PCU_May2024

Pullman Community Update

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Membership dues are assessed on the anniversary month of a member joining the Chamber. Special thanks go out to the following businesses and individuals who have elected to continue their support of the Pullman Chamber of Commerce:

• Addium Inc.

• Brused Books

• Citizens Climate Lobby Palouse Region

• Cougfan.com LLC

• Goodwill Industries

• J Bart Johnson

• Odom Corporation

• Palouse Choral Society

• Pullman Christian School

• Pullman Depot Heritage Center

• Pullman Subway

• Rolling Hills Eyecare

New Members:

Northwest Engraving Service LLC

231 E. Main St. B, Pullman, WA 99163

509-332-9248

nwengraving.com

Serengeti Care

650 SE Bishop Blvd

Ste. 120

Pullman, WA 99163

208-874-9332

serengeticare.com

PULLMAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

BUSINESS MEMBER OF THE MONTH

Pullman Community Montessori

115 NW State St.

Room 212

Pullman, WA 99163

509-336-5909

www.pullmancommunitymontessori.org

Pullman Community Montessori (PCM), the first publicly-funded school choice option in Pullman, opened its doors in 2021, serving students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Since then, PCM has expanded by one grade level each year and is currently enrolling students in kindergarten through eighth grade for the 2024-2025 school year. For more enrollment information, visit our website at www.pullmancommunitymontessori.org, call 509-336-5909 or email enrollment@mypcm.org.

As a public charter school, we are open to all age-appropriate Washington students. PCM is tuition-free and offers all traditional services offered by traditional public schools, such as transportation, food services and special education services.

PCM follows the hallmarks of Montessori education by providing hands-on materials, opportunities for individualized learning, mixed age groups so students can mentor and learn from one another, long work periods to encourage the development of concentration, focus and time management and a strong focus on social-emotional learning.

Our Montessori learning approach is enriched by place-based project education. This form of education allows students to utilize local community resources and study the Pullman region’s local heritage, cultures, landscapes, opportunities and experiences. This immersive learning approach helps students expand their understanding of core academic concepts, their community and their leadership within it. Our school is conveniently located in the Gladish Center, close to downtown Pullman, the Neill Public Library, the Pullman trail system and several parks. These resources are integral to our place-based learning approach and are frequently used by our students and classroom communities. Please contact the school to learn more and arrange a tour.

exam room expansion and lobby face lift is complete! Swing by to check it out and say 'hi'.

April Seniors of the Month

Talmage Cordova

Talmage Cordova, son of Sherdon and Lani Cordova, has always been very involved in his school and community. Talmage has enjoyed cross country, wrestling and soccer at PHS and has been involved in his church youth organization as a quorum president and youth committee member. Volunteer work plays an important role in Talmage’s life, and he has served the Albion, Pullman and Moscow communities in a variety of collaborative efforts.

After high school, Talmage is planning to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before heading to BYU. He hopes to pursue business or pre-med, drawing from experiences running his window cleaning business and working as a surgical assistant. Talmage also enjoys mountain biking, skiing, welding, playing guitar and innovatively gathering his peers for exciting adventure.

Louise Najjuuko

Louise Najjuuko, child of Beatrice Nakanyike and Jerome Lugumira, has been a very active student at PHS, participating in many extracurricular activities. She currently holds positions as the president of the Black Student Union, Student Ambassador and founder of Pullman High School’s poetry club. Louise has also been a part of the Pullman High School Orchestra for four years. In the athletic realm, Louise has been a member of the Pullman High School volleyball team for three years, basketball for one year and track for four years. Louise is currently the captain of the track team and has competed in track as a 3-year athlete. Last year, Louise was awarded the Track Sportsmanship Award.

Outside of Pullman High School activities, Louise has also participated in the Distinguished Young Women Program, where she was awarded the title of Second Alternate and the Self- Expression Award. This past summer, Louise worked at Camp Lutherhaven’s leadership program as a member of the junior staff, where she learned the importance of service, adventure, leadership and teamwork. She volunteered at Comets Track and Field as a javelin coach for K-5. and was the basketball manager for both Girls JV and Varsity teams.

