EvergreenHealth Monitor - Spring 2023

Message from the CEO

Dear Neighbors,

In spite of our best efforts to remain in good health, over the course of a lifetime most of us will face unexpected health challenges. When the unexpected occurs, it is good to know that close to home, there is a professional, compassionate staff of health care providers, working in a high-quality, high-tech facility offering a comprehensive array of services.

As a community-owned hospital and health care partner to you and your family, all of us at EvergreenHealth take great pride in being there for you in times of need – whether those moments are conveniently timed, or not. To be an acute care facility means that our doors are always open, and we are committed to serving you with the highest quality care and service every day and night – 24/7, 365 days a year.

In this issue of Monitor, we share our partnership with the National Alliance of Mental Illness Eastside and our support of youth mental health initiatives. You will meet a patient whose retirement was interrupted by an unexpected Parkinson’s disease diagnosis, and the neurosurgery team who offered an innovative procedure that provided timely relief. We’re also happy to celebrate our team of exceptional trauma care providers who give emergency care around the clock, often working through the night providing lifesaving care. Finally, we will share the inspiring story of a family who welcomed their daughter weeks before she was due, and the NICU care that helped her thrive.

Our commitment to the community also means striving to continually enhance our care and service – by expanding our specialties, investing in the latest technology and equipment and delivering the safest care focused on achieving the best outcomes. I’m proud to share on behalf of all of our staff, physicians and volunteers that once again, EvergreenHealth has been named by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™, placing our health system in the top 1% of hospitals for the third year in a row.

While awards and recognition are a positive reflection of our team’s dedication to excellence, what really drives us is our commitment to you. It is a privilege to be your partner in health each and every day, and we’re grateful for our community’s ongoing support of your community-owned hospital!

Sincerely,

Jeff Tomlin, MD EvergreenHealth CEO

Help is Always Available

A partnership between EvergreenHealth and NAMI Eastside offers support and resources for teens in the community

By Barbie Collins-Young Executive Director, NAMI Eastside

In a world where mental health struggles are all too common, it can be reassuring to know that help is always available.

At NAMI Eastside, a local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness, our work is focused on providing advocacy, education and support to those in our community who are impacted by mental illness – which is a mission we share with our partners at EvergreenHealth. Through our collaborative efforts, we strive to make a difference in the lives of those seeking mental health assistance.

The Youth Mental Health Task Force, led by EvergreenHealth, has brought to light crucial issues facing today’s young people. In response, NAMI Eastside started the Youth Ambassador Program, empowering students to take control of their mental health. The program provides student participants a platform to voice their ideas and concerns and access tools to help cope with life. One student pointed out the lack of emphasis on self-care and the need for tools for coping with life’s challenges. Another student noted that peers often turn to each other for support before adults, but they are not equipped with the knowledge or skills to provide the support their peers seek.

To address these issues, the task force identified Cope2Thrive, an evidencebased program that teaches coping skills at every grade level along with training in Teen Mental Health First Aid.

Recently, NAMI Eastside was fortunate to receive an EvergreenHealth Community Funded Grant, which awards our nonprofit with $25,000 in the health system’s tax levy funds to expand our reach and impact. With these funds, we are poised to grow several of our programs, making a bigger impact than ever before, bringing hope and help to those who need it most.

On April 28, we invite the community to join us for our annual Youth Mental Health Conference, where students will have the opportunity to share their research and resources for supporting their peers.

We also hope you will join us for our monthly educational forums held at EvergreenHealth as we bring powerful speakers to share about youth mental health. See the lineup at www.nami-eastside.org/forums.

NAMI Eastside is grateful for the strong partnership with EvergreenHealth and our shared commitment to helping people impacted by mental illness and mental health conditions to lead healthy and productive lives.

Barbie Collins-Young Executive Director, NAMI Eastside

Deep Brain Stimulation Offers a World of Difference

When Parkinson’s disease held Doug Eggert back, DBS helped him regain control

After Aberdeen resident Doug Eggert retired from a successful career as a homebuilder, he looked forward to regular rounds of golf and time to relax with his wife, Joy. But as time went on, he noticed that something felt wrong.

“I started to struggle with my right leg while I was golfing,” Eggert described. “I’d feel stiff and sore, my movements were slow and it was difficult to walk straight.”

