Committed to Sustainability —
Mason Health earns three Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Awards
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Mason Health celebrates continued community partnership with SHS Health Sciences Academy
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Mason Health now offers no-scalpel vasectomies
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Mason Health celebra la asociación comunitaria continua con la Academia de Ciencias de la Salud SHS Página 10
Mason Health has once again demonstrated its unwavering commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship by winning three prestigious awards this year from Practice Greenhealth, the nation’s leading membership organization for sustainable health care systems.
For the fourth year in a row, Mason Health has earned the Practice Greenhealth Environmental Excellence Partner for Change Award, recognizing superior performance in environmental sustainability across multiple programs and services. A total of seven awards have been earned by the District’s Green Team.
This year, for the second year in a row, Mason Health also won the Greening the Operating Room Award, and for the first time, Mason Health has been recognized with the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award, a one-time award that underscores Mason Health’s dedication to eliminating mercury across the District, for the safety of patients, employees and the community.
These accolades not only highlight Mason Health’s leadership in the healthcare sector but also the District’s resolute drive to foster a healthier, more sustainable future for all.
“In health care, our goal and purpose is to heal our patients,” said Mason Health Chief Development & Communication Officer Jennifer Capps. “This is in direct alignment with our mission, vision and values. We started this whole process in 2020 to learn more about how we could eliminate waste to keep our entire community healthy.”
Mason Health’s Green Team of leaders across the District works hard throughout the year on sustainability initiatives — the dedication and persistence of the entire team have culminated in these three significant awards, setting a benchmark for excellence in environmental stewardship within the healthcare sector.
The Greenhealth Partner for Change Award recognizes superior performance in environmental sustainability, covering a range of different sustainability programs and activities. Mason Health’s Bistro, led by Culinary & Nutrition Services Manager Ashlee Johnson, has made enormous strides in using sustainable and local food sources over the past several years, while
other departments have focused on initiatives such as eliminating paper waste.
The Greening the Operating Room Award honors facilities that have made substantial progress in reducing the impact of the surgical environment. Mason Health Surgical Services Director Lori Genson has prioritized eliminating hazardous smoke from operating rooms, and in 2022 Mason Health was awarded the Go Clear Award from the Association of periOperative Registered Nurses (AORN), recognizing these efforts.
Lastly, the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award recognizes hospitals that have virtually eliminated mercury from their facilities and have made a commitment to continue to be “mercury free.” Mason Health’s Supply Chain and Environmental Services (EVS) Departments worked hard on the award application, ensuring Mason Health has the practices and policies in place to encourage the procurement of mercury alternatives and to handle hazardous waste in the event of a toxic spill.
“Mercury, being that it is a hazardous material, becomes hard to dispose of when the product containing it reaches end of life,” said Director of Supply Chain Sean Hazlett. “It complicates how Supply Chain and EVS dispose of it. Plus, there is a risk to patients. We don’t want to put patients and staff at risk.”
Mercury is a potent neurotoxin that creates an adverse impact on the neurological development of fetuses, infants and children. Depending on the amount of exposure and duration of exposure, individuals could be at risk of damage to their nervous, digestive and immune system.
In 1998, a Memorandum of Understanding between the American Hospital Association and the U.S. EPA set new goals for hospital pollution prevention. One of the top priorities was the elimination of mercury and mercury-containing devices from the hospital purchasing and waste stream.
Practice Greenhealth encourages hospitals to protect the health of patients, staff and visitors by avoiding purchase of mercury-containing equipment and devices and phasing out existing mercury sources.
“Mason Health is a leader and an example for other critical access, rural hospitals nationwide,” said Scott Rich, Practice Greenhealth’s Grown & Partner Experience Director. “I often point to them as a hospital that is doing the hard work of addressing climate change challenges as they work to ensure a healthy community.”
Kate Gottlieb, Sustainability Strategy Manager at Practice Greenhealth and Health Care Without Harm, has thoroughly enjoyed collaborating the Mason Health team on their environmental stewardship journey.
“Having grown up in a rural area supported by timber dollars, I appreciate Mason Health’s commitment to environmental sustainability,” she said.
“Their efforts ensure that future generations can continue to enjoy the stunning Hood Canal and the lush greenery of the Pacific Northwest.”
Even though Mason Health only minimally uses mercury in devices and equipment, applying for the Making Medicine Mercury Free Award prompted the District to solidify guidelines around chemicals of concern.
This year, the Green Team also began educational efforts to encourage departments to identify sources of mercury and alternatives.
“The Laboratory has essentially been mercuryfree for at least 15 years, as we have known for at least 20 years the harm that mercury can cause to personnel handling it,” said Laboratory Manager Lindsay Roberts. “We have no reagents, thermometers, or other common materials containing mercury. The only thing we have left is a small water sterilizing bulb in our DI water system, for which we are actively working on finding an alternative.”
Roberts has identified an alternative vendor for the water sterilizing bulb and has encouraged them to consider mercury-free options.