Louise plans to attend the University of Washington this fall, where she will study political science, and has expressed interest in English literature and psychology.

QUICKLY & CONFIDENTALLY PRE-SCREEN FOR ELIGIBILITY

Visit our WIC program page at WhitmanCountyPublicHealth.org under the Personal & Family Division to fill out the quick questionnaire

OR, CONTACT US DIRECTLY

Monday - Friday

8:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

509-332-6752

Monday - Friday

8:00 am to 5:00 pm, closed 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm

509-397-6280

Applying for WIC does not affect your immigration status

Washington WIC doesn't discriminate

Reconnect with classmates and other Coug alumni during WSU class reunions June 6 to 8.

The Washington State University Alumni Association welcomes all classes, especially 1954 Platinum Grads, 1964 Diamond Grads,1974 Golden Grads and 1984 Crimson Grads.

The deadline to register is May 24. For event schedules and more information, visit alumni. wsu.edu/reunions24.

Register for reunions

Register for Cougar Summer Music Camp

Registration is open for Cougar Summer Music Camp.

The annual camp takes place June 23 to 29 and is open to band, choir and orchestra students in grades 7 to 12. Recent high school graduates are also invited. Ensembles include concert band, jazz band, orchestra, choir, musical theater, African drumming and more.

Campers will work with outstanding Washington State University faculty members to improve their skills through private lessons, master classes, lectures, seminars and performances. Students will also explore other areas of interest such as music theory, rock-and-roll history, jazz improvisation, conducting and more.

For overnight campers, the cost is $725. For day campers, the cost is $375. The deadline to register is June 1. For more information, visit music. wsu.edu/cougar-summer-music-camp.

May means it's time to register for WSU class reunions.

Big Future, Small Price Tag!

Pullman Center in Profile

Ben Silvernale, class of ’23, took a nontraditional path to college. After an initial struggle with college, he joined the workforce. After finding inspiration to return to school, he decided to further his education at the Pullman Center of the Community Colleges of Spokane. Ben was the chair of student clubs and leadership and the valedictorian at the CCS Pullman Commencement in June ’23. He is currently pursuing a double major in Finance and Accounting at WSU. He co-founded and directs the WSU Finance Career Accelerator (WSUFCA), a professional development club created for finance students to explore potential careers, receive access to mentorship and resources, and to be prepared for their industry after graduation. Will you tell us about your college experience?

I struggled with my first experience in college because I didn’t know myself well enough and needed an accompanying motivation to complete my degree. So, I decided to work for a while.

What came next?

While working, I searched around for a way to continue my college journey. I came across Community Colleges of Spokane, which helped me regain my confidence in returning to school. My experience at CCS changed my life forever.

How was transferring from CCS to WSU?

If you're going to be transferring to WSU, their orientation and transfer center are great ways to make the change. One of my biggest questions was about transfer credit. My advisor cleared my confusion about the timeline and what I needed to focus on. Requirements will be different for transfer students, so be sure to ask lots of questions.

What key insight do you share based on your educational experiences?

For those who are unsure about starting college, I would say define well how education serves you and your life. Take some time to figure that out, and then go get it!

What’s ahead for you, and what are you excited about?

I plan to finish my double major, get my CPA, and take on the world. It’s crazy to think that I still have more than a year until graduation, and I’m excited to see what else I can do before I enter the workforce. I want to expand the WSUFCA club by offering more resources to students, like sponsorship for the CFA, and endorse club teams to compete in finance competitions like the ACG Cup Northwest. There are lots of opportunities out there!

