’s Diabetes Education and ClinicIndividual education for children newly diagnosed with diabetes and for their families. By appointment for those who need further education or review. Classes, camps and support groups also available. Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital253-403-3131

Kangaroo KapersChildren ages 3 through 7 who are about to become big brothers or sisters will love this! The one-hour class provides nonmedical, nontechnical information about childbirth.Fee: $15/family

Tour the Family Birth CenterSaturdays, 1pm

No registration required.

Mom and Baby Support GroupNew moms fi nd opportunities to meet other new moms and discuss the joys and challenges of adjusting to parenthood. Separate one-hour sessions for newborns to 6-month-olds and for 6- to 12-month-olds. Fee: $3/session

Children’s Asthma EducationEducation for children with asthma and their families.Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital253-403-3131

Water BabiesIn-pool exercise class for new moms and their babies ages 3 to 12 months. Includes cardio-vascular and strengthening exercises specifi -cally designed for postpartum moms along with movement games and water acclimation activities for the babies. Fee: $72/six-week session To register, call Glenda at 253-697-2775.

Prepared ChildbirthFive-week sessions as well as some weekend and one-day sessions for fi rst-time parents-to-be. Comprehensive topics include breathing and relaxation techniques, stages of labor and delivery, medications, cesarean delivery, caring for yourself after delivery, newborn characteristics, and feeding your newborn. Fee: $85 or medical coupon; $75 for one-day class Register online at www.goodsambaby.orgor call 253-697-5300.

BOOT CAMP FOR NEW DADS as the Johnson & Johnson® commercial says, “Having a baby changes everything.” It can be the most rewarding experience, but for a fi rst-time dad, it can also be a bit overwhelming. so if you’re a new dad or dad-to-be, take Boot Camp for New dads at good samaritan’s family Birth Center.

This three-hour class trains fi rst-time fa-thers to become knowledgeable, confi dent dads. Taught by experienced fathers who bring their own babies, this class teaches participants about feeding, diaper changing and supporting mom. Fee: $25; preregistration is required. Call 253-697-5300 for more information.

14 | Healthy Living



CANCERFor information about Good Samaritan’s wide range of cancer support services, call 253-697-4899.

Puyallup Support Group For patients, caregivers, adult family members and friends. Meeting includes educational program, refreshments, a sharing circle and a lending library of resources. First � ursday of each month, 1 to 3pm,Puyallup United Methodist Church, 1919 W. Pioneer Ave. 253-697-4863

Women’s Support GroupThis group is open to any female with

a diagnosis of cancer. The atmosphere is very informal, and it is an excellent opportunity to share and learn with others. Occasional speak-ers also present on topics of interest to group members. If you are feeling alone or isolated, please consider joining us.

Second Tuesday of the month, 6:30 to 8:30pm, Good Samaritan Cancer Center, conference room, 400 15th Ave. S.E., fi rst fl oor Fee: Donations welcome253-697-4863

Man-to-Man Prostate Cancer Support Group

Do you have questions about prostate cancer? Join a group that can provide answers and support, facilitated by trained volunteers who have recovered from prostate cancer. First Wednesday of each month, 7 to 9pm,Good Samaritan (call for room location)Call Weldon Plett at 253-582-8440, ext. 76531

Focus on Healing Dance Movement Class

An exercise class specifi cally designed to address concerns of lymphedema for breast cancer sur-vivors. The class uses gentle dance movements

that target certain muscle groups and encour-ages overall body toning. The class is open to any female with a diagnosis of cancer. Mondays (except holidays), 5:15 to 6:15pm,East Main Campus conference room, 1317 E. Main, Safeway plaza (enter at the rear of the west end of the building) Preregistration required.Call Deb Makin 253-332-6154 to sign up or 253-697-4863 for more information.

Look Good ... Feel BetterThis program for female cancer patients is offeredin partnership with the American Cancer Society, the National Cosmetology Association and the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Asso-ciation Foundation. Trained volunteer cosme-tologists teach women how to cope with skin changes and hair loss, using cosmetics and skin care products donated by the cosmetics industry.Women also learn ways to disguise hair loss with wigs, scarves and other accessories. 253-697-4863

SUPPORT GROUPSGood Samaritan hosts support groups for a variety of topics, including brain injury, cancer, chronic fatigue/immune dysfunc-tion syndrome, bereavement, sarcoidosis and parent support.