“As our current vendor does not have any mercury-free options and no interest in changing this, I have reached out to a vendor and brought up our mercury-free initiative,” Roberts said. “I was told that a mercury free bulb was in the works, but they had yet to see demand.”
When Roberts shared the Making Medicine Mercury Free initiative, the vendor decided to go ahead and push to market.
“In part, due to our push and initiative, we may now be able to work with a company that can help rid us of the very last piece of mercury in our laboratory and most likely help other laboratories finally move to full mercury-free status,” she said.
Environmental Services (EVS) Manager Trevor Madison worked hard on the Making Medicine Mercury Free award application by highlighting the work that EVS does to ensure that when hazardous spills happen, the threat to patients and staff is minimal if not eliminated entirely.
“Mason Health has mercury spill kits designed to clean up hazardous waste, but at the time we did not have policies specific to mercury,” Madison said. “Updating our work to reflect the ‘what ifs’ was significant. A patient’s family member could bring an old thermometer in from home, and it could spill and break — now we know what we would do with that problem at hand.”
Mason Health has learned so much throughout its entire sustainability journey and is eager to learn more and do more.
“We learn so much every time we go through this process,” Capps said. “It is our way of making our environment healthier.”
If a small rural hospital in Washington can make a difference, any hospital can, added Rich. “It isn’t easy,” he said. “This work takes heart, vision, and commitment from leadership.”
To learn more about Mason Health’s sustainability initiatives and learn about the District’s Green Team membership, scan this QR code.
Every year, LifeCenter Northwest, Mason Health’s partner in organ donation, and LifeNet Health, Mason Health’s partner in tissue donation, recognize top-performing hospitals for their continued dedication to supporting organ and tissue donation and transplantation.
A single gift of an organ or tissue donation can impact up to eight lives, creating a ripple effect throughout a community.
This year, Mason Health leadership received four awards that demonstrate the District’s commitment to providing respectful, caring and patient-centered health care while helping families navigate organ and tissue donation.
LifeNet Health awarded Mason Health Director of Acute Care Services Rob Bennington with the 2023 Liaison of the Year Award for his outstanding support for the gift of tissue donation. In 2023, Mason Health had eight tissue donors, the most the District has had in nine years.
“This award honors exceptional dedication and coordination by hospital donation liasons,” said Becky Wenger, LifeNet Health’s Donor Relations Account Manager. “Over the last year, Rob has done a tremendous job of promoting tissue donation at Mason General Hospital. He consulted with the donation agencies in 2023 to get proposed updates to the hospital’s donation policy to create clarity on how Mason General Hospital can best support donation. Anytime there is a question about donation, Rob is quick to jump in and find the answer.”
Mason Health received three awards from LifeCenter Northwest:
• Honoring Donor Decisions Award: Earned by hospitals honoring all donor decisions for patients appearing or declared brain dead. Mason Health was one of only 46 hospitals across LifeCenter Northwest’s four-state region to earn this award.
• End The Wait Organ Donation Rate Award, Gold: Earned by hospitals with a donation rate of 75 percent or greater. Mason Health was one of 13 hospitals to earn this honor across LifeCenter Northwest’s four-state donation service area.
• Collaborative Family Support Award: Earned by hospitals with a collaborative request rate of 100 percent. Mason Health was one of only 23 hospitals to earn this honor across LifeCenter Northwest’s four-state service area.
“Organ donation can’t happen without the collaboration and teamwork between hospital and LifeCenter Northwest staff,” said Korri Shimizu, Senior Hospital Development Program Manager for LifeCenter Northwest. “One of the most important areas for collaboration is when the time comes to assess family readiness for an introduction of or conversation regarding donation. Mason General Hospital excels in the area of planning a collaborative family connection with LifeCenter Northwest.”
For the third year in a row, Mason Health is proudly paving a path forward for future health care workers in Mason County.
Three Shelton High School graduates who were enrolled in the Health Sciences Academy are now receiving full-ride scholarships to become registered nurses that will work at Mason Health during their schooling and once they graduate — congratulations to Leah Ozuna Montano, Carly Vind and Quincie Walker
Mason Health covers tuition for nursing prerequisites and the full cost of a nursing program at a community college, as well as books, transportation and other expenses. This is the third year this scholarship has been offered to Health Sciences students.
“All three of this year’s scholarship winners were incredibly impressive applicants,” said Nicole Eddins, Mason Health’s Senior Director of Performance Excellence. “They will be a huge asset to our nursing teams. Congratulations to Leah, Carly, Quincie and their families, and a big thank you to Shelton School District for being an excellent partner in helping Mason Health invest in our community. We could not do this without you.”
Ozuna Montano was born in Minnesota and spent a few months in her family’s native homeland Mexico before moving to Shelton before the age of 5. She grew up near many cousins and is the oldest of five children.
She attended Evergreen Elementary, Olympic Middle School and Oakland Bay Junior High before attending Shelton High School, where she played volleyball and participated in FCCLA, Latinx Club and DECA.