Students, faculty, and staff are thrilled about a partial remodel of the CCS Pullman Center this summer, which, starting fall ’24, will allow us to hold lab science courses at the so-called Annex, our hub of operations at the WSU campus. The remodel is made possible by the generous financial support of the CCS Chancellor, collaboration with WSU’s Provost’s Office and Academic Divisions, and exceptional and expert service from many colleagues in WSU’s facility and operations departments. The remodel supports our Center’s effort to respond to the growing demand for STEM courses, especially lab science courses that are resource intensive, such as biology, chemistry, earth, environmental, and health sciences.

We are pleased that Dr. Bill Schlosser, SFCC Economics Faculty, recently presented at the annual CNRC Indigenous Research & Projects Conference at WSU Pullman. He titled his systems-informed presentation Trophic Cascade on the Olympic Peninsula: Charting the Effects of Predators on Prey and Beyond, and compellingly demonstrated the interconnectedness of species and habitats on Quinault Indian Nation and Tulalip tribal lands. Collaborative research projects with his former WSU undergraduate students TJ Severin and Katherine Thorne and photographer Larry Workman.

Program

The Food & Shelter Folks

Meet the Board: Brianna Brown, Weatherization Intake Specialist

Tell me about your job position at Community Action Center.

The Weatherization Program has been designed with homeowners and tenants in mind, providing energy conservation improvements on existing homes. Improvements may include adding additional insulation to the attic, heating ducts, crawl spaces, sidewalls, repairing or replacing the furnace and/or water heater, repairing damaged windows and doors, adding weather stripping, and other draft reduction measures. Weatherization will reduce energy consumption and lower utility bills while keeping your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.

Seed to Table: A Gardening Class Series

Classes are offered independent of each other so sign up for just one, or as many as you like. This is a FREE series with all materials provided.

• May 8, 5:30-7:00 pm: Irrigation Essentials

• June 12, 5:30-7:00 pm: Garden Pests

Classes are designed for adults or children aged 14+ with adult supervision. For more information, class descriptions, or to register, please visit www.cacwhitman.org/ community-garden-2/ Weatherization

I was previously in energy assistance, then three months ago they hired me on in weatherization. For weatherization I get referrals from energy assistance for folks interested in weatherization. I make sure they income qualify and make sure they are homeowners, or get in touch with the landlord to make sure their landlord is interested in a weatherization project. Then our auditor goes out to check the home to see the scope of work, to see if there’s a project we are able to do for them.

What do you like about your work?

I like being able to help low-income folks better their homes so their homes are more livable, maintainable, and overall a healthier home.

What is challenging about your work?

It can be challenging when there are projects that are too big or complex for us be able to help with. For example, a hazardous substance in the home or holes in the walls. That would have to be taken care of first before Washington Commerce lets any of our workers work in the home. It can be challenging to see a need, and not immediately be able to help with that need.

What would you like to tell the community?

I like to tell folks the program is out there for them, and if they qualify for it, they should go ahead and apply for it. If they go for the program, that doesn’t mean they are taking someone’s spot or someone else does not get it. If you qualify, then the program is meant for you.

What do you like to do in your free time?

I’m a mom of a two-year-old so most of my free time is spent on adventures to the parks, down to the river, and showing my family the cool parks of Whitman County that I grew to love.

Community Food

We are taking food donations by appointment! Please call the front desk (509-334-9147) to make an appointment to donate food. You can also make a monetary donation to the food bank at: https://www.cacwhitman.org/donate/

We are requesting the following donations:

• Shelf Stable Milk Alternatives – Soy, Almond, and Oat

• Jam/Jelly

• Canned fruit

• Canned soup

Our food bank times are by appointment. Please use our appointment scheduling web page to make an appointment. https://www.cacwhitman.org/food-bank-appointment/

FOOD PANTRY

MONDAY Closed

TUESDAY Closed

WEDNESDAY 3:00 pm – 6:00 pm

THURSDAY 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

FRIDAY 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm

CITY OF PULLMAN

New Airport Bus Route

MAY 2024 MAY 2024

Transit service to and from the Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport will begin May 15, 2024 In spring 2025, three 30-ft electric buses with luggage racks will be added. The route will operate as a transit route, on set schedules and with the standard fare Routes will include late night and early morning flights

Learn about conserving water and programs offered to help save you money!