Eggert was referred to EvergreenHealth’s Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center where his neurologist eventually diagnosed him with Parkinson’s disease.

The first steps in Parkinson’s disease treatment are usually medications that work to diminish the disease’s physical and cognitive symptoms. But symptoms tend to get worse over time, requiring patients to take higher doses of medication, which can result in other side effects.

For Eggert, increasing his medication meant more “off” times, when his symptoms would return before his next scheduled dose. His demeanor was changing too – he was quieter, more

reserved, thinking more slowly and growing increasingly depressed – and Joy was getting concerned.

That’s when his neurologist suggested deep brain stimulation (DBS) as a treatment option, which has proven transformative for many people living with Parkinson’s disease. Eggert was skeptical at first. But after learning more about the procedure, and with Joy’s encouragement and support, he made the decision to move forward.

His next step was to meet with Ryder Gwinn, MD, a fellowship-trained neurosurgeon practicing at EvergreenHealth who has performed hundreds of DBS procedures over his 20-year career. The procedure involves placing electrodes in specific parts of the brain, which deliver electrical current to stimulate the neurons in that area. A specially trained programmer customizes the flow of the current to find the settings that have the greatest impact on each patient’s symptoms.

Ryder Gwinn, MD Neurosurgeon at EvergreenHealth Neurosurgery, part of the Eastside Neuroscience Institute

Idil Baysal, ARNP Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioner at EvergreenHealth Neurosurgery, part of the Eastside Neuroscience Institute

“His case is a remarkable example of how truly life-changing this procedure can be.”

“Brain surgery sounds invasive, and putting technology in the brain sounds almost like science fiction. But the reality is that using technology and implants in the human body is a standard part of medicine today,” Dr. Gwinn explained. “With DBS, once the wires are in place, we’ve implanted a toolbox in a very flexible way to interact with each patient and meet their unique needs.”

For Eggert, relief was almost immediate. Days after the procedure, he met with Idil Baysal, ARNP, who specializes in DBS programming. As she adjusted the current, Eggert’s facial muscles began to relax. “I could smile again,” he recalls.

“Doug is a great example of how much DBS helps improve quality of life,” Baysal said. “He made great progress very quickly – we actually achieved his ideal settings in the very first session. I am thrilled to see how well he has responded to DBS therapy. His case is a remarkable example of how truly life-changing this procedure can be.”

Eggert is now much less reliant on his Parkinson’s medication, and he can walk without difficulty even in the mornings before he’s taken it.

“It’s made a world of difference,” Eggert said. “I’m so blessed and grateful for this whole process.”

Deep brain stimulation is one of the many innovative treatments offered through the Eastside Neuroscience Institute—a collaboration between EvergreenHealth and Overlake Medical Center & Clinics to provide comprehensive neurology, neurosurgery and spine services at two locations in Kirkland and Bellevue. Learn more at www.eastsideneuroinstitute.org

“It’s made a world of difference. I’m so blessed and grateful for this whole process.”

Doug Eggert, walking with his wife Joy, has made great progress after receiving DBS treatment at EvergreenHealth.

Doug Eggert, with his wife, Joy, has made great progress after receiving DBS treatment at EvergreenHealth.

Growing Alongside Our Community

How EvergreenHealth has anticipated our community’s health needs

Since our health system opened in 1972, the community has embraced and supported EvergreenHealth as the Eastside’s public hospital district – recognizing the organization as a critical, valued resource for high quality health care services.

Much like a public school district, our non-profit public hospital district was formed to provide needed services, funded in part by community contributions through a tax levy. Our unique model as a non-profit public hospital district means that EvergreenHealth is community-owned and remains one of the few independent, non-religious or otherwise nationally affiliated hospitals in our region.

Since voters approved the tax levy to fund construction of EvergreenHealth’s Silver Tower in 2007, our district population has grown by 27%.

As the community has grown, EvergreenHealth has continuously anticipated the changing needs of our patients and families – accounting for an increasing preference for our services, a growing community and an aging population who are living longer and needing more care and services.

Our public hospital model, governed by our seven publicly elected commissioners, ensures residents throughout the area continue to have access to the health care services they need and empowers EvergreenHealth to respond to our community’s changing and growing needs over time.