Starting her junior year, Ozuna Montano began taking college courses through Running Start. She graduated in 2024 from Shelton High School with her associates degree in nursing from Olympic College.
“Since I started taking care of my siblings from a young age and I realized I like helping people,” she said. “I want to become a pediatrician, pediatric nurse or maybe work in Labor & Delivery.”
When her counselor introduced her to the Mason Health scholarship, she felt it was the perfect fit.
“I wanted to stay close to my family and see my youngest brother grow up, while helping the community,” she said. “I’m really excited to join the Mason Health team. Everyone is willing to help people during their hardest times.”
Ozuna Montano loves crocheting beanies and tops for her 1-year-old brother and playing volleyball with her family.
Vind’s family moved to Shelton from Minnesota when she was 2, and Vind attended Pioneer School District before Shelton High School. She has an older brother and younger sister.
With a mom who worked as a home health nurse, Vind was exposed to health care early in her life. For three years, starting at 13, Vind helped an aunt who had pulmonary hypertension with grocery shopping and other daily tasks.
In high school, she also helped an older woman with dishes and laundry each week.
she was 5, waking up at 5 a.m.
for practices. The bonds she made in cheer taught her about teamwork and trust, qualities that she knows will be useful in the medical field.
Vind has job shadowed at Mason Health in the Laboratory Department and the Birth Center and is thrilled about getting the scholarship.
“The fact that it covers everything is really cool,” she said. “I love the idea of being able to work while going to school and then moving into whatever department I’m interested in after. This will help me reach my goals faster.”
Vind loves to bake, hike, travel and go camping with her family.
Walker was born and raised in Shelton as the middle child of three daughters. She attended Mt. View Elementary, Southside School District, and then Oakland Bay Junior High before Shelton High School.
Growing up, Walker wanted to be a dental hygienist, like her mother, who worked at a local dentist’s office. Then, she underwent two surgeries that shifted her mindset — at 4, she had heart surgery and in high school she had back surgery to correct scoliosis.
“My nurse talked to me about her own experience, and it made me think about going into nursing,” she said. “I want to help other people.”
Walker, who did Running Start and is about 75 percent finished with her nursing prerequisites, heard about the Mason Health scholarship through her Health Sciences teacher, Jessica Roberson.
“You get to help your own community,” she said. “I would encourage others to look into this scholarship. If you want to help others, it’s perfect.”
Mason Health strives to engage with youth throughout the community:
• This spring, an unprecedented number of high schoolers came to Mason Health for job shadows.
• Employees from the Culinary & Nutrition Services (CNS), Facilities, nursing and Volunteer Services visited Shelton High for “Real World Wednesdays” to talk about their careers. HR and Marketing participated in North Mason High School’s career fair.
• CHOICE High School students engaged with CNS for volunteer opportunities.
• Mason Health, Shelton Family YMCA and Mason County Public Health brought the Women, Infant and Children (WIC) clinic to Mason Health’s space in the YMCA.
• Providers Ezekiel Melquist, MD; Rose Ann Rayos, MD; Catherine Shutty, ARNP, appeared at resource fairs and Story Time at the Shelton Timberland Library.
Want Mason Health employees to come to your classroom or club? Please email foundation@ masongeneral.com.
L
ocal Mason County youth and Mason Health employees have received a combined $40,000 in scholarships for medical training from Mason General Hospital Foundation’s chapters.
This spring, the MGHF Auxiliary Guild proudly awarded $20,000 total in scholarship funds to 11 individuals pursuing higher education in medical and computer science fields, while the MGHF Centennial Guild awarded $20,000 total in Kristi Armstrong Memorial Scholarship funds to nine individuals pursuing higher education in medical fields. Among the recipients of the Auxiliary scholarship were five Shelton High School (SHS) graduating seniors each receiving $2,500, five Mason Health employees each receiving $1,000 and one SHS alum who received $2,500. Auxiliary scholarship winners from Shelton High School:
• Lily Bennett: Bennett will be attending Lewis-Clark State College in Lewiston, Idaho for her bachelor’s degree in radiographic science to become an X-ray and MRI technician. She graduated with the Highest Honors.
• Carson Bursch: Bursch graduated with High Honors and plans to attend Eastern Oregon University in La Grande, Oregon, to pursue a degree in human health and performance, with an emphasis on exercise science. He would like to earn a doctorate in physical therapy.
• Mariliz Luna: Luna plans to continue her studies at St. Martin’s University in Olympia. She graduated with High Honors and the Seal of Biliteracy.
• Lindsey Ozuna Uriostegui: Ozuna Uriostegui will be furthering her education at Gonzaga University in Spokane. She is interested in health care administration. She graduated with the Highest Honors and the Seal of Biliteracy.
• Alexandra Ramirez-Villa: Ramirez-Villa will be completing her Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma. She graduated with the Highest Honors and the Seal of Biliteracy.
Auxiliary scholarship winners who are Mason Health employees:
• Linda Cook, Medical Assistant-Certified, is excited to further her education at Clover Park Technical College for nursing.