PAFC: May Annual Membership 20% off Sale

Access to both pools and fitness room

25% discount on all PAFC programs and special events

Summer entrance to Reaney Park Pool.

Care-to-Share Scholarships

NEW for Summer 2024! For each youth approved scholarship, they will receive a Free Day-Pass to Palouse Discovery Science Center! Available to the first 100 scholarship recipients. Applications are available for online submission at PullmanParksAndRec.com or apply in person at the Pullman Recreation Center For more information call 509-338-3227.

Parks & Recreation

RECREATION CENTER

Family Container Gardening

May 18 @11:00am

PULLMAN SENIOR CENTER

“Out Thrifting: Deary Thrifting

May 23

Pataha Flour Mills Tour & Lunch Register by: May 23

Pullman Communit y Council on Aging

A legacy of caring for Pullman

Pullman Community Council on Aging hosted its 1st annual “Night Out” fundraiser held on April 26th at Regency Retirement Community. e event featured a live dollar auction with items donated from local businesses and community members.

ank You!

We would like to give a big thank you to everyone who donated items or bought tickets for this event. You have played a huge part in supporting Meals on Wheels, Senior Chore Service, and the seniors in our community!

As always, we want to say a HUGE thank you to Bishop Place, who has been supporting Meals on Wheels for many years, to Regency for hosting our fundraiser this year, and to our year long volunteers!

Seeking Volunteers

We are always looking for community volunteers for our Senior Chore Service and Meals on Wheels. If you would like to get involved please contact our Program Coordinator at pccoaprograms@gmail.com or at (509) 332-9627.

Are these some of the questions you have:

Is it better to Rent or Buy?

What are interest rates at?

IsthereawayIcanusemyequity?

How do I invest into real estate? ?

Where should I get market data from? ???

Aretheremortgagecalculatorsavailable withoutfilingoutanapplication?

Need mortgage experts on your team to help answer these questions?

Coming up!

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Issues of the Pullman Community Update can be found online at https://pulllmanchamber.com/live-in-pullman/

• Cinco de Mayo

• PRH, Childbirth 101, 6 p.m.

• One Day Estate Trunk Show, Sam Dial Jewelers, 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.

• PSD, Sunnyside PTO Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at SES

• PSD, Board Work Session, 4:30 p.m.

Meeting will be held at Pullman High School

• PRH, Board of Commissioners, 6 p.m.

• PSD, Pullman Greyhound Booster Committee Meeting, 7:00 p.m. at PHS

• Music on Main begins in June

• July 4th

• National Lentil Festival, August 17

May 2024

• PRH, Valant Monthly Blood Drive, 11 a.m. –3 p.m.

• PSD, PHS Choirs Rock Show, 7:00 p.m. at PHS

• WSU Commencement

• At the Depot | Vintage Quilt Show, noon – 5 p.m.

• PSD, PHS Choirs Rock Show, 7:00 p.m. at PHS

• Mother’s Day

• PRH, Special Blood Drive for Mothers, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

• PRH, Breast Feeding Support Group, 12:30 p.m.

• PRH, Childbirth 101, 6 p.m.

• PRH, BirthPlace Prenatal Breastfeeding Class, 6 p.m.

• PSD, PHS Orchestras Spring Concert, 7:30 p.m. at PHS

• Community wide clean-up 1-3 p.m. Sponsored by the Pullman Chamber of Commerce

• Pullman Chamber, General Membership Luncheon, noon, see pg 1

• PSD, Kamiak Elementary PTA Meeting, 6:00 p.m. at KES or via Zoom

• PRH, PRH Women’s Leadership Guild, 6th Annual Girlfriends Gather, 6 p.m., Lewis

• Alum Center

• City Council Meeting, City Hall, 7 p.m.

• PRH, Childbirth 101, 6 p.m.