Expanding Services to Meet Community Needs

EvergreenHealth has remained committed to evolving alongside our growing community to meet the changing health and wellness needs of our diverse and expanding population. Just as our individual health needs change as time goes on, so too do the needs of the community we serve.

From our recent renovation of the Family Maternity Center, to our partnership with Overlake Medical Center & Clinics that increases access to world-class comprehensive heart care services, neuroscience and spine care, our capacity to care for our community’s wide range of complex needs have kept pace with demand.

Since 2010, at EvergreenHealth: Outpatient visits have increased by 123%

Surgeries have increased by 30%

Emergency Department visits have increased by 16%

Inpatient days have increased by 63%

Since 2015, at EvergreenHealth: Visits to our clinics have increased by 95%

Then, Now & Beyond

In 2007, our EvergreenHealth public hospital district – which includes the King County communities of Bothell, Duvall, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, Sammamish and Woodinville – was home to 270,941 residents.

Over time, our area rapidly grew to reach a population of 345,159 residents in EvergreenHealth’s district by 2022, and our population is projected to steadily increase over the next several years.

EvergreenHealth Kirkland Public Hospital District Population

By the Numbers

As patient volumes have grown, EvergreenHealth has expanded care and services

Source: ERSI; Office of Financial Management

In 15 years from 2022, the population of King County will grow by 11.9% to reach 386,176 residents in 2037.

Delivering Quality Obstetrics Care with Updates to the Family Maternity Center

An updated NICU, specialized OB emergency department and a host of technological enhancements help EvergreenHealth grow alongside new families

As quality schools and new housing opportunities continue to attract families to the Eastside, EvergreenHealth has seen a steady increase in babies born at its Family Maternity Center (FMC) in Kirkland.

Those steadily increasing community needs are one major reason that EvergreenHealth continues to update its Family Maternity Center (FMC) with several state-of-the-art enhancements designed to provide the best care and comfort for patients, families, staff and providers.

Enhancements to the new FMC

• Renovations to the unit’s birthing suites, with two full floors dedicated to patients and babies, including 34 refurbished labor rooms featuring state-of-the-art equipment and 27 remodeled after-delivery rooms

• A brand-new, six-bed OB emergency department (ED) offering direct access to private triage and treatment rooms

• A redesigned entrance and lobby adjacent to the OB ED to warmly welcome laboring patients and families efficiently and comfortably

• Two dedicated family areas offering a kitchen, food storage space and entertainment centers

• Expanded Neonatal Intensive Care Unit with additional private Level II and Level III NICU rooms

“We expected that the number of births would decrease slightly during the pandemic, but the opposite has proved to be true at EvergreenHealth – we’re seeing the highest number of births at our hospital in 50 years,” said Danielle Henderson, DO, an OB/GYN and Executive Medical Director of Women’s Services at EvergreenHealth.

EvergreenHealth’s NICU will be the highlighted beneficiary at the 2023 Evergreen Gala. Read more on page 18, or visit www.evergreengala.org.

Danielle Henderson, DO, Executive Medical Director of Women’s Services at EvergreenHealth

NICU Care and Philanthropic Support Helps

Our Community’s ‘Tiniest Angel’

When Angel’s mother was 28 weeks pregnant, doctors at EvergreenHealth determined Angel had stopped growing in utero and decided to induce labor. In October 2021, Angel was born weighing just 350 grams (12 ounces!) and spent six months in the care of EvergreenHealth’s Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff.

Born so small, Angel relied on novel ventilators designed for micro-preemies to help her breathe while her lungs developed. Partially funded by the support of EvergreenHealth Foundation donors, these ventilators have added to the health system’s capabilities to care for the tiniest, most critically ill infants.

Angel not only survived being born so small, but thrived. Her family regularly returns to visit their NICU nurses and doctors and share Angel’s progress with them.

Taking the lead on TeamBirth

In 2019, EvergreenHealth was one of four hospitals in the country to partner with Ariadne Labs – a joint center of Brigham and Women’s Hospital and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health – on the TeamBirth Project, a program focused on empowering parents and all members of the birth team to communicate transparently and collaboratively. Along with regular team huddles, TeamBirth promotes communication between the patient and all members of the patient’s clinical team via a simple, shared whiteboard in the labor room. This approach has become the standard at EvergreenHealth and is slated to become a statewide initiative to help achieve better outcomes for parents and babies across Washington.