• Morgan Elissalde, Laboratory Assistant, is pursuing her bachelor’s in science degree in nursing at Olympic College and completing the ASCP Medical Lab Technician certification.
• Iris Hilburger, Volunteer Coordinator, will be enrolling this fall at South Puget Sound Community College to complete prerequisites to start a nursing program in 2025.
• Zoe Rondello Reim, Radiology Tech Aide, will be studying to become a surgical technician at Clover Park Technical College.
• Julia Solano Martinez, Patient Access Specialist, is pursuing a nursing degree.
Auxiliary scholarship winner who is a SHS alum:
• Evan Marshall: Marshall is studying computer science at the University of Washington.
Since 2018, the Auxiliary has awarded $127,000 in scholarships. The Auxiliary raises funds through proceeds from the MGHF Auxiliary Gift Shop at Mason General Hospital.
Among the recipients for the MGHF Centennial Guild scholarship were four Shelton High School (SHS) graduating seniors, three SHS alumni who received the award in years past, one Mason Health employee and one Shelton resident.
Centennial Guild scholarship recipients from Shelton High School:
• Carson Bursch: $3,000. Bursch will continue his studies to earn a doctorate in physical therapy.
• Evelyn Flores: $3,000. Flores plans to attend Washington State University in Pullman, Washington. Her personal health experiences and a summer shadowing pediatric nurses at the University of Washington motivated her to pursue nursing.
• Kaylin Mutoli: $3,000. Mutoli plans to attend Fresno Pacific University in Fresno, California, to pursue pre-medicine or nursing, while continuing her athletic career as a NCAA Division II swimmer. Her volunteer work at Capital Medical Center solidified a desire to enter health care.
• Kylie Brown: $1,000. Brown plans to attend either the University of Washington or Arizona State University to pursue a bachelor’s degree in nursing.
Centennial Guild scholarship recipients who are Shelton High School alumnae:
• Alyssa Medcalf: $2,500
• Morgen Shrum: $2,500
• Katelyn O’Keefe: $2,000
Centennial Guild scholarship recipients who is a Mason Health employee:
• Morgan Elissalde: $2,000
Centennial Guild scholarship recipients who is a Shelton resident:
• Kenzie Smith: $1,000.00
Invest in today, because tomorrow will be here before you know it.
by Jennifer Capps, Chief Development and Communication O cer
One of the easiest ways to provide an enduring gift of support to Mason General Hospital Foundation is through your will. By including the Foundation and the Forever Fund in your estate plans, you can designate some of your assets to the Foundation after your lifetime. At that time, the asset(s) you specify can be allocated to us, and your estate may be able to take a charitable deduction for the amount of your bequest, possibly reducing income and estate taxes payable.
If you choose to include Mason General Hospital Foundation in your will or other estate plan, we should be named as:
Mason General Hospital Foundation
Post O ce Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584
Our tax identi cation number is 91-1529293
Mason General Hospital Foundation would be pleased to work with you and/or your nancial or tax advisor to establish the planned gift(s) most appropriate for you to achieve your nancial planning goals.
Mission
MGH Foundation furthers the mission of Public Hospital District No. 1 of Mason County by providing nancial support to Mason Health.
Mason General Hospital Foundation would like to acknowledge former contributors. Listed below are supporters the Foundation would like to recognize for their past support of our mission and work in the community. Please join us in acknowledging their support of the Foundation during their lifetimes.
Edward Baddeley
Donald Corliss
Merlyn Flakus
Francis Gonzales
Jacob Rufer
Donna J. Sunday
Please be advised that every e ort has been made to ensure the integrity of this listing. If we have inadvertently omitted any names, please accept our apologies and most sincere thanks for your generosity and continued support of Mason General Hospital Foundation.
Mason General Hospital Foundation generously receives donations in honor and/or memory of the individuals. If you would like to make a memorial donation, please use the remittance envelope included in SCOPE and mark Memorial Giving. You may also call the Foundation o ce at 360-427-3623 for assistance.
This fall, Mason General Hospital Foundation is excited to celebrate with the community at three upcoming fundraisers for Mason Health. Join us in raising funds for quality health care in Mason County at one or more of the following events!
• Friday, Sept. 27 • 11:30am to 2pm
Busine Luncheon &Confection Auction
Bring your coworkers and team to enjoy a catered meal and festive dessert auction at Little Creek Casino Resort.
$65 per person / $480 for a table of 8
• Saturday, Nov. 16 • 6pm
Dinner auction at Little Creek Casino Resort. Kick o the holidays with your friends and loved ones at one of Mason General Hospital Foundation’s signature fundraisers! $200 per person
Purchase tickets and learn about sponsorship at www.masonhealth.com/foundation.
ABBOTT CONSTRUCTION
BNBUILDERS
CAPITAL BUSINESS MACHINES
DYNAMIC COLLECTORS, INC.
FORMA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
HOOD CANAL COMMUNICATIONS
OAC SERVICES, INC.
OUR COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
SAZAN GROUP
SKANSKA CONSTRUCTION COMPANY
SQUAXIN ISLAND TRIBE
The tournament raised more than $50,000 in corporate sponsorships for a new high-field open MRI for Mason General Hospital. The total cost is $1.3 million.
OLYMPIA ORTHOPAEDIC ASSOCIATES
PARKER, SMITH & FEEK, INC.
UMC, INC.
Tournament Lunch Sponsor Jack Charneski
Event Program Sponsor
AAA Septic LLC
Arnold Smith Insurance
Catalyst Activation Workplace
Evergreen State Roofing
Hackney Family Dentistry
Hermanson Company
JTM Construction
Lucky Dog Casino
Maple Glen Assisted Living
Olympia Sheet Metal, Inc.
The Optical Shop of Washington, Inc.
Peninsula Credit Union
Pitman Huff Raedel Magaro
Lifetime Legal, PLLC
The Shelton-Mason County Journal
Skookum Rotary Foundation
Specified Technologies, Inc.
Strongarm Healthcare
Wittenberg, CPA
ZGF Architects
Shelton Health & Rehabilitation Center
Kevyn Calnan, joined Mason Health in April 2024 as Event Coordinator for Mason General Hospital Foundation, jumping headfirst into planning the Foundation’s popular fundraising events, including the Quality Care Open Golf Tournament in July and Barrels & Brews this August. She brings to the District a sparkling enthusiasm, as well as a wide breadth of experience in marketing, catering and event planning.
Calnan has always wanted to work as an event planner. She got her start as the social chair at Tumwater High School, planning spirit assembles, dances and other events. She more than doubled the attendance at dances like Homecoming and was known for thinking up innovative and distinctive themes.
“I love having the chance to find creative and unique details that help make an event memorable and successful,” she said. “I love being part of the social connection and building something that people will talk about for years to come.”
Calnan graduated from Washington State University in 2016 with a degree in Hospitality Business Management and a minor focus on marketing. While at WSU, Calnan worked as a barista and as assistant social chair for the Alpha Chi Omega Women’s Fraternity, helping to plan special functions. She held the position of treasurer in WSU’s PCMA chapter.
In the eight years after graduating from university, Calnan has amassed valuable experience in sales, catering and management for luxury hotels, event catering companies and conference centers.
In 2020, she updated event policies for the McGavick Conference Center in Lakewood, effectively problem-solving scheduling challenges that arose out of the pandemic, and while working for the Marriott Tacoma, she helped her team surpass sales goals by over $20,000.
“As time went on, I found myself narrowing my focus further and further,” Calnan said. “Working at the Marriott and for the Silver Cloud Hotel in Ruston, I interacted with many organizations that plan regularly occurring events, the same way Mason General Hospital Foundation does.”
Calnan noticed that many of these companies she worked with had a lack of resources, skill and knowledge to effectively plan their events. “I wanted to join an organization where I could be that right fit,” Calnan said. “I want to help MGHF get the most value out of what we do. I love planning events that everyone is going to talk about.”
In her free time, Calnan loves spending time with her rescue dogs and enjoying family time at Tiger Lake in Belfair.
In the December issue of SCOPE, Mason Health will feature profiles on several of our new providers: Mason Clinic-Primary Care welcomed Alyssa Sethi, DO, in July; Jaqueline Gorzynski, MD; in August and Tiffany Henningsen, ARNP in September!
Kym Walker, MD, also joined Mason Clinic-Women’s Health in September.
Join us in welcoming our new providers!
For patients looking for a low-cost, minimally invasive method of birth control and who do not want to travel out-of-county for services, Mason Health is now offering vasectomy procedures at Mason Clinic through Primary Care provider Heung “Henry” In, DO
Dr. In is a highly skilled provider trained in no-scalpel, no-needle vasectomies, having recently completed a three-day “refresher” training in April 2024 under Douglas Stein, MD. Dr. Stein is a well-known provider in Florida whose clinic has performed more than 50,000 vasectomy procedures.
The procedure is done in the clinic, takes less than 30 minutes, and has a recovery period of three to five days.
“I want patients to know that they do not have to drive to Olympia or Seattle and encounter long wait times at other facilities to have this procedure done,” said Dr. In, who first practiced vasectomy procedures in residency at Eastern Virginia Medical School. “I am passionate about offering this type of service in support of our patient and community members’ reproductive health and wellness. I want to help patients looking for this method of birth control.”
Dr. In is the only provider at Mason Clinic performing vasectomies in clinic (other providers offer this service as an in-patient at Mason General Hospital under anesthesia), and he is able to schedule consultation and procedure appointments currently for patients who are eligible and are seeking this type of service.
Dr. In is also interested in educating our patients about vasectomy procedures, dispelling myths. This minimally invasive procedure, which has been in existence since the 1980s, is an effective method of preventing unwanted pregnancy, proving to be more effective (99.9 percent) than oral contraception with perfect use (99.7 percent) and for tubal ligation for women (99.5 percent), according to the World Health Organization. Following a vasectomy procedure, there are very few side effects and men experience no change in sexual drive, no heightened risk of testicular cancer and no change in organ size or erections.
Insurance typically covers vasectomy procedures. Vasectomies may be reversed at additional cost. Mason Clinic does not offer vasectomy reversal procedures at this time.
Patients will be scheduled for a follow-up appointment 12 weeks after vasectomy procedure to check sperm count and motility.
“Men do not have to be afraid of a vasectomy procedure,” Dr. In said. “There are very minimal risks and many patients are surprised to find how quick and painless the procedure really is.”
To schedule an appointment with Dr. In, please call Mason Clinic at 360-426-2653.
For anyone with pre-diabetes or concerned about Type 2 diabetes prevention.
To RSVP, call the Mason Health Diabetes Wellness Center at 360-427-9543.
Time: 1 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and 2 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 14
Location: Ellinor Room at Mason General Hospital
Cost: Free
Who will make medical decisions for you when you no longer can? Make sure your health care choices are known.
Mason Health is hosting a series of advance directive workshops.
At each workshop, we will discuss the importance and benefits of completing advance directives. The workshop and all forms are provided free. Bring your questions! Our presenter is knowledgeable and can direct you to more resources.
For more information and to register, email Mason Health Volunteer Karen Wiley, BSN, at kwiley@masongeneral.com.
Time: 4 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 15 or noon, Tuesday, Dec. 10
Location: Ellinor Room at Mason General Hospital
Cost: Free
Lead locally by Mason Health’s Monica Vinson, Speech Language Pathologist, the SPEAK OUT® Therapy Program, developed by the Parkinson Voice Project®, helps people with Parkinson’s regain and retain their speech and swallowing. This evidence-based program combines ongoing education for the patient and family, individual and group speech therapy, daily home practice and re-evaluations.
Time: 12:30 p.m., every first and third Tuesday of the month
Location: Mason County Senior Activities Center 190 W. Sentry Drive, Shelton
Cost: Free
Mason Health demostró una vez más su firme compromiso con la sostenibilidad y el buen manejo de fondos ambientales obteniendo tres prestigiosos reconocimientos este año de Practice Greenhealth, la principal organización de afiliados del país para los sistemas de atención médica sostenible.
Por cuarto año seguido, Mason Health recibió el reconocimiento a la excelencia de socio para el cambio ambiental (Environmental Excellence Partner for Change) de Practice Greenhealth, reconociendo un desempeño superior en la sostenibilidad ambiental en varios programas y servicios.
Este año, por segundo año consecutivo, Mason Health también ganó el reconocimiento a la ecologización de la sala de operaciones (Greening the Operating Room Award), y por primera vez, Mason Health fue premiada con el reconocimiento por una Medicina libre de mercurio (Making Medicine Mercury Free Award), un reconocimiento único que resalta la dedicación de Mason Health para eliminar el mercurio en todo el distrito, por la seguridad de los pacientes, los empleados y la comunidad.
Esos reconocimientos no solo resaltan el liderazgo de Mason Health en el sector de atención médica, sino también el firme impulso del distrito por fomentar un futuro más saludable y más sostenible para todos. “En atención médica estamos tratando de curar a nuestros pacientes”, dijo la directora de Desarrollo y Comunicación (Development & Communication) de Mason Health, Jennifer Caps. “En alineación directa con nuestra misión, visión y valores, es nuestro trabajo mantener saludables a los miembros de la comunidad. Realmente comenzamos todo este proceso para obtener más información sobre cómo podíamos eliminar los desechos para mantener a toda nuestra comunidad saludable”. El equipo de líderes ecológicos de Mason Health en todo el distrito trabaja intensamente durante el año en iniciativas de sostenibilidad. La dedicación y persistencia de todo el equipo han culminado en estos tres significantes reconocimientos, estableciendo un punto de referencia para la excelencia en el buen manejo de fondos ambientales en el sector de atención médica.
El Greenhealth Partner for Change Award reconoce el desempeño superior en sostenibilidad ambiental, abarcando un rango de diferentes programas y actividades de sostenibilidad. El Bistro de Mason Health, dirigido por la gerente de Servicios Culinarios y Nutrición (Culinary & Nutrition Services), Ashlee Johnson, ha dado enormes pasos en el uso de fuentes de comida sostenible y local durante los últimos años, mientras que otros departamentos se han centrado en iniciativas como la eliminación de desechos de papel.
El Greening the Operating Room Award reconoce a los centros que han logrado un progreso sustancial en la reducción del efecto del entorno quirúrgico. La directora de Servicios Quirúrgicos (Surgical Services) de
Mason Health, Lori Genson, ha priorizado eliminar el humo peligroso de las salas de operaciones, y en 2022 Mason Health recibió el Go Clear Award de la Asociación de Enfermeros Registrados Perioperatorios (AORN), reconociendo estos esfuerzos.
Finalmente, el Making Medicine Mercury-Free Award reconoce a los hospitales que han eliminado virtualmente el mercurio en sus centros y que han hecho un compromiso por seguir siendo “libres de mercurio”. Los Departamentos de Cadena de Suministro y Servicios Ambientales (EVS) (Supply Chain and Environmental Services Departments) de Mason Health trabajaron intensamente en la aplicación del reconocimiento, asegurándose de que Mason Health tenga establecidas las prácticas y las políticas para fomentar la adquisición de alternativas al mercurio y para manejar desechos peligrosos en el caso de un derrame tóxico.
“Siendo que el mercurio es un material peligroso, es difícil desecharlo cuando el producto que lo contiene llega al final de su vida”, dijo el director de Cadena de Suministro, Sean Hazlett. “Complica la manera en la que el área de Cadena de Suministro y EVS lo desechan. Además, existe un riesgo para los pacientes. No queremos poner a los pacientes y al personal en riesgo”.
Para obtener más información sobre las iniciativas de sostenibilidad de Mason Health y conocer la membresía del Equipo Verde del Distrito, escanee este código QR.
Cambio de política a partir del 18 de marzo de 2024
Para brindar atención y servicio de calidad, a los pacientes que lleguen después de la hora programada de su cita se les indicará que reprogramen su cita.
Les pedimos a los pacientes que lleguen 15 minutos antes de la hora de su cita para garantizar que se registren a tiempo. Este cambio en la política permite que nuestro personal de registro, enfermería y proveedores tengan tiempo para atender mejor a cada paciente.
Si necesita cancelar o reprogramar su cita, noti que a Mason Clinic. Las cancelaciones deben realizarse al menos un día hábil antes de su cita.
Además, ¡recuerde traer su tarjeta de identi cación y de seguro médico a su cita!
Por tercer año consecutivo, Mason Health se enorgullece de abrir el camino para futuros trabajadores de atención médica en el condado de Mason.
Tres graduandos de Shelton High School que estaban inscritos en Health Sciences Academy recibieron becas completas para volverse enfermeros registrados que trabajarán en Mason Health durante su tiempo de estudios y una vez que se gradúen; felicitaciones a Leah Ozuna Montano, Carly Vind y Quincie Walker.
Mason Health pagará por los estudios para los prerrequisitos de enfermería y el costo completo de un programa de enfermería en una universidad local, y también los libros, el transporte y otros gastos. Este es el tercer año que se ofrece esta beca a los estudiantes de Health Sciences.
“Los tres ganadores de becas de este año fueron solicitantes increíblemente impresionantes”, dijo Nicole Eddins, directora ejecutiva de Excelencia en el Desempeño (Performance Excellence) de Mason Health.
“Serán un enorme activo para nuestros equipos de enfermería. Felicidades a Leah, Carly, Quincie y sus familias, y un enorme agradecimiento a Shelton School District por ser un excelente colaborador en ayudar a Mason Health a invertir en nuestra comunidad. No podríamos hacerlo sin ustedes”.
Conozca
Ozuna Montano nació en Minnesota y pasó algunos meses en el país natal de su familia, México, antes de mudarse a Shelton cuando no tenía ni cinco años. Creció rodeada de primos y es la mayor de cinco hijos.
Asistió a Evergreen Elementary, Olympic Middle School y Oakland Bay Junior High antes de asistir a Shelton High School, donde jugó voleibol y participó en FFCCLA, Latinx Club y DECA.
Durante su penúltimo año, Ozuna Montano empezó a tomar cursos universitarios por medio de Running Start. Se graduó en 2024 de Shelton High School con su diplomado en enfermería de Olympic College. “Empecé a cuidar a mis hermanos muy joven, ayudando a mi mamá y vi el esfuerzo que eso requiere y me di cuenta de que me gusta ayudar a las personas”, dijo. “Quiero ser pediatra, pero empezaré como enfermera pediatra o tal vez trabajaré en el área de trabajo de parto y parto (Labor & Delivery)”.
Ozuna Montano busca devolverle a su comunidad. Cuando su consejero le presentó la beca Mason Health, ella sintió que era justo lo que necesitaba. “Quería permanecer cerca de mi familia y ver crecer a mi hermano más pequeño, mientras ayudaba en la comunidad”, dijo. “Estoy muy emocionada de unirme al equipo de Mason Health. Todos son tan buenos y están dispuestos a ayudar a las personas, especialmente de sus momentos más difíciles”.
En su tiempo libre, a Ozuna Montano le encanta hacer gorros y camisitas en crochet para su hermano de un año y jugar voleibol con su familia.
La familia de Vind se mudó a Shelton desde Minnesota cuando ella tenía dos años, y Vind asistió a Pioneer School District hasta octavo grado antes venir a Shelton High School. Ella es la hija del medio y tiene un hermano mayor y una hermana menor.
Vind estuvo expuesta a la atención médica desde muy temprano porque su madre trabajó como enfermera de atención en casa. Durante tres años, comenzando cuando tenía 13, Vind ayudó a una tía que tenía hipertensión pulmonar, haciéndole las compras de supermercado y dándole sus píldoras, y también con otras tareas cotidianas.