• PSD, Franklin PTA, 6:00 p.m. at FES

• PSD, Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m. Meeting will be held at Pullman High School and live streamed on our YouTube Channel

• PRH, Coffee Club: Prescription to Socialize, 10 a.m.

• Pullman Community Garden Spring Fair, Open House and Plant Sale, 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.

• PRH, Joint Replacement Preparation Class, 3 p.m.

• 3 Forks River & Arts Festival, see pg 3

• Pullman Depot | At the Freight Room, open 1 – 4 p.m.

• City, Family Container Gardening, see pg 10

• PRH, Women's Wellness: Anna Engle - Palliative Care, 5:30 p.m., Coast Hilltop

• PSD, Regular Board Meeting, 6:30 p.m.. Meeting will be held at Pullman High School and live streamed on our YouTube Channel

• PSD, Last day of PSD Preschool

• City, Out Thrifting: Deary Thrifting, see pg 10

• Pullman Depot | At the Freight Room

• Memorial Day

• No School – Memorial Day

• PRH, Invisible is Invincible Support Group, 4:30 p.m.

• PSD, PHS Band Concert, 7:00 p.m. at PHS

PROGRAM UPDATES AND NEW PROJECTS TO BE ANNOUCED SOON!

APRIL 29, 2024-MAY 2, 2024

Family Promise of the Palouse serves Whitman County Washington AND Latah County, Idaho Serving and being in both states opens doors for us regarding fundraising activities Join us for IDAHO GIVES! Even if you are not an Idaho resident, your generous gift during this campaign can assist Family Promise in earning matching gifts and prizes! Scan the QR code April 29-May 2 to donate Follow us on Social Media to see our progress! Thank you for your support in our mission to end homelessness on the Palouse one family at a time!

Efficient and Effective Pullman Public School District Hiring Processes

Amanda Tanner, Board Vice President District 5

In 2019 the Pullman Public School District put a lot of effort into streamlining a more efficient, effective and equitable hiring process. We have found great success and consistency in the new processes.

The first phase of the interview process is the required interview training. In order to serve on any interview committee in the school district, each committee member must complete the interview training. The training is provided several times a year, free of cost by the district. The training is an in person interactive two-hour session full of useful information, as well as outlining the expectations, and also includes plenty of time for group discussion and opportunity for questions. To date PSD has held 32 training sessions, and successfully trained 229 people, including all five school board members. The training is valid for 5 years, and once expired there is an online refresher course that can be completed on the committee members own time.

Getting the interview process right depends on equipping your interviewers with the right resources, training, and knowledge to provide a rigorous, consistent and fair process—every time. And when you’re getting that process right, you’ll start to see the payoff in five key areas:

• Faster time-to-hire

• Improved candidate acceptance rate

• Better quality of hire

• Reduced bias

• Increased efficiency

The objectives of the interview training are to ensure a legally compliant selection process, to hire the best and most qualified candidate(s), to make the hiring process seamless and efficient, and to provide our students with

the best instructions/support possible. In order to address these objectives, trainees learn about employment law, confidentiality, avoiding discrimination, and also have an opportunity to practice the interview process with the trainers.

When the district is hiring a teacher or staff member, the interview team is primarily comprised of trained committee members that work within the building where the applicant will be working. The interview process for a staff member is individualized based on the position that is being filled. The interview process for a teacher includes a formal interview, a writing exercise, a teaching demonstration, and a lesson observation.

When the district is hiring an administrator the interview committee is comprised of other district administrators, one school board member, teachers and staff, and community members. The teachers/staff and community members are chosen at random by a public lottery. The administrator interviews are a full day comprising of a formal interview, a written exercise, lesson observation, a tour, and a staff/community forum which is open to the public for meeting the candidates and asking questions.

References are checked for all candidates that are being considered for a position.

As the district finds itself in peak hiring season, with many positions to hire for, including several administrative positions, I thought this would be a great time to share with the community the process that we adhere to. In addition to the above listed processes, the district follows Board Policies 5000 – Recruitment and Selection of Staff, 5001 – Hiring of Retired School Employees, and 5020 – Non-Discrimination and Affirmative Action, as well as the Collective Bargaining Agreements.

Lincoln Middle School Extracurricular Activities

Evan Hecker, Kamiak Cameron Grow, Lincoln Middle School Principal

As we enter spring, we'd like to highlight the active involvement of our students in extracurricular activities here at Lincoln Middle School.

From basketball games to musical performances, our students are exploring their interests beyond the classroom. Over 80% of our students have an ASB card, with 258 students participating in at least one club and 338 students competing in at least one sport. This season we have a record-breaking 195 athletes participating in track! We are so proud of our student body for getting involved in their school community and exploring their interests.

The Pullman School District Board of Directors and the Pullman School District shall provide equal educational opportunity and treatment for all students in all aspects of the academic and activities programs without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, age, honorably-discharged veteran or military status, sex, sexual orientation (including gender expression or identity), marital status, the presence of any sensory, mental or physical disability, participation in the Boy Scouts of America or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with a disability. The district will provide equal access to school facilities to the Boy Scouts of America and all other designated youth groups listed in Title 36 of the United States Code as a patriotic society. District programs will be free from sexual harassment. The following employees have been designated to handle questions and complaints of alleged discrimination: Civil Rights Coordinator and Title IX Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent, (509) 332-3144, and Section 504 Coordinator, Director of Special Services, (509) 332-3144. 240 SE Dexter Street, Pullman, WA 99163 Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations in the application process by contacting the Personnel Coordinator at (509) 332-3584.

We are also excited to announce that our Jazz Band and Jazz Choir student groups have received Superior ratings at the SEWMEA festival! This achievement reflects the hard work, talent, and dedication of our students and their instructors.

Additionally, we are proud to share that our Science Bowl team has not only excelled at the Regional level but has also advanced to Nationals, showcasing their remarkable knowledge and teamwork. Similarly, our Science Olympiad team has competed admirably at Regionals, demonstrating their passion for scientific inquiry and innovation. We are also so proud of our MathCounts team, which has won the Regional Championship.

These extracurricular activities not only enhance students' academic experiences but also foster important life skills such as teamwork, leadership, and time management. They also provide a supportive environment where students can express themselves, pursue their passions, and build lasting friendships.

We are immensely proud of our students for their commitment to involvement in extracurricular activities, and we extend our gratitude to the dedicated staff, coaches, and volunteers who support these valuable opportunities. We look forward to witnessing their continued achievements and successes both inside and outside the classroom.

Thank you for your ongoing support of our school community.

Go Spartans!

A Heartfelt Thank You to Ron & Heather Morgan for 20 Years of Support: A Legacy of Love for Animals and Community

It is with profound gratitude and deep appreciation that we extend our sincerest thanks to Ron and Heather Morgan for their unwavering support of the Whitman County Humane Society (WCHS) over the past two decades. Their dedication and commitment have been nothing short of remarkable, shaping the lives of countless animals and individuals within our community.

For twenty years, Ron and Heather have been the driving force behind the annual bowling tournament held at Zeppoz, benefiting both the WCHS and Northwest Cancer Foundation of Hope. This cherished event has become synonymous with compassion and community spirit, bringing together people from all walks of life to support two vital causes.

This year, their efforts resulted in a donation total of $11,650 to our shelter, adding to the cumulative contributions that now stand at approximately $116,658. Such generosity is a testament to their unwavering dedication to our cause and the well-being of animals in need.

"We were inspired by our dog Lucy and our overall love of animals. We thought every dog should be as spoiled as Lucy and every home should have an animal they loved that much," Heather shared, reflecting on the motivation behind their commitment to WCHS.

Ron expressed, "My favorite part of the tournament is that we have this building full of people with all different backgrounds and bowling abilities, and they all get behind the 'we love animals and we hate cancer.'"

We acknowledge the invaluable contributions of the Zeppoz staff, the members of the Pullman Moose Lodge, and all those individuals and businesses who have donated over the years. Their unwavering support has been instrumental in the success of the tournament year after year.

Thank you, Ron and Heather Morgan, for your extraordinary generosity, compassion, and commitment to making a difference in the lives of animals and individuals in our community. Your legacy of love and kindness will continue to inspire us for years to come.

Warm regards,

Whitman County Humane Society Board of Directors

CONTACT

SHELTER 1340 SE Old Moscow Road, Pullman • shelter@whitmanpets.org

Shelter hours: Open: 1-5 PM Tuesday to Thursday, Open noon-5 PM Saturday and Sunday

POOCH PARK at Pullman • (509) 416-6181 • poochpark@whitmanpets.org

Open 6 AM - 9 PM, 6 days a week (Tuesdays 11 AM-9 PM)

From Left to Right: Brian Walther, Bonnie Walther, Jeff DeBoer, Erin McNannay, Ron Morgan, Becky Martin, Debi Dockins, Heather Morgan, Keri Leforce, Helen Thompson

Pullman Regional Hospital – Stroke Ready

American Stroke Awareness Month is a great time to refresh yourself on the symptoms associated with having a stroke.

A ‘BE FAST’ assessment can be done to evaluate stroke symptoms:

Balance: watch for sudden loss of balance

Eyes: check for vision loss

Face: look for an uneven smile

Arm: check if one arm is weak

Speech: listen for slurred speech

Time: If the person shows ANY of these symptoms, call 9-1-1 and get to the person to the emergency department as fast as possible

In 2022, Pullman Regional Hospital earned and has since maintained an Acute Stroke Ready Certification from DNV—an international accrediting body for healthcare organizations. To earn certification, a hospital must meet or exceed evidence-based standards set forth by the American Stroke Association.

“Responding to a stroke is all about time,” said Stephanie Knewbow, Emergency Department Director and Stroke Coordinator for Pullman Regional Hospital, alongside Dr. Aaron Scott, the supervising medical doctor. “The saying goes, ‘Time is Brain.’ This certification means we’re able to assess our patients, connect with a stroke specialist, neurologist or neurosurgeon, administer a clot-dissolving medication—when prescribed, and admit or stabilize and transfer our patients all within specific windows of time.”

“This is when being a small hospital is a tremendous asset,” said Kim Johnson, Emergency Department Registered Nurse. “Our CT machine is steps away from our emergency department, and we don’t have to wait to get our patient in for imaging. In minutes, we can be connected

to a neurologist who specializes in stroke care so we can proceed with the best treatment to save brain function.”

According to the American Stroke Association, stroke is a leading cause of death, killing nearly 130,000 people each year, and is a leading cause of serious, long-term adult disability. Pullman Regional Hospital’s Emergency Department treats about 80-100 stroke patients a year.

Although this represents less than 1% of the patients seen annually in Pullman, experiencing a stroke can age an individual by an average of 36 years.

When a ‘Code Stroke’ is implemented at Pullman Regional Hospital, a team of 8 immediately responds. Team members include emergency physicians, pharmacists, respiratory therapists, emergency nurses, certified nursing assistants, intensive care unit nurses, CT technologists, laboratory technicians, and clinical coordinators.

“It’s crucial our hospital is best equipped to take fast and effective action for stroke,” said Verna Yockey, Director of the ICU and MedicalSurgical Unit and member of the Pullman Regional Hospital Stroke Team. “When it’s your family member in the ambulance, you want to know your hospital has a dedicated team and proven protocol. When it’s a code stroke, we drop what we’re doing and respond. We each have a dedicated role and we practice and practice and practice through mock codes.”

May is Stroke Awareness month. Follow Pullman Regional Hospital on Facebook, Instagram, X or LinkedIn to learn more.

