June 2019 VOICE Magazine

J U N E

The Health Care Issue

Includes updates from Thurston Thrives, Providence St. Peter and Kaiser Permanente

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Olympia Bupe Clinic

Meet the Innovative Medical Director, A Health Care Champion

GROWING A PROSPEROUS ECONOMY & VIBRANT COMMUNITY

magazine PUBLISHER Thurston County Chamber of Commerce

EDITORIAL David Schaffert 360-357-3362 dschaffert@thurstonchamber.com

CONTRIBUTORS David Schaffert Dinea dePhoto Heidi Smith Kathryn Millhorn Michele Horaney

ADVERTISING Sales & Marketing: Krystal Barkus Elizabeth Bretschneider Susie Greene Blake Knoblauch

SUBSCRIPTIONS 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com

DESIGN Mosaic Marketing Studio

COVER ART

Health Care in Thurston County

by David Schaffert, Thurston County Chamber President/CEO

Q

uality health care is an essential part of a high-functioning community; it provides critical services to our citizens and has a

significant impact on the local economy. The economics and workforce numbers are substantial. In recent years, health care total wages were nearly $650 million, roughly one-fifth of our local workforce and $1.3 billion of our Gross Regional Product.

In this issue of the VOICE Magazine,

to Kaiser about the rising popularity

we’re featuring stories from three

of telemedicine programs. Finally,

health care organizations working hard

we learn about Kaiser's Community

in Thurston County and beyond.

Conversations with Thurston Thrives.

We learn how Capital Recovery

June is also the month when we

Center’s Olympia Bupe Clinic is part

celebrate Health Care Champions. We

of a network of new “low barrier”

hope you’ll join us on June 25, 2019 at

programs that make it easier for people

Olympia Country and Golf Club for the

with opioid use disorder to access

13th Annual Health Care Champion

medication, thereby reducing overdose

Awards.

death and other consequences such as homelessness.

The Chamber recognizes our health care industry as a driver of our local

Photo courtesy of RawPixel.com

PRINTING Print NW

CONTACT THE CHAMBER PO Box 1427 809 Legion Way SE Olympia, WA 98507 360-357-3362 info@thurstonchamber.com thurstonchamber.com

COPYRIGHT All material appearing in the VOICE Magazine is copyright unless otherwise stated or it may rest with the provider of the supplied material.

The VOICE Magazine takes all care to ensure information is correct at time of printing, but the publisher accepts no responsibility or liability for the accuracy of any information contained in the text or advertisements. ©2019 VOICE Magazine, Thurston County Chamber.

We learn how Providence Saint Peter

economy and a critical piece of

Hospital is working to keep the

community infrastructure. Our ability

Emergency Rooms for emergencies

to engage and support health care is

and educate patients about when to use

vital.

Urgent Care over the ER. We also talked

THANK YOU TO OUR COMMUNITY INVESTORS DIAMOND INVESTORS American Workforce Group Caliber Home Loans Charter College Commerce Home Mortgage LoanStar Division Community Youth Services The Creative Office

Great Wolf Lodge

Greene Realty Group

Hometown Property Management, Inc.

Heritage Bank - Olympia

GOLD INVESTORS

L & E Bottling Company, Inc.

America's Credit Union - Lacey

Hooper Financial Services Mills & Mills Funeral Home Nisqually Red Wind Casino

Morningside Olympia Federal Savings

Olympia Furniture Company

Olympia Nissan Commercial Vehicle

Pardiman Productions

Phillips Burgess, PLLC

Radia Inc., PS Timberland Bank

The Firs Senior Living Community

Venables Pest Management

GHB Insurance, Inc.

Capital Medical Center

Grays Harbor Fair & Tourism

The Evergreen State College

PLATINUM INVESTORS

Providence St. Peter Hospital Puget Sound Energy Saint Martin's University SCJ Alliance South Puget Sound Community College

The Rants Group

FORMA Construction Company Little Creek Casino & Resort Lucky Eagle Casino and Hotel Olympia Orthopaedic Associates, PLLC Port of Olympia TwinStar Credit Union Corporate Office Washington Business Bank Wells Fargo Community Bank

THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER BUILDING COMMUNITY PROSPERITY SINCE 1874

LOCAL, HELPFUL! For Flexible Loan Solutions or to Grow Your Business.

Plus, Everyday Banking and Mobