Peace of Mind - PeaceHealth · Oregon Health & Science University. He says all of the dialysis...
Transcript of Peace of Mind - PeaceHealth · Oregon Health & Science University. He says all of the dialysis...
SPRING ■ 2009
4 Volunteers
share their
experiences
9 Help with
on-the-job
health
New Peace
of Mind clinic
opens
From left, Peace of Mind providers
Robert Axelrod, MD; Julie Dickson, MD;
Susan Mejo, ARNP, PsyD;
Brent Francisco, MN, ARNP, PMNP; and Pam McGill, ARNP
A publication of St. John Medical Center and PeaceHealth Medical GroupA publication of St. John Medical Center and PeaceHealth Medical Group
See story on page 6.
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 2 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 3 St. John Medical Centerwww.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia
kidney care
Daniel Lute’s eyes light up when he talks about his music and his bride of several
years, Lily Jane. Lute plays the mandolin, and Lily Jane plays bass. Together they
enjoy weekly bluegrass and country jam sessions with other local musicians.
Lute’s life, like his music, seems very much in tune. But, like most of our
lives, it isn’t all sweet harmony. Despite his robust look, Lute visits St. John’s
Broadway Campus three times a week for four-hour dialysis treatments.
While 90 percent of St. John’s dialysis patients have a history of diabetes and
hypertension, sometimes kidney problems are hereditary—as in Lute’s case.
He’s had a healthy lifestyle and isn’t sure why he has problems, but his mother
and others in his family have also had kidney problems.
A support system Like most everything else, Lute takes dialysis in stride.
Before starting the treatments, he was tired and listless. But since starting
dialysis in March 2008, he says he has more energy.
“It’s not like a switch comes on and you feel better right away. It took a while,
but now I have more energy,” he says. Without treatment, his condition may
have confined him to bed or have been fatal.
When his PeaceHealth physician, Louis Cotterell, MD, told Lute it was time
to start dialysis, he transferred to dialysis at St. John, after first being treated at
Dialysis treatment isn’t stopping this musician
Although PeaceHealth’s Dialysis Center treats 60 patients
every day, each patient receives special care. When our
patients go out of town and have their dialysis elsewhere,
they miss the warmth and friendliness of our staff.
For these patients, whose kidneys have little or no func-
tion, dialysis performs two important tasks. It removes fl uids
and cleans waste from the blood. The process takes about
four hours. Most patients get treatment three times a week.
Unless they have a kidney transplant, these patients
will need to have dialysis for the rest of their lives.
Sometimes our patients need more care from another
department. They can take comfort knowing they can get
that care right here at the medical center.
Care with results This quality care shows in the results
of an independent study from the U.S. Centers for Medi-
care & Medicaid Services (CMS).
The study reveals much greater than average survival
rates for patients who receive care at the PeaceHealth
Dialysis Center. Among all U.S. dialysis centers, 88 per-
cent had a higher mortality rate.
The CMS report also shows that PeaceHealth Di-
alysis Center patients needed 9 percent less hospital
care than patients at other U.S. dialysis centers.
Setting the bar higher Carey Wallace, Clinical
Manager of Dialysis Services, says the CMS
results confi rm the center’s high standards for
patient safety and quality.
“We set our requirements higher than CMS, and
we’re continually refi ning our program to improve
patient safety and quality,” she says. “Since the
CMS survey was completed, we’ve added blood
volume monitors and implemented new access
techniques, both of which enhance patient care.
Another important factor is the excellent care pro-
vided by the outstanding staff at the PeaceHealth
Dialysis Center!”
For more details about the CMS report,
visit www.medicare.gov and select “Com-
pare Dialysis Facilities in Your Area.”
SAFE, SUCCESSFUL DIALYSIS AT ST. JOHN
A life
First hemodialysis
treatment is done with a
rotating drum artifi cial
kidney developed by Dutch
doctor Willem Kolff.
1943history of
Dialysis and PeaceHealth
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 2 St. John Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 2 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 3 St. John Medical Center
A life in tune
Photos from left to right:
Dialysis treatment helps Daniel Lute
(left) enjoy his weekly jam sessions with
The Joy Band guitarist Dave Bellamy.
Dialysis social worker Donald Prebus,
MSW, and Daniel Lute enjoy a moment
before Lute begins his dialysis treat-
ment for the day.
Oregon Health & Science University. He says all of the dialysis staff members are
great and always friendly and answer all his questions. The staff even worked to get
him scheduled for afternoon treatments after learning he wasn’t a morning person.
Moving forward Lute is on a list for a kidney transplant, though finding
a match can take two years or longer. “It’s not really about waiting for your
number—it’s getting the right match,” Lute explains. “If a kidney comes in and
it’s a seven-point match and no one else is a match, then you get it.”
The donor kidney needs to be healthy, and it needs to be the best match for
your body, so there’s less chance for rejection.
Before getting a transplant, Lute advises people to check their insurance to
see if it covers the costs associated with a kidney transplant. The prescriptions
can be very costly, running thousands of dollars each month, and a transplant
patient will need them for the rest of his or her life.
Lute also advises that people get regular medical checkups. Your healthcare
provider can do some prescreening to check for potential kidney problems.
Despite it all, Lute is optimistic about the future and grateful for his dialysis
team. He and his music group, dubbed “The Joy Band,” have been asked to be
taped on the local public access channel, and they are considering performing
at St. John for other dialysis patients.
Since starting
dialysis treatment,
Daniel Lute says he has
more energy.
KIDNEY DISEASE EDUCATION AND SUPPORT
Kay and Lynn Croy
gather with other patients,
families, and friends at a
monthly Kidney Disease
Education session.
This PeaceHealth class
helps dialysis patients
and their families under-
stand dialysis better. It also teaches them how diet
and a healthy lifestyle help kidneys stay healthy.
Classes are held in the mornings on the third
Thursday and Friday of every other month (May,
July, September, November) at the PeaceHealth
Broadway Campus. To register or learn more, call
(360) 414-2268.
When dialysis shunts are developed by Dr. Belding
Scribner, dialysis can only be used to treat patients
whose kidneys are expected to recover. Because
these shunts are outside the patient’s body, they
often become infected or clotted.Befo
re
1960
Dr. James Cimino and
colleagues fi nd a way to
connect an artery and vein
inside the arm, a procedure
called an arteriovenous fi stula. 1966
more
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 3 St. John Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 4 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 5 St. John Medical Center
your community
Volunteer Ed Bruce mentors teen
volunteer Natalie Byman at the
PeaceHealth Dialysis Center. Both
fi nd working with the dialysis staff
and patients rewarding.
Congress passes a law to supply funds for treatment for many
dialysis patients. This helps dialysis patients continue to work
and also helps outpatient dialysis and technology grow.
1972
Nephrologist Dr. Glenn Gee
plays an important role in the
creation of the PeaceHealth
Dialysis Center. Dr. Gee, along
with patients, families, and
1985
Dialysis
When asked what they like about volunteering in
the PeaceHealth Dialysis Center at PeaceHealth’s
Broadway Campus, Ed Bruce and Natalie Byman
say it’s a great reward to help the patients.
Going strong In September 2005, Ed Bruce
became the first person in the community
to volunteer in the Dialysis Center. He was
already familiar with the staff and many of the
daily activities because he had spent four and a
half years going with his late wife, Yvonne, for
her treatments.
Bruce volunteers three days a week and
clocked more than 1,099 hours last year—more
than any St. John volunteer in 2008. He quips,
“When you get to my age—80—you have to do
something. You can’t stay at home. I knew what
I could do and where I could help out.”
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 4 St. John Medical Center
She’s able to observe what the dialysis nurses
do up close and gain a better understanding of
the patients’ needs, several of whom she also
works with in her job on the rehabilitation floor
at Northwest Continuum.
Byman says volunteering in dialysis has
changed her views about the treatment. “Peo-
ple think it’s a sad place, but there’s such a great
atmosphere. The staff members keep it positive
and truly care about their patients,” she says.
“Ever since I started volunteering, I’ve learned
that putting a little time in can help so many
people. It feels like one of the most worthwhile
things I’ve ever done!”
Interested in volunteering? We have
many opportunities available. Call St.
John Medical Center’s volunteer program at
(360) 636-4126 or visit us at www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia/volunteerservices.
For a dialysis-friendly
recipe you can try at
home, turn to the
calendar on page 11.
generationsspan
And help out he does. This
seasoned volunteer does every-
thing from helping patients get
up to holding the site fistulas in
their arms. He likes to help people
and has high praise for the dialysis
techs and nurses. “They never tell [you
what to do]; they ask,” he says. “They are
wonderful.”
Over the years, he’s become close to the staff.
The granddaugh-
ter of one of the
techs that cared
for his wife deliv-
ered a handmade
card to Bruce to
show her thanks
for his help.
Building for the future Natalie Byman,
CNA, has been a St. John volunteer since Feb-
ruary 2008, and started volunteering in dialysis
last December. A Mark Morris High School
senior, she plans to get her bachelor’s degree in
nursing. Byman feels the education she’s receiv-
ing as a dialysis volunteer is valuable.
Ed Bruce is her volunteer trainer, and, as
Byman says, “He’s a good one. He knows every-
thing about it. I can ask him any question.”
volunteers
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 4 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 5 St. John Medical Center
Local organization
The PeaceHealth Dialysis Center has a 22-chair hemodialysis unit and a
highly trained staff. According to the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medic-
aid Services, our patients show a survival rate significantly greater than
the national average.Toda
ymembers of the community
support group KINDS (Kidneys
in Need of Dialysis), are instru-
mental in the Certificate of Need
process for the Dialysis Unit.
To learn more about how you can make a contribution to the PeaceHealth
Dialysis Center or any other program on behalf of our patients, call the
St. John Foundation at (360) 414-7900 or visit www.peacehealth.org/
lowercolumbia/foundation.
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 5 St. John Medical Center
We have all passed by the building with the large
F.O.E. sign on the outside. You find these in nearly
every town. What you may not know is that inside
are people working to make a difference in the
communities that they serve.
F.O.E. stands for “Fraternal Order of Eagles.”
But you might think it really stands for “Full of
Energy!” They are people helping people with a
passion that lifts the spirit.
For nearly a century, the Fraternal Order of
Eagles has promoted the values of home, family,
and community. They will do whatever it takes
to raise money for a project that is near and
dear to their hearts. They live and breathe their
mission to unite in the spirit of liberty, truth,
justice, and equality; to make human life more
desirable by lessening its ills; and to promote
peace, prosperity, gladness, and hope.
Over the years, the Longview Aerie #2116,
Kelso Aerie #1555, Castle Rock Aerie #556,
Rainier Aerie #4022, and Ocean Beach Aerie
#3602 Eagles have given generously to St. John
Medical Center. They have given a combined
total of over $60,000 to projects such as those
for cardiology, radiation oncology, dialysis, and
cancer.
When asked why they choose to give to St.
John, they say they want the money to stay
local—to help their friends, families, and
neighbors. Our thanks and gratitude go to the
Eagles for their commitment and support of
our local hospital.
differencein healthcare
makesa
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 6 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 7 St. John Medical Center
wellness
For years, the healthcare teams at St. John Medical
Center have been meeting the behavioral health
needs of the community.
In 1997, St. John opened A Child’s Place.
The clinic serves children and teens who need
professional help with behavioral and emotional
problems.
Adults with serious, long-term behavioral health
problems have also been able to get care for many
years at St. John.
But over time, demand for adult services has
increased. As a result, St. John has opened Peace
of Mind, a new outpatient adult behavioral health
clinic.
“Peace of Mind allows us to provide even better
Meeting mental health needs
A Child’s Place Children’s health needs are different than those
of adults—and that goes for behavioral health
too. A Child’s Place caters to those special
needs. It offers children, adolescents, and their
families professional help with behavioral and
emotional problems.
“Kids used to have to go out of town to be
treated,” Rahn says. “A Child’s Place was created
to provide local services to children in our com-
munity. We have long-term community mem-
bers on staff that know the community and are
in touch with the needs of our children.”
Gayle Tate, MSW, LICSW, a PeaceHealth
clinical social worker, has been on staff since
A Child’s Place opened in 1997.
“It’s provided a real benefit to have a clinic for
children and adolescents that is such a vital part
of the community,” Tate says. “We
are able to provide support
to kids and their fami-
lies. We help them
get through tough
times and suc-
ceed at school
and home.”
Peace of Mind St. John has always provided quality services
to adults with serious behavioral health prob-
lems. But it became apparent that there was
a need for more treatment for less serious
cases.
“We have done a great job of taking care of
those patients who are severely and chroni-
cally mentally ill,” says Robert Axelrod, MD, a
psychiatrist and PeaceHealth Medical Direc-
tor of Behavioral Health Services. “But not
every person needs that kind of treatment.”