“Dr. Annie gave us hope and helped to reassure us during the toughest days. We consider Dr. Annie and our nurses a part of our family. They loved our baby –our Angel – and we love them for that.”

Today, Angel is a healthy, curious 1-year-old with a brilliant smile.

Angel was born weighing just 350 grams (12 ounces).

24 / 7 / 365: Inside the Action of EvergreenHealth Emergency Care

Experienced registered nurse

Tomoko Nagata shares her view of life in the ED

EvergreenHealth provides emergency care from three locations in Kirkland, Redmond and Monroe.

When EvergreenHealth registered nurse Tomoko Nagata’s alarm goes off in the late afternoon, her day is just beginning. As a charge nurse in the Kirkland emergency department, Nagata prefers the night shift, supporting patients and families in the late night hours while most of the community sleeps.

Having grown up just outside Tokyo, Nagata was a nurse in Japan for several years before relocating to the United States in 2002. She joined EvergreenHealth in 2006, beginning as an RN on the hospital’s medical/surgical inpatient unit before she shifted her focus to emergency care in 2012.

Over the past decade in the ED, Nagata says what she’s enjoyed most is the collaborative environment – nurses, doctors, assistants, EMTs, technicians and many other hospital staff working together as colleagues to address the constantly shifting priorities and needs that arise in emergency care. While the pace is fast and action-packed, she appreciates the moments of connection and camaraderie that take place in the ED every day.

“What I love is that everyone is helping each other, listening to each other and providing support to each other,” Nagata said. “Regardless of your role or title, our hospital culture encourages us to ask questions and share information. Doctors, supervisors and managers provide an appropriate answer quickly. It’s always collaborative.”

Supporting staff and sharing information is a big part of Nagata’s role as an ED charge nurse. Charge nurses are leaders in the unit, responsible for juggling staffing, patient assignments, communicating with the ED providers, nursing leadership and much more.

While no two shifts are alike, Nagata shared insight into what emergency care nurses often encounter throughout their workday – or night, in Nagata’s case.

“What I love is that everyone is helping each other, listening to each other and providing support to each other.”

–Tomoko Nagata, RN, EvergreenHealth Emergency Department charge nurse

A Night in the Life of an Emergency Department Charge Nurse

~3 p.m.

Wake up, tea and breakfast, run errands, personal time.

9 p.m.

Her shift begins and she gets to work. If she’s serving as a bedside nurse, Nagata consults with the departing nurse, taking note of patients’ acuity levels, vital signs and plans of care.

10 p.m. – 1 a.m.

On a busy night as a charge nurse, Nagata may oversee nursing care for 20 to 30 patients, providing direction and support to nurses and other members of the clinical team.

7:30 a.m.

Commute back home, take a shower, and then it’s lights out. She doesn’t count her steps, but knows it’s been a busy shift when she falls asleep as soon as her head hits the pillow.

7 a.m.

8:55 p.m.

Check in with other staff and confirm her role for the upcoming shift. While she primarily serves as a charge nurse, she also fills in as a bedside nurse, triage nurse or float nurse.

1:30 a.m.

Lunch break. Nagata appreciates that her team emphasizes breaks and decompression throughout their busy shifts, whenever possible.

8:30 p.m.

Make the 10-minute commute to the hospital and head to the emergency department. As a nightshift nurse, Nagata enjoys that there’s little traffic.

2:30 a.m.

Charge nurses spend more time supervising and coordinating logistics than providing direct patient care. Nagata is often found at the nurses’ station, speaking by phone to other inpatient units, texting critical patient updates to clinical teams or quickly confirming next steps throughout often rapidly changing circumstances.

4 a.m.

Depending on the season, Nagata often finishes up any final to-dos and clocks out as the sun is rising.

6:30 a.m.

With the end of her shift approaching, Nagata makes a detailed list of status updates to hand off to the incoming charge nurse.

An ambulance arrives. While en route, EMTs communicate with Nagata about the patient’s status, and she gets to work assigning a primary nurse, ordering tests, recruiting additional providers and alerting other departments – the OR or ICU, for example – of immediate needs.

