http://www.multicare.org/home/rss/news News RSS Feed en-us Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:36:50 PST Tue, 09 Feb 2010 06:36:50 PST /home/news/146 On Wednesday, February 3rd, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital began providing adult elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or angioplasty. Angioplasty is the technique of mechanical widening of a narrowed or totally obstructed blood vessel in the heart.“This is another step towards MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital becoming the regional medical center of choice for everyone in East Pierce County,” said John Long, President of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital. “With the accreditation of our Chest Pain Center and the creation of a dedicated cardiac unit, Good Sam will continue to expand our top quality cardiac program so patients requiring cardiac care can stay close to home.”The 2007 Washington Sate Legislature directed the Department of Health (DOH) to develop rules to lift restrictions on elective angioplasty to include hospitals that have shown the capabilities to provide this service without risk to the patient. Many hospitals agreed on the implementation of the following rules: Require hospitals to go through a rigorous approval process (Certificate of Need) to prove capabilities, community need and standards to ensure the quality of care for patients Put the health and choices of patients above economics Provide a reasonable level of assurance for existing providers that the new system will recognize local economic realities.After an 18-month process, the DOH laid out planning areas that allowed Good Samaritan to apply for the Certificate of Need (CON). On October 23rd, the CON was approved. /home/news/145 MultiCare’s Steam Plant was honored by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Washington during its annual award ceremony in January. The plant, located adjacent to historic Wright Park, received a Silver Award in the Energy category. The annual contest recognizes engineering excellence and considers dozens of entries. The award was presented to Wood Harbinger Inc., an engineering company in Seattle that designed the mechanical and electrical systems in the MultiCare Steam Plant. MultiCare’s Steam Plant opened in March 2009. The plant provides MultiCare’s Tacoma General and Mary Bridge Children’s hospitals with sterilization, heat, energy and oxygen supply needs, and furnishes backup power in the event of an emergency. It also is designed to cut harmful emissions in the area by up to 30 percent over the previous facility. The exterior of the Steam Plant pays homage to inventors and scientists who were responsible for many of the advances made in modern physics and engineering. The red brick construction matches surrounding buildings, and glass windows reflect the trees and colors of Wright Park. Three boilers, which are fueled by natural gas, are housed in the new building. Water is heated by natural gas, and the resulting steam is piped underground and throughout the hospital campus to sterilize equipment and provide heat. The facility also includes three emergency generators to power the surrounding campus during power outages and disasters. /home/news/143 This new program will connect MultiCare physicians with the community in a new way by taking questions about a variety of topics in a live web chat. Once a month, a new doctor will be featured with a new hot topic. Users will be able to ask the physician questions in a live chat format. Transcripts of the chats will also be available for review after the live chat has concluded. Join Dr. Fadi Aljabi on multicare.org Jan. 26 at 11am for our first ever chat. The first topic is Cold vs Flu in Kids: How to Know the Difference. Visit multicare.org on Jan. 26 at 11am to participate. Questions can also be submitted prior to the start of the chat by emailing webmaster@multicare.org. To participate in the chat visit http://www.multicare.org/home/health-connect /home/news/144 MultiCare Health System recently earned the highest ranking among West Coast health systems for its efficiency and integrated healthcare network and also placed fourth in national rankings. MultiCare is ranked No. 4 on the 2010 Top 100 Integrated Health Networks list, compiled by independent researcher SDI and reported in the Jan. 25 issue of Modern Healthcare magazine. The list ranks local and regional health care networks on service, technology and other factors. MultiCare achieved the highest rank among West Coast hospitals. Three other Washington health systems made the list of the Top 100. This is the eighth consecutive year MultiCare has ranked in the Top 100. The system was ranked No. 6 in 2009 and No. 8 in 2008. “MultiCare continues to rise in the rankings and that’s a credit to all the employees who work so hard to provide the best care available to residents in the South Sound,” said MultiCare Good Samaritan President John Long. “Our performance is a testament to our commitment to patient care and our robust electronic health record.” The rating evaluates each network\'s ability to operate as a unified organization in each of eight categories: integration, integrated technology, services and access, financial stability, hospital utilization, outpatient utilization, physicians and contractual capabilities. MultiCare continues to integrate electronic health records (EHR) within the clinics and hospitals. This has made MultiCare one of few health systems in the nation to implement a comprehensive electronic health records system. MultiCare won the prestigious HIMSS Davies Organizational Award of Excellence in 2009. The award is given to just one health care system in the country that effectively uses health information technology, such as electronic health records to improve safety and quality of patient care. Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. MultiCare Health System includes four hospitals: Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital; and a network of primary care and specialty care clinics. MultiCare is the largest health care system in the South Sound region. /home/news/142 We recently launched a new website to provide details on the new MultiCare Covington Medical Center. Check it out to learn more about our plans to build a hospital in Covington. You can show your support for the project by joining our email list or join us on Facebook or Twitter. Visit www.covingtonmedicalcenter.org. /home/news/141 Staff members from the Good Samaritan Foundation Office donated blood in support of a coworker’s premature twins. The babies, born at just 24 weeks gestation, needed blood during their time in the neonatal intensive care unit. “One of the girls in the office suggested we do a group donation in honor of the babies. And everyone jumped on board.” explains Beth Brooks, Special Events Coordinator for The Foundation.The Good Samaritan blood drive on December 10, 2009 registered 22 donors, 14 of which were first-time blood donors. /home/news/140 Tacoma General Hospital’s Stroke Program recently earned Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval – the highest possible – and earned an elite certification as a Primary Stroke Center. The certification comes, in part, because of new procedures – called Code NEURO – that ensure patients get the right treatment quickly. Anyone coming to Tacoma General Hospital with symptoms of a stroke is met by a specially trained team of doctors and nurses who immediately assess the patient and start emergency response protocols. The team consistently completes the exam and diagnostic tests including results to start treatment within 45 minutes. The quick treatment improves the outcome for the patient and improves the odds for recovery. “Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes Tacoma General Hospital’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community” said Karen Kiesz, RN, MN, CNRN, Stroke Program Coordinator. “Establishing Code NEURO was one of the best things we could do for our stroke patients. It gives them the best chance of surviving and returning to a normal lifestyle.” A stroke occurs when not enough oxygen-rich blood is reaching part of the brain. The usual result of a stroke is paralysis of one side of the body. A stroke is an emergency situation and, like a heart attack, requires immediate medical attention. Health care providers caution that “time is brain.” About 1.9 million brain cells die each minute during a stroke. Stroke is the third leading cause of death in the United States. More than 168,000 people die each year from stroke in the United States. Tacoma General Hospital received the certification following a rigorous process. Hospitals receiving the certification must show that they use industry standard procedures and advocate for patients. Joint Commission is an independent group that seeks to improve health care for the public. The certification is granted to hospitals that offer patients an integrated stroke program. At Tacoma General Hospital the stroke program includes emergency and critical care, advanced neurologic imaging and intervention, laboratory services, rehabilitation programs, education on stroke prevention, clinical research projects and community research. “Tacoma General Hospital is one of only a few institutions that offers the most advanced stroke and neurovascular care in the state,” said Dr. Brian Kott, Medical Director of the Stroke Program and Neuro Interventional Radiology. The hospital offers the latest treatments such as clot-dissolving medications and neurosurgical endovascular interventions. Doctors at Tacoma General Hospital can perform life-saving procedures inside the vessels of the brain to treat strokes and aneurysms without invasive surgery. The physician team also includes Dr. Alison Nohara and Dr. Dennis Wang. More information on strokes If you think someone may be having a stroke, use a simple acronym - F.A.S.T. – to assess: FACE Ask the person to smile. Does one side of the face droop? ARMS Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward? SPEECH Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence. Are the words slurred? Can he/she repeat the sentence correctly? TIME If the person shows any of these symptoms, time is important. Call 911 or get to the hospital FAST. Brain cells are dying. Stroke Symptoms include: Sudden numbness or weakness of face, arm or leg - especially on one side of the body. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or understanding. Sudden trouble seeing in one or both eyes. Sudden trouble walking, dizziness, loss of balance or coordination. Sudden severe headache with no known cause. Call 9-1-1 immediately if you have any of these symptoms Note the time you experienced your first symptom. This information is important to your healthcare provider and can affect treatment decisions. /home/news/139 MultiCare\'s Center For Healthy Living has announced its series of Do Something Healthy lectures for 2010. The first lecture, titled \"Sensible Weight Loss 101: Losing It in the New Year,\" will be held Thursday, Jan. 28, at 7pm at Jackson Hall. Doors open at 6pm. Taught by a MultiCare registered dietitian, the event is an opportunity to learn how to lose weight through healthy lifestyle changes. We will take a closer look at reasons and myths for why we are overweight and how to overcome them. Participants can come early to have their body mass index measurement calculated by our BioMeasure machine. The cost to attend is $5. To register, call 800-485-0205 or go to piercecountygetsfit.org. For more information, and to see this year\'s full schedule of Do Something Health events, click here. /home/news/138 In honor of his service to the community, MultiCare Health System has renamed the L wing of Tacoma General Hospital after longtime community and business leader W.W. “Bill” Philip. It will now be called the Philip Pavilion. Philip has served on the MultiCare Board of Directors since 1964 and helped grow Tacoma General, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and MultiCare’s network of health care services through his leadership and his dedication. His philanthropic support of Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital has been significant and has provided vital resources to the children’s hospital over the years that he has been associated with MultiCare. “Mr. Philip has been a great champion for MultiCare, Mary Bridge and the children in our community for decades,” said MultiCare CEO Diane Cecchettini. “He has a heart of gold, and the courage of a lion, and it is hard to imagine that we will ever again have such a remarkable leader to help us navigate through this complex health care environment.” The Philip Pavilion will be symbolized on hospital wayfinding signs by the Bonsai tree. And that’s for two reasons. First, Philip has an extensive collection of Bonsai Trees throughout his yard. Second, the years of patience, care and nurturing it takes to grow a Bonsai Tree to significant size and stature is very similar to the years of care that he has taken to build MultiCare Health System to the health care organization it is today, Cecchettini said. The Philip Pavilion houses the surgical wing and the Tacoma General Heart Hospital. Also, the Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation renamed its individual hero award in honor of Philip. It’s now called the W.W. Philip Lifetime Legacy Award. Philip is truly a cornerstone of our community. He is a Stadium High School and University of Washington alum who returned to his hometown community to make a difference. He has built successful businesses - including Columbia Bank - that contribute to the stability of our economy. He was instrumental in lobbying for and helping to build the University of Washington Tacoma. Philip’s involvement with Mary Bridge started when he needed to take his young daughter, Kelly, to the emergency room and found the emergency room closed. Over the years he and his wife, Dorothy, have generously supported the Emergency Services Campaign, the campaign for Mary Bridge, which built the new Health Center, The Karen Lynch Endowment for Family Centered Care, Courage Classic and Mary Bridge Festival of Trees. /home/news/137 MultiCare Health System’s Regional Cancer Center has been granted a three-year accreditation with seven commendations and zero deficiencies by the American College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer. The Cancer Center received the prestigious accreditation for all five locations for cancer care following an inspection process and a rigorous review of its performance. The award goes to health care facilities that are committed to providing the highest level of care to patients. MultiCare Regional Cancer Center received special recognition for its commitment to placing patients in clinical trials, its involvement in the community in early detection and prevention of cancer and its continued commitment to improve the care patients receive. “We are excited to receive this award,” said David Nicewonger, Administrator for the MultiCare Cancer Center. “This demonstrates our commitment to our communities and to providing patients the best in cancer care with state-of-the-art technology and the best doctors in the region.” MultiCare offers many of the latest cancer treatment methods including surgical robotics, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, full-body stereotactic radiosurgery and image-guided radiation therapy. From board-certified cancer specialists, gifted surgeons and dozens of specially trained and dedicated nurses, cancer care teams at MultiCare are among the most knowledgeable and compassionate in their fields. MultiCare will open Tacoma’s most comprehensive Cancer Center this spring. The expanded facilities will more than double the size of the facility to 35,000 square feet. It will include expanded rehabilitation services, the region’s most sophisticated technology options and more patient rooms. New features include Patient and Family Counseling rooms, a Meditation Room and an expanded Patient and Family Resource Center with supportive and educational programs. MultiCare offers Cancer Centers at Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital, Covington MultiCare Clinic, Auburn MultiCare Clinic and the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park. /home/news/136 Opening New Doors to Your Health CareThe construction of our new five-level, 132,000-square-foot facility represents the first phase of a long-term plan to better serve our changing community. Emergency DepartmentsDesigned with the input of MultiCare doctors and nurses, the new Emergency Departments and an Express Care Center will be more than five times the size of the existing Emergency Departments, expanding from its current combined 13,000 square feet to 73,500 square feet. Features of the new Emergency Departments include: A total of 41 \"universal\" exam rooms An Express Care Center with 32 exam rooms — including 17 for adult patients, seven for pediatric patients and two for triage Four triage rooms, two for children and two for adults A remodeled trauma suite with six large rooms that can accommodate up to 11 patient beds A spacious, comfortable patient and family waiting area for each Emergency Department — more than double the size of the existing shared waiting area Separate waiting and treatment areas for children and adults in both the Emergency Departments and the Express Care Center Continuous negative air flow to segregate airborne infectious diseases Consultation/quiet rooms for patients and families to meet privately or with physicians An enlarged ambulance entry with easy access to the trauma and critical care areas An ecumenical chapel for small services, family and patient worship or meditation Regional Cancer CenterWith the new MultiCare Regional Cancer Center, patients will have access to the region\'s best treatment options and the latest technologies that reduce treatment times and side effects as they improve outcomes. \"This represents Tacoma’s first comprehensive cancer center,\" said David Nicewonger, Cancer Careline Administrator. \"[It\'s] a place where all of the services a patient needs will be available under one roof and coordinated under one umbrella of care.\" Highlights of the new Cancer Center include: 40 chairs for chemotherapy — more than double the current 18 Chemotherapy chairs set up in pods of six to encourage friendship (with private and semi-private chairs also available) Personal entertainment consoles at each chemotherapy chair Sweeping views of the Tacoma skyline and Cascade Mountains A greatly enlarged radiation oncology center, equipped with the latest image-guided linear accelerator, high-dose-rate brachytherapy and sterotactic radiosurgery technologies for brain and all other body sites A simplified referral process to coordinate family and patient needs Classes and programs designed for the well-being of cancer patients Makeup consultation and wig fitting A multimedia conference facility Centralized computing and network facilities for radiation treatment planning Stay tuned for further updates as we approach our grand opening. /home/news/134 The Good Samaritan Regional Rehabilitation Center collected items to send care packages to soldiers overseas from the 8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 5 Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division from Fort Lewis. Good Samaritan formed a partnership with the soldiers in 2008 and the staff at Good Samaritan wanted to show their continued support for the troops. Employees from the Quality Management department have also been sending care packages to the soldiers on a regular basis. /home/news/133 MultiCare Health System filed plans last week with the Washington State Department of Health to build a 58-bed hospital in Covington and also will add a 24-hour Emergency Department adjacent to the existing Covington MultiCare Clinic. The new hospital will expand the services available to the community and provide better access to care for residents in South King County. New services will include a Women’s and Children’s Center, Childbirth Services and expanded Surgical Services including the installation of robotic-assisted surgeries. Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital physicians and services also will expand into the new clinic. The estimated cost of the project will be $174 million. “This is a natural progression for us. MultiCare is committed to continuing to bring new health care options to this area. And this new facility will provide cutting edge health care to our neighbors in their own community,” said Hugh Kodama, Administrator of the Covington MultiCare Clinic. “This expansion will better connect the community to MultiCare’s network of specialists and diagnostic services.” MultiCare has been serving Covington for nearly two decades. The expanded medical center is the next step in giving the growing communities in South King County access to more comprehensive health care services. MultiCare filed a Certificate of Need with the Department of Health detailing plans to expand services in South King County. Successful approval from the Department of Health will ensure that patients have access to advanced technology, a secure and fully integrated electronic health record system, and highly specialized adult and pediatric inpatient care. The new hospital beds would allow for minimally invasive surgical services in orthopedics, general surgery, urology and other areas. The medical center will expand over the next five years: The 24-hour Emergency Department will open by the end of 2011. The first phase of the new hospital will bring 34 beds that includes Pediatric, Childbirth and Surgical services. It is scheduled to open by 2014. The second phase of the new hospital will bring an additional 24 beds and is scheduled to open by the end of 2015. The Covington clinic currently includes Primary Care, Specialists, Urgent Care, Day Surgery, a Heart Center and other health care services. Covington MultiCare serves 30,000 patients a year at the Urgent Care clinic. /home/news/131 Traditions around the holidays are important. By definition, tradition is \"the handing down of customs from generation to generation.\" So how was that tradition celebrated in the Neonatal Intensive Care, where 51 infants were going to be spending their first Christmas? The staff and volunteers came together recently to make tradition a reality for the parents of those infants. Tiny little red hats were knitted. Red blankets were embroidered with 2009. Footprints of each infant were placed in a clear ball ornament. Cards were made. The dreams of having a first-Christmas picture with Santa became a reality when the leadership staff dressed as Santa, Mrs. Claus and elves. There were many tears of joy among parents as they watched Santa cuddle or put his face close to their infant. While shopping, a mom said she watched as children climbed on Santa\'s lap and cried knowing her child would not have that experience — and then she saw Santa in the NICU. A dad, 6 feet 4 inches, with his infant son’s tiny fingers wrapped around his huge finger, let the tears fall as he thanked Santa for the picture, because his wife was still an inpatient in another hospital and he would be able to show her the picture. What makes life special? Caring about what is important for our patients and families, the joy of giving, compassion and caring, and the realization that, when we give, we receive so much more. /home/news/132 The new Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Emergency Department, opening this spring, and other Mary Bridge services will get new equipment funded by donations received during the 23rd annual Mary Bridge Festival of Trees. The four-day event raised $1.43 million to buy new equipment such as infusion pumps and automatic defibrillators for the expanded Mary Bridge Emergency Department and the Pediatric Trauma Room. The donations also will be used to help run Tree House: A Place for Families. Tree House opened this year to provide families at Mary Bridge a place to stay while their children are in the hospital. “On behalf of thousands of children and families throughout Southwest Washington, thank you for opening your heart to help raise critical funds for Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Health Center. The generosity of our community is truly remarkable,” said Alicia Chapman, MultiCare Health System director of special events and corporate relations. “The Festival has raised more than $17.7 million for Mary Bridge services since 1987, which helps kids get the services they need.” Volunteers from all over the Puget Sound region designed 69 holiday trees, each uniquely decorated with different themes. One example: A tree sponsored by Associated Petroleum Products Inc. called “Cruise Roche Harbor on Sea-Doos” sold for $27,000 and included two new Sea-Doos with trailer and life jackets. The package also included a three-night stay in Roche Harbor in a luxurious Village Home, a 42-inch flat screen TV and DVD player. Another extravagant tree included a trip for four to the Resort at Paws Up, in Montana, where luxury camping is taken seriously. More than 12,000 people attended one of the many events that made up the Mary Bridge Festival of Trees. The Festival debuted Ladies Night Out this year with wine tasting, appetizers and shopping. More than 650 women came out to support Mary Bridge services. Puyallup Tribe of Indians-Emerald Queen Hotel and Casinos, Associated Petroleum Products, Propel Insurance and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Group are the major sponsors for this year’s Festival of Trees. /home/news/135 MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital has earned the Gold Seal of Approval from the Joint Commission for Advanced Certification as a Primary Stroke Center. Tacoma General earned this distinction after the Joint Commission conducted an on-site review in October 2009. The certification is effective Oct. 30, 2009, and it continues for the next 24 months. \"Tacoma General Hospital demonstrated that its stroke care program follows national standards and guidelines that can significantly improve outcomes for stroke patients,\" said Jean E. Range, RN, CPHQ, Executive Director, Disease-Specific Care Certification, Joint Commission. \"We’re proud to achieve the distinction. We are one of only 16 hospitals in Washington state that have obtained the certification,\" said Karen Kiesz, RN, CNRN, Stroke Program Coordinator at Tacoma General. \"Joint Commission Primary Stroke Center Certification recognizes Tacoma General Hospital’s commitment to providing outstanding care to our patients and our community.\" /home/news/130 Emergency Medical Services (EMS) medics were thanked for all of their ideas in planning the new Tacoma General and Mary Bridge Emergency Deparment by taking a private tour of the new facility.  \"Your work is remarkable,\" Mady Murrey, Vice President and Administrator of Mary Bridge, told the packed house of more than 100 people. With participants clad in hard hats, goggles, gloves and vests, the tours wound through the current Emergency Department and into the new, bright facility, featuring adult and pediatric spaces on either side. Members of the Engineering team and the Mary Bridge and Tacoma General Emergency Departments were on hand to lead the tours and answer questions. As part of the event, Ted Walkley, MD, a Mary Bridge Emergency Department physician, spoke about field pediatric emergency care and urged support for Washington state\'s EMS and Trauma Committees, which are threatened by looming budget cuts. He also talked about Milgard Pavilion. \"It\'s just incredible,\" he said. \"The new EDs could not exist if it weren\'t for the partnership we have with the EMS community.\" Cynde Rivers, EMS Coordinator at Mary Bridge, spoke beforehand about medics\' reaction to the new facility. \"They\'re excited about it,\" she said. \"It\'s a long time coming. They have been putting up with a very small ED for quite some time.\" One medic in attendance, asked what he thought, was more succinct: \"It was awesome.\" /home/news/129 MultiCare Health System will provide H1N1 flu shots to everyone 6 months and older beginning Monday, Dec. 14 in the East Wing of the Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center at 311 S. L Street in Tacoma. The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department this week lifted all restrictions that limited who could receive the vaccine. The clinic will be open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 2 to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday through Dec. 23. The clinic is free and on a first-come, first-served basis. It will serve adults as well as children. If you are bringing in a child for the second dose of the vaccine, please have vaccine records with you. A second dose cannot be administered without it. Media Contact:Marce Edwards253.403.1716marce.edwards@multicare.org /home/news/127 After careful review of the breast screening guidelines released by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on Nov. 16, 2009, MultiCare Health System continues to fully support the American Cancer Society’s breast screening guidelines, which include annual mammograms for women 40 and over. The recently issued guidelines from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force call for mammography screening every two years for women between 50 and 74. The task force recognizes that mammograms are a critical cancer detection method for women ages 50 - 74. Many leading breast health organizations have not changed their position on breast health screening after evaluation of the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force’s finding. These organizations include: National Cancer Institute Society of Breast Imaging American Cancer Society American College of Radiology Susan G. Komen for the Cure Seattle Cancer Care Alliance As part of MultiCare’s commitment to early detection and treatment of cancer, we support the unchanged American Cancer Society guidelines, which include: Annual mammograms starting at age 40 and continuing for as long as a woman is in good health. A clinical breast exam (CBE) as part a periodic health exam, approximately every three years for women in their 20s and 30s and annually for women 40 and over. Breast self-exams (BSE) for women starting in their 20s as an option for detecting changes in the way their breast feel; any changes in the way breasts feel should be reported to a woman’s health care provider. MultiCare encourages woman to discuss any concerns about breast screening with their health care provider, including individual risks and benefits. /home/news/128 EAST PIERCE COUNTY, WA- Diagnostic Imaging Northwest (DINW) celebrated its one-year anniversary on Dec. 1, 2009. This alliance between MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Imaging Northwest has provided a successful collaborative venture for non-emergent outpatient imaging services, serving patients and referring providers in the East Pierce County region. “Diagnostic Imaging Northwest has truly brought resources, information and access to the community,” said Andrew Levine, MD, Chair, Medical Imaging Northwest. “We all work together to provide a better connected medical community for the patients and the medical professionals.” DINW now operates three fully digital imaging centers: Puyallup Imaging Center in downtown Puyallup, Sunrise Imaging Center at South Hill and Bonney Lake Imaging Center in Bonney Lake. These sites are equipped with leading-edge imaging technologies, including high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), radiography and fluoroscopy, interventional radiology, ultrasound, digital mammography, stereotactic breast biopsy, ultrasound-guided breast biopsy and bone densitometry. In the past year, DINW has added the following equipment to the network:• 3 - GE Logic E9 Ultrasound Machines • 1 - Senographe Essential Digital Mammography Unit• 1 - GE Essential Digital Mammography Unit with Stereotactic biopsy capability• 1 - GE Prodigy Dexa Machine • 1 - CMT Digital Radiographic room In addition, Creatinine STAT Lab Services and Vascular Ultrasound have been added for greater ease in patient care and referring doctor’s needs. “Planning the vision and strategy for Diagnostic Imaging Northwest built a strong foundation for this partnership,” said John Long, President, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital. “We are all on the same team working towards a common goal: improving patient care.” To learn more about Diagnostic Imaging Northwest, visit www.mydinw.com. Online referrals for appointments are available at www.mydinw.com. Or, for scheduling, call (253) 841-4353. Media Contacts: MultiCareMarce Edwards253.403.1716marce.edwards@multicare.org Medical Imaging NorthwestRachael Costner253.583.2613rcostner@minw.com /home/news/126 If you are visiting the Victorian Country Christmas this weekend at the Puyallup Fairgrounds, there are two opportunities to support MultiCare Good Samaritan. Stop by the Toscanos Winter Wine Garden in the Showplex building, as a portion of the proceeds will benefit Good Samaritan\'s Children\'s Therapy Unit. Also, the Good Samaritan Gift Shop will be at Victorian Country Christmas (booth 77-78) with all of the proceeds benefitting Good Samaritan Hospital programs and services. A Victorian Country Christmas at the Puyallup Fairgrounds runs Dec. 2-6. Hours:Wed-Sat: 10am - 9pmSun: 10am - 6pm /home/news/125 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: November 23, 2009Contact: Marce EdwardsPhone: 253.403.1716Email: marce.edwards@multicare.org After nearly 20 years serving the community, MultiCare Health System today announced plans to expand services in Covington. MultiCare will build a hospital with a 24-hour Emergency Department, more health care services and in-patient adult and pediatric beds adjacent to the Covington MultiCare Clinic. The addition would provide residents of communities in South King County with access to emergency medical care and new services including a Women’s and Children’s Center, Labor and Delivery department and expanded Surgical Services. “MultiCare has been helping families in South King County at our Covington Clinic for many years. We are excited to provide our neighbors with more access to the care they need in their community,” said Hugh Kodama, Administrator of the Covington MultiCare Clinic. MultiCare last week sent a Letter of Intent to the Washington State Department of Health saying the health care provider wants to expand services in Covington. MultiCare will file a Certificate of Need with the health department in the coming weeks detailing its plans and the reasons the new health care services are needed. The hospital beds would allow for minimally invasive surgical services in orthopedics, general surgery, urology and other areas. Mary Bridge pediatric specialists also will bring their expertise to the community. “This hospital will be innovative, providing patients with the care they will need well into the future,” Kodama said. “With MultiCare’s electronic health record and telemedicine capabilities, the new hospital will provide cutting edge technology, such as state-of-the-art minimally invasive surgeries.” The medical center would expand in phases: The first phase of the project includes the new 24-hour Emergency Department. The second phase will add hospital beds and Women and Children’s services including Labor and Delivery. The Covington clinic currently includes Primary Care, Specialists, Urgent Care, Day Surgery, a Heart Center and other health care services. Covington MultiCare serves 30,000 patients a year at the Urgent Care clinic. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/124 TACOMA, WA – MultiCare Health System has won the “Silver Award for Best Employee Recruitment Site for a Healthcare System” from eHealthcare Strategy & Trends, the premiere national organization that focuses on the ways leading-edge health care organizations use the Internet and technology to achieve their objectives. MultiCare’s provider recruitment website, www.blazenewtrails.org, was judged by a panel of 116 professionals in the health care industry on more than 60 factors, including interactivity, integration with the organization\'s operations, as well as strength of Web design and ease of navigation. MultiCare was chosen from more than 1,100 entries. The site was designed by local design firm, Rusty George Creative and built by Tacoma-based SiteCrafting. The award was given at the 13th Annual eHealthcare Leadership Awards on November 4 in Las Vegas, Nevada.   Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/123 TACOMA, WA- Northwest Construction Magazine recently completed the judging process for its Best of 2009 awards competition and has awarded MultiCare’s Steam Plant with the Best Industrial structure award. The annual contest recognizes construction and design excellence in Oregon, Washington and Alaska. This year’s competition received a record-breaking number of entries; eighty-five projects vied for honors, the most ever received. Opened in March, the steam plant, located adjacent to historic Wright Park in Tacoma, provides MultiCare’s Tacoma General and Mary Bridge Children’s hospitals with sterilization, heat, energy and oxygen supply needs, and furnishes backup power in the event of an emergency. It is also designed to cut harmful emissions in the area by up to 30 percent over the previous facility. The exterior of the Boiler Plant pays homage to inventors and scientists who were responsible for many of the advances made in modern physics and engineering. The use of red brick construction matches surrounding buildings and glass windows reflect the trees and colors of Wright Park. Three boilers, which are fueled by natural gas, a clean-burning fuel, are housed in the new building. Water is heated by natural gas, and the resulting steam is piped underground and throughout the hospital campus to sterilize equipment and provide heat. The facility also includes three emergency generators to power the surrounding campus during power outages and disasters. A panel of industry experts from both states judged the entries. Eligible projects were completed between Sept. 1, 2008, and Sept. 1, 2009. The winning projects will be honored at an awards breakfast December 11 at the 7:30 a.m. at the Seattle Waterfront Marriott. Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/122 PUYALLUP, WA- On Friday, October 23, MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital received approval for a Certificate of Need application from the Washington State Department of Health (DOH) to provide adult elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), or angioplasty. Angioplasty is the technique of mechanical widening of a narrowed or totally obstructed blood vessel in the heart. “This is another step towards MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital becoming the regional medical center of choice for everyone in East Pierce County,” said John Long, President of MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital. “With the recent accreditation of our Chest Pain Center and the creation of a dedicated cardiac unit, Good Sam will continue to expand our top quality cardiac program so patients requiring cardiac care can stay close to home. We expect to begin offering elective PCI care early in 2010.” The 2007 Washington Sate Legislature directed the Department of Health (DOH) to develop rules to lift restrictions on elective angioplasty to include hospitals that have shown the capabilities to provide this service without risk to the patient. Many hospitals agreed on the implementation of the following rules: Require hospitals to go through a rigorous approval process (Certificate of Need) to prove capabilities, community need and standards to ensure the quality of care for patients Put the health and choices of patients above economics Provide a reasonable level of assurance for existing providers that the new system will recognize local economic realities. After an 18-month process, the DOH laid out planning areas that allowed Good Samaritan to apply for the Certificate of Need. Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/121 TACOMA, WA- A partnership between the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Foundation and Safeway Corporation helps families throughout the Pacific Northwest. Safeway has agreed to support Tree House, A Place for Families by fully stocking the facility’s pantry with food and supplies for the next two years. Tree House, A Place for Families, located just a short block from Mary Bridge and Tacoma General Hospitals, is a housing facility for families of patients staying in the Tacoma General Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Mary Bridge’s Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU). Tree House offers sleep rooms, private bathrooms, a resource room, kitchen, and more to offer parents and families a nurturing, restful environment that allows them to focus all of their energies on their beloved child. “The donation from Safeway of food and supplies is a blessing,” said Frank Colarusso, Executive Director for the Mary Bridge Foundation. “It allows us to use donations from other generous givers for other needed items and services.” Tree House has helped over 200 families in their time of need since June. For more information on how to get involved with Tree House, A Place for Families, call 253.403.4596. All gifts are tax-deductible. Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/120 During this year’s flu season we are working hard to do all we can to protect our patients and visitors from the H1N1 flu (swine flu) virus.Here is an update on some of our current guidelines for visitors to our hospitals:Mary Bridge Children’s HospitalYoung children with chronic diseases or disabilities are particularly vulnerable to this illness. As of Oct. 12, visitors to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital are limited to adults and children age 12 years and older. Mary Bridge visitors who are 12-18 years of age will be screened at each visit for symptoms of influenza.Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Tacoma General HospitalYoung children are especially likely to get sick from H1N1, and, though it may take several days for them to show symptoms, they can easily pass the virus to others. We strongly recommend that you leave any children under the age of 12 at home when you come to visit these hospitals.We also encourage these groups to avoid visiting our hospitals, if possible:• Anyone with signs and symptoms of colds or flu• People who have weak immune systems• Women who are pregnant• Children between 12 and 18 years oldMultiCare is keeping a close watch on H1N1 in our community. For the protection of our patients, visitors and employees, our visitation guidelines may continue to change as the flu season progresses. Some patient areas may need to establish stricter guidelines to protect especially sick or vulnerable patients. To stay current on the latest information, call:MultiCare Allenmore Hospital: 253.459.6633MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital: 253.697.4000MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital: 253.403.1400MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital: 253.403.1000Thank you for your cooperation and understanding. /home/news/119 (TACOMA) - The MultiCare Regional Cancer Center and MultiCare Tacoma Family Medicine are sponsoring a Bone Marrow Drive, Tuesday, October 20 from 10am-2pm in the Katterhagen Resource Center in Tacoma General Hospital 3rd floor of the L wing. “The ultimate goal of the drive is to reach out to our diverse community to assist in identifying possible donors,” said David Nicewonger, Administrator for the MultiCare Cancer Center. “People in our community can help patients with debilitating diseases by just being tested on October 20th.” 90% of donor matches are found within the same racial or ethnic community and only two out of ten patients find the bone marrow match needed to save their lives. This test will identify if a person is a possible match for a patient who is waiting for this life saving donation. A bone marrow transplant delivers healthy bone marrow stem cells into the patient. It replaces bone marrow that is either not working properly or has been destroyed by chemotherapy or radiation. Bone marrow transplants are used for certain leukemia’s and cancers as well as to replace bone marrow when treatment for cancer has destroyed the individuals own bone marrow. Anyone 18 or older can be pre-screened. The screening takes approximately 10 minutes and only requires an oral swab of the cheek. No pre-registration is required. For more information, call 1-800-351-7955. Media Contact:253.219.1715susan.messier@multicare.org /home/news/118 (TACOMA)--Area consumers have once again selected MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital as a preferred hospital for receiving health care. That’s the finding of National Research Corporation (NRC), which has honored Tacoma General with the 2009/10 Consumer Choice award. Tacoma General Hospital first received the distinction in 1996 and has won it twelve times since then. The National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award polls the opinions of over 250,000 households across the nation and approximately 750 households locally. Out of 3,200 hospitals nationwide, Tacoma General is one of only 280 hospitals to earn the award. Based on the views of local consumers, Tacoma General is a highly preferred health care provider for the Tacoma/Pierce County region. In addition, consumers ranked Tacoma General highly in terms of its technology, range of health care services, community health programs and website. MultiCare was also ranked number 6 nationwide in the Top 100 Integrated Health Networks by SDI, Inc. and has earned this distinction more than any other health system in Washington State. Media Contact:253.219.1715susan.messier@multicare.org /home/news/117 During this year’s flu season we are working hard to do all we can to protect our patients and visitors from seasonal and H1N1 (swine flu) flu viruses.Young children are especially likely to get sick from H1N1, and, though it may take several days for them to show symptoms, they can easily pass the virus to others. Children with chronic diseases or disabilities are particularly vulnerable to this illness.As of Monday, Oct. 12, visitors to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital are limited to those 12 years and above. Visitors who are 12-18 years of age will be screened each time they visit to verify that they do not have symptoms of influenza.MultiCare is keeping a close watch on H1N1 in our community. For the protection of our patients, visitors and employees, our visitation policies may continue to change as the flu season progresses.We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your cooperation and understanding.You may call the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Administration office at 253-403-1420 with any questions about this change. /home/news/116 Free seasonal flu vaccine and other childhood immunizations are available through the Mary Bridge Mobile Immunization Clinic. See schedule for details and locations. NOTE: The Mobile Immunization Clinic will be CLOSED October 19-23. The Clinic will be open on Saturday, October 24, 2009. /home/news/115 TACOMA, WA- MultiCare Allenmore Hospital is holding its annual Open House and Health Fair, Sunday, October 4, from 12-3pm. Free seasonal flu shots and screenings, including bone density, blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose testing, will be available. Also included is the opportunity to view a fascinating robotic surgery demonstration, featuring the sophisticated daVinci® system. Experts in a wide range of specialties, from oncology, diabetes and ophthalmology to sports medicine and physical therapy, will also be on hand to answer questions. Free valet parking also will be provided along with plenty of self-park spaces. Allenmore Hospital is located at: 1901 S. Union, Tacoma For more information, call 800.342.9919 or visit multicare.org. Please note: Seasonal flu shots available to the first 400 participants 18 years of age and older. H1N1 flu vaccinations are not available yet. For cholesterol screenings, a two-hour fast is recommended. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardCell: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/112 (PIERCE COUNTY) – “It’s like winning the Oscar for Best Motion Picture,” explains Florence S. Chang, Chief Information Officer and Senior VP of Clinical Support Services at MultiCare Health System. Chang is referring to the prestigious HIMSS Davies Organizational Award of Excellence given to just one health care system in the country that effectively uses health information technology, such as electronic health records, to improve the safety and quality of patient care. HIMSS (Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society) visited MultiCare’s Tacoma campus last month to better understand its electronic health record, MultiCare Connect. Patricia Wise, RN, and VP, HIMSS was a member of the site team that got a hands-on look at MultiCare Connect. Speaking for the team, she said, “The amount of work you’ve done individually and collectively is so impressive.” She added, “Implementation is such rigorous work and what we’ve seen in your hospitals is a testament to your commitment to patient safety and quality.” “For ten years, we have been creating a new level of quality patient care with MultiCare Connect, first in our clinics and now in our hospitals,” said Diane Cecchettini, RN, President and CEO of MultiCare. “Receiving this award is a tribute to our physicians and staff who are using the electronic health record each and every day in caring for our patients.” All MultiCare outpatient clinics and the three Tacoma campus hospitals are linked to MultiCare Connect. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup will be online in the spring of 2010. MultiCare patients can view their health record, lab and test results, schedule an appointment or refill prescriptions using a secure patient portal called MyChart (Powered by MultiCare) at home or anywhere they have internet access. “Being recognized as tops in the country is an incredible honor,” says Chang, “and wonderful validation for the work we have been doing to create an electronic health record that follows one patient with one record.” She went on to say, “We have been using MultiCare Connect for the past decade. Without the engagement from our physicians and the strong foundation developed early in our outpatient clinics, the implementation in our hospitals would not have been as successful and our patients would not have reaped the benefits of seamless, connected care.\" Media Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard253-219-1715jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/111 The famous Radio City Rockettes stopped by Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital for a visit yesterday. They delighted the patients by teaching them their signature high kicks.View more photos from their visit. /home/news/110 PIERCE COUNTY, WA- Timothy Graham, MD, has joined the MultiCare Spanaway Clinic. Dr. Graham is a board-certified family practice physician. He provides a wide range of acute, chronic and preventive medical care for the entire family. Dr. Graham received his medical degree from the Ohio State University College of Medicine and completed his residency at Riverside Methodist Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Prior to joining MultiCare he practiced in Ohio, served as a Program Director for a Family Practice residency and worked as a Physician Advisor. In his spare time, he enjoys running, the arts and taking in cultural activities. Through Dr. Graham, patients are connected to the full resources of MultiCare, from state-of-the-art hospital facilities to the expertise of literally hundreds of health care professionals. In addition, Dr. Graham connects you to your electronic health record via MyChart; visit multicare.org for more information. From primary care to critical care to specialty care, MultiCare helps keep you better connected. To make an appointment with Dr. Graham, please call the MultiCare Spanaway Clinic at 253.459.7777. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/109 PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare HealthWorks opened a new location in Puyallup September 1. Located at 1322 3rd St SE, Suite 20, Puyallup, the new location will host dedicated physician Archie Adams, MD. Archie Adams, MD, is a board-certified family practice physician. He specializes in occupational medicine. The MultiCare HealthWorks program presents a comprehensive range of services designed to assist employers in reducing workplace risks and managing workplace injuries quickly, efficiently, and with a focus on prompt return to work.The MultiCare HealthWorks Program Includes: - Employment Drug Testing - Employment Physicals - Immunizations - Injury Management Services - Worksite Safety and Ergonomic Programs - Worksite Wellness Programs The MultiCare HealthWorks program helps companies manage and reduce lost time due to injury. And, by applying the latest knowledge on wellness and workplace safety, we help businesses improve employee health, well-being, and efficiency.For more information, contact MultiCare HealthWorks at 1-888-280-5513. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/108 PUYALLUP, WA- Dawei Lu, MD, has joined the MultiCare Orthopedics and Sports Medicine program in Puyallup. Dr. Lu is an orthopedic spine surgeon specializing in the care and treatment of all adult and pediatric spine conditions including spine deformity, degenerative diseases, spinal tumors and spine trauma. Dr. Lu emphasizes selecting the best treatment for patients based on their age, pathology and symptoms, including minimally-invasive treatments. Dr. Lu received his medical degree from Louisiana State University. He went on to complete orthopedic surgery residencies at Louisiana State University and University of Colorado. He also completed an orthopedic and neurological spine fellowship at Rocky Mountain Spine Clinic. He is a member of the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons and the North American Spine Society. The MultiCare Orthopedic & Sports Medicine program has specialists from Covington to Tacoma to Puyallup. This program consists of specialists who provide surgical and non-surgical options in a team approach to treating the patient. Access to state-of-the-art technology allows patients to have quick diagnoses and treatment to get them back to daily life activities quickly. To make an appointment with Dr. Lu, please call MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at 235.446.0750. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/106 COVINGTON, WA- Michael Han, MD, has joined the MultiCare Orthopedics and Sports Medicine program in Covington. Dr. Han is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon who is also fellowship trained in sports medicine. His special interests include arthroscopic knee and shoulder surgery and total joint arthroplasty. Both arthroscopic and arthroplasty procedures are types of minimally invasive surgery that requires small incisions and allow for quicker healing and better outcomes. Dr. Han received his medical training at Stanford University. He went on to complete his internship and residency at the University of California, San Francisco, and fellowship in Sports Medicine at the Lake Tahoe Orthopaedic Institute. He is board certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and a member of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and Arthroscopy Association of North America. The MultiCare Orthopedic & Sports Medicine program has specialists from Covington to Tacoma to Puyallup. This program consists of specialists who provide surgical and non-surgical options in a team approach to treating the patient. Access to state-of-the-art technology allows patients to have quick diagnoses and treatment to get them back to daily life activities quickly. To make an appointment with Dr. Han, please call MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine at 235.372.7121. Media Contact:Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/105 In May 2009 the Zach Lystedt Law went into effect in the state of Washington. This law requires that ALL student athletes with suspected head injuries be removed from play until cleared by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of sports-related concussions.More information >>> /home/news/103 TACOMA, WA– MultiCare will open a new pulmonology clinic Monday, August 3, 2009 that will include five experienced physicians familiar to Tacoma residents. MultiCare Pulmonary Associates will be located at 2121 South 19th Street in Tacoma. The physicians will provide patients with expert consultation, diagnostic and therapeutic services for a range of respiratory conditions. The new clinic number is (253) 301-6850. “It is such a privilege to have such a distinguished group of physicians joining MultiCare,” said Smokey Stover, MD, Senior Vice President, MultiCare Medical Associates. “These five physicians are well respected by both their patients and the medical community. They will add an important dimension of care to our system.” Joining MultiCare are James Kirsch, MD; Arthur Knodel, MD; Edward LeDoux, MD; John Rowlands, MD; and James Taylor, MD. James Kirsch, MD Dr. Kirsch attended the University of Washington Medical School. He performed his internship and residency at the University of Pittsburgh and completed his medical training in pulmonary and critical care at the University of California, Irvine. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease and critical care medicine. Arthur Knodel, MD Dr. Knodel performed his medical training at the University of Washington. He performed his internship, residency and pulmonary fellowship at Madigan Army Medical Center near Tacoma. He is board certified in pulmonary disease, critical care medicine, internal medicine and sleep medicine. Edward LeDoux, MD Dr. LeDoux attended Oregon Health Sciences University, where he earned his medical degree and completed his internship and residency in internal medicine, and fellowship in pulmonary disease. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary medicine and critical care. John Rowlands, MD Dr. Rowlands completed his medical training at the University of Washington. He performed his residency in internal medicine, and fellowship in pulmonary medicine, at Good Samaritan Hospital in Phoenix, Arizona. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary disease, critical care medicine and sleep medicine. James Taylor, MDDr. Taylor earned his medical degree from the University of California, San Francisco. He completed his residency in internal medicine at the University of Washington, and a fellowship in pulmonary and critical care medicine at Stanford University. He is board certified in internal medicine, pulmonary and critical care. Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org /home/news/104 PRESS RELEASEDATE: Monday, August 03, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@multicare.org MultiCare Breast Health Services Announces its Fourth Straight Year of Perfect Inspections PIERCE & SOUTH KING COUNTY, WA- MultiCare’s Breast Health services is pleased to announce that all three mammography sites (Gig Harbor, Auburn and Covington) passed their annual MQSA (Mammography Quality Standards Act)/FDA inspections with no deficiencies. This is the fourth year in a row for this achievement. The standards of MQSA require establishment and maintenance of a quality assurance and quality control programs at each facility to ensure the reliability, clarity, and accuracy of interpretation of mammograms and standards for appropriate radiation dose. Each site is responsible for the daily, weekly, monthly, semi-annual and annual quality control tests and is annually inspected by the FDA and a Medical Physicist. The U.S. Congress enacted MQSA in 1992 to ensure that all women have access to quality mammography for the detection of breast cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages. For more information on MQSA, visit http://www.fda.gov/Radiation-EmittingProducts/MammographyQualityStandardsActandProgram/default.htm MORE ABOUT MULTICARE BREAST HEALTH PROGRAMS: MultiCare is the first health system in the South Puget Sound region to offer image-guided, stereotactic linear accelerator treatment, on the Varian® Trilogy System, for treating cancers and other appropriate conditions. Stereotactic radiosurgery is a form of radiation therapy that uses 3-D computer imaging to attack tumors and lesions with an extremely precise dose of radiation. Linear accelerators offer potential advantages to some patients over other stereotactic radiosurgery technologies such as the Gamma Knife, notably the ability to treat tumors throughout the entire body, not just those in the brain.These treatments include MammoSite RTS, SAVI (a Five-Day Radiation treatment), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy and the Rapid Arc Radiotherapy Technology. For more information on these treatment options, visit multicare.org and click on the Cancer tab. /home/news/102 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System has been named one of the nation’s 100 Most Wired health systems and the 25 Most Wireless health systems, according to Hospital & Health Network magazine. MultiCare is one of the few health systems in the nation to have electronic health records and one of only two health systems in Western Washington to earn this distinction.The 100 Most Wired organizations are hospitals and health systems that scored the highest on a recent national survey of more than 1,300 hospitals and health systems. The survey measured the use of information technology in patient safety and quality; customer service; business process improvement; workforce management; and disaster readiness.The category, 25 Most Wireless, recognizes health care organizations that focus on the use of wireless applications in clinical settings. “MultiCare’s vision of the ideal patient experience is to create a seamless, easy, valued, and sustainable continuum of health care,” said Florence Chang, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. “Technology is one of the key strategies that we use to fulfill that vision. Investing in these technologies provides safer and more convenient care for our patients.” Eleven years ago, MultiCare Health System became the first health system in the south Puget Sound to implement an electronic health record (EHR) for patients at its ambulatory clinics in Pierce and south King Counties. Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare facility. In 2007, MultiCare implemented this leading edge technology at Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Allenmore Hospital, providing a single, electronic health record for all MultiCare patients, whether they are seen in a clinic or a hospital. MultiCare clinics in East Pierce County also implemented MultiCare Connect in 2008. Good Samaritan Hospital will add this health information technology with the opening of the new Patient Care Tower in 2011. MultiCare has earned other distinctions recently for health information technology. In 2008, MultiCare Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Diane Cecchettini, RN, received the CEO IT Achievement Award from Modern Healthcare Magazine and the Healthcare Information and Management System Society (HIMSS). The award recognizes healthcare CEOs who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to using information technology to advance their organizations’ goals. Ms. Cecchettini was only one of three CEOs nationally to receive the recognition and the only CEO in Washington State. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/99 MultiCare recently launched a mobile version of the MultiCare website. The mobile site is designed to present relevant and just-in-time info to a growing audience of mobile device users. Users will find easy access to phone numbers, maps and directions for hospitals, clinics and urgent cares. News items, calendar of events and find a doctor features are also available on the mobile site. For more information, visit http://m.multicare.org. /home/news/101 As part of our ongoing effort to bring trustworthy health information to our community, MultiCare is pleased to launch our new Health e-Newsletter.Our Health e-newsletter is customizable, allowing you to choose from 11 topics including heart health, diabetes, nutrition and fitness, cancer, children and parenting, and women\'s health. Each month you will receive a mix of timely news items, in-depth stories and basic information about each of the topics you\'ve selected. It also features information about MultiCare events and services related to the topics you have chosen.Finding reliable health care information online doesn\'t have to be a challenge. Our e-newsletter brings information you can trust directly to your inbox. We\'re pleased to be able to offer this free resource to the community.Sign up today. /home/news/100 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716(TACOMA) – The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and the American Diabetes Association (ADA) has recognized 34 MultiCare Medical Group physicians for providing high quality care to patients with diabetes. The MultiCare Medical Group physicians serve communities throughout Pierce and South King Counties. The doctors were recognized as part of the NCQA and ADA Diabetes Physician Recognition Program. The program was designed to recognize physicians who deliver quality diabetic care. To receive recognition, which is valid for three years, the doctors submitted data that demonstrates performance that meets the Program’s key diabetes care measures. These measures include eye exams, blood pressure tests, appropriate lab testing, nutrition therapy, patient satisfaction and others. When people with diabetes receive quality care as outlined by these proven measures, they are less likely to suffer complications such as heart attacks, stroke, blindness, kidney disease and amputations. “For a person with diabetes, the right physician can make the difference between patients learning to live with diabetes as opposed to suffering from diabetes,” said Andrew Baron, MD, Medical Director, Primary Care for MultiCare Medical Group. “Physicians who earn recognition through this prestigious program have an established track record of engaging their patients and providing excellent diabetes care. We are proud so many of our doctors received this distinction.” To aid providers with their diabetic care, MultiCare uses an electronic health records system that tracks each patient’s progress and the progress of entire patient populations, such as those with diabetes. The system, called MultiCare Connect, allows patients and providers convenient access to the same health information available each time a patient visits a provider within the MultiCare system. MultiCare Connect is safer than paper records and is protected by sophisticated safety features, allowing access only by the patient or their provider. NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations and recognizes physicians in key clinical areas. Founded in 1940, the American Diabetes Association is the nation’s leading voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. MultiCare Medical Group physicians named as quality diabetic providers by The Diabetes Physician Recognition Program: Auburn:Daryl Marie Austin, MDStewart C. Birse, MDAnna T. Curtis, DONadine Gettel, MDMichael Greeley, MDMichael J. Nommensen, MD Covington:David Chang, MDMarilyn Ramberg, MDJoseph O. Slotkin, MDMichael W. Strunk, MDNicola E. Walker, MD Lakewood:Rachel L. Dawson, MDDaniel W. Thompsen, MD Gig Harbor:Stephen G. Kramp, MDGregg S. Ostergren, DO Maple Valley:Craig DeSelms, MD Spanaway:Robin M. Sarner, MDTacoma:Cynthia Edwards, MDJames Fry, MDDaniel C. Ginsberg, MDRichard Hawkins, MDDiana King, MDDavid E. Law, MDAlexander K. Mihali, MDKhanh D. Nguyen, MDJanice L. Olson, MDHenry F. Retailliau, MDBradley J. Schmitz, MDRonald Schubert, MDNorman Seaholm, MDSteve C. Stringfellow, MDJune Taheri, MD University Place:Kristin R. Briejer, MD /home/news/98 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Tuesday, June 16, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Awarded for Managing Low Risk Chest Pain Patients Qualis Award given for improving patient care and decreasing hospital admissions TACOMA, WA- MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital has earned the 2009 Award of Excellence in Healthcare Quality from Qualis Health, a national health care quality improvement program. The award was given for work with patients suffering from low-risk chest pain in the emergency department to prevent potentially unnecessary hospitalizations. In 2006, the Tacoma General team formed the Low-Risk Chest Pain Task Force. Noting the need to decrease these often unnecessary and costly hospitalizations, this team addressed the best approach for evaluating patients suffering from chest pain that did not pose an imminent health threat. Based on the task force’s recommendations, a simple treadmill stress-test system was placed in the emergency department and nurses were trained to perform the tests. As a result, hospital admissions for patients with low-risk chest pain have decreased for the first time since 2004, and nearly 250 stress tests have been performed in the emergency department prior to patient discharge. Qualis has recognized MultiCare Tacoma General for excellence in cardiac care previously. In 2006, MultiCare was also awarded the 2006 Award of Excellence in Healthcare Quality. The award was given for groundbreaking work in treating heart attack patients. The MultiCare team developed a unique way to respond to patients experiencing a cardiac emergency when they arrive at the hospital. The life-saving intervention provides fast heart attack treatment to minimize damage to the heart muscle. In November 2008, with the opening of the Tacoma General Heart Hospital, MultiCare became the first health system in Washington State to embrace a national trend of expanding cardiac services and bringing them into a single, comprehensive center of care. The Tacoma General Heart Hospital provides more beds and more capacity for cardiac care. It is home to the highest level of cardiovascular care available in the region and combined Tacoma General’s cardiac services under one roof, including cardiac & vascular operating suites, cardiac catheterization labs, cardiovascular intensive care, coronary care units and a chest pain cardiovascular short stay unit. The Tacoma General Heart Hospital also houses all cardiac diagnostic, rehabilitation and prevention programs, including a heart failure clinic. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. About Qualis HealthQualis Health is dedicated to generating, applying, and disseminating knowledge to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and health outcomes. In operation since 1974, the non-profit, healthcare quality improvement organization (QIO) is headquartered in Seattle, Washington and has offices in Alaska, Idaho, and California. More information can be found at www.qualishealth.org /home/news/97 (TACOMA) – According to readers of South Sound Magazine, MultiCare is “best” in several categories, including Best Hospital, Best Place to Have a Baby, Best Large Business and Best Doctor. In a recent South Sound Magazine poll, readers responded with their personal “favorites” of the South Sound, including restaurants, music venues and a wide variety of other categories. MultiCare earned Best Large Business, while Tacoma General Hospital earned Best Hospital and Best Place to Have a Baby. Cynthia Edwards, MD, a doctor with MultiCare Medical Associates, took Best Doctor honors, according to the readers. This is the first-ever reader’s poll for South Sound Magazine. They will perform the poll annually. For more information, go to www.southsoundmag.com and click on “The Best of the South Sound.” ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/95 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEPatients throughout Pierce and South King counties may now access their own personal medical information online through MultiCare’s My Chart, a secure web portal provided free of charge. Patients can enroll in the secure online system and book appointments, request prescription refills and view personal medical information including lab results, imaging results and immunization records at anytime via the Internet. My Chart, formerly known as My MultiCare, now provides enhanced access to personal medical information. New additions to My Chart include proxy access, which enables parents, guardians and other caregivers to request a referral, pay a bill online, print wallet cards, schedule appointments and receive important reminders on behalf of their children or someone under their care. All MultiCare primary care providers and various community providers are now participating in the online system. Primary care providers in East Pierce County are the newest providers to offer this service. Patients interested in signing up for My Chart may request an access code at multicare.org, a MultiCare clinic office, Urgent Care Center or can request an authorization form by mail. “Technology is making it easier than ever before to actively participate in our healthcare,” said Elizabeth Neuhalfen, MD, primary care provider at the MultiCare Eatonville clinic. “My Chart, allows patients to easily and securely obtain information about their medical visits and request services online. This not only adds efficiencies to providing care in our clinics, but, more importantly, creates conveniences for our patients.” My Chart is a component of MultiCare Connect, a single, electronic health records system within the clinics and hospitals of the MultiCare Health System. This system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. With MultiCare Connect in place, MultiCare is one of only a few health systems in the nation to implement a comprehensive electronic health records system. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/83 The Nalley Valley Viaduct is the major connection between Interstate 5 and State Route 16 in Tacoma. Many of MultiCare’s patients use this route to access MultiCare’s services, especially Allenmore Hospital The Washington State Department of Transportation has begun a Nalley Valley viaduct replacement project that will affect traffic on the interchange for the next few years. Effective June 1, 2009, the Sprague Avenue Exit will be closed to all traffic. For more information on the project and its impacts on traffic, visit the WSDOT project website: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Projects/PierceCountyHOV/SR16_WBNalleyValley/ Accessing Allenmore Hospital: Access to Allenmore Hospital is easiest from the Union Avenue exit for both westbound and eastbound traffic on State Route 16. When exiting SR 16 westbound, turn right on Union Ave. When exiting eastbound, turn left on Union Ave. Proceed north and turn right on South 19th Street. Allenmore Hospital is on the right side of South 19th Street. Eastbound traffic from Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula can also use the 19th Street-Eastbound exit. Proceed east on 19th Street for one mile. Allenmore Hospital will be on the right just past the intersection of 19th & Union. Accessing Tacoma General Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital: For traffic approaching Tacoma from the south, simply stay on Interstate 5, take exit 133 to Interstate 705-City Center. Follow signs to Schuster Parkway, then to Stadium Way. Turn right on Stadium and go up the hill. At the top, turn left on Division Ave. Proceed ½ mile and the hospitals are on the right. Click here for a printable map with directions. /home/news/96 CALL TO ARTISTS:MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Welcomes Art Submissions for New Patient Care Tower PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital welcomes artists from Washington and Oregon to submit work to be considered for purchase and placement in the hospital’s new Patient Care Tower. The Tower, which features a new Emergency Department, Surgery suites, Imaging and private patient rooms, is set to open in early 2011. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is reviewing artist’s work to be considered for purchase for display in common indoor and outdoor locations. All qualified submissions must be sent to MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Art Consultant Ginny Scalzo, at ARTERRA in Bellevue, WA. Eligibility Artists must reside in the state of Washington or Oregon. Criteria for selection will be based on the artist’s ability to demonstrate creation of work appropriate for healthcare facilities. MediumOutdoor sculpture for gardens – no nudity. Artist should be able to demonstrate experience in large scale commissions and installations. Materials should be appropriate for long-term installation in all weather conditions. Indoor Paintings, Mixed Media, Other – Artist must demonstrate experience with larger scale images; minimum of 48” x 40” if paintings or mixed media, or smaller works in a series will also be considered. Subject matter to be suitable for a healthcare environment. No nudity. Submission Format Should Include All submissions should be sent on a CD in JPEG format. Digital file size of each image should be 72 dpi, approximately 1024 x 768 pixels (no more than 1 MB) on a CD only. Include your name and title or image number on each image. Also include a separate printed page of thumbnails for all submitted entries. Printed photos or gallery cards may also be included as additional items. No slides will be accepted. A professional bio and/or artist statement. Each artist may submit up to 25 images for review. Additional images may be requested if the artist is selected. A retail price list for sculpture or unframed work. All submittals must include a self- addressed stamped envelope for return of all images. Submissions received without a self-addressed stamped envelope will be discarded after review process. Although care will be exercised in the treatment of the information received, ARTERRA is not held responsible for any damage or loss of submitted materials held for review. Do not send registered or certified mail. No images may be submitted electronically. Artists of interest will be contacted by Art Consultant Ginny Scalzo from ARTERRA. Please include a contact e-mail and phone number so that she may contact you if further information is needed. All submittals must be received by June 1st, 2009. Submit images c/o:Ginny ScalzoARTERRA1750 124th Avenue NE, Suite ABellevue, WA 98005 /home/news/94 PIERCE COUNTY, WA - Staff and Administrators of MultiCare are please to announce that John Van Buskirk, DO was recently recognized as the 2009 Home Care Association of Washington’s (HCAW) Physician of the Year. Dr. Van Buskirk was nominated by MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health and Hospice: “When Dr. John Van Buskirk accepted the job of part-time Hospice Director at MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health and Hospice a little over six years ago, no one anticipated where the journey would take him. From the beginning, John’s message and spirit was one of collaboration. Rather than coming in as an expert, John arrived as a member of the team. Since the team has doubled in size, bringing new challenges and opportunities, Dr. Van Buskirk remains the calm center. MultiCare•Good Samaritan Hospice has grown in patient numbers, community reputation, and staff ability since Dr. Van Buskirk became Medical Director.” “What better way of bringing visibility to home care than shining a spotlight on the individuals who are helping to change the world – one patient at a time.” About Home Care Association of Washington The Home Care Association of Washington (HCAW was established in 1968. HCAW Members include Home Health, Home Care, Hospice, and Hospice Care Centers and provide an array of health-related services. /home/news/91 Latest Updates from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC): Click here for the latest from the CDC: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/whatsnew.htmHospital Visitation:Please click here for an important message from MultiCare Health System regarding visiting our hospitals during the H1N1 flu outbreak.If you are a care provider or employee, please stay home if you exhibiting any symptoms.Preventing the spread of the disease:-Stay home if you’re sick-Cover your cough or when you sneeze -Wash hands frequently -In work areas, disinfect frequently -Take care of yourself: keep hydrated and get rest -Contact your physician if you have questions or feel ill -Stay tuned with updates on MHSnetH1N1 symptoms include:-Fever-Headaches -Muscle aches -Chills -Extreme tiredness -Dry cough -Runny nose -In some cases, vomiting and diarrhea H1N1 flu can be contagious up to at least seven days. Please stay home during this time. Also, because it’s contagious via person-to-person contact and droplets, do not share cups, food, eating utensils, and more. When to seek emergency care: -Has difficulty breathing or chest pain-Has purple or blue discoloration of the lips-Has vomiting and unable to keep liquids down-Has as signs of dehydration such as dizziness when standing, absence of urination, or in infants, a lack of tears when they cry-Has seizures (for example, uncontrolled convulsions)-Is less responsive than normal or becomes confusedAdditional Resources: http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidance_homecare.htmH1N1 (Swine) Flu Fact SheetPrevention TipsMHS Protocol World Health Organization: http://www.who.int/en/ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/general_info.htm Tacoma-Pierce County Health Dept: http://www.tpchd.org/news.php?id=407 /home/news/93 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716Jennifer Aalgaard (253) 219-1715 (PIERCE COUNTY) – MultiCare Health System has won two prestigious Health Care Champions Awards from The Business Examiner newspaper, the South Sound business information resource. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital won the Emergency Services Award for their partnership with the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies that serve East Pierce County. As a county EMS base station, Good Samaritan Hospital’s physicians and nurses provide guidance to EMS providers in the field when necessary. Local EMS agencies and Good Samaritan Hospital devised a new way to communicate about incoming heart attack patients. EMS agencies are able to request activation of the cardiac catheterization lab for patients suffering a heart attack in the field. Through a combination of the paramedic’s clinical judgment and the use of bluetooth and cellular technologies, the decision can be made to alert the cardiologist and cath lab team while the patient is still being transported to the emergency department, allowing for quicker transition to the cardiac cath lab where life saving procedures can be performed. The Military Award was given to the MultiCare Neuroscience Rehabilitation Vestibular and Balance Program for an informal partnership with Madigan Army Medical Center (MAMC). This partnership provides evaluation and treatment of soldiers and their families with balance injuries from trauma or disease. Many soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan who have been injured or exposed to high intensity explosions can suffer from Mild Traumatic Brain Injury, or MTBI. No similar service is available at MAMC or other military bases, so these patients have been cared for by civilian providers at MultiCare. In addition to the awards, MultiCare also garnered honorable mention in these and other categories: · Karen Lynch, RN, was honorably mentioned in the Distinguished Service category for her nearly 52 years of service to Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and the MultiCare Health System. · Good Samaritan Hospital was noted for its partnership with the 8th Squadron, 1st Calvary Regiment at Fort Lewis. · Mary Bridge Pediatric Heart Center was mentioned for its partnership with the Tacoma General Hospital Women & Newborn Services in an effort to screen all newborns for congenital heart defects. The awards ceremony will be held on Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at Tacoma’s Museum of Glass. For more information on the awards and the ceremony, go to www.businessexaminer.com. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/90 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 More often, young children remain calm in emergencies and perform lifesaving actions, such as calling 9-1-1 or warning others of impending danger. They all have one thing in common: They have learned from experts like nurses and firefighters and are modeling positive behavior they learned from adults. Children of all ages can learn what to do in an emergency as well as discover healthy lifestyle tips at the Kids’ Safety & Health Fair on Saturday, May 2, 2009 in Tacoma. The event will take place in the school’s gymnasium and parking lot. While this event is designed to be fun for children and adults, the message is serious. Research shows that children are more likely to practice good safety tips when they learn from the positive actions of parents, caregivers and other influential adults, like firefighters and nurses. Children and caregivers will learn these lifesaving skills using fun, interactive displays and from safety and health experts. Presented by Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, Safe Kids Pierce County and Tacoma Fire Department, experts will offer free car seat inspections and provide important information about proper installation and recalls, provide custom-fit bike helmets for $7, skateboard helmets for $10 and U.S. Coast Guard approved life jackets for $14. Children can learn what to do in a fire by calling 9-1-1 and crawling through a tunnel filled with artificial smoke as though they were escaping from a house fire. A nurse from Mary Bridge will also be offering free immunizations. The event is sponsored by State Farm Insurance. For more information, contact Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital at (253) 403-7911 or (253) 403-2700. Since the late 1980s, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center has been a leading supporter and presenter of the Kids’ Health & Safety Fair, helping thousands of children and their families learn important life safety lessons. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. Kids’ Safety & Health Fair Saturday, May 2, 2009 10 am to 2 pmFoss High School 2112 South Tyler Street Tacoma (Behind Cheney Stadium) Presented by Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Tacoma Fire Department Sponsored by State Farm Insurance /home/news/89 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System will soon open a new clinic in Maple Valley to better serve the growing community. The new clinic will open on March 30. The MultiCare Maple Valley Clinic will be located at 23846 SE Kent-Kangley Road, Suite E-11, in Maple Valley. The phone numbers are (425) 413-1310 and (253) 372-7680. The staff offers a full range of family-practice services. Medical staff includes three longstanding MultiCare providers: David A. Cline, MD, is a family practice physician. He is a graduate of Tulane University and Rush Medical College and completed his residency at Duke University Medical School. Craig DeSelms, MD, is a board-certified family practice physician and Fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians. He is a graduate of Willamette University and the University of Oregon Medical School. Dr. DeSelms completed his residency at David Grant Medical Center in California. Constance Hood, PA-C, is a board-certified family practice physician assistant with an interest in emergency medicine. She is a graduate of Eastern Washington University and the University of Oklahoma. “Maple Valley is one of the fastest growing communities in Washington State,” said Karen Graham, Director of Operations for MultiCare Medical Associates. “Between 2004 and 2006, the area saw 25.8% growth, which says to us that Maple Valley needed more local medical services.” The MultiCare Maple Valley Clinic\'s office hours will be Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. MultiCare also has clinics in Kent, Covington, Auburn and locations throughout Pierce County. The new clinic houses the same services that have been available at the East Hill MultiCare Clinic for 20 years. That location will close March 26. MultiCare Health System is one of the few health systems in the nation to offer a comprehensive electronic health record system. This system links all of a patient’s records throughout MultiCare’s hospitals and clinics, so it is available wherever a patient needs care. Patients at the Maple Valley clinic can also make appointments, request prescription refills and view lab and imaging results online through MyMultiCare, a secure, web-based Internet connection. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/87 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716(TACOMA) – The third annual Pierce County\'s Biggest Winner Weight Loss competition is underway! This year, the competition featured 20 couples chosen from 11 cities throughout the South Puget Sound region. The 14-week weight loss competition includes health assessments before and after the competition, individual sessions with a MultiCare registered dietitian and a YMCA health and wellness coach, nutrition and fitness classes. This year’s Biggest Winner will also include the Super Shopper Challenge, where participants learn to shop for healthy foods, the Y Kids Run, Camp Seymour’s rope course challenge and the Roman Meal Sound to Narrows 5K Run/Walk. The couple who loses the highest percentage of body weight by the Sound to Narrows event on Saturday, June 13, 2009 will be named “The Pierce County’s Biggest Winner Couple” by Ali Vincent, who won last year’s Biggest Loser television show. She will be accompanied by her mother and fellow contestant, Bette-Sue Burklund. Biggest Winner programs were created by Pierce County Gets Fit and Healthy, a partnership between MultiCare Center for Healthy Living, Tacoma-Pierce County YMCAs, and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department. Since 2007, when the Pierce County Biggest Winner programs began, participants have lost a total of 1,016 pounds and are living healthier lives. Last year’s winner, Greg Rolsma, lost 46 pounds, amounting to more than 15% of his total body weight. The MultiCare Center for Healthy Living’s goal is to serve as the community’s complete resource for better health. The Center’s educational programs, events and activities provide people with the information they need to feel better and live healthier. The Center is a community resource made possible by gifts to the MultiCare Health Foundation. For more information, or to track the progress of the participants, go to www.piercecountygetsfit.org. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/88 Tune in to \"Q13 Fox NEws\" all this week and see MultiCare Center for Healthy Living Dietician Claire Kjeld recommend healthy foods and diets as you age. Go to http://www.q13fox.com/pages/wellness_report and click on “The Experts.”   /home/news/86 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Tuesday, March 10, 2009 Contact:Jennifer Aalgaard, 253.219.1715jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PIERCE COUNTY, WA- The passage of Initiative 1000, the “Washington State Death with Dignity Act”, has raised many questions for physicians, pharmacists, counselors and hospital staff statewide. MultiCare Health System recognizes patient and physician autonomy in making health care decisions. MultiCare has discussed I-1000 internally and has chosen not to prohibit individual physicians from engaging in actions under I-1000 within their physician practices and offices. It is both a provider and a patient choice as to whether to participate in I-1000 activities. However, MultiCare has decided that patients admitted to our acute care facilities; Allenmore, Tacoma General and Good Samaritan Hospitals, who might otherwise be “qualified patients” under I-1000, should not ingest life-ending medications within those facilities. Due to the right for any health care provider to opt-out of participating in I-1000, our hospitals are not able to logistically provide staffing should a patient elect to participate. No MultiCare staff will be required to participate in any activities related to I-1000. MultiCare will work with its entire care team to ensure that all patients are fully informed of their rights and options available to them as they relate to end-stage disease and care management. Where appropriate, referrals to other community providers will be made if requested by patients whose needs cannot be met within MultiCare Health System. /home/news/85 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 Auburn, WA – MultiCare Health System will open a comprehensive medical oncology clinic in Auburn on March 28, offering residents vital services close to home. The new services will be an extension of the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center at Tacoma General Hospital. The clinic grand opening will be held at the new facility, located at 923 Auburn Way N. on Saturday, March 28, 2009 and will include a variety of free services. The new Auburn location joins MultiCare’s other oncology locations in Covington, Tacoma and Gig Harbor and is the only south Sound oncology service to be a network affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. “When individuals and families face cancer, it can be the most difficult time they will ever endure,” said MultiCare Regional Cancer Center Medical Director John Rieke, MD. “That’s why it is so important to receive oncology care in a comfortable and soothing environment. Our Auburn oncology services will make care more convenient for patients, family members and caregivers.” In addition to medical oncology, a radiation oncologist will be available in Auburn one day a week for consultation. For those patients in need of radiation treatments, MultiCare will provide transportation to Tacoma General Hospital, so the patient can receive their treatments on the Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator. Tacoma General was one of the first hospitals in the world to use this advanced technology, which targets cancer tumors and legions with pinpoint accuracy, minimizing potential damage to surrounding healthy tissue. This nearly eliminates the illness often associated with radiation treatments. MultiCare Regional Cancer Center was founded in 1982 and offers the latest and most advanced diagnostics and cancer treatments available. From innovative technology to more precise radiation treatments, MultiCare is the only health system in the South Sound offering a unique combination of new and innovative methods, including surgical robotics, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and image-guided radiation therapy. For more information, go to multicare.org/cancer or call one of the MultiCare Nurse Navigators at (253) 403-2346. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. Grand Opening Celebration Saturday, March 28, 2009 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. 923 Auburn Way N. FREE Private, professional Cancer Screenings: Clinical Breast Exams, Skin Cancer Screenings, Prostate Digital Rectal Exams (DRE) Ask-the-Expert Booths: Cancer nutritionist, pharmacist, medical oncologist, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance Self-Guided Tours: Exam rooms and Infusion Area, complete with chairside DVD/Flat Screen TV Look Good, Feel Good Consultations: Hair alternatives, skin care and makeup consultations, compliments of Healthy Reflections Medical and Day Spa at MultiCare Covington Clinic Light Refreshments Free Parking /home/news/84 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System President & CEO Diane Cecchettini, RN, has been named Outstanding Health Care Executive, Metropolitan Division, by Seattle Business magazine. The honor was given to Diane at the “Leaders in Health Care” awards dinner on February 26. Diane was nominated by the MultiCare Health System Board of Directors for her visionary leadership and dedication to patient care. Under her leadership, MultiCare has grown to become the largest health system in the south Puget Sound and the largest private employer in Pierce County with more than 8,500 employees. “MultiCare owes much of its success to Diane’s leadership and skill,” said Lois Bernstein, Senior Vice President of Community Services for MultiCare. “She is a skilled and gifted leader who deserves recognition for her dedication to MultiCare and the patients we serve.” Diane’s leadership has had a significant effect on how care is delivered in the South Sound and throughout the state. She advocated for MultiCare to become an early adopter of an electronic health record system for its promise of improving care. Today, MultiCare is a national leader in the integration of electronic health records across inpatient and outpatient settings. This effort earned her another honor from Modern Healthcare magazine with the 2008 CEO IT Achievement Award. She was only one of three CEOs nationally to win the award and the only in Washington State. Diane has also been a health care industry champion. She served two terms as Chair of the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA). During her term, WSHA launched a program to help hospitals improve patient safety by supporting adoption of evidence-based protocols that have been proven to save lives. At WSHA, she also founded and chaired the Patient Safety Sub-Committee, which helped expand its mission beyond policy advocacy to include patient safety advocacy. Diane was also pivotal in achieving participation by all Washington State hospitals in the national Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) 100K Lives Campaign. Diane’s influence resulted in quality improvements across the state and even the nation, as other hospitals have followed Washington’s lead. Diane has also personally served on a number of health care and mission-related community Boards and Committees, including the VHA Health Foundation, First Choice Health Network, American Organization of Nurse Executives, and Tacoma Trauma Trust Board. Recently, Diane has led the MRSA Community Initiative, which brings MultiCare together with public health and other health systems in setting industry-leading standards for treating and tracking Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus infections in the community and in the health care setting. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/82 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716Jennifer Aalgaard (253) 219-1715 (TACOMA) -- Tacoma General Hospital and Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup, both part of MultiCare Health System, will be lined with red lights in support of Go Red For Women during the month of February. MultiCare Health System is the exclusive partner of the American Heart Association’s Go Red for Women movement in the south Puget Sound. This partnership gives women the tools and knowledge they need to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke. MultiCare, in partnership with the American Heart Association, will host the Go Red For Women Rally at South Hill Mall in Puyallup on February 6 to help women understand why heart disease is the biggest threat to their health, and how they can minimize their risk. The Go Red For Women Rally also features an educational talk by cardiologist Dr. Uma Krishnan, a special appearance by Puyallup Mayor Don Malloy, cholesterol checks, free glucose and blood pressure screenings, and prize giveaways. Tracy Taylor, radio host on Q Country 102.9 FM, will emcee. The event is free and open to the public, and begins at 10 a.m. For more information about Go Red For Women in Pierce County, visit www.PierceCountyGoesRed.org or call the American Heart Association at (253) 272-7854. To schedule a Women’s Heart Advantage risk assessment at MultiCare or to register for the Go Red Forum, please call 1-800-342-9919 or go to www.multicare.org. ### About MultiCareMultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/79 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Monday, January 26, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital Encourages Puyallup to Go Red February 6th PUYALLUP, WA – Red is the color of the day on Friday, February 6, 2009 when the nation observes National Wear Red Day, a day focused on getting women to take personal action against heart disease, the leading cause of death for women in America. “Cardiovascular diseases, which include diseases of the heart and stroke, are the biggest health threat to women of all ages, and many of us don’t realize it,” said cardiologist Uma Krishnan, MD of MultiCare and spokesperson for the American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women campaign. “Most forms of cardiovascular diseases are also preventable, and Wear Red Day is the perfect time to highlight women’s power to fight back by simply making smarter choices for their heart.” MultiCare, in partnership with the American Heart Association, will host the Go Red For Women Rally at South Hill Mall in Puyallup on February 6 to help women understand why heart disease is the biggest threat to their health, and how they can minimize their risk. The Go Red For Women Rally also features an educational talk by Dr. Krishnan, a special appearance by Puyallup Mayor Don Malloy, cholesterol checks, free glucose and blood pressure screenings, and prize giveaways. Tracy Taylor, radio host on Q Country 102.9 FM, will emcee. The event is free and open to the public, and begins at 10 a.m. For more information about Go Red For Women in Pierce County, visit www.PierceCountyGoesRed.org or call the American Heart Association at 253.272.7854. The Go Red For Women is locally sponsored by MultiCare. /home/news/80 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716Jennifer Aalgaard (253) 219-1715 (TACOMA) – Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice and MultiCare Home Health & Hospice officially became one organization on January 1, 2009 under a unified name and structure, MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice. Home health caregivers provide rehabilitative and supportive care to patients recovering from strokes, surgery or ongoing health issues such as diabetes or osteoarthritis in the comfort of the patient’s home. Hospice provides spiritual, emotional and physical support for patients in the last phases of incurable disease so that they may live as fully and as comfortably as possible. “We now have the ability to meet the patient’s needs wherever they are on their journey,” said Jeanette E. Weyrich, RN, MBA, Administrative Director of the integrated services. “We can provide care seamlessly throughout Pierce and South King Counties with the ability to expand services to more patients.” The integration will enhance the organization’s ability to provide services to all Pierce County and South King County communities. The larger staff will provide more flexibility and additional resources within the four MultiCare hospitals; Tacoma General, Good Samaritan, Mary Bridge and Allenmore. The integration also calls for the future expansion of services, including Home Palliative Care, a program to help patients improve their quality of life. The integration will also include the full implementation of the electronic health records system (EHR). Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. MultiCare is now one of few health systems in the nation to implement a comprehensive electronic health records system. For more information on MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice, call 1-888-516-4504. The MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice offices are located at 3901 South Fife Street in Tacoma. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/81 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACTS:Todd Kelley, MultiCare Health System(253) 403-1716 Jennifer Aalgaard, Good Samaritan Hospital(253) 697-2029 (TACOMA) -- MultiCare Health System is now sixth nationally on an annual listing of integrated health networks (IHN), as compiled by SDI (formerly Verispan). Five Pacific Northwest health systems made the list, with MultiCare attaining the highest spot. The 2009 Top 100 IHN listing ranks local and regional networks across the United States that meet critical success factors. The rating evaluates each network\'s ability to operate as a unified organization in each of eight categories: integration, integrated technology, services and access, financial stability, hospital utilization, outpatient utilization, physicians and contractual capabilities. This is the seventh consecutive year MultiCare has ranked in the Top 100, more than any other integrated health network in Washington State. “For MultiCare to achieve another rise in the rankings is a real credit to those who have worked so hard to make MultiCare the provider of choice for residents in the South Puget Sound,” said Good Samaritan President John Long. “The hallmarks of this strong showing are unwavering commitment to quality patient care and strong financial performance.” MultiCare has been steadily rising in the Top 100 IHN listing. In 2008, MultiCare jumped from 56th to eighth on the list, due in large part to the ongoing integration of electronic health records across the system and the affiliation with Good Samaritan Community Healthcare. The affiliation with MultiCare gave Good Samaritan the surge of support needed to continue its goal of becoming the regional medical center of choice for east Pierce County. With recent program and facility expansions in areas such as cardiac care and the $400 million campus re-development, Good Samaritan will achieve its goal with the completion of a new Patient Care Tower in 2011. MultiCare also continues to integrate electronic health records (EHR) within the clinics and hospitals. This has made MultiCare one of few health systems in the nation to implement a comprehensive electronic health records system. Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. The Good Samaritan clinics recently were added to this system and it will be integrated at Good Samaritan Hospital with the opening of the new Patient Care Tower. Most recently, MultiCare and Good Samaritan integrated the home health & hospice services, becoming MultiCare•Good Samaritan Home Health & Hospice with an ability to provide coordinated services throughout Pierce and South King Counties. MultiCare also recently opened an Ambulatory Surgery Clinic and a new radiation oncology system in Gig Harbor, further integrating outpatient services and making care more available to the community. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. About SDIOn July 29th, 2008, Verispan, LLC was acquired by SDI. Since 1982, SDI has been delivering innovative healthcare data products and analytic services to the pharmaceutical, biotech, healthcare, medical device, financial services, and consumer packaged goods industries. SDI is the leading provider of de-identified patient-level data analytics and offers a broad array of solutions and insights across the continuum of care. These include custom and syndicated patient-level data studies; localized disease and treatment surveillance and projection; market research audits; healthcare profiles; comprehensive managed care offerings; clinical trial optimization; direct-to-patient pharmacy programs; marketing effectiveness; sales targeting and compensation products; data integration, warehousing, and mining; list services; and direct marketing services. Its current roster includes the top 50 pharmaceutical/biotech companies. /home/news/78 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Thursday, January 22, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan HospitalNamed Puyallup-Sumner Chamber Large Business of the Year PUYALLUP, WA- On January 21, 2009, the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce honored MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital with its Large Business of the Year Award at their annual meeting. “It was so great to be able to honor MultiCare Good Samaritan at our annual meeting,” said Sally Zeiger-Hansen, Executive Director of the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce. “The organization is such an important part of this community and a great partner with the Chamber.” Good Samaritan Hospital was honored for the following elements: - Business Growth and Performance- Sound Business Strategies and Practices- Customer Service Strategies and Practices- Business Challenges- Unique and Innovative Approaches- Community Involvement and Contribution Good Samaritan Hospital has been a member of the Chamber for 37 years. Over those three decades the partnership between the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber and Good Samaritan continues to grow. /home/news/76 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 Ali Vincent shed 112 pounds to become the first woman to win TV’s Biggest Loser during the 2008 season. Devin Alexander shed 55 pounds before becoming the chef on the NBC reality show, The Biggest Loser and authoring health-oriented cookbooks, including the New York Times Bestseller, The Biggest Loser Cookbook and The Most Decadent Diet Ever! Both will come to Tacoma for “Do Something Healthy 10,” which will be held Thursday, January 29, 2009 at the Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway in Tacoma. The presentation is sponsored by the MultiCare Center For Healthy Living and hosted by John Curley from KING-TV’s Evening Magazine. The event will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a health fair and screening, followed by a YMCA Zumba dance-based fitness demonstration at 6:15 p.m. Vincent and Alexander will share their personal journeys to health and fitness at 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required and tickets are $15. Alexander will provide a nutritious, yet decadent cooking demonstration and Vincent will share her inspiring and dramatic story of weight loss during her time on the Biggest Loser and how she has continued her success. After their presentations, Alexander will be available to sign copies of her cookbooks and Vincent will be available for personal photos. “Obesity is becoming one of the most serious health threats in our community and the country and people clearly need more inspiration and better role models to kick start their commitments to good health and fitness,” said Lori Tanner, MPH, RD, Director of MultiCare’s Center For Healthy Living. “These two women have succeeded in their goals of health and fitness and now want to teach and inspire others to take control of their lives and live healthier.” Pierce County’s Biggest Winner & Million Minute Mission “Do Something Healthy 10” will also kick off a local version of the popular weight loss program called Pierce County’s Biggest Winner. The program, in its third year, will begin in February and the teams will be comprised of couples from all over the area. Sponsored by MultiCare Health System, Tacoma/Pierce County YMCAs and the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department, the program offers area residents a chance to apply for a spot on four teams competing to lose weight. A MultiCare physician and a professional dietitian, along with a personal trainer from the YMCA, will oversee the program to ensure that participants are losing weight and are exercising in a safe, healthy way. Each week, team members will “weigh in” and their results will be tracked on a website. The team that has lost the most weight at the end of the competition will be deemed “Pierce County’s Biggest Winner.” Pierce County’s Biggest Winner competition will end and winners will be announced Saturday, June 13 at the Roman Meal Sound to Narrows™, which is a 12K and 5K walk/run that raises funds for stroke prevention, education and treatment programs at MultiCare. Sound to Narrows kicks-off the Million Minute Mission, a physical activity initiative geared to help Pierce County residents improve their health and fitness. The initiative encourages adults to complete 30 minutes of moderate physical activity five days a week for 18 weeks, and children to do 30 to 60 minutes of activity for the same duration. The Million Minute Mission will also culminate with the Sound to Narrows run. The MultiCare Center For Healthy Living’s goal is to serve as the community’s complete resource for better health. The Center’s educational programs, events and activities provide people with the information they need to feel better and live healthier. The Center is a community resource made possible by gifts to the MultiCare Health Foundation. To register for Do Something Healthy 10 or to find out more about Pierce County’s Biggest Winner and Million Minute Mission, go to www.multicare.org, or call 1-800-485-0205. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/75 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Tuesday, January 13, 2009Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital NamesNew Vice President of Patient Care Services PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is pleased to announce that Marcia Johnson has accepted the position of Vice President, Patient Care Services. Johnson will oversee nursing, surgery, emergency and maternal services for Good Samaritan Hospital. Johnson comes to Good Samaritan from Overlake Hospital Medical Center in Bellevue, where she served in a similar capacity for 10 years. Johnson brings to Good Samaritan a distinguished background in nursing and healthcare management. Early in her career, Johnson served as Director of Nursing and Assistant Administrator for St. Cabrini Hospital, and also worked at the corporate office of the Sisters of Providence, both in Seattle. In addition, she has held adjunct clinical faculty positions at Pacific Lutheran University School of Nursing, the University of Washington School of Nursing – Tacoma, and Seattle Pacific University. She is active in the Northwest Organization of Nurse Executives and is a past president. Johnson holds a Master of Health Administration & Planning, a Master of Nursing and a BS in Nursing from the University of Washington. She is also a graduate of the Executive Development Program of the University of Illinois, American Hospital Association. /home/news/74 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – Cathy J. Brewis has joined the MultiCare Office of Philanthropy as Manager of Grants & Corporate Relations. Brewis joins MultiCare from The News Tribune, where she provided staff support and executive leadership in market research, marketing and event management, display and classified advertising, executive management, human resources and community relations. She joined The News Tribune in 1971 as a research clerk and is a University of Puget Sound graduate. Brewis has also served in a variety of community volunteer and leadership capacities. She has chaired the boards of the Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce, YWCA of Pierce County, Tacoma Community House, RAGS, the University of Puget Sound Alumni Board and Peninsula Child Care, and has served as a volunteer for many other organizations. “I have found MultiCare to be a fascinating, diverse, welcoming organization,” Brewis said. “It will be challenging and rewarding to enhance the work of MultiCare in our community and region.” As Manager of Grants & Corporate Relations, Brewis will oversee grant writing efforts and managing corporate donor relationships. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/73 UPDATED: Tuesday, December 23, 2008, 9:35 p.m. The National Weather Service in Seattle has issued another Winter Storm Warning for lowland snow in Western Washington, especially on hills above 500 to 1,000 ft. in elevation. Snow continues to be expected after midnight tonight and continue into the morning hours. Snow will be light at first and become heavy in the morning hours. It will change over to rain/snow mix mid-day in the lowlands and freeze Wednesday evening into Thursday. There will be another round of snow on Christmas Day, which will then be followed by warmer weather by Saturday. If any additional closures or changes occur, or if any services are impacted, updates will be posted on our Internet site at www.multicare.org, on MHSnet, sent via e-mail and on the Emergency Preparedness Hotline at (253) 403-8677. Attendance and snow policies are posted on MHSnet. MultiCare policy indicates that employees should make every attempt to report for their shifts and employees should stay at work until their relief arrives. We have no information at this time if the 4X4 group will be available to provide rides for essential staff. Thank you, Todd Kelley & Jennifer AalgaardMHS EOC PIO & GSH EOC PIO /home/news/77 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – \"Tree House: A Place For Families\" is about to be a reality and will provide much-needed housing near Tacoma General Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital for parents of hospitalized infants and children. Currently, there are only 12 units nearby for parents and families, with demand far outstripping the availability. With \"Tree House,\" there will eventually be 42 parent apartment units available. Major funding for \"Tree House\" has been provided by the Mary Bridge Festival of Trees volunteers, patrons, attendees and its sponsor businesses over a three year period, raising more than $3 million for the cause. The area businesses that sponsored the Festival of Trees made the \"Tree House\" funding a success. These companies include Associated Petroleum Products, Rainier Pacific, TOTE, the Puyallup Tribe of Indians-Emerald Queen Hotel and Casinos, Propel Insurance and Unigard Insurance Group. \"Despite the economic downturn, the Festival of Trees sponsor businesses stepped up this year to support this great cause,\" said Sara Long, Vice President of Philanthropy at MultiCare Health System, \"These companies saw the importance and urgency of providing support for families of hospitalized children.\" \"Tree House\" units are private, with apartment amenities. The new facility will include private apartments equipped with two queen beds, a private bathroom, a television and a mini refrigerator. The facility will also include common living spaces, a quiet room, a multipurpose meeting room, an outdoor play area and laundry facilities. A communal kitchen will be available for families to prepare their own meals, as well as for volunteers from the community to provide meals for families. A playroom for siblings as well as a media room will invite social opportunities for families. Meeting rooms will be available to enable families to take advantage of services through the hospitals, such as the social work department. It is expected that the close connection will open up possibilities for support groups and counseling that are not currently available. \"Tree House truly would not have been possible without the support of our community – and our sponsor businesses,\" Long added. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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 /home/news/72 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley(253) 403-1716 (TACOMA)--MultiCare Health System was recently featured in Forbes® Magazine as recipient of the American Heart Association recognition as a Gold Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company. Start! Fit-Friendly Company recognition program is a national movement from the American Heart Association that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthier lives through walking. Companies earn recognition by implementing physical activity practices. MultiCare Center For Healthy Living’s successful Healthy @ Work employee wellness program at MultiCare’s Tacoma hospitals and clinics in Pierce and South King counties provided nutrition and exercise challenges to employees and the chance to win prizes for participating. “It is wonderful to be recognized in the national media for our employee fitness efforts,” said Lori Tanner, Director of the MultiCare Center For Healthy Living. “Our team works hard to get employees invested in their own health and many of them have successfully taken on this challenge.” ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/71 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContacts:Todd Kelley, MultiCare Health System(253) 403-1716todd.kelley@multicare.org TACOMA, Wash. –MultiCare Regional Cancer Center at Tacoma General Hospital is one of the first facilities in the Pacific Northwest to offer a more individualized five-day course of radiation treatment for early-stage breast cancer. This sophisticated new radiation treatment with the SAVI™ applicator expands treatment options for most women with early-stage breast cancer. Now the majority of women who qualify for partial breast radiation can be treated with the SAVI applicator. Partial breast radiation is a short, five-day course of radiation therapy given after a lumpectomy. SAVI delivers a form of partial breast radiation known as breast brachytherapy, which targets the tumor site from inside the breast. SAVI is the only single-entry device that contours the radiation dose specifically to the patient’s individual anatomy. Its design overcomes the limitations of older brachytherapy techniques, such as balloon brachytherapy. “I use SAVI for the majority of my patients who are candidates for partial breast radiation,” said breast surgeon Lynne Clark, M.D., the first surgeon in Washington to utilize the device. “We can offer this choice to women who would not otherwise qualify for brachytherapy and better individualize treatment for each patient.” Breast brachytherapy typically involves two treatments per day for only five days. This approach is much more convenient than traditional, external-beam radiation treatment, which takes six to seven weeks. Breast brachytherapy with SAVI also minimizes radiation exposure of healthy tissue. That reduces the risk of exposing critical structures such as the skin, heart, and lungs to radiation. “This new device does most everything balloon brachytherapy can do and more. It enables us to provide better treatment to many of our breast-cancer patients,” said Carolyn Rutter, M.D., a radiation oncologist at MultiCare. “SAVI allows us to tailor radiation to the patient’s anatomy. That can potentially reduce side effects that may be associated with radiation therapy.” Breast brachytherapy is used as part of breast-conservation therapy, which includes lumpectomy – the surgical removal of the cancerous tissue within the breast plus tissue immediately around the tumor – followed by radiation. This approach is an alternative to mastectomy, which removes the breast and is often followed by breast reconstruction. MultiCare offers comprehensive breast health services – from education, prevention and screening programs to advanced diagnostics, treatment and support. The system’s breast-imaging capabilities include digital mammography, enabling earlier detection that is the key in fighting the disease. Breast cancer treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and targeted drug therapy. MultiCare also offers complementary therapies such as nutritional therapy, physical therapy and emotional counseling. MultiCare Regional Cancer Center is also the exclusive south Sound network affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. For more information, go to www.multicare.org and click on “cancer.” ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/70 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Tuesday, December 9th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital ReceivesAccreditation as a Chest Pain Center PUYALLUP, WA- The Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) has granted the designation of Accredited Chest Pain Center to MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital, making it the sixth accredited Chest Pain Center in the state of Washington. “The society\'s seal of accreditation is an important distinction for Good Samaritan,” said Bret Lambert, MD, Good Samaritan Hospital Emergency Department. “Successful treatment of heart attacks is time dependent and must be initiated quickly. This accreditation certifies that our hospital and staff are totally prepared to care for patients with heart attack symptoms in a rapid, systematic manner.” A Chest Pain Center is the sum of the processes of care for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) patients that start from the time the patient calls the ambulance until that patient is discharged from the hospital. A Chest Pain Center encompasses the entire hospital, much like a trauma center. This special designation acknowledges that Good Samaritan provides excellent care of all cardiac patients – those with undiagnosed chest pain to those with a known heart attack. MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital has demonstrated its expertise and commitment to quality patient care by meeting or exceeding a wide set of stringent criteria and completing on-site evaluations by a review team from the Society of Chest Pain Centers. Key areas in which a Chest Pain Center must demonstrate expertise include:- Integrating the emergency department with the local emergency medical system- Emergency assessment of patients with symptoms of Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS)- Community Outreach MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital and Health Center and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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.About the Society of Chest Pain CentersThe Society of Chest Pain Centers (SCPC) is a non-profit international society dedicated to the belief that heart disease can be eliminated as the number one cause of death worldwide. Because we know that time translates to muscle during a heart emergency, the Society bridges cardiology, emergency medicine and other professions jointly focused upon improving timely, quality care for cardiac patients.For more information on the Society of Chest Pain Centers, please contact Robert Weisenburger Lipetz, Executive Director at 614.274.9710 or director@scpcp.org.   /home/news/69 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Thursday, December 4th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PUYALLUP, WA- MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital is pleased to announce that the Good Samaritan Sleep Center recently received program accreditation from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). “The American Academy of Sleep Medicine congratulates the Good Samaritan Sleep Medicine Center on fulfilling the high standards required for receiving accreditation as a sleep disorders center,” said Dr. Mary Susan Esther, AASM president. “The center is a significant resource to the local medical community and will provide academic and scientific value in addition to the highest quality care for patients suffering from sleep disorders.” To receive a five-year accreditation, a sleep center must meet or exceed all standards for professional health care as designated by the AASM. The accreditation process involves detailed inspection of a center’s facility and staff, including an evaluation of testing procedures, patient contacts, and physician training. Additionally, the facility’s goals must be clearly stated and include plans for positively affecting the quality of medical care in the community it serves. MultiCare Health System offers sleep medicine services in Puyallup and now South Hill, as well as Covington, Gig Harbor and Tacoma. The South Hill clinic is the most recent addition to MultiCare’s sleep medicine locations. Opened in July, this 4-bed unit has state-of-the-art technology to help aid in sleep studies. “There are a number of things that are monitored during a sleep study,” says Dr. Kimberly Mebust, Medical Director for the Good Samaritan Sleep Centers. “Some of them include brain activity, breathing, oxygen levels, body movement, and heart rate.” For more information on the MultiCare Good Samaritan Sleep Medicine Center, located at 402 15th Avenue SE, suite 200, please call 253.697.3050 or visit multicare.org. /home/news/67 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System has won the “Distinction Award for Best Overall Website for a Healthcare System” from eHealthcare Strategy & Trends, the premiere national organization that focuses on the ways leading-edge healthcare organizations use the Internet and technology to achieve their objectives. MultiCare’s website, www.multicare.org, was judged by a panel of 114 professionals in the health care industry on more than 60 factors. Factors considered in the judging include delivery of strong health content, interactivity, medical care support, integration with the organization\'s operations, as well as strength of Web design and ease of navigation. MultiCare was awarded the honor from more than 1,100 entries. Earlier this year, MultiCare and Tacoma-based SiteCrafting created a new website to enhance ease of use and added several new features. “This award is a true team effort,” said MultiCare Webmaster Angela Gow. “The entire Marketing team at MultiCare and the experts at SiteCrafting and DNA really pulled together to create a website that is user-friendly and informative.” The award was given at the 12th Annual eHealthcare Leadership Awards on November 11 in Orlando, Florida. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/65 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – Masa Comida Mexicana on Tacoma’s Sixth Avenue is now hosting “Masa House Blend Thursdays-Music for Charity” as a way to fight childhood obesity. Every Thursday, Masa hosts an evening of music and dancing to benefit the Mary Bridge Childhood Obesity Clinic. Masa waives the cover charge and instead encourages people to donate $5 to the obesity clinic. So far, the restaurant has raised enough to help with the startup of the childhood obesity program. “It is great to host this weekly event of great Northwest bands, all for a good cause,” said Masa owner John Xitco. “Childhood obesity is a serious health threat to children all over the Northwest. We wanted to do something to help Mary Bridge fight this threat.” Several local bands including the Vicci Martinez Band, Left Hand Smoke, Kim Archer Band, Handful of Luvin’and others have performed for “House Blend Thursday.” Masa Comida Mexicana is located at 2811 6th Ave. in Tacoma. For more information, call (253) 254-0560 or go to www.masatacoma.com. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/66 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – The American College of Physicians has named MultiCare’s David Chen, MD, as one of the nation’s top hospitalists. Hospitalist physicians work strictly in a hospital setting and provide general medical care for hospitalized patients. At MultiCare, they are employed members of the medical staff and serve patients at Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. Dr. Chen was one of 10 physicians nationally to receive the honor. He was nominated for the award by his peers in the MultiCare Inpatient Service, a group of physician hospitalists. Dr. Chen serves as the medical director of the Tacoma General Allenmore Hospitalist Group. Three of Dr. Chen’s peers at MultiCare Health System nominated him for the award and all three told of the importance he places on maintaining physician satisfaction. In the past six years, the program has experienced only a 3% turnover. “Dr. Chen has been an incredible advocate for our hospital-employed group in many areas including scheduling, salary and self-determination,” wrote Mary O’Rourke, MD, in her nominating statement. “He sees physician satisfaction as a critical part of his job.” In addition to serving as medical director, Dr. Chen still serves in a direct patient care role. “I think it extremely important that hospitalist directors also do clinical care because I experience the same things they do,” Chen said. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/68 MultiCare First in Area to Embrace National Trend in Cardiac Care New Heart & Vascular Center Unveiled to the Community on November 15 (TACOMA) – MultiCare will soon become the first health system in Washington State to embrace a national trend of expanding cardiac services and bringing them into a single, comprehensive center of care. The Tacoma General Heart Hospital will expand to provide more beds and more capacity for cardiac care. It will be home to the highest level of cardiovascular care available in the region and will combine Tacoma General’s cardiac services under one roof, including cardiac & vascular operating suites, cardiac catheterization labs, cardiovascular intensive care, coronary care units and a chest pain cardiovascular short stay unit. The Tacoma General Heart Hospital will also house all cardiac diagnostic, rehabilitation and prevention programs, including a heart failure clinic. “The idea behind the Tacoma General Heart Hospital is to make the care experience as comfortable and convenient for patients as possible,” said Tacoma General Heart Hospital Medical Director Allen Graeve, MD. “Having prevention, diagnostic and treatment services under one roof is a national trend and enables a comprehensive, team approach to heart care.” Studies show there is a connection between the patient’s care environment and healing. The new patient rooms are designed to enhance wellness, recovery, safety and efficiency. The rooms are much larger than the typical patient room, accommodating friends and family, even providing space for a sleeper sofa, so loved ones can stay overnight. The rooms are also equipped with natural light, which has been proven to aid in healing and recovery. “We wanted to provide the community a single, comprehensive and nurturing source for their cardiac needs,” said Christi McCarren, Administrator of the Tacoma General Heart Hospital. “We will provide them with a combination of the comforts and leading edge innovations they need for their heart care.” For more information on the Tacoma General Heart Hospital, go to www.multicare.org/heart. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/64 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (Gig Harbor) –MultiCare Health System will soon open a new ambulatory surgery center at the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park on Point Fosdick Drive in the Uptown Gig Harbor Shopping Center. The ambulatory surgery center will open in early January 2009 and will provide a broad array of surgical services that do not require a hospital stay, including orthopedics, urology, gynecology, podiatry and ear, nose and throat. Services also include general surgical procedures such as mass and cyst removal, biopsies and hernia repair. “This is a big step forward for the Gig Harbor community,” said MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park Administrator Mary Grubbs. “When we met with members of the community, we heard that a conveniently located day surgery center was a needed community asset. We are pleased to be able to provide this needed service.” MultiCare has cared for residents of the Gig Harbor community since 1990 with the opening of the MultiCare Urgent Care Center. The MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park opened in June 2007, expanding urgent care, primary care and specialty care access. Regional specialists in one, convenient location offer obstetrics, pediatric specialty care, and a unique combination of traditional outpatient medical services, physician clinics and medically-related retail services in one, convenient location. The center also includes a sleep disorders center, a Women’s Health & Wellness Center, and the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center, a network affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. Also coming in January 2009, the first radiation oncology system in Gig Harbor will be available through the MultiCare Regional Cancer Center. The system in use will target a tumor or legion while minimizing damage to surrounding tissue and eliminating the illness commonly associated with radiation treatments. MultiCare is proceeding with this service following a November 11, 2008 ruling from the Washington State Court of Appeals, which reaffirmed an earlier ruling from the Department of Health approving MultiCare’s plans to open the ambulatory surgery center. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/63 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Wednesday, November 12, 2008 Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Good Samaritan Healthcare Resource Center Relocating November 24th PUYALLUP, WA- Beginning November 24th, 2008 the Good Samaritan Healthcare Resource Center (anticoagulation, diabetes and nutrition) will be relocated to 2622 S. Meridian, Puyallup. The new site is located just two blocks south of the current center. The clinic will be closed November 22nd and 23rd for this transition. The move will allow staff at the Healthcare Resource Center to expand services. At the new location, the Center will require all clients to schedule an appointment for services. For questions or to schedule an appointment, please call 253.770.2300. /home/news/62 Click on the links below to watch the Good Samaritan Hospital Patient Care Tower and the Tacoma General/Mary Bridge Emergency Department grow! The projects will be completed in 2010. Good Samaritan Patient Care Tower: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/goodsamhealth/patientcaretower Tacoma General-Mary Bridge Emergency Department: http://oxblue.com/pro/open/multicare/tacomageneral /home/news/60 KOMO-TV recently came to Tacoma General Hospital to see the use of the Varian Trilogy Linear Accelerator, which has recently been equipped with Rapid Arc technology. This enables physicians to target a tumor with such accuracy; it doesn’t damage surrounding tissue, eliminating the side effects of radiation treatment. It has also reduced the time of treatment from 25-30 minutes to as little as 90 seconds, minimizing discomfort for the patient. Tacoma General is only one of eight centers in the country using this system and is the only using it for a variety of diagnoses. Other centers are using it mostly for prostate treatments. Watch the story at: http://www.komonews.com/news/health/31773639.html The story originally aired on Tuesday, October 21. Since then, it was picked up by the ABC network and made available to its affiliate stations nationwide. It was picked up by CBS and Fox and made available for use on their affiliate stations. So far, the story has aired again on KOMO, plus 38 other television markets nationwide: Raleigh-Durham (Fayetteville), North CarolinaCalgary, AlbertaBillings. MontanaButte-Bozeman. MontanaHelena. MontanaNew Orleans. LouisianaEl Paso. TexasSouth Bend-Elkhart. IndianaKansas City. MissouriReno. NevadaSalt Lake City. UtahSan Antonio. TexasEugene. OregonPortland. OregonAugusta. GeorgiaGreenville-Spartanburg. South CarolinaAsheville. North Carolina-Anderson. South CarolinaJacksonville. FloridaWaco-Temple-Bryan. TexasCedar Rapids- Waterloo- Iowa City & Dubuque. IowaFt. Smith-Fayetteville-Springdale- Rogers, ArkansasAustin, TexasTallahassee, Florida- Thomasville, GeorgiaAlbany-Schenectady-Troy. New YorkPhiladelphia. PennsylvaniaChattanooga. TennesseeHarrisonburg. VirginiaMilwaukee. WisconsinColumbus. OhioRockford, Illinois /home/news/59 A young Mary Bridge Hospital patient, Kajmere Houchins, age 9, is battling Leukemia. Previously, she has battled Neuroblastoma. During her stays at Mary Bridge, she made a list of 100 things she would like to do in her life. The list contains many things a little girl loves…tea parties, dress-up, but one the items was “go on a helicopter ride.” KOMO-TV got a copy of her list and wanted to help her with some of the items on her list. Since they happen to own a helicopter, they figured this was a good fit. On Wednesday, Oct. 29, one of Kajmere’s wishes was granted. KOMO flew their helicopter to Mary Bridge, picked her up and took her on an aerial tour of the Tacoma Narrows, Commencement Bay and they flew over her house in Federal Way. The story aired on KOMO 4 News on Thursday, October 30 Click on the link to view the story and see Kajmere’s list. http://www.komonews.com/home/video/33615259.html?video=pop&t=a /home/news/61 In June 2008, Tacoma General Hospital became among the first hospitals in the nation to use the FDA approved Percutaneous Ventricular Assist Device (Impella 2.5), a mini pump that maintains cardiac circulation during high-risk procedures. A recent procedure was featured during the “Healthlink” portion of the KING 5 newscast on October 28. Click on the link to view the story. http://www.king5.com/health/stories/NW_102808HEB_small_heart_pump_LJ.15a0ac3c3.html /home/news/58 Monday, October 27, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center’s Vice President & Administrator Mady Murrey, RN, MN is the 2008 recipient of the VHA West Coast Passion Award. Nominated by a colleague, Murrey was awarded for setting high goals, motivating members of a multi-disciplinary team and being visionary, innovative, caring and optimistic with staff and patients. Murrey first came to Mary Bridge in 1991 as a trauma nurse and in 2004, she became administrator. Since then, she has added important new services to Mary Bridge, including a new technology called Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO), which provides cardiac and respiratory oxygen to patients with decreased cardiovascular function. She worked collaboratively with multiple departments and community leaders to assure this lifesaving technology was available to children. ECMO has saved many lives since it was first used at Mary Bridge in 2007. Murrey has also reached out to other hospitals in the region with services offered by Mary Bridge. There are now Mary Bridge inpatient units serving children at two area hospitals, including Providence St. Peter Hospital in Olympia and MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital in Puyallup. Each unit is staffed with Mary Bridge Inpatient Service physicians and pediatric trained nurses. Also under her leadership, the outpatient clinics in Puyallup, Olympia, Silverdale, Covington and Gig Harbor have made specialized pediatric care more available to children across the region. “Mady approaches everything in life with a ‘can-do’ attitude,” said Sherry Hammond, Administrator of Customer Development for MultiCare. “Even when visiting patients and parents at Mary Bridge, she will comment to mothers that they are doing a great job caring for and comforting their child, which is very reassuring for them.” Murrey is also a committed community volunteer. She spends her free time volunteering at a local food bank, tutoring children and serving on the United Way Board of Directors, where she agreed to chair the Early Childhood Education committee. “Mady truly carries her passion into every facet of her life,” Hammond added. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. About VHAVHA Inc., based in Irving, Texas, is a national alliance that provides industry-leading supply chain management services and supports the formation of regional and national networks to help members improve their clinical and economic performance. With 17 offices across the U.S., including VHA West Coast, VHA has a track record of proven results in serving more than 1,400 not-for-profit hospitals and 21,000+ non-acute health care organizations nationwide. /home/news/57 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Wednesday, October 15, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Good Samaritan Hospital has Concrete Plans on October 17th and They Include You Join Good Samaritan Hospital for a special foundation-pouring event commemorating the Patient Care Tower’s progress PUYALLUP, WA- The future of patient care in East Pierce County is taking shape on the Good Samaritan Hospital campus and we want you to be a part of it. On October 17th, please join First Gentleman, Mike Gregoire , MultiCare administrators, project principals, as well as Puyallup Mayor, Don Malloy for the $400 million Patient Care Tower foundation-pouring ceremony. Come hear the latest on construction progress. And watch as we present our construction crew with a special time capsule to commemorate our proud history of caring for the community; a history that will become part of our future as it is embedded in our foundation. Event DetailsGood Samaritan Patient Care Tower Foundation-Pouring EventFriday, October 17, 2008 at 3:00pmRSVP 253.697.1333 Complimentary Shuttle 2:30–5:30pm. For your convenience, catch the complimentary event shuttle which will leave approximately every five minutes from the Bronze parking lot at 10th Avenue S.E. off of Meridian Avenue (see map). It will take you to the celebration tent and return you to your car. /home/news/56 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (AUBURN)—The Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce has recognized MultiCare Health System as the “Chamber Member of the Year.” MultiCare was chosen out of over 500 chamber members in good standing. The Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce annually recognizes a business or organization for their outstanding support of the community and “Connecting people to success,” the mission of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce. MultiCare is an advocate of the Auburn Area Chamber of Commerce, directly supporting the Leadership Institute of South Puget Sound for several years. MultiCare also supports the Chamber’s Career Fair, annual banquet and holiday auction. In addition, Karen Graham, director of MultiCare’s South King County Clinics, serves on the Chamber’s board of directors and the board of regents for the Leadership Institute. “It is a great honor to be recognized by the Chamber,” said Graham. “MultiCare is strongly committed to the communities we serve and believes in making them stronger and healthier.” MultiCare first came to Auburn in 1998. Since then, MultiCare has opened the Auburn MultiCare Urgent Care Center and will be opening an oncology clinic in early 2009, which will include diagnosis and chemotherapy treatments for cancer patients. MultiCare is the exclusive south Puget Sound network affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/55 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA)—Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center and the MultiCare Center For Healthy Living are part of a national effort to fight childhood obesity. The first annual “Together For Kids: Walk Across America” will take place on Saturday, October 25, 2008. The national goal is to get enough participants involved to walk a total of 14,911 miles, the distance it would take to link all of the “Together For Kids” member hospitals from Boston, Massachusetts to Honolulu, Hawaii. Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center is a “Together For Kids” founding member hospital. Locally, Tacoma Mall will be turned into a walking course and walkers will raise money for the Childhood Obesity Program at Mary Bridge by soliciting a minimum of $30 in pledges, which includes a t-shirt and a Jump rope for youth participants and a pedometer for adults. Any mall walker raising $100 or more in pledges by October 25 will be awarded an iPod Shuffle. One of the primary goals of “Together For Kids” is to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity through programs, counseling and events. The “Walk Across America” event is an opportunity to get children and adults together, contribute to the mileage goal and help fight childhood obesity in their own community. “The more mall walkers we have, the more miles we can log and the more money we can raise to fight childhood obesity,” said Michael Shields, Director of Special Events and Corporate Relations for MultiCare. “This is a great, indoor family event where everyone wins.” Registration for the event begins at 7 a.m. on Saturday, October 25 in Tacoma Mall’s concourse outside JC Penney. The walk begins at 8 a.m. and will end at 10 a.m. In addition to the mall walk, the Mary Bridge Center For Childhood Safety will be selling and fitting discounted bike and sport helmets; Barrel No. 51 will be selling barbeque sauces and rubs with 100% of the purchases benefiting Mary Bridge; and the YMCA of Tacoma-Pierce County and the MultiCare Center For Health Living will host booths focused on providing information about exercise and good nutrition. For more information, call (253) 403-1599 or go to www.togetherforkids.org and click on “Walk Across America.” ### About “Together For Kids”Established in 2006, Together for Kids is a national, not-for-profit alliance made up of 34 children’s hospitals and hospital systems, representing 53 individual facilities in 47 U.S. cities, all dedicated to building a healthier future for America’s children. MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/54 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley(253) 403-1716 (TACOMA)--MultiCare Health System recently received national recognition from the American Heart Association as a Gold Level Start! Fit-Friendly Company.MultiCare is also one of only 12 companies recognized nationally with the Community Fitness Innovation Award, in addition to achieving the Gold Level recognition.Start! Fit-Friendly Company recognition program is a national movement from the American Heart Association that calls on all Americans and their employers to create a culture of physical activity and health to live longer, heart-healthier lives through walking. Companies earn recognition by implementing physical activity practices. MultiCare Center For Healthy Living’s successful Healthy@Work program at MultiCare’s Tacoma hospitals and clinics in Pierce and South King counties provided nutrition, exercise and weight loss challenges to employees and the chance to win prizes for participating. Since the program began, more than 800 employees have participated.“It is wonderful to be recognized for our employee fitness efforts,” said Lori Tanner, Director of the MultiCare Center For Healthy Living. “Our team has worked hard to get employees invested in their own health and many of them have taken on this challenge.” MultiCare will receive a plaque for each of these recognitions at the Heart Walk on Saturday, October 4 in downtown Tacoma. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/52 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA)--Area consumers have once again selected Tacoma General Hospital as the hospital they would choose for their health care. That’s the finding of National Research Corporation (NRC), which has honored Tacoma General with the 2008/09 Consumer Choice award.Tacoma General Hospital first received the distinction in 1996 and has won it 11 times since then.“The staff at Tacoma General Hospital deserves the credit for this award,” says Diane Cecchettini, RN, MultiCare Health System President & CEO. “Their hard work and commitment to quality patient care has been recognized by the patients they serve and by organizations that measure quality and efficiency. We’re proud of the entire MultiCare team, who consistently put patients first in the personal care they provide and the teamwork they demonstrate.”The National Research Corporation Consumer Choice Award reflects the views of over 200,000 households across the nation and is published in Modern Healthcare. Out of 3,200 hospitals nationwide, Tacoma General is one of only 226 hospitals to make the list. Based on the views of consumers, Tacoma General is a highly preferred health care provider for the Tacoma/Pierce County region. This award also indicates that Tacoma General has achieved a level of service that is valued by consumers in the community. It asked specific questions about which hospital has the best doctors, nurses, personalized care, community health programs and reputation. MultiCare is also listed nationally in the Top 100 Integrated Health Networks by Verispan, Inc. and has earned this distinction more than any other health system in Washington State. MultiCare has received several prestigious awards in recent years for the treatment of chest pains and stroke, significantly reducing the time of treatment. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/51 PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, September 10th, 2008 Contact: Jennifer Aalgaard Phone: 253.219.1715 Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Come See the da Vinci Robot at the Puyallup Fair with MultiCare PUYALLUP, WA- Do the Puyallup with MultiCare Health System on Friday and Saturday, September 19th and 20th, at the Puyallup Fair and see the da Vinci Surgical Robot. Dr. Douglas Sutherland and Dr. John Lenihan will be hosting talks on surgical procedures with the da Vinci Surgical System at the MultiCare Booth in the Pavilion. On Friday, 9/19, the talks will focus on gynecological procedures with Dr. Sutherland from 11 am-2 pm and Dr. Lenihan at 5 pm. On Saturday, 9/20, Dr. Sutherland will speak on prostate procedures from 11 am-2 pm and Dr. Lenihan will continue to speak on gynecological procedures at 3 pm and 5 pm. More on the da Vinci Surgical System Currently available at MultiCare Tacoma General and Allenmore Hospitals, the da Vinci Surgical System incorporates the latest advances in robotics and computer technology to enable surgeons to perform precise, minimally invasive gynecological and prostate, surgeries. Utilizing robotic technology, MultiCare surgeons are able to surgically treat cancers and other problems associated with prostate and gynecological issues with this innovative system. Surgeons direct three robotic arms that perform the surgery using a variety of tiny surgical instruments operating through small abdominal incisions. The surgeon commands the robot from a console that provides a three-dimensional image of the surgical area. Highly specialized hand controls allow the surgeon to make the most intricate maneuvers, which the robot replicates with its arms. The ends of the surgical instruments are modeled after the human wrist and give the surgeon a wide range of motion to work with, but in a smaller space. Because the process is much less invasive than traditional, open prostate and gynecological surgeries, patients experience less post-operative pain, reduced blood loss, shorter hospital stays, less scarring, shorter urinary catheter time, improved potency and continence and a faster recovery for a return to normal activities. \"This technology offers all of the advantages of traditional laparoscopic procedures, but better enables the surgeon to be more precise in their approach,\" according to Douglas Sutherland, MD, urologic surgeon at Allenmore Hospital. \"Surgeons have the same access they would if they were making a large incision, but with the advantages of five small incisions. The robotic arms allow them to see, maneuver, and access difficult-to-reach areas and minimize peripheral tissue damage. And unlike the surgeon’s wrist, the robotic arm can move 360 degrees and get to places a surgeon’s hand can’t reach.\"   /home/news/50 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 Gig Harbor, WA – MultiCare Health System will open Gig Harbor’s first radiation oncology clinic in January 2009. This adds a critical component to MultiCare’s comprehensive oncology services available in Gig Harbor. Radiation therapy is commonly prescribed for patients with cancer. For patients in need of radiation therapy, MultiCare will install a Varian iX® Linear Accelerator on the ground floor of the MultiCare facility in Gig Harbor. This system gives patients a precise, targeted dose of radiation to a tumor or lesion, which eliminates the side effects usually associated with radiation therapy. This technology will enable patients to stay in Gig Harbor for their treatments, often in a few short sessions, allowing them to schedule visits at their convenience and return to work the same day. “Expanding service offerings to include radiation oncology allows us to provide Gig Harbor patients comprehensive, easily accessible cancer treatment options so residents don’t have to cross the bridge for care,” says David Nicewonger, Administrator of Oncology for MultiCare Health System. “With radiation oncology services in Gig Harbor, it allows us to use a critical tool in the fight against cancer.” Opened in 2005, MultiCare Regional Cancer Center’s oncology clinic in Gig Harbor was the first to offer medical oncology in Gig Harbor. The MultiCare Regional Cancer Center was founded in 1982 and offers the latest and most advanced diagnostics and cancer treatments available. From innovative technology to more precise radiation treatments, MultiCare is the only health system in the South Sound offering a unique combination of new and innovative methods, including surgical robotics, intensity-modulated radiation therapy, stereotactic radiosurgery and image-guided radiation therapy. The MultiCare Regional Cancer Center also recently became a network affiliate of the Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, adding five South Sound locations to the SCCA network, including the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park. MultiCare is the only health system in the South Sound to partner with the SCCA. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/49 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 “The All-Star Celebrity Weekend with Nick Lachey” is coming September 21 & 22, 2008 and will benefit the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Tacoma General Hospital and the Mary Bridge Parenting Partnership. Mr. Lachey will host a weekend of fun-filled events that include a celebrity softball game, a dinner and live auction and a Celebrity Golf Classic that will bring together many familiar celebrities from television, motion pictures and sports. In 2006, its inaugural year, the event raised over $630,000 for Tacoma General’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and for the Parenting Partnership Program offered through Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital, making it the most successful first-time fundraising event in South Sound history. In 2007, more than $750,000 was raised. The Events Sunday, September 21, 10:30 a.m.Celebrity Softball GameCheney StadiumHome of the Tacoma Rainiers Windermere Professional Partners sponsors the second annual celebrity softball game between celebrities and the local media. The celebrity team will be led by Nick Lachey and will bring together television and film stars, while the media team will unite local sports and media personalities. Tickets are available online at www.tacomacelebrityweekend.org or by calling the Tacoma Rainiers ticket office at (253) 752-7700. Tickets may also be purchased at Windermere Professional Partners offices in Tacoma. Tickets are $15 for general admission or $40 for Reserved Box Seats. Box Seats include reserved seating, food & beverage, reserved parking and a souvenir. Gates open at 9:30 a.m. Sunday, September 21, 5 p.m.Dinner and Live AuctionGreater Tacoma Convention & Trade Center The celebrities will turn out for a fun-filled dinner and auction with auction items that include luxury vacation packages with golf and spa amenities, intimate weekend getaways, magnums of select Washington wines and A-list sports memorabilia. The evening will also include jazz music by the Kareem Kandi trio. Tickets are $200 per person or $2,000 for a table of 10. Monday, September 22Celebrity Golf ClassicTacoma Country and Golf Club10 a.m. Tee Time This sold out event will bring together the celebrities for a round of golf at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club, the oldest private golf club west of the Mississippi. (Advance reservations for 2009 are available by calling 253-403-1522.) The Cause Tacoma General Hospital has the South Sound\'s only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for newborns, providing the highest level of care possible for infants. This year’s event will raise funds to purchase CosyCot with NeoPuff™ infant resuscitators, a specialized infant bed that allows doctors and nurses to set a precise pressure to keep a newborn’s lungs optimally expanded with the correct amount of volume and oxygen. Lung and respiratory development are critical in the first few hours and days for an infant born prematurely. Past All-Star Celebrity events have enabled staff to purchase a variety of technologically advanced equipment for the NICU, including 20 Giraffe OmniBeds™. Each OmniBed serves a dual function that traditionally required changing the infant between an incubator and radiant warmer. OmniBeds reduce stress on the infant and allows better access by doctors, nurses and parents. The Beneficiary The Tacoma General NICU serves more than 1,500 premature and critically ill newborns annually and is the neonatal referral center for all of southwest Washington. Additionally, Tacoma General is nationally accredited in neonatal transport services and provides care and transportation for over 300 premature infants annually. Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center Parenting Partnership provides education, training and therapeutic support through consistent home visits from NICU nurses and professional family support workers and through facilitated group sessions with other NICU families. Staff and parents partner to build a strong, support system that protects and nurtures the child, and fosters good patterns of child care. The Parenting Partnership helps families access appropriate medical care to promote growth and development for each child. For more information on the events and the cause, go to www.tacomacelebrityweekend.org. EDITOR’S NOTE: Stars scheduled to appear are listed on the next page of this release. ### Tacoma General Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center are part of MultiCare Health System. MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. 2008 Celebrities Slated to Appear* · Nick Lachey, solo artist; #1 on the Billboard Pop 100 and quadruple platinum singer with 98 Degrees and Motown record label, plus Grammy nominee for Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals; MTV’s Newlyweds: Nick & Jessica; SoulO; MTV’s Nick Lachey: What\'s Left Of Me; NBC’s reality show, Clash of the Choirs; host of ABC’s High School Musical: Get in the Picture; and co-owner of the Tacoma Rainiers · Aaron Artman, President, Tacoma Rainiers Baseball Club · Aimee Wright, contestant, America’s Next Top Model · Alonzo Mitz, defensive end, Seattle Seahawks · Bill Krueger, pitcher, Seattle Mariners, senior baseball analyst for Fox Sports Northwest · Bob Gross, forward, and 1977 NBA Champion with the Portland Trailblazers · Brad Goode, anchor, KING 5 TV · Jim Nettles, outfielder, Minnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Oakland A’s · Chris Daniels, reporter, King 5 TV · Cindy Morgan, actress, Caddyshack, Tron and Falcon Crest · Chris Egan, King 5 TV sports anchor and reporter · Cris Judd, choreographer; lead dancer for Michael Jackson’s Dangerous and History tours, Red Sky Picture’s Goyband (2008 release) · Dave “The Groz” Grosby, sports radio personality · Dave Henderson, outfielder, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and 1989 World Champion Oakland A’s · Frank Burgess, 1961 NCAA scoring champion, two-time collegiate All-American, Gonzaga University alumni · Jeff Nelson, four-time World Series champion with the NY Yankees · Jesse Jones, reporter, KING 5 TV · Kasey Keller, goalkeeper, Seattle Sounders FC, and four time World Cup participant · Kirby Schlegel, Co-founder and Chairman of Schlegel Sports · Lori Matsuakawa, anchor, KING 5 TV · John Curley, host, KING 5 TV’s Evening Magazine · Michael Jackson, linebacker, Seattle Seahawks · Nesby Glasgow, safety, Seattle Seahawks · Norm Johnson, placekicker, Seattle Seahawks and Super Bowl XXX Champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers · Otis Sistrunk, defensive lineman and Super Bowl XI champion with the Oakland Raiders · Sonny Sixkiller, quarterback and Hall of Famer for University of Washington Huskies, and analyst for FSN Northwest · Randall Morris, running back, Seattle Seahawks · Sarah Larson, model with Nous Model Management Los Angeles, 2008 People Magazine 100 Most Beautiful People, recently signed as the face of Christian Audigier Dresses and a winner of Fear Factor · Stacy Fuson, model and actress, The Good Humor Man, Confessions of a Dangerous Mind, Shallow Hal and American Pie · Tom Gorman, pitcher, NY Mets, Montreal Expos, Philadelphia Phillies, San Diego Padres · Vanessa Minnillo, actress, Disaster Movie (2008), Redefining Love (2009), Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, hostess, MTV’s Prom Date, and Maxim’s Hot 100 list 2006 · Yuji Okumoto, actor, Karate Kid 2, Pearl Harbor, True Believer, Better Off Dead, SPIKE TV’s Mask of the Ninja, and the Disney Channel’s Johnny Tsunami and Johnny Kapahala. * please note that this list is subject to change without notice /home/news/48 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 James Ruf, MD, a board certified orthopedic surgeon, has recently joined MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center at the Covington MultiCare Clinic. Dr. Ruf received his undergraduate degree from Purdue University in Indiana, and his medical degree from Creighton University in Nebraska. He completed both his general surgery internship and his residency training in Orthopedic Surgery at the University of Michigan. He has special expertise in total and partial joint replacement, joint arthroscopy and the surgical treatment of fractures. Dr. Ruf’s patients are connected to the full resources of MultiCare Health System, one of the few health care organizations in the nation to offer a comprehensive electronic health record system. With MultiCare Connect, patients no longer need to wait for paper charts to transfer from one location to another. Patients will also experience the convenience and consistency of having the same health information available each time they visit a health care provider within the MultiCare system. MultiCare Connect is protected by sophisticated safety features, allowing access only by the patient and their provider. To contact Dr. Ruf, call MultiCare Orthopedics & Sports Medicine Center at (253) 372-7121. The Covington MultiCare Clinic is located at 17700 272nd Street. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/47 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACTS:FOR RITE AID:Cheryl Slavinsky(717) 731-6566MULTICARE:Todd Kelley(253) 403-1716(TACOMA) –August 15 and 16, MultiCare Health System and Rite Aid Corporation will host the grand opening of MultiCare Express Clinics inside two area Rite Aid stores. MultiCare Express Clinics are located in the Rite Aid stores in Lakewood at 5700 100th St. SW and in Tacoma at 7041 Pacific Ave. The MultiCare Express Clinics in Lakewood and Tacoma offer convenient, walk-in care with minimal wait times at affordable prices. Certified nurse practitioners provide patients with wellness services and quality care for common illnesses such as strep throat, ear aches, flu, bladder infections, bronchitis and allergies. The MultiCare Express clinics will also have laboratory tests, immunizations and health screenings available. Clinic hours are 9 am to 8 pm Monday through Friday and 10 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday. MultiCare Express Clinics are part of MultiCare Health System, which is one of the few health systems in the nation to offer a comprehensive, secure electronic health record system. With this system, called MultiCare Connect, patients experience the convenience of having the same, computerized health information available each time they visit a health care provider within the MultiCare system, including the MultiCare Express Clinics. MultiCare Express Clinics also have the ability to provide treatment information to the patient’s primary care provider, with the patient’s permission. This allows a physician to know what type of care their patient is receiving, enabling them to stay better connected with their patients. Patients who need additional services can access the physicians, clinics and hospitals of the MultiCare Health System, the largest health system in the south Puget Sound region. “The MultiCare Express Clinics are an example of our dedication to enhancing the health of the communities we serve and to uphold our mission of providing quality patient care in the region,” said Andrew Baron, MD, Primary Care Medical Director for the MultiCare Medical Group. “These clinics make that quality care more convenient and accessible where it is needed the most.” “Our partnership with MultiCare Health System fits in well with our strategic vision to be the destination for health and wellness services,” said Mark de Bruin, Rite Aid Executive Vice President of Pharmacy. “The MultiCare Express clinics will provide the same quality of healthcare patients would expect from any MultiCare Health System provider.” # # # About MultiCare MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, primary care, urgent care clinics, multispecialty centers and Home Health, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today, MultiCare is the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Information about MultiCare is available through the company’s website at http://www.multicare.org. About Rite Aid Rite Aid Corporation (NYSE: RAD) is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with approximately 5,000 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2008 annual sales of more than $24.3 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at http://www.riteaid.com. MultiCare Express ClinicsGrand OpeningLakewood-Friday, August 15Tacoma-Saturday, August 1610 a.m. to 3 p.m. Free espresso drinks for adults Free Italian sodas for the kids Tacoma Rainiers mascot, “Rhubarb,” 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Free family health kits Coupons for one free visit to any Pierce County YMCA Enter to win a three-month family membership to a Pierce County YMCA. /home/news/46 Click here to view the story. http://www.komonews.com/home/video/25888769.html?video=pop&t=a /home/news/44 PRESS RELEASEFor Immediate ReleaseWednesday, July 25th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PUYALLUP, WA- Physicians and staff at MultiCare\'s Good Samaritan Hospital are pleased to announce Mary Bridge Pediatric Care at Good Samaritan, a partnership between Good Samaritan Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center. Through this partnership, children and their parents will be connected to the area’s most trusted children’s hospital with enhanced access to quality pediatric care in the greater Puyallup and East Pierce County community. Beginning in September, the newly expanded pediatric unit at Good Samaritan Hospital will benefit from having pediatric hospitalists on staff. The Mary Bridge Inpatient Pediatric Service will provide physician coverage for the Good Samaritan pediatric department, the special care nursery, and be available for consultation. The Mary Bridge team brings the philosophies and strengths of pediatric expertise and services to Good Samaritan. This partnership will make it possible for more children to receive inpatient pediatric care closer to home while keeping connected to their local pediatricians and providers every step of the way. “This is a very exciting time to be a part of MultiCare Health System, as we work to ensure the highest quality care for every member of our community!” says Ronn Goodnough, RN, Manager of Inpatient Pediatrics at Good Samaritan Hospital. “The new unit will have a family-centered atmosphere, featuring a family area, playroom and computer access.” Mary Bridge pediatricians staffing this program function as an extension of a child’s primary care provider, offering on-site personalized care to hospitalized children. They also serve children who do not have a pediatrician available for their hospital stay. This service is offered to all patients as well as referring community providers, regardless of their hospital privileges. Our collaborative program keeps the primary care provider updated throughout a child’s inpatient treatment. This is especially beneficial for providers in outlying communities or those not able to leave their busy office practice to make hospital rounds. Upon discharge from the hospital, a child is returned to the care of their pediatrician along with a discharge summary and follow-up phone call from the hospitalists. This pediatric hospitalist program mirrors the established program at Mary Bridge in Tacoma and the partnership formed with Providence St. Peter Hospital, Olympia, in 2007. /home/news/45 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – Recent MultiCare television, radio and print advertising campaigns have received national recognition for creativity and excellence. MultiCare won several Aster Awards, which recognize excellence in health care marketing, including two gold medals. Gold medals were received for 2007 Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital transit and newspaper series advertising. MultiCare also won silver and bronze Aster awards for 2007 Gig Harbor MultiCare Medical Park print and television advertising. The television ad produced for the Gig Harbor MultiCare Medical Park also won a bronze medal at the 29th annual Telly Awards, which honors local regional and cable television advertising. Other awards include: The 25th Annual Healthcare Advertising Awards: Silver: \"Radio Advertising/Single Spot\" for the Gig Harbor Medical Park Grand Opening; Bronze: \"Newspaper Advertising/Series\" for the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital ad series that included \"Tadpoles, \"Mudpies,\" and \"Cannonballs\" ads; Merit: \"Newspaper Advertising/Insert\" for the Gig Harbor Medical Park Grand Opening; Merit: \"Radio Advertising/Series\" for the Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital \"Tadpoles,\" \"Mudpies,\" and \"Cannonballs.\" Summit International Awards Bronze: MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park television Bronze: Community Benefit Report in the \"Annual Report\" category Bronze: Print Advertising, Neurology ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/43 MultiCare Express connects you to a new kind of health care convenience. Now you can walk in to your local Rite Aid and be seen by a MultiCare Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner (ARNP) for all kinds of medical care, as well as sports physicals, certain immunizations and laboratory tests.Then fill a prescription and pick up other medications or medical supplies you need, all with a single trip. Most visits are $59 and covered by most insurance, including Medicare and Medicaid.Get more information at www.multicareexpress.org. /home/news/42 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) –MultiCare Health System Chief Operating Officer George J. Brown, MD, has announced he will leave MultiCare to become the President & CEO of Legacy Health System in Portland, Ore. Dr. Brown will leave MultiCare by the end of July. Dr. Brown joined MultiCare in 1998 as Vice President of Acute Care Services & Facilities, overseeing all hospital operations of Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. In 2005, Dr. Brown was promoted Chief Operating Officer, overseeing clinical operations across MultiCare Health System. Before coming to MultiCare, he served as Commanding General of Madigan Army Medical Center, lead agent for Region 11 of the U.S. Army, and Commander of the Army Western Regional Medical Command at Fort Lewis. He retired from active military service in February 1999. During his tenure at MultiCare, Dr. Brown was actively involved in the effort to restore Level II adult trauma care to Tacoma in 2000. Dr. Brown also led projects that brought new operating rooms to Tacoma General and Mary Bridge in 2004 and helped establish Tacoma General as the first hospital in the South Sound to offer robotic-assisted surgery for prostate and gynecological procedures. And, in 2005, the newly expanded Mary Bridge Children’s Health Center opened. In 2007, MultiCare’s electronic health record system was expanded from the outpatient clinics to Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Allenmore Hospital, providing a single, electronic health record for MultiCare patients. “Over the last ten years, we have grown and successfully implemented many initiatives that improve health care services to our community,” said MultiCare President and CEO Diane Cecchettini, RN. “Dr. Brown has been a catalyst for many of these initiatives, and I commend him for his many contributions over the last 10 years. We wish him well in his new endeavor.” ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/41 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Todd Kelley, (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) -- More than 500 cyclists will pedal 172 miles over three of Washington’s mountain passes, Snoqualmie, Blewett and Stevens, to benefit victims of child abuse and neglect. The 17th annual John L. Scott Foundation Courage Classic Bicycle Tour, a three-day cycling adventure, will begin Saturday, August 2, 2008, and benefits the treatment and recovery of child abuse victims; including those who have suffered sexual abuse, physical assault and domestic drug abuse exposure. Riders raise a minimum of $400 each in pledges and the proceeds go to the Rotary Endowment for the Intervention and Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect at Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital. Proceeds also benefit the Children’s Trust Foundation. The ride begins on Snoqualmie Ridge and riders cross Snoqualmie Pass to Suncadia Resort near Cle Elum. The following day, Sunday, August 3, riders cross Blewett Pass and enjoy the Bavarian atmosphere of Leavenworth. On the final day, Monday, August 4, riders will continue over Stevens Pass and finish in the town of Skykomish. There are many special activities along the way. On Saturday evening, riders will be treated to their own jazz festival at Suncadia Resort. On Sunday, riders spend the evening in scenic Leavenworth. \"Many riders comment on how well fed they are during the ride,\" said MultiCare Director of Special Events Michael Shields. \"The Rotary Clubs involved provide excellent food along the route, including a spaghetti feed, baked potato bar and banana splits. Many riders even comment they gained weight during the ride.\" The 2008 Courage Classic is sponsored by the John L. Scott Foundation, Rotary Clubs of Pierce County, Alaska Airlines, Milgard Windows and United Parcel Service. In addition to sponsoring the event, Alaska Airlines has also formed the largest team of more than 80 riders from across the Western United States. Collectively, the team has already raised more than $32,000 through fundraisers and rider pledges. For more information, call (253) 403-4374 or go to www.courageclassic.org. ### About MultiCare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital is part of the MultiCare Health System. MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today, MultiCare is the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties Courage Classic by the Numbers First Ride: 1992 Money donated by riders since 1992: $4.9 million Number of riders: 500+ Child Abuse Intervention Department at Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Sexual assault examinations: 393 Physical assault examinations: 81 Home visits 691 Support group contacts: 100 Forensic interviews: 287 Case reviews: 486 Funding from the Courage Classic paid for those examinations. /home/news/40 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley 253-403-1716 MultiCare to Give High School Students Hands-On Nursing ExperienceFifth Annual Nurse Camp Enrolls More Than 100 Students (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System will kick off the fifth annual Nurse Camp on Tuesday, July 29 with more than 100 students representing 47 high schools throughout Pierce, south King and Thurston counties. The physicians and staff at MultiCare will open their clinics and hospital units for students who are interested in learning about careers in nursing and health care. The 2008 Nurse Camp is co-sponsored by the Washington Health Foundation and Pfizer. Throughout the four-day program, students will shadow professional health care providers as they care for patients in the emergency department, intensive care, surgery, inpatient units and other patient care areas at Tacoma General Hospital, Allenmore Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center. Students will use the daVinci surgical robot and learn other surgical skills such as stapling, suturing and scrubbing. One of the most popular activities is performing a “skittlectomy” where students remove candy from a mannequin using minimally-invasive surgical tools. Students will also earn their CPR certification during Nurse Camp. “This unique hands-on experience encourages students to consider pursuing a career in health care,” said Liesl Santkuyl, MultiCare Community Outreach Liaison. “MultiCare employees are thrilled to pass on their passion for quality patient care and help students learn about exciting careers in health care.” New in 2008, students will hear about issues facing nursing today, such as the ongoing nursing shortage. On Friday, August 1, the students will present potential solutions to a panel of VIPs, including two legislators who happen to be nurses, Washington State Senator Rosa Franklin and Washington State Representative Dawn Morrell. The students will also have the opportunity to visit with college-level students and health care instructors at Tacoma Community College, Clover Park Technical College and a new partner, the University of Washington, Tacoma. For more information, or to enroll in the next Nurse Camp, please call 253-403-1401. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/39 Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Wednesday, July 9, 2008 Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Access to Good Samaritan Hospital Changes on Thursday, July 10th, 2008 PUYALLUP, WA- Access to Good Samaritan Hospital will be forever changed on July 10th, 2008. At 7:00 a.m. on July 10th, 14th Ave SE, between 4th & 5th Street SE will be closing to make room for the new $400 million Patient Care Tower. Access to the Emergency Room will be re-routed through 15th Ave SE and 5th Street SE.   /home/news/34 See the June issue of South Sound Magazine for profiles of several MultiCare physicians who were named in the article, “Eight doctors who make a difference.” The article featured several South Sound physicians who make a positive impact with their patients, the community and the world. MultiCare affiliated and employed physicians featured include: Dr. George Tanbara, Co-Founder, Pediatrics Northwest Dr. Brian Kott, Interventional Neuroradiologist, TRA Medical Imaging at Tacoma General Dr. Donald Mott, Medical Staff Consultant at Good Samaritan Dr. Champ Weeks, Urologic Surgeon with MultiCare Dr. Glenn Tripp, Medical Director of the Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and Neurodevelopment Center at Mary Bridge Several other physicians nominated for the distinction were also mentioned: Dr. Ronald K. Woods, Chief of Mary Bridge/Swedish Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Dr. Chris Stefanelli, Director of Pediatric Cardiology, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Katherine Cleveland, PA, Mary Bridge/Swedish Pediatric Cardiothoracic Surgery Patti Fuchs, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Wendy Jacobs, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Lynne Nelson, RN, Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital Mary Kessler, RN, Hematology/Oncology, Covington MultiCare Clinic Dr. Lauren Colman, Oncology, Gig Harbor MultiCare Medical Park Dr. Gregory Popich, Orthpedic Surgery/Sports Medicine, Pacific Sports Medicine Dr. Min-Chun Chen, MultiCare Regional Cancer Center Anne Flynn, OTR, MultiCare Adult Outpatient Rehabilitation Services Karen Perz, PT Program Coordinator, Vestibular & Balance Clinic, MultiCare Neuroscience Center Dr. Mario Alinea, MultiCare Occupational Medicine Paul Brimhall, Program Manager, MultiCare Transfusion-Free Medical and Surgical Program Dr. David Embrey, Program Research Coordinator, Children’s Therapy Unit, Good Samaritan Hospital Congratulations to our winners! Magazines are available at local newsstands or go to www.southsoundmag.com. /home/news/38 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDATE: Thursday, June 26, 2008 Contact: Jennifer Aalgaard                                                                                          Phone: 253.219.1715                                                                                                  Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org   Contact: Vicki Brown Phone: 253.583.8613Email: vbrown@minw.com   A New Imaging Alliance for East Pierce County:MultiCare-Good Samaritan and Medical Imaging Northwest Grow Together PUYALLUP, WA- Ease for Hospital patients who need imaging services. That’s the reason behind a new equity joint venture between MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital and Medical Imaging Northwest. “By pooling the resources of these two institutions, patients will have better access to the wide array of imaging services in areas convenient to them,” explains John Long, President MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital. The name of this new venture will be Diagnostic Imaging Northwest, and alliance of Medical Imaging Northwest and MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital. “Puyallup and surrounding East Pierce County is not the sleepy little farming communities they were when I first came to this area 25 years ago,” states Andrew Levine, MD, Chair, Medical Imaging Northwest, LLP. “Neither is Good Samaritan Hospital.” As the community has evolved, so has the medical staff, with an increasing array of specialty and subspecialty clinicians. The growth has allowed residents to stay close to home to have their medical needs met. This will be further enhanced with the upcoming building of the MultiCare-Good Samaritan Patient Care Tower, already in progress across the street from the current Good Samaritan Hospital. It is this growth that inspired MultiCare-Good Samaritan to contact Medical Imaging Northwest 18-months ago about providing more collaborative imaging services to the residents of East Pierce County. Beginning in October 2008, Medical Imaging Northwest and MultiCare-Good Samaritan will operate imaging facilities at multiple locations in East Pierce County, including downtown Puyallup at Puyallup Imaging Center, South Hill at Sunrise Imaging Center and Bonney Lake at Bonney Lake Imaging Center. The services this new joint venture will provide include 3 fully digital centers that house High-Field Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT), Radiography and Fluoroscopy, Interventional Radiology, Ultrasound, Digital Mammography, Stereotactic Breast Biopsy, Ultrasound Guided Breast Biopsy and Bone Densitometry. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. Medical Imaging Northwest is a group of private practice radiologists, technologists and staff committed to providing the finest medical imaging technology to our patients, and the communities we serve. Medical Imaging Northwest offers a broad range of services at multiple locations and provides quick, accurate reporting. We attract highly trained physicians (board certified radiologists with fellowship and/or subspecialty training) and registered radiologic technologists with advanced certifications and multiple capabilities. We own and operate American College of Radiology accredited imaging centers in Puyallup and Bonney Lake and provide professional services for the radiology departments of MultiCare-Good Samaritan Hospital, Puyallup and Allenmore Hospital, Tacoma. We also serve MultiCare clinics in Auburn, Covington, Tacoma and Gig Harbor. /home/news/35 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: CONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (COVINGTON) – The community’s first urgent care center will soon offer longer morning, evening and weekend hours. Beginning Sunday, June 22, the Covington MultiCare Urgent Care Center will be open Monday through Friday, 7 am to 10 pm and 7 am to 6 pm Saturday, Sunday and most holidays, except Thanksgiving and Christmas. The urgent care center is at 17700 SE 272nd St. in Covington. Opened in 1993, the Covington MultiCare Urgent Care Center is perfectly equipped to handle minor injuries and illnesses. Patients who come to an urgent care center instead of a hospital emergency room will experience shorter wait times and reduced costs, but still have immediate access to a physician, lab and x-ray services on site. Having these services available on site enables a physician to order the necessary testing to aid in the diagnosis of the medical problem in a much more efficient manner. For more information, call (253) 372-7160 or visit www.multicare.org. ### /home/news/32 To celebrate our one-year anniversary, we are giving away a unique spa package including a Wild Organic Hydrating and Detox Body Cocoon and Sunless Tan.This 1-1/2 hour pampering experience starts with invigorating exfoliation, followed by detoxing muds, a luxurious 14-jet Vichy shower, and ends with an incredible natural-looking spray-on tan. ($185.00 value).Enter to win!View other spa services available. /home/news/37 Press Release:For Immediate ReleaseFriday, June 20th, 2008Contact: Jennifer Aalgaard253.219.1715Todd Kelley253.403.1716 PIERCE COUNTY, WA- Greg Rolsma, of University Place, was crowned Pierce County’s Biggest Winner on Saturday, June 14th, after completing the Roman Meal Sound to Narrows 5K run. Rolsma lost 46 lbs. and 15.8% of his body weight while competing for the last 14 weeks with 19 other contestants from across Pierce County. For his achievement, Rolsma won an 18-month membership to Pierce County’s YMCA, three sessions with a Registered Dietician, and a two night stay at the Sleeping Lady Lodge in Leavenworth. Rolsma, a proud father of two, said his son, a football player for Central Washington University, was a big motivator for him. “I saw how fit my son was from playing on the team, and I knew I could follow his lead,” said Rolsma. Rolsma, who works for Frontier Bank, frequently dines out and entertains and the advice from the MultiCare Dietician helped him make positive choices in “real life.” His wife took regular walks with him and helps with food preparation and choices at home. The trainers and dietitian for Rolsma’s team, the Black Team, said that he was a leader; organizing group activities on the weekend, serving as the team cheerleader and encouraged everyone to reach their goals. “I am extremely proud of Greg and all his accomplishments throughout the program, he did an awesome job,” said Michele Schaper, MultiCare Wellness Dietician. “Greg was an absolute pleasure to work with and I will miss seeing him on a weekly basis.” Runner-Up Coming in a close second, Scott Andrews of Tacoma, lost 50.6 lbs, 15.5% of his body weight. Heather Nighbor of Gig Harbor was the female winner, losing 23.8 lbs, 13.1% of her body weight. Nighbor is just 20 lbs away from her goal weight. The team that lost the most was the Black Team, from East Pierce County, with a total loss of 153.4 lbs, 11.5% weight loss. Biggest Winner Competition MultiCare Center For Healthy Living, in partnership with Pierce County Gets Fit, began Pierce County\'s Biggest Winner program in 2007. Four teams of five Pierce County contestants were chosen to compete to lose weight over a 14-week period. Each team represents four different regions in Pierce County (Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Lakewood and East Pierce) and includes a community leader and a business representative from their region. This 14-week program included before and after health assessments, individual sessions with a Registered Dietitian and Certified Trainer, nutrition and fitness classes, a 12-week exercise program at the YMCA, and lots of encouragement along the way. For more information on Pierce County Gets Fit, Pierce County Biggest Winner and the MultiCare Center For Healthy Living, visit www.piercecountygetsfit.com. /home/news/36 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – In a special opportunity just for men, MultiCare Health System will host, “The Drive Against Prostate Cancer,” a free prostate cancer screening on Friday, July 11, 2008. “The Drive Against Prostate Cancer” will be held at a mobile screening unit located between JC Penney and Sears at the Tacoma Mall from 12 noon to 7 pm. The screening consists of a simple blood test, with results in less than 20 minutes. No appointments or insurance coverage are necessary. While waiting for test results, men can enjoy free snacks and watch a sporting event on the big screen TV. MultiCare physicians John Rieke, MD, and Champ Weeks, MD will be providing these simple checks and offering information on prostate cancer prevention and treatment. “Offering these tests in a welcoming environment for men is a great opportunity to educate them about prostate cancer,” said Dr. Weeks. “Men often don’t know the facts, only to find out later they have prostate cancer, which could have been easily detected, treated early or even prevented.” Only skin cancer has a higher rate of incidence among men. Regular checks and screenings are the best way to prevent prostate cancer or detect it early. For more information, go to www.multicare.org. ### /home/news/33 Press Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: Monday, June 9th, 2008  Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org Good Samaritan Outpatient Laboratory Relocating June 16th PUYALLUP, WA- On June 16th, the Good Samaritan Hospital Outpatient Laboratory will be relocating to the new Rieder Medical Building at 1701 3rd St SE, Suite 301 in Puyallup, located just three blocks from Good Samaritan Hospital. Previously located in the main hospital, the new Outpatient Laboratory will provide easy access and convenient parking, extended service hours including Saturdays, reduced wait times to less than 15 minutes typically, and private draw rooms. The new facility also allows for a quick one-stop registration process lowering time spent at the facility dramatically. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 7:00 am - 5:30 pm, Saturday, 7:30 am - 3:00 pm. You can call the new Outpatient Laboratory at 253.697.4696. The addition of the Rieder Medical Building has inspired practices to relocate to Good Samaritan’s growing campus allowing physicians easy access to patients that may be staying at the hospital. Examples of some of the practices currently in the Rieder Medical Building include, Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Puyallup, Dedicated Women’s Health Specialists, and Neurology & Neurosurgery Associates. For more information on the Rieder Medical Building, please call 253.697.2029. ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, connected organization made up of four hospitals including Allenmore Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, Mary Bridge Children\'s Hospital and Tacoma General Hospital, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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. /home/news/31 PRESS RELEASEFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEDate: Thursday, June 5th, 2008Contact: Jennifer AalgaardPhone: 253.219.1715Email: jennifer.aalgaard@goodsamhealth.org PUYALLUP, WA- Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Puyallup is pleased to share that Dr. Charles Nam and Dr. Joel Estrada, Internal Medicine Specialists, have moved to a new office space located in the Rieder Medical Building at 1701 3rd St SE, Suite 300, Puyallup, just blocks from Good Samaritan Hospital. The new clinic is equipped to offer easy access and convenient parking along with a comfortable lobby in a new building. The expansion of space also allows for Dr. Estrada to expand his practice, as he is accepting new patients. Hours of operation are Monday thru Friday, 8:30 am -5:00 pm. Please call 253.697.5767 for more information on Good Samaritan Family Medicine at Puyallup or to schedule an appointment. The addition of the Rieder Medical Building has inspired practices to relocate to Good Samaritan’s growing campus allowing physicians easy access to patients that may be staying at the hospital. Examples of some of the practices planned to relocate to the Rieder Medical Building include, Good Samaritan Outpatient Laboratory, Dedicated Women’s Health Specialists, and Neurology & Neurosurgery Associates. For more information on the Rieder Medical Building, please call 253.697.2029. /home/news/30 Tuesday, June 03, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT: Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716   TACOMA – Jason L. Adams, FACHE, Vice President of Revenue Cycle for MultiCare Health System recently became a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives, the nation’s leading professional society for healthcare leaders. “Because healthcare management ultimately affects the people in our communities, it is critically important to have a standard of excellence promoted by a professional organization,” says Thomas C. Dolan, PhD, FACHE, CAE, President and Chief Executive Officer of ACHE. “By becoming an ACHE Fellow and simultaneously earning board certification from ACHE, healthcare leaders can show that they are committed to providing high-quality service to their patients and community.”             Adams came to MultiCare from Wellspring Partners, a health care financial services consulting organization, in October 2007. He started his career in health care as a Clinical Paramedic/Firefighter in Boston and in New Hampshire.             Adams earned his Bachelor of the Arts in Business Management from Notre Dame and he earned his Master of Business Administration in health care management from Rivier College in Nashua, New Hampshire. Fellow status represents achievement of the highest standard of professional development. In fact, only 7,500 healthcare executives hold this distinction. To obtain Fellow status, candidates must fulfill multiple requirements, including passing a comprehensive examination, meeting academic and experiential criteria, earning continuing education credits and demonstrating professional/community involvement. Fellows are also committed to ongoing professional development and undergo recertification every three years. Adams is privileged to use the FACHE credential, which signifies board certification in healthcare management and ACHE Fellow status.   ###   MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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.     The American College of Healthcare Executives is an international professional society of more than 30,000 healthcare executives who lead our nation’s hospitals, healthcare systems and other healthcare organizations. ACHE is known for its prestigious credentialing and educational programs and its annual Congress on Healthcare Leadership, which draws more than 4,500 participants each year. ACHE is also known for its journal, the Journal of Healthcare Management, and magazine, Healthcare Executive, as well as ground-breaking research and career development and public policy programs. ACHE’s publishing division, Health Administration Press, is one of the largest publishers of books and journals on all aspects of health services management in addition to textbooks for use in college and university courses. Through such efforts, ACHE works toward its goal of being the premier professional society for healthcare leaders by providing exceptional value to its members.   /home/news/29 Friday, May 30, 2008 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716   (TACOMA)--MultiCare Health System has received the Hope Award from the National Multiple Sclerosis Society of Washington.             The honor was given at the 2008 Dinner of Champions, a premier gala event held at the Grand Hyatt Seattle. This prestigious award honors those who have made a significant contribution to the fight against Multiple Sclerosis.             “Earning the Hope Award is a great honor for our team,” says Tacoma Neurologist John Huddlestone, MD. “The work we are doing for MS in Tacoma through the MultiCare Neurosciences Center of Washington is groundbreaking and much has been accomplished in recent years. We are giving patients a high quality of life and mobility.” The MultiCare Neurosciences Center of Washington is uniquely equipped to meet the challenges of treating those with MS and improving their lives and mobility. MultiCare provides the highest level of care through leading-edge technology, the most qualified professionals, and comprehensive treatment options for MS. MultiCare’s goal is to provide a convenient, family-friendly center for the diagnosis, treatment, education, and ongoing support of MS patients and their families, including non-medical and psychosocial needs.  These needs, if unmet, can adversely affect medical outcomes for MS patients by impacting a patient’s ability to follow through on a medical treatment plan.             MultiCare also provides supportive therapies such as a groundbreaking exercise program called, “The Lebed Method.” The method improves movement through stretching, toning and dance. The class is available for free.             For more information on MultiCare Neurosciences Center of Washington, call 1-800-342-9919.   ### MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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.   /home/news/28                                                                        Good Samaritan Opens Starbucks on June 2nd   PUYALLUP, WA- Good Samaritan Hospital is celebrating the opening of a Starbucks June 2nd, 2008. The coffeehouse is located in the Main Lobby of the Hospital and is operated by Avascend.The opening of this Starbucks location allows Good Samaritan to bring the Starbucks Experience to its customers. Patients, visitors, guests and employees can now enjoy a beverage on-the-go, or relax in the coffeehouse\'s comfortable seating area. The new Starbucks coffeehouse will offer a full beverage menu - including espresso drinks, brewed coffees, Frappuccino® blended beverages, and Tazo® tea, as well as, pastries and other baked selections. Starbucks® merchandise, including mugs, CDs and other gift items are available. \"We have more than 2,200 employees at Good Samaritan who are anxiously awaiting the opening of Starbucks. This is one of the many new relationships we are creating at Good Samaritan to exceed the expectations of patients and their families at a quality institution,\" said John Long, President Good Samaritan. “It\'s a very exciting time at Good Samaritan.”   Good Samaritan Hospital is striving to become the regional medical center of choice for residents of East Pierce County and providing outstanding customer service is one step leading to that goal. “We are very energized at the opportunity to provide this convenience to our patients and visitors,” said Long. “We hope to expand this service as the demand grows.” The initial hours of operation are 6:00 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.   ### Founded in 1952, Good Samaritan Community Healthcare has grown and evolved into Good Samaritan Hospital, an affiliate of parent company, MultiCare Health System. Good Samaritan provides comprehensive healthcare to eastern Pierce County. Our expanding healthcare services include an acute care hospital in Puyallup, family medicine clinics, outpatient surgery center, comprehensive mental health program, outpatient specialty care clinics, outreach programs to support varying social service needs of our community. /home/news/27 FOR RITE AID:Cheryl Slavinsky(717) 731-6566FOR MULTICARE HEALTH SYSTEM:Todd Kelley(253) 403-1716 Tacoma, WA – Rite Aid Corporation and MultiCare Health System today announced an agreement to open MultiCare Express Clinics inside two Rite Aid stores in Tacoma and Lakewood, WA, this summer. At MultiCare Express Clinics certified nurse practitioners will provide patients with wellness services and quality care for common illnesses such as strep throat, ear aches, flu, bladder infections, bronchitis and allergies as well as laboratory tests, immunizations and health screenings. “Like Rite Aid, MultiCare is dedicated to enhancing the health of the communities it serves and to upholding its mission of providing and setting the standard for quality patient care in the region,” said Andrew Baron, MD, Primary Care Medical Director for the MultiCare Medical Group. “These new MultiCare Express Clinics will offer convenient, walk-in care for the whole family with minimal wait times at affordable prices. The clinics are affiliated with the resources of the locally based MultiCare Health System, including Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital.” With the patient’s permission, the MultiCare Express Clinics can provide treatment information to the patient’s primary care provider. Those who need additional services can access the physicians, clinics and hospitals of the MultiCare Health System, the largest health system in the south Puget Sound region.“Our partnership with MultiCare Health System fits in well with our strategic vision to be the destination for health and wellness services,” said Mark de Bruin, Rite Aid executive vice president of pharmacy. “The MultiCare Express clinics will provide the same quality of healthcare patients would expect from any MultiCare Health System provider.” About Rite Aid Rite Aid Corporation is one of the nation’s leading drugstore chains with more than 5,000 stores in 31 states and the District of Columbia with fiscal 2008 annual sales of more than $24.3 billion. Information about Rite Aid, including corporate background and press releases, is available through the company’s website at http://www.riteaid.com. About MultiCare MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today, MultiCare is the area\'s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Information about MultiCare is available through the company’s website at http://www.multicare.org. # # # /home/news/25 Patient Care Tower Patient Room Mock-ups YOU ARE INVITED AND URGED TO COME!! Please plan to take a tour and see examples of our future In-patient care spaces. You will tour a Critical Care Room and an Emergency Department Treatment Room. Refreshments will be served. Dates: Thursday May 22 Monday May 26 through Thursday May 29 Monday June 2 through Thursday June 5 Times: 7:30 to 9:30 am 11:00 am to 1:00 pm 2:00pm to 4:00 pm (other tour times on request – just call Jamie at 697-1756) Location: 419 15th Ave SE Puyallup, WA Just up the hill from the main hospital entrance to the building on 15th Ave between 4th and 5th. /home/news/21 World-class breast services center coming to Tacoma in 2009 MultiCare Health System is partnering with two other leading health care providers in the South Sound region to create a world-class center in Tacoma that will provide a full suite of advanced screening and diagnostic breast services for women. MultiCare, Franciscan Health System and TRA Medical Imaging – the largest providers of breast-imaging services in the region – are collaborating to establish the Carol Milgard Breast Center. The unique, state-of-the-art center will open in early 2009. The Carol Milgard Breast Center is named to honor the spirit of a woman who was a long-time Tacoma resident, philanthropist, and 30-year survivor of breast cancer. The Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation has committed $5 million toward development of this center of excellence. The center will be: The facility of choice for community providers to obtain accurate and timely diagnosis of breast disease for their patients. A gathering place for multidisciplinary medical teams to discuss every facet of breast diagnosis and treatment. A magnet that attracts highly trained and specialized radiologists, technologists and other experts who are dedicated to excellence in breast care. Its services will include: Digital mammography Breast ultrasound Breast MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) Breast biopsy (including stereotactic, ultrasound-guided and MRI-guided biopsy) Bone density services “The creation of this center is the realization of a dream that we have been working toward for years,” says Khai Tran, MD, who is medical director of mammography and women’s imaging at TRA Medical Imaging in Tacoma. “With this center, we will be able to provide a level of care for the community that will be unsurpassed in Seattle or anywhere else. “By combining a comfortable, caring environment with the newest technology and highly trained and specialized staff, we will be able to focus on helping women through what is a most stressful time,” Dr. Tran adds. The Carol Milgard Breast Center will be conveniently located at 4525 S. 19th Street, near Highway 16, in Tacoma. It will serve residents of Tacoma, Pierce County and the South Sound in a compassionate, respectful atmosphere that welcomes all women regardless of socioeconomic status. The center, with its singular focus on breast screening and diagnosis, will employ board-certified radiology physicians specially trained in breast imaging. Also, the center will comply with best practices for care established by the Mammography Quality Standards Act approved by Congress in 1992, as well as guidelines recommended by the American Cancer Society. /home/news/18 Tuesday, April 22, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716(TACOMA)—MultiCare Health System is increasingly closer to the goal of raising $25 million to expand and build new Emergency Departments (EDs) for Tacoma General Hospital and Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital. The goal of the campaign amount represents about one-third of the total cost of the new building. Generous lead gifts pledged from board members, employees and physicians have raised total commitments to The Emergency Services Campaign to more than $16 million so far. The expansion will be housed in a new building, named the Milgard Pavilion in recognition of combined $5 million gifts from the James Milgard Family Charitable Fund and the Gary E. Milgard Family Foundation. The new emergency departments are expected to be completed in early 2010. The physicians have also responded with a donation of over $1 million and the employees of the MultiCare Health System have raised over $1.4 million. \"The support given by our Boards, employees and physicians has been remarkable,\" said Sara Long, Vice President of Philanthropy for MultiCare Health System. \"It is particularly inspirational, given that those closest to our mission know how very important emergency services are to our community and how critical it is that we expand our facilities.\" The Need for New Emergency Departments Originally built in the early 1980’s, the current Emergency Departments are severely overcrowded, too small and inadequately designed to meet today’s needs and the needs of patients in the future. Designed to accommodate 40,000 patient visits annually, last year the two EDs handled almost 70,000 patient visits, a 42 percent increase over its design capabilities. This situation will only get worse as the population continues to grow. The need for new, expanded, and better-designed facilities is magnified by the population growth of middle and senior age groups that require more health care than other residents. For example, by 2014 the population of MultiCare’s primary service area aged 45 to 64 is projected to grow 32 percent, while the population aged 65 and older is projected to grow 29 percent. This aging of the population will require MultiCare to dedicate an increasingly significant portion of its facilities and services to the treatment of chronic diseases and disorders that affect the elderly. The two hospitals need to upgrade and acquire advanced medical technology to ensure they can meet patient needs with the latest diagnostic and treatment capabilities. In addition, facility improvements are important for attracting and retaining expert physicians and other medical personnel. The Plan for the New Emergency Departments Designed with the input of MultiCare doctors and nurses, the new Emergency Departments and an Express Care Center (ECC) will be more than five times the size of the existing Emergency Departments, expanding from its current combined 13,000 square feet to 73,500 square feet. The Emergency Services Campaign MultiCare Health System is a locally-based and governed not-for-profit health care organization. It operates cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality hospitals, but financial pressures do exist. The projected cost of constructing and equipping the two new Emergency Departments and Express Care Center is $72 million. The project will be funded through a combination of cash reserves, operations, and debt, leaving a shortfall of $25 million to be raised from community support. \"We are very encouraged by the progress of the campaign so far,\" Folsom said. \"Our community has responded favorably and we are well on our way to building Emergency Departments that will serve our community’s growing needs now and well into the future.\" Campaign co-chairs John Folsom, Bill Philip and Jane Taylor join the Board of Directors of the MultiCare Health Foundation and Mary Bridge Children’s Foundation in launching The Emergency Services Campaign to approach area residents, businesses and foundations for philanthropic support. The Future of Emergency Care The new, much-larger Emergency Departments and Express Care Center will meet the needs of our community now and well into the future. They will provide medical personnel with the capacity to treat the increasing number of adult and pediatric emergency and urgent care patients more quickly and efficiently while providing a comforting and healing environment for patients and their families. \"The vitality of our community depends upon the health of its citizens, said MultiCare Health System Board Chair and Campaign Co-Chair John Folsom. \"One of the most important community services is the availability of quality emergency services, close to home.\" /home/news/20 Monday, April 21, 2008FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASECONTACT:Todd Kelley (253) 403-1716 (TACOMA) – MultiCare Health System President and Chief Executive Officer Diane Cecchettini, RN, has received the CEO IT Achievement Award for 2008 from Modern Healthcare Magazine and the Healthcare Information and Management System Society (HIMSS). Ms. Cecchettini was only one of three CEOs nationally to receive the recognition and the only CEO in Washington State The award recognizes healthcare CEOs who demonstrate leadership and a commitment to using information technology to advance their organizations’ goals. A five-judge panel consisting of two CEOs chosen by Modern Healthcare and three chief information officers chosen by HIMSS selected Ms. Cecchettini and two others out of 37 nominees. \"Diane’s vision of an ideal patient experience is to create a seamless, easy, valued, and sustainable continuum of health care that enhances the experience of both the patient and the provider,\" said Florence Chang, Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer. \"Technology is one of the core strategies that MultiCare uses to fulfill that vision, and the investment in those technologies not only changes the way we deliver care but makes health care better, safer, and more convenient for the patients in the communities we serve.\" Ten years ago, MultiCare Health System became the first health system in the south Puget Sound to implement an electronic health record (EHR) for patients at its ambulatory clinics in Pierce and south King Counties. In 2007, MultiCare implemented this leading edge technology at Tacoma General Hospital, Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital and Allenmore Hospital, providing a single, electronic health record for all MultiCare patients, whether they are seen in a clinic or a hospital. MultiCare is now one of few health systems in the nation to have system-wide electronic health records. Called MultiCare Connect, the system allows immediate, secure access to a single, comprehensive health record each time a patient visits a MultiCare hospital or doctor. \"A health record reflects a lifetime of health care for a patient, including immunizations, allergies, prescriptions, surgeries, lab reports, x-rays and more,\" said MultiCare Chief Operating Officer George J. Brown, M.D. \"This wealth of immediately accessible, secure information helps our physicians assess patients’ needs in order to provide them with the best possible care.\" In addition to the EHR, MultiCare has recently made investments in radiology, imaging, and voice recognition software. With the new Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) a radiologist can read and access images from any computer at any time through a secure web portal. The voice recognition software improves turnaround time of transcribed reports and is another step toward our goal of a film-less radiology system. # # # MultiCare is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent care clinics, multi-specialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profit organization based in Tacoma, Washington 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.