People who had less severe problems
couldn’t always get care right away. “We have
had more people seeking psychiatric services
than we could handle,” Rahn says. “And most
of the services at our current facility were
designed for the chronically mentally ill
population. It was apparent that people with
less acute problems were having difficulty
accessing services.”
With that in mind, the Peace of Mind
clinic, which opens this spring, was created.
It caters to the needs of patients who have less
serious behavioral health issues that may not
require the long-term care offered at St. John’s
other adult behavioral health clinic.
The new clinic is designed for patients who
do not have a history of behavioral health
problems but find themselves dealing with
disorders such as depression or anxiety.
“They may have had a crisis in their life
that has led to depression,” Dr. Axelrod says.
“They may just need to receive focused treat-
ment for a short period of time.”
The staff at Peace of Mind conducts psychi-
atric evaluations and offers patients therapy
and counseling. Along with Dr. Axelrod, the
clinic staff also includes psychiatric nurse
practitioners and a social worker.
Anyone who has depression or anxiety that
lasts for more than a couple of weeks should
consider seeking help from the professionals
at Peace of Mind, Dr. Axelrod says.
“When something is interfering with
your ability to work or is affecting
your relationships with family and
friends, it’s time to get some
help,” he says. “And if you have
thoughts about suicide, that’s
definitely a warning sign.”
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 6 St. John Medical Center
Two clinics and a
caring team equal
behavioral health care
for all ages.
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 6 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 7 St. John Medical Center
Meeting mental health needs
New St. John adult clinic joins children’s center in providing community behavioral health services to patients of all ages
behavioral health services to the community,” says
Kyle Rahn, MS, PeaceHealth Regional Director of
Behavioral Health Services. “We are confident that
we can meet all the healthcare needs of community
members, both young and old.”
From left, Peace of Mind providers Susan Mejo, ARNP, PsyD;
Brent Francisco, MN, ARNP, PMNP; Robert Axelrod, MD;
Julie Dickson, MD; and Pam McGill, ARNP
A Child’s Place has a full-time child psychiatrist,
Anca Balasu, MD, on staff. Tate and psychiatric nurse
practitioner Susan Mejo, ARNP, PsyD, are also on hand
to work with children and their families.
The clinic offers patients an array of services, includ-
ing psychiatric evaluations, individual and family coun-
seling, parent education, intensive case management,
medication management, and other support programs.
Tate says you should consider getting help at A
Child’s Place if your child:
•Cries easily.
•Is noticeably more irritable or anxious.
•Has a negative view of his or her world.
•Has difficulty concentrating.
•Has distinct changes in eating or sleeping patterns.
•Has a significant change in school performance.
•Bullies or is bullied.
•Tries to hurt himself or herself or has thoughts of
suicide.
“If you see any of these things impacting your child’s
ability to go to school and function successfully, you
should seek help,” Tate says. “Our goal is to help children
and adolescents do what they need to do to be successful.”
If you have concerns about the behavioral
health needs of yourself or a loved one, call
the Peace of Mind clinic at (360) 414-2235
or A Child's Place at (360) 414-2222.
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 7 St. John Medical Center
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 8 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 9 St. John Medical Center
providers
Get back InMotion!
Give us a call today at
(360) 414-2700 to learn
how we can help.
Want to know more about InMotion
services or the InMotion team?
Visit www.peacehealth.org/inmotion
or call us at (360) 414-2700.
Hand surgeryRandall Espinosa, MD
Certification: American
Board of Orthopaedic
Surgery
Degree: University of
Colorado School of Medicine, Denver
Internship: General surgery, William Beaumont
Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas
Residency: Orthopedic surgery, William Beau-
mont Army Medical Center, El Paso, Texas
Fellowship: Hand surgery, Walter Reed Army
Medical Center, Washington, D.C.
Dr. Espinosa was a military surgeon in the
Army for 30 years. He served in places such
as Iraq and Afghanistan, where he performed
emergency surgery for injured soldiers and
civilians.
Dr. Espinosa is a recently retired Army colo-
nel and joined PeaceHealth Medical Group at
the InMotion Clinic last fall. He brings a wealth
of experience and specialized skills in orthope-
dic hand surgery to our community.