A Culture of Caring: What Draws Doctors and Providers to EvergreenHealth

In a competitive landscape to recruit the best doctors, at EvergreenHealth, we are committed to fostering a culture that empowers our most skilled, compassionate and innovative staff and doctors at the cutting edge of medicine to serve patients and families with quality care and excellence.

“What sets EvergreenHealth apart is the fact that our doctors have world-class credentials and because of that, they could practice wherever they want. But they choose EvergreenHealth because of its history of serving the community and our culture that allows doctors to truly

focus on doing the right thing for patients. When we look to hire new doctors, proven clinical excellence is an expectation and beyond that, we look for emotional intelligence – people who will continue to foster the dedication to patient-centered care that our communityowned hospital is known for,” said Mark Freeborn, MD, Chief Medical Officer for EvergreenHealth Medical Group. We asked both new and longtime doctors and providers what attracts them to our community-owned health system – and learned that EvergreenHealth’s values and culture rates high among the reasons.

“Compassion, respect and trust: these aren’t just words at EvergreenHealth. Everybody working here feels that, and that’s why this is the place where I want to be.”

—John D. Dockins, MD, FACS, FASMBS, DABOM, EvergreenHealth Weight Loss & Bariatric Care

“I really enjoy my colleagues and how dependable, kind and approachable everyone is. I have seen how EvergreenHealth’s multidisciplinary clinical collaborations strengthen patient care.”

—Jennifer L. Witt, MD, EvergreenHealth Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Care Center

“One thing that drew me to EvergreenHealth is the culture that has been developed through excellent leadership and quality of health care professionals.”

—Brian L. Dial, MD, EvergreenHealth Spine, Back & Neck Care

“When I was eight, my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer. The hospice providers cared for him and my entire family with such thoughtful support— it really resonated with me and I wanted to give that experience to others, which is why I became a physician. EvergreenHealth has everything I need to live my purpose, and the best part of my day is knowing my patients feel heard. I am always on their side.”

—Jessee Meek, DO, EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Woodinville

“Growing up in a developing nation, I was inspired to dedicate my life to helping people experience the health care they deserve as a doctor. When I became a patient myself at EvergreenHealth, my experience showed me that this is where I belong—it’s a place where I can make a difference, that truly cares.”

—Zainab Alnoor, MD, FACOG, OB/GYN, EvergreenHealth Obstetrics & Gynecology Care, Tan

Here for you: Rain, shine – or ice! Because health care doesn’t take snow days

On December 23, 2022, the Puget Sound area awoke to a world coated in ice. While most residents opted to stay safe and warm inside their homes until the ice storm passed, Jennifer Zintel, a patient services representative at EvergreenHealth Urgent Care, Woodinville, saw the ice and got creative.

“I knew there was no chance of driving anywhere, so I grabbed my ski touring setup and made my way to urgent care. Patients really got a laugh out of it when they saw the skis behind my desk. I believe as a community that it is important to go above and beyond to take care of each other during times like these. After all, the need for health care doesn’t stop just because of Snowmageddon.”

FullCircle:

Nurse Who Was Born and Volunteered at EvergreenHealth Joins Staff

Kate Wiken, ARNP, a lifelong Puget Sound resident, joined EvergreenHealth in 2022. But the health system has been a part of her life since the very beginning.

“With both sides of my family going back generations here on the Eastside, this hospital has been an important part of our lives,” Wiken said. “It’s where my family went and continues to go for care.”

Wiken and her twin sister, Alice, were born at EvergreenHealth in 1994. Arriving early, they spent time in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit and would attend “preemie” reunions at the hospital every summer as children. In their teens, Wiken and her sister volunteered at the hospital before they both attended the nursing program at the University of Washington. Then, after gaining experience as a registered nurse, Wiken returned to her studies and became a nurse practitioner.

Today, she brings that passion to EvergreenHealth’s Sleep Medicine Department.

“I’ve watched EvergreenHealth grow over the years into a large health system, but despite how much it has grown, it still feels like a community hospital that provides personal care,” Wiken says.

Kate Wiken, DNP, ARNP, AGPCNP-BC, EvergreenHealth Sleep Medicine

“I love being back at EvergreenHealth. I look at my patients and see my family.”