Anxiety in Children: 6 Things to Know

Everybody experiences different fears, worries, and stresses in life; kids are no exception. Children can exhibit stronger fears depending on their age and stages of development. Fears and worries are natural. However, persistent or extreme forms of fear could be due to anxiety. A great example is separation anxiety. Typically, toddlers become upset or distressed about being away from their parent(s), even if they're safe and being cared for.

It's common for a child to experience anxiety when starting preschool or grade school. From 2016 to 2019, nearly 10 percent of children ages 3-17 were diagnosed with anxiety, with that number continuing to rise. Yes, the unfamiliar feeling of separation from routine is uncomfortable for most people, but when that feeling of anxiety or fear overcomes a child to the point it’s limiting their life, it may be time to consult a doctor.

"Anxiety in children can hold them back from achieving their ultimate potential in life and definitely decreases their quality of life," says Dr. Mike Frostad (Dr. Mike), a pediatrician at Palouse Pediatrics, a member of the Pullman Regional Hospital network of clinics. "If the anxiety is minor and not really disruptive to the child or the family, then it may make sense for parents to work with the child on the issues and monitor closely."

With over 25 years of experience in pediatric care, Dr. Mike has seen and helped many children get the help they need when facing anxieties and fears that may be holding them back. He took time to answer general questions about anxieties and help parents understand how to best help their children:

Will anxiety go away on its own?

Most of the time, minor anxieties will go away as children become more familiar with an experience or situation. However, in some cases, when the anxiety doesn't go away, it may disrupt a child's daily life. Those hindrances may affect their education and learning ability, social interactions, and sometimes even their sleep schedule.

What steps should be taken if anxiety worsens or doesn't go away?

If left untreated, anxiety can significantly burden children throughout their lives. "Anxiety tends to wax and wane depending on life circumstances and stressors," Dr. Mike says. "Sometimes anxiety builds to the point of debilitation." Visiting a pediatrician to identify the issues and formulate a plan is a great place to start. The goal is to treat the anxiety before it becomes debilitating.

What should someone expect when visiting the pediatrician for their child's anxiety?

Counseling helps the child develop various coping strategies, sometimes using medication. When visiting with a pediatrician one of the basic strategies that may be discussed or suggested is a referral for ongoing counseling. According to Dr. Mike, typically, there are "follow-up visits to check on progress and adjusting the treatment plan as needed."

How often does a child need medication to help with their anxiety?

While medication is sometimes part of treatment plans, it is not always used. "Recent studies show that if treatment consists of both counseling and medication strategies, the child is likely to have more rapid improvement," Dr. Mike says. "This also makes it less likely the child will struggle with the anxiety again in the future."

How long does a child typically take medication for anxiety once prescribed?

When medication is prescribed, it is most often used for 6-12 months. In that time frame, it helps gain momentum towards improvement and, in addition to counseling, where the child learns effective coping strategies. Dr. Mike explains, "After a sustained period of improvement, and with discussion with the patient and family, medication is discontinued carefully, and the team monitors the anxiety symptoms in the child." The medication will occasionally be resumed if the anxiety symptoms become disruptive. "Some children do so much better on the medication that they are kept on it long term," says Dr. Mike.

Are children with anxiety more likely to suffer from depression or other mental health issues?

Simply put, yes. "Children with anxiety are more likely to also struggle with issues like learning disorders, depression, attention problems, and social stressors," according to Dr. Mike. "That should be addressed as part of the child's overall treatment plan.”

Anxiety symptoms can affect a child's sleep, increasing the chances of physical symptoms like fatigue, headaches, or stomachaches. When watching for signs of anxiety, look for extensive fear or worry, but also watch for irritability and anger emotions. Sometimes, children can internalize symptoms like worrying, thus, making anxiety more challenging to detect.

If your child is exhibiting any signs of anxiety or if you are concerned about the possibility of your child having anxiety, please call Palouse Pediatrics to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatricians in Pullman, WA or Moscow, ID.

Pullman office: (509) 332-2605

Moscow office: (208) 882-2247

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