Hand surgeryRandall Espinosa, MD
Certification:Board of Orthopaedic
Surgery
Degree:Colorado School of Medicine, Denver
Foot surgeryNatalie Mesnier, MD
Certification: American
Board of Orthopaedic
Surgery
Degree: Northwest
University Medical School, Chicago
Internship: Surgery, University of Pittsburgh
Residency: Orthopedic surgery, University of
Pittsburgh
Fellowship: Foot and ankle surgery, Institute for
Foot and Ankle Reconstruction, Baltimore
Dr. Mesnier joined PeaceHealth Medical
Group at the InMotion Clinic after completing
her fellowship. Her skills in orthopedic surgery
and her subspecialty of foot and ankle surgery
are valuable resources for our community.
Foot surgeryNatalie Mesnier, MD
Certification:Board of Orthopaedic
Surgery
Degree:University Medical School, Chicago
Pain interventionAnnette Stephens, MD
Certification: Anesthesia
and pain medicine,
American Board of
Anesthesiology
Credentials: American Board of Pain Medicine
Degree: University of Texas at Houston
Residency: Anesthesia, Emory University,
Atlanta
Fellowship: Pain, Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
and affiliated programs at New York Presbyte-
rian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center and
the Hospital for Special Surgeries
Dr. Stephens treats a wide range of painful
medical conditions and specializes in inter-
ventional injection therapy. Conditions that
respond to interventional techniques include
acute and chronic pain of the back, neck, hips,
and legs; headaches; peripheral neuropathies;
and some forms of spinal cord injury. Treat-
ments include epidural steroid injections,
radiofrequency (RF) and pulsed RF therapy,
advanced implantable devices, and medication
management.
Pain interventionAnnette Stephens, MD
Certification:and pain medicine,
American Board of
Anesthesiology
Credentials: American Board of Pain Medicine
Physician assistantChristine Matthews,
PA-C
Certification: Physician
assistant, Albany Medi-
cal College, New York; surgical residency, Yale
University, Norwalk, Conn.
Degrees: Bachelor’s in biology, State University
of New York; associate’s in science, Hudson
Community College, New York
Membership: American Academy of Physician
Assistants
Matthews joined Longview Surgical Group
in 1994 and began work at InMotion Orthope-
dic in March 2009. Please join us in welcoming
her as an orthopedic physician assistant.
Physician assistantChristine Matthews,
PA-C
Certification:assistant, Albany Medi-
cal College, New York; surgical residency, Yale
Get to know the newest members of
our team
SERVICES TO KEEP YOU INMOTION
•Chiropractic care
•Health psychology
•Orthopedic surgery, including
hand, foot, and joint replacement
•Pain management
•Physical medicine and
rehabilitation
•Physical therapy
•Rheumatology
•Sports medicine
Randall Espinosa, MD,
explains to a patient how
a bone in the hand works.
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 8 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 9 St. John Medical Center
workplace wellness
Hurt at work?
We can help
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 9 St. John Medical Center
To learn more about Workplace Wellness,
visit www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia/
workplacewellness.
Have you ever hurt yourself at work and wondered what to do next? Where would
you go if you needed medical attention? What about all that paperwork?
At Workplace Wellness Services, PeaceHealth’s Occupational
Medicine Clinic, we specialize in workplace injuries and can help
you with the worker’s compensation system.
Helping you make sense of it. From your first office visit, our
friendly staff helps you make sense of the forms you need to file
your claim. We provide quality care and work with your employer
to get you back to your job as quickly and safely as possible.
Only a block away from St. John’s main campus, Workplace
Wellness coordinates your care with other medical center depart-
ments. If needed, our helpful staff can manage imaging services and
specialist referrals for you. We can also help if your injury care begins
in the emergency room.
What happens next. Please come to your first visit prepared, and bring an
accurate job description. You may be able to get one from the Human Resources
or Safety Management departments where you work. This is very helpful for
our providers and helps them make decisions about modifying your job tasks or
removing you from your job for a while, if needed.
If you get injured at work, let Workplace Wellness Services help you get back on
your feet. We’re here for you.
James Joubert, MD,
evaluates a patient’s
injured arm.
WORKING TOWARD WELLNESS: MEET TWO OF OUR PROVIDERS
Injured on the job?
Let our friendly staff help
you make sense of the
paperwork.
Workplace Wellness Services is pleased to announce that two
new providers have joined our team.
James Joubert, MD, received his bach-
elor’s degree from Pennsylvania State
University in University Park in 1990 and
his medical degree from Louisiana State
University School of Medicine in New
Orleans in 2004.