Welcome, New Providers!

EvergreenHealth consistently attracts top health care talent to meet an increasing demand for high-quality care. In 2022, the health system welcomed more than 50 doctors, nurse practitioners, and physician assistants across 15 specialties, including primary care, OB-GYN services, cardiology and orthopedics.

Among them are six neurology and spine specialists joining the Eastside Neuroscience Institute, a collaboration between EvergreenHealth and Overlake Medical Center & Clinics, where residents can find comprehensive neuroscience and spine care all in one place.

Idil Baysal, ARNP –EvergreenHealth Neurosurgery

Idil treats patients who are living with debilitating neurological illnesses such as ALS, MS, neuropathy and movement disorders. Her practice focuses on deep brain stimulation (DBS) programming among several other specialties.

“My philosophy of care is to function as a partner with my patients. Listening, understanding, educating and empowering my patients to make better-informed decisions to improve their quality of life lies at the center of my practice.”

Darin Bradshaw, MD –EvergreenHealth Sport and Spine

Dr. Bradshaw is a board-certified physiatrist, treating patients with acute and chronic neck and back pain with conservative treatment options, including physical therapy, non-opioid pain medications, spinal injections and lifestyle interventions.

“My philosophy of care is to act as a medical expert and coach, educating patients about their treatment options so they can make educated decisions about their health and ways to regain their quality of life.”

Emily

Estabrook, PA-C –

Arash Fazl, MD, PhD –

EvergreenHealth Booth Gardner

Parkinson’s Care

Dr. Fazl specializes in neurological disorders, with an emphasis on Parkinson’s disease and patients with atypical Parkinsonism syndromes like progressive supranuclear palsy and multiple system atrophy.

“My primary care goal is to give my patients the best quality of life possible. A diagnosis of movement disorders opens the gate to a complex landscape. Together, we will navigate it toward a treatment that best fits you.”

Jenny Harbers, PA-C –EvergreenHealth Neurosurgery

Jenny is a board-certified physician assistant who specializes in neurosurgery. She treats injuries and disorders of the nervous system, including the brain, spinal cord, peripheral nerves and the extracranial cerebrovascular system.

“I strive to provide a supportive environment where patients and their families feel empowered to ask questions and express concerns.”

EvergreenHealth

Spine & Neurosurgical Care

Emily is a board-certified physician assistant and athletic trainer. She specializes in caring for patients with orthopedic conditions using the least invasive techniques to treat spine, back and neck issues.

“My goal as a health care provider is to listen and communicate with each of my patients to understand their injuries. Together, we will partner to determine an individualized, specific treatment plan.”

Madeline Noland, PhD –EvergreenHealth Neuropsychological Services

Dr. Noland is a licensed psychologist specializing in neuropsychological evaluation. She has clinical interests in dementia, traumatic brain injury, Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, general medical conditions associated with cognitive changes, adjusting to a new diagnosis, depression and anxiety.

“I work collaboratively with individuals, families, and their health care providers to understand the nature and potential causes of cognitive, emotional and behavioral changes. Together, we identify ways to maximize cognitive functioning and overall quality of life.”

Community Education Services

Our Community Education Services and Childbirth and Early Parenting teams offer comprehensive, evidenced-based programs aimed at promoting health and wellness across a variety of topics important to the people in our community.

Find class schedules and locations at www.evergreenhealth.com/classes-events.

Pre-registration is required for all classes. For your convenience, you may register and pay for classes online, or you may also call the EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000, Mon.-Fri., 7 am – 7 pm.

Community Education provides programing in the following topic areas:

> Wellness and Healthy Living

Promotes healthy lifestyles and activities that support well-being at every age.

> Senior Health

Provides opportunities for seniors living independently within our community and within designated senior communities to participate in various health and wellness activities to enhance their well-being and quality of life. In addition to the Senior Health classes offered at EvergreenHealth, we offer classes at other convenient community locations.

> Safety Education and Training

Provides lifesaving skills to community members who are not clinical providers. Topics include CPR, First Aid, Babysitting Skills and Basic Life Support.

> Chronic Care

Provides individuals and their families with education on various strategies to cope with and manage the impacts of a chronic disease.