En la escuela secundaria, también ayudaba a una señora mayor todos los domingos lavándole los platos y la ropa todas las semanas.
“Ella no podía hacer estas tareas por su cuenta”, recuerda Vind. “Al final de mi visita, me daba un dulce y platicábamos. Eso me hacía sentir muy bien”.
Vind ha participado en el equipo de porristas desde que tenía cinco años, levantándose a las 5:00 a. m. para las prácticas durante años. Los vínculos que creó en el equipo de porristas le enseñaron sobre el trabajo en equipo y la confianza, cualidades que ella sabe que le serán útiles en el campo de la medicina.
Vind ha trabajado como sombra en Mason Health en el Departamento de Laboratorio (Laboratory Department) y Sala Cuna (Birth Center) y está emocionada de recibir la beca.
“El hecho de que cubra todo es realmente fabuloso”, dijo. “Me encanta la idea de poder trabajar mientras voy a la escuela y luego trasladarme al departamento en el que esté interesada después. Esto me ayudará a alcanzar mis objetivos más rápido”.
A ella le encanta hornear, hacer caminatas y acampar con su familia.
Walker nació y creció en Shelton como la hija del medio de tres hijas. Ella asistió a Mt. View Elementary, Southside School District y luego Oakland Bay Junior High antes de Shelton High School.
Mientras crecía, ella quería ser higienista dental como su madre, que trabajaba en un consultorio dental local. Luego, tuvo dos operaciones que cambiaron su forma de pensar. A los cuatro años, le hicieron una operación del corazón para arreglar un agujero que tenía en el corazón y en la secundaria, tuvo una operación de espalda para corregirle la escoliosis.
“Mi enfermera me habló sobre su propia experiencia, y verdaderamente me hizo pensar en estudiar enfermería”, dijo. “Me di cuenta de que quiero ayudar a otras personas. Tuve enfermeras que me cuidaron física y mentalmente”.
Walker, que fue a Running Start y lleva completado alrededor del 75 % de sus prerrequisitos de enfermería, escuchó sobre la beca Mason Health por medio de su maestra de Health Sciences, Jessica Roberson.
“Es una gran beca y uno puede trabajar en el condado de Mason y ayudar a su propia comunidad”, dijo. “Quiero poder devolver un poco. Animaría a otros a averiguar sobre esta beca. Si quieren ayudar a otras personas y devolver a su comunidad, esto es perfecto para ustedes”.
901 Mountain View Drive
Shelton, WA 98584
Mission Statement
United Community, Empowered People, Exceptional Health
Published by: Mason Health. Editor-in-Chief: Jennifer Capps, Chief Development & Communication Officer. Writing & Editing: Arla Shephard Bull, Marketing Coordinator. Proofreader & Fact Checker: Sherie Ellington and Penny Nielsen. Designed by: BatFish Ink LLC. Printed by: The Shopper Business Office/Patient Accounts: 2505 Olympic Highway North, Suite #450, Shelton, WA 98584. Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Call 360-427-3601 (or 360-275-8614 from Allyn) or email hospitalbillingquestions@masongeneral.com for questions about your bill. A Spanish translator is available.
Mason Health: Located at: 901 Mountain View Drive, PO Box 1668, Shelton, WA 98584-5001 • 360-426-1611, from Allyn 360-275-8614, Toll free 855-880-3201, TTY/TDD 360-427-9593 • Serving the medical needs of Mason County since 1968 • Accredited by DNV-GL • Free Translation Services Provided/Se habla español • Equal Opportunity Provider • Mason Health informs the public, patients, and employees that the agency does not discriminate on the basis of a patient’s age, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation), religion, culture, physical or mental disability, financial status or condition (including the terminally ill or dying), limited English, visual, hearing or learning impaired. Visiting hours: Every day 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. All visitors should enter through the MGH Main Entrance, Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. After hours or Sunday visitors can use the Emergency Department entrance.
Mason Clinic hours: Mon–Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. • Mason Clinic Lab Hours: Mon-Fri: 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat: 9 a.m. to noon • Mason Clinic Walk-In hours: Mon-Fri: 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sat/Sun: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Administration: Eric Moll, Chief Executive Officer; Gayle Weston, President/Commissioner, Darrin Moody, Commissioner, and Don Welander, Secretary/Commissioner.
patientportal@masongeneral.com.
1. Online bill pay service
Make an online payment at www.MasonGeneral.com. Click on the “Pay Your Bill” link at the top of the web page.
2. Call or visit in person
2505 Olympic Hwy, Suite #450 Shelton, WA 98584 • (360) 427-3601 Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
3. By mail
Mason Health Business O ce • POB 94782 • Seattle, WA 98124-7082
Please notify Mason Health as soon as you know you will need to change or cancel your appointment, and cancellation must be at least one business day prior to your scheduled appointment. See Mason Health’s No-Show and Cancellation Policy at www.MasonGeneral.com and direct any questions you have about it to your Clinic.