Dr. Joubert completed his psychiatry internship and his
neurology residency at the Medical University of South Carolina
in Charleston. In addition to his neurology training, Dr. Joubert
was previously a physician assistant in civilian family medicine
and in the Louisiana Army National Guard.
His background in neurology and primary care will comple-
ment his practice of occupational medicine in Workplace Well-
ness Services.
Shelly Norman, ARNP, PhD, has
worked for more than seven years with the
injured workers and employers of South-
west Washington and Northwest Oregon.
She’s known for providing quality care and
helping patients recover quickly so they
can return to work. She understands the Labor and Industries
Workman’s Compensation process and the effect it can have on
employers and workers.
Norman has a master’s degree with a focus on case man-
agement from Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash. She
received nurse practitioner training and a master’s degree from
Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Wash., and is double board-
certified in family medicine.
She is also a member of the Civil Air Patrol and the U.S. Air
Force Auxiliary, and she participates in Air Search and Rescue.
new providers have joined our team.
elor’s degree from Pennsylvania State
Orleans in 2004.
Dr. Joubert completed his psychiatry internship and his
worked for more than seven years with the
west Washington and Northwest Oregon.
She’s known for providing quality care and
can return to work. She understands the Labor and Industries
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 10 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 11 St. John Medical Center
Patricia “P. J.” Peterson, MD, FACP, is a newly elected Fellow of the American College of Physicians (ACP).
ACP Fellows are recognized by their peers for personal integrity, superior competence in internal medicine,
professional accomplishment, and demonstrated scholarship.
As a Fellow, Dr. Peterson can serve on ACP committees that work to overcome the challenges facing
internal medicine professionals, hold offi ce in the ACP, and mentor future internists. She was also selected
as an overseas Fellow in the Royal Society of Medicine in London.
PeaceHealth is proud to celebrate and honor Dr. Peterson. She currently practices at PeaceHealth Medical Group’s Internal
Medicine Team B, serves on PeaceHealth's Regional Governing Board, and has served as a Chief Medical Offi cer for PeaceHealth
in the Lower Columbia Region.
CONGRATS, DR. PETERSON!
ACP Fellows are recognized by their peers for personal integrity, superior competence in internal medicine,
as an overseas Fellow in the Royal Society of Medicine in London.
PeaceHealth is proud to celebrate and honor Dr. Peterson. She currently practices at PeaceHealth Medical Group’s Internal
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 10 St. John Medical Center
Visit the class calendar on the Women’s Health Pavilion web site, www.peacehealth.org/healthinfo/women, for more information for women.
CELEBRATING SURVIVORSHIPRadiation Oncology staff proudly wear survivor T-shirts to cel-
ebrate survivorship. From left are (back row) Summer Bonner-
Davenport, Nikki Breen-Ely, Bev Eaton, and Julian Tran; and
(front row) Jeri Espejo, Lacy King, and Michelle Vedders.
This year’s National Cancer Survivors Day Picnic is June 7.
Patients of PeaceHealth Radiation Oncology and Medical
Oncology will receive a special invitation to this event in their
honor. All providers and staff will join the celebration. For more
information, call Radiation Oncology at (360) 636-4841.
Cardiac Rehabilitation ProgramMondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays
Reclaim your health after a
cardiac event. This three-phase
program offers support, education,
and monitored exercise. Call (360) 414-7384.
classes for your healthWellness ServicesEnhanced External Counter Pulsation (EECP)Do you have angina but no longer
fi nd relief from medications?
EECP may be right for you. To
fi nd out, call (360) 636-4846 or
contact your provider. A physician
referral is required.
PeaceHealth offers a variety of health education classes that are open to the public. Fees vary—and some are even offered at no cost.
Kidney Disease Education Third Tuesday and Friday morn-
ings of every other month, May,
July, September, November
PeaceHealth Broadway Campus
Learn about dialysis for kidney
failure. Family and friends are
welcome. Call (360) 414-2268 to
register or check class availability.
See page 3 for related story.
Learning to Live With Cancer SeriesA six-week course for people with
cancer, their family, and friends.
Call (360) 414-7968 for the next
schedule.
Childbirth EducationAll classes are held in the
Women’s Health Pavilion,
1660 Delaware St., Longview
(corner of Delaware and 17th
Avenue). Call (360) 501-3700.
Preparing for Delivery, Labor, and Birth$60 per couple (state medical
coupon accepted)
New parents prepare for labor and
birth, breastfeeding, and baby care.
