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FRIDAY, JANUARY 2, 2015
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Firefighters, Seahawks’ kicker make Kirkland girl’s Christmas wish come true BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
F
or six-year-old Kirkland resident and Lakeview Elementary student Madeline Herman, it was a Christmas with Kirkland firefighters and Seahawks placekicker Steven Hauschka. Madeline, who is undergoing chemo treatment for cancer, was paid a visit on Christmas Eve by members
of the Kirkland Firefighter’s Stairclimb Team from Fire Station 22, which presented her with her own Kirkland firefighter uniform with her name on it. Kirkland firefighter Jon Hernandez said the team, which raises money for cancer research, also looks to do things for cancer patients in the community. After reaching out to Madeline’s family, which moved from Walla Walla so she could be treated
at the Seattle Children’s Hospital, the firefighters recently visited her for her sixth birthday in early December. In the meantime, they also collected money by passing a boot around the station to buy her gifts on top of the uniform. Hernandez said they thought of having a Seahawks player come along after finding out Madeline has been an avid Seahawks fan ever since she was little
Seattle Seahawks’ place kicker Steven Hauschka visits with Madeline Herman at her Kirkland home on Christmas morning. Hauschka brought the little girl a signed shoe and photograph.
and has plastered pictures of the players all over her bedroom walls. Her mother, Brook Herman, said Madeline watches every game, and in preschool she drew a self-portrait of herself in a Seahawks uniform. The firefighters finally reached Hauschka, who was willing to come by, but after a long practice on Christmas Eve went into the late evening, he decided to show [ more GIRL page 2 ]
BROOK HERMAN, Contributed
City, healthcare provider team up to curb costs The city of Kirkland and a Seattle-based health care provider have signed an agreement intended to provide health care for city employees and ultimately reduce health care costs. As part of the agreement, Vera Whole Health is creating a new worksite clinic near Totem Lake and next to EvergreenHealth, which will be available for the approximately 500 city employees and their families. It is expected to open in the spring. As part of the plan, the city will pay a monthly fee, while city employees receive unlimited access to primary care, acute care and health coaching at the clinic. Vera Whole Health medical team will include physicians, nurse practitioners, medical assistants and health coaches. According to Nandi Thorn, director of Health
and Life Sciences with the Fearey Group, the plan is an addition and doesn’t replace their current health plan. Although Vera’s care clinic will be designed just for city employees and their families at first, City Manager Kurt Triplett said eventually others will be able to use their services as well under their own plans. “One of the reasons we partnered with Vera is they build reciprocity into their clinics, and their goal is to have a network of clinics where different groups can use different clinics,” he said. “So there will be capacity for people outside of the city.” Ryan Schmid, president and CEO of Vera Whole Health, said that this model of providing healthcare is a practical solution for reducing unnecessary health costs. “They really have designed a plan that is very forward thinking that we think will generate great results for [ more HEALTH page 2 ]
About 80 people turned out for the Vigil for Peace event in downtown Kirkland on Dec. 22. The interfaith event brought together people from all walks of life in the Kirkland community, including, from left, Farah Alsudani, Barb Harrison and Fran Wessling. The vigil was to call for peace stemming from recent events between police and residents in other communities around the nation and international issues, such as the school shooting in Pakistan. MARIAN STEWART, Contributed photo
Freddy Delgadillo, Principal – Broker 425.941.8688 • JudahRealty.com Keller Williams GSWA MC1 LLC
Vigil for peace in Kirkland
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Have a Healthy New Year!
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BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com