Cancer Support GroupsSee the cancer section below.

Brain Injury and Stroke Support Group: Understanding Symptoms and RecoveryHelps families understand how neurologic conditions affect thinking abilities and emotions.253-697-1807

Grief Support GroupsGood Samaritan Hospital offers bereavement support groups. Registration is required.253-697-2419

QuitTobacco Support Group Great success rates! No matter where you are in the quit process, this group is for you. Topics include tobacco addiction, suc-cessful cessation practices, individualized quit plans, nicotine replacement therapies, cessation medications, withdrawal symptoms, coping skills, relapse and recovery. Drop-ins are welcome; low-cost nicotine patches are available. For best results, we recommend weekly group attendance for one year follow-ing your fi nal quit date.• Good Samaritan Community Healthcare: Mondays, 7 to 8pm• Allenmore Hospital, boardroom: Mondays, Noon to 1pm• Tacoma General Hospital, 6M: Tuesdays, 11:45am to 12:45pm• MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park: Wednesdays, 7 to 8pm For more information, contact Heidi Hen-son at 253-223-7538.

Caregiver Support GroupThis group is open to caregivers of any diag-nosis. It is a place to receive support, ask questions and connect with other caregivers.Second Monday of each month, 1:30 to 3pm, Good Samaritan Commu-nity Services (Behavioral Healthcare), 325 E. Pioneer Ave., Room C113 (middle entrance)Fee: Suggested donation is $2/meetingCall Kathie McCormack, LMFT, at 253-697-8532.


STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER! | SigN UP FOR A CLASS. See PAge 13. STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER!

oNCe UPoN a time when you visited your doctor’s offi ce, the only letters you would see after people’s names were “RN” or “Md.” But now it’s routine to see “do,” “aRNP” and “Pa.” It can be confusing to remember just what those letters stand for.

DO: Doctor of osteopathic medicine osteopathy emphasizes a patient’s health as a whole as well as the relationship between the body’s nerves, muscles, bones and organs. Instead of treating specifi c symptoms or illnesses, dos—who frequently serve in primary care areas, such as family medicine, women’s health and pediatrics—treat the body as an integrated whole, with a focus on disease prevention and health maintenance. like Mds (allopathic physicians), dos are fully qualifi ed physicians licensed to pre-scribe medication and perform surgery.

dos also receive training in osteopathic manipulative treatment, a technique

either independently or as part of a larger health care team.

PA: Physician assistant Physician assistants are health care pro-fessionals licensed to practice medicine with physician supervision. Pas conduct physical exams, as well as diagnose and treat illnesses, order and interpret tests, offer information on preventive health care, write prescriptions, and assist in surgery.

like medical students, Pas receive train-ing in basic medical and behavioral sciences. after completing a two-year accredited education program, Pas must pass a national exam to become certifi ed and qualify for a state license. To maintain their certifi cation, Pas must complete 100 hours of education every two years and pass a recertifi cation exam every six years.

No matter what initials you see after their names, these highly skilled professionals can provide you with expanded options for your health care.

that allows them to use their hands to diag-nose injury and illness and promote healing with techniques including stretching, gentle pressure and resistance.

ARNP: Advanced registered nurse practitioneran aRNP is a registered nurse who hasearned a master’s degree in a nurse prac-titioner program and who typically has extensive clinical experience prior to be-coming an aRNP. although aRNPs often work alongside physicians, in Washington and other states they may also maintain their own private practices.

aRNPs provide care in a variety of set-tings, focusing mainly on health mainte-nance, disease prevention, counseling and patient education.

aRNP specialties include neonatology, pediatrics, family and adult health, mental health, geriatrics, and many others. aRNPs are able to diagnose and manage most common and many chronic illnesses,

Alphabet soup Making sense of your health care team

MultiCare Health SystemP.O. Box 5299Tacoma, WA 98415-0299

Nonprofi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMultiCare

Health System

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See what Pierce County’s 2007 Biggest Winners look like now!

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