Neurological and Movement Disorders

EvergreenHealth Neurological Care offers exercise classes and support groups to aid patients living with a variety of neurological diseases and movement disorders.

Cancer Classes

Cancer Lifeline at EvergreenHealth continues to support patients and caregivers during these challenging times of COVID-19. Join support groups, classes and presentations online. For a complete listing and class dates, visit CancerLifeline.org or call 206.297.2500.

Visit www.evergreenhealth.com/classes-events for a full listing of classes, descriptions, dates and times.

STRENGT H. DIGNIT Y. HOPE

Returning to Parent-Baby Classes After 15 Years

When Shannon gave birth to her first child, Gigi, in 2006, she found it difficult to find her balance at first. EvergreenHealth’s Parent-Baby Groups helped her find the support and education she needed from the community of new parents and the expert instructors who lead the groups. “It was at this baby class that I found comfort, encouragement and loving guidance from [EvergreenHealth’s] experienced instructors,” Shannon said. “Not only did they have years of teaching experience, but they had also raised their own children. These skillful instructors presented evidenced-based information, relieved my anxiety, and offered the opportunity to connect with other moms.”

Then, 15 years later, Shannon became a new mom again! In 2021, her family welcomed Scarlett into the world. Three months after Scarlett was born, Shannon and her husband relocated to England for his work in the military. The prospect of experiencing the new country was exhilarating,

Childbirth and Early Parenting Education

but she also felt stressed over not having family or friends nearby. Plus, after more than a decade since giving birth to her first child, Shannon says she had to get up to speed on the new parenting knowledge and the new technologies that had been released.

Then she learned that EvergreenHealth’s Parent-Baby Groups had gone virtual over the course of the pandemic. “I was thrilled,” Shannon said. “Without hesitation, I enthusiastically signed up…again! With the dynamics and new challenges I now face, I am relieved to once again find the familiarity of the same passionate instructors, as well as a new community of supportive mothers to walk beside me on this journey of motherhood.”

We help you and your new family get off to the best start possible! Our array of educational classes and support groups provide you with the skills necessary to not only welcome your new baby into the word, but also to care for your newborn once you go home. From planning for pregnancy, welcoming your baby into the world, through the early parenting years, EvergreenHealth is here to help make the transition easier. Our classes are taught by certified childbirth and lactation educators who give you information to prepare for your labor and delivery, breastfeeding and caring for your newborn. We also offer classes on parenting, feeding, relationships, family screen time and more.

To register for classes visit www.evergreenhealth.com/ birthing-classes or call the EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000. Register early during your pregnancy, as classes fill quickly.

Baby & Family Boutique

EvergreenHealth’s Baby & Family Boutique offers a variety of unique products to help you during pregnancy and the first year with your new baby.

The boutique is conveniently located inside EvergreenHealth Medical Center, so you can stop by after provider appointments or on your way home with your newborn. For more information, visit www.evergreenhealth.com/boutique.

Shannon (right) poses with her two daughters Gigi (center) and Scarlett (left).

Shannon and Scarlett

2023 Evergreen Gala Benefiting Neonatal Intensive Care Unit

Tickets are available. Seating is limited. Visit www.evergreengala.org or call 425-899-1900 to secure tickets and stay up to date on our online auction, opportunities to give and more!

Interested in supporting the gala through corporate sponsorship or by donating an auction item? Reach out to Shauna Smith at smsmith@evergreenhealth.com.

As a Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, EvergreenHealth’s NICU is highly regarded for its commitment to clinical excellence and is equipped to care for some of the most critically ill infants in the region. Over the past five years, EvergreenHealth’s NICU has served more than 2,300 families – and as of 2021, holds the honor of having taken care of the smallest baby ever to be born and survive in Washington.

Read Angel’s NICU story on page 9.