Call for a schedule.
Big Sister, Big Brother To BeFirst Thursdays, 10:30 to
11:30 a.m., free
Fun activities for kids from 3 to
10 years old who will become
siblings. They will learn their
special role and make a card for
the baby. Call to register.
Conscious FatheringSecond Mondays, 6 to 9 p.m., free
Join other expectant or new dads as
Brian McClain explores baby care ba-
sics, the changing role of fatherhood,
and forming a strong parenting part-
nership with the mother. To register,
call Brian at (360) 795-8612.
Community EventsCall (360) 501-3700 for more
information.
March for BabiesSaturday, April 25, 8 a.m.
registration, 9 a.m. walk
Join us for this year's March of
Dimes fundraiser, beginning and
fi nishing at the Women's Health
Pavilion. To register for the March
of Babies walk around Lake Saca-
jawea or for more information,
visit www.marchofdimes.com.
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 10 St. John Medical Center www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 11 St. John Medical Center
Support GroupsCancer Support GroupFirst and third Mondays,
5:30 to 7 p.m., free
Lower Columbia Regional
Cancer Center
Registration not required. Call
Susan Schwarz at (360) 414-7968 for information.
Cardiac Support GroupSecond Thursdays, 1:30 to
2:30 p.m., free
Cardiac Rehabilitation
Exercise Center
For cardiac patients, their families,
and caregivers to discuss exercise,
coping with heart disease, stress
management, nutrition, and more.
Call (360) 414-7384 or
(360) 636-4839.
I Understand: Breast Cancer Support GroupMondays, April 27, May 18,
June 22, 6:30 p.m.
Women’s Health Pavilion Re-
source Center, 1660 Delaware
St., Longview
Call Ruth Melvin at
(360) 414-2707.
Try this dialysis-friendly recipe the next time you want
something sweet.
CHERRY CREAM CHEESE MINI-TARTS
Preparation
•Preheat oven to 350° F.
•Place the cream cheese, sugar or Splenda, lemon juice,
and vanilla in a large bowl. Blend with an electric mixer.
•Add the eggs, and beat until fl uffy.
•Line a cupcake tin with paper holders. Place one
vanilla wafer into the bottom of each cup.
•Fill cups 2⁄3 full with the cream cheese
mixture and bake for 20 minutes.
•Remove from oven and cool 1 hour.
•Top each tart with a cherry and
1 teaspoon of pie fi lling.
Helpful hints
•If Splenda is used, calories are reduced
to 96 and carbohydrate is reduced to 6 grams
per tart (1⁄2 carbohydrate choice).
•Try low-fat or fat-free cream cheese to reduce the
fat content.
•Do not overbeat mixture.
•Do not overbake—tarts may appear soft and
moist but will fi rm up after cooling.
Portions: 24 (2 dozen) • Serving size: 1 tart
Nutrients per serving: calories, 114; protein, 2g; carbohydrate,11g; fat, 7g; cholesterol, 28mg; sodium, 75mg; potassium, 39mg; phosphorus, 20mg; calcium, 2mg; fi ber, 0.1g
Renal and renal diabetic food choices: ½ starch; ½ fruit, low potassium; 1 fat • Carbohydrate choices: 1
Recipe from DaVita’s web site. Find more reci-
pes from DaVita at www.davita.com/recipes.
Ingredients2 8-ounce packages
cream cheese
¾ cup granulated sugar
or Splenda granular
no calorie sweetener
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon vanilla
fl avoring
2 eggs (or 1 egg
plus 2 egg whites)
24 vanilla wafers
1 can cherry pie fi lling
Paper cupcake holders
and regular-size cup-
cake tin
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia 11 St. John Medical Center
Correction: In
the last edition
of HouseCall the
Physical Thera-
pist Assistant in
this photo was
identifi ed as Judi. She is actually Jody
Brand, PTA, shown assisting a patient
with physical therapy at Columbia
Rehab.
LaLeche League of Cowlitz CountySecond Wednesdays,
10 a.m. to Noon, free
Women’s Health Pavilion
Support and education
for breastfeeding mothers.
Children are welcome. Call
(360) 636-3284 or visit www
.lllusa.org/web/longviewwa.html.
No registration required.
Reach to RecoveryWomen’s Health Pavilion
Support for women being treated
for cancer, including wigs from the
American Cancer Society. Referral
to a Reach to Recovery volunteer
required.