Community Spotlight

Richard H. Adler, Steven J. Angles, Melissa D. Carter, Jacob W. Gent and Elisabeth K. Ruff are top-tier attorneys of Adler Giersch, a dedicated team with 40 years of experience helping clients across the Pacific Northwest recover and reclaim their lives after catastrophic, life-changing traumatic injuries. Beyond their legal services, Adler Giersch dedicates time and resources to organizations that help drive awareness, prevention and support for the unique issues their clients and clients’ families face. Recently, these attorneys and staff invested over $20,000 to support critical health, safety and wellness initiatives that directly impact EvergreenHealth patients and their care. Part of that investment will help to restock EvergreenHealth’s Family Maternity Center (FMC) with high-quality car seats for families in need, helping to ensure that every family, regardless of circumstance, can safely take their newborn home. Adler Giersch also provided funding for critical equipment, training and other resources to care for patients with neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injuries or other serious injuries that require care in EvergreenHealth’s Intensive Care Unit. On behalf of our patients and their families, we’d like to thank Adler Giersch PS and its partners for their enduring commitment to the well-being of families in our community.

Blue Jeans & Boots is back!

On Sept. 23, 2022, the EvergreenHealth Monroe Foundation hosted its 9th Annual Blue Jeans & Boots Gala in downtown Monroe. After two years of hosting a virtual Gala, this year we welcomed over 200 in-person attendees for a night of fun, mingling with colleagues and building connections with old and new friends. The evening featured a cocktail hour, online silent auction and an energetic live auction where bidding was fast and furious.

In total, the Gala raised a record $202,000 to support EvergreenHealth Monroe’s surgery department, where funds will be invested in the tools and equipment surgical teams need to provide the best care and an enhanced patient experience.

View the Gala Impact video at www.bluejeansandbootsgala.com to learn more about the need for surgery care in our community.

Honoring commitment to the community

The EvergreenHealth Monroe Foundation Board has named Melanie Ryan, founder of Beck’s Place, as the recipient of the 2022 Feek Community Service Award for her commitment to health and well-being in the community. Thank you, Melanie, for all the work and service you provide to improve community health.

12040 NE 128th Street

Kirkland, WA 98034

www.evergreenhealth.com

Top-ranked health care, year after year

EvergreenHealth has been recognized by Healthgrades as one of America’s 50 Best Hospitals™ for the third year in a row! The recognition places EvergreenHealth among the top 1% of hospitals in the nation, and it’s the only hospital in the Puget Sound region to earn Healthgrades’ highest designation for 2023.

What’s more, EvergreenHealth also earned Healthgrades’ Patient Safety Excellence Award™ for 2023, making it one of just two hospitals across five Northwest states to be recognized with both the America’s 50 Best™ and Patient Safety Excellence Award™ recognitions. For 2023, EvergreenHealth has also earned more No. 1 state rankings from Healthgrades – including for gastrointestinal care, critical care and service, and pulmonary and stroke care – than any other hospital on the West Coast.

“As a community-owned hospital, we hold ourselves accountable to providing the highest levels of quality clinical care and service to our patients and families, and we’re so proud that our commitment to excellence places us among the topperforming hospitals in the country,” said Jeff Tomlin, MD, CEO of EvergreenHealth. “Recognitions like these serve to validate the dedication of our physicians, staff and volunteers who strive to continually enhance every aspect of the clinical experience for our community.”

For more information, contact EvergreenHealth by email at patientrep@evergreenhealth.com, or call the 24/7 Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000.

EVERGREENHEALTH

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

VIRGIL SNYDER, CHAIR

At-Large

TIM McLAUGHLIN, SECRETARY Redmond/Sammamish

JEFF CASHMAN

At-Large

AL DEYOUNG

Bothell/Duvall/Woodinville

DAVID EDWARDS

At-Large

REBECCA HIRT

Kirkland/Kenmore

CHUCK PILCHER, MD

At-Large

You may contact the Commissioners by email at CMScairpon@evergreenhealthcare.org.

EDITOR

EvergreenHealth Marketing and Public Relations Group and Firmani + Associates Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHY

Keith Brofsky

DESIGN

SJ3 Design Studio

PRODUCTION

Arscentia

EvergreenHealth complies with applicable federal, state and local civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of any protected status under the law.

Español (Spanish) EvergreenHealth cumple con las disposiciones vigentes de leyes aplicables de derechos civiles, federales, estatales y locales y no discrimina en función del estatus que es protegido bajo la ley.

(Chinese)

EvergreenHealth Monitor is published as a community service by EvergreenHealth. Its contents are not intended to replace professional health care. See your health care professional for information relevant to your medical history.

EvergreenHealth is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

For career opportunities at EvergreenHealth, visit our website at www.evergreenhealth.com/jobs.