GOLDEN LABSt. John Medical Center’s laboratory received the gold standard
for laboratory accreditation by the College of American Patholo-
gists (CAP). To be accredited by CAP, labs are required to have
an unannounced inspection every two years, maintain excellent
quality control, do a self-inspection, and inspect a laboratory at
another facility.
Correction:
the last edition
of
this photo was
St. John evening shift lab
staff members are just
part of the hard working
crew that keeps St. John’s
“golden” lab going ’round
the clock. From left are
(back row) Justin Baker
and Tom Burckhardt;
(center row) Jennifer Mahitka, Theresa Cotterell, and Reggie
Rose; and (front row) Starla Grasseth and Becky Knopf.
Directions: From Interstate 5, north or south, take exit
36 (Longview/Long Beach exit) over the Cowlitz River to
Hwy. 432, which becomes Tennant Way. Turn right on 15th
Avenue. Turn left on Delaware for parking.
Ocean Beach Hwy. Allen Street
Nichols Blvd.Kessler Blvd.
Lake Sacajawea
Ore
gon
Way
433
15th
Ave
.14
th A
ve.
Delaware
7th
Ave
.
Broadway
Tennant Way
N
5
17th
Ave
.
Dedicated to Exceptional Medicine and Compassionate Care
P.O. Box 30021615 Delaware St.Longview, WA 98632
Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage
PAIDPeaceHealth
St. John
Medical
Center
Workplace Wellness Services
Broadway Campus
Women’s Health Pavilion
Directions: From Interstate 5, north or south, take exit 36
(Longview/Long Beach exit) over the Cowlitz River to
Hwy. 432, which becomes Tennant Way. Turn right on
15th Avenue. Turn left on Delaware for parking.
MAKING IT EASYPeaceHealth Medical Group patients
can now pay their clinic bills, make an
appointment, or view some of their medical record information
with the click of a mouse.
Visit www.peacehealth.org and click the PatientConnection
logo to learn more. Or stop by a PeaceHealth Medical
Group Clinic during April and staff will be on hand to answer
your questions or assist you with signing up.
WE’RE HERE FOR YOUSt. John Medical CenterPeaceHealth Medical GroupMain number: (360) 414-2000Toll free: 1-800-438-7562
The Medical Center offers: Behavioral Health ServicesCancer Treatment Cardiac CareColumbia Regional Breast CenterCritical Care ServicesDiabetes and Nutrition ServicesDialysis TreatmentImaging and Diagnostic ServicesPediatric ServicesPrimary and Family CareRehabilitation ServicesSleep Disorders CenterSurgery, including short-stay and ambulatory proceduresTrauma and Emergency ServicesWomen’s Services Varicose veins?
St. John Medical CenterPeaceHealth
HOUSE CALL is published as a commu nity service for the friends and patrons of ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER and PEACEHEALTH MEDICAL GROUP. Sponsored by the Sis ters of St. Joseph of Peace since 1943. ST. JOHN MEDICAL CENTER and PEACEHEALTH MEDICAL GROUP are affi rmative action, equal opportunity employers.
If you would like to be removed from future mailings from St. John Medical Center and PeaceHealth Medical Group, please call and request to be removed from the mailing list.
www.peacehealth.org/lowercolumbia (360) 414-20001-800-438-7562
1615 Delaware St. Longview, WA 98632
Information in HOUSE CALL comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specifi c content that may affect your health, please contact your healthcare provider.
Models may be used in photos and illustrations. Icons used with permission from iStock International, Inc.
Copyright © 2009 Coffey Communications, Inc.Copyright © 2009 PeaceHealth CUM23326c
We can help
Varicose veins should be treated when they cause pain,
swelling, foot and ankle ulcers, clotting, or bleeding. This
procedure is also performed for cosmetic reasons.
The VNUS Closure treatment at Longview Surgical
Group is a simple, noninvasive procedure. A flexible
instrument is threaded through the varicose vein
and used to shrink it so that it ultimately
closes and blood is rerouted to
healthy veins.
For most patients, this is a
brief outpatient procedure that does not require
a hospital stay. Most people are able to return to work within a few days and
quickly resume normal activities. More than 95 percent of people treated have
long-lasting relief from their symptoms.
This procedure causes little or no pain and is performed by the board-
certified vascular surgeons at Longview Surgical Group. It is covered by
most insurance plans. For more information about VNUS Closure, call
(360) 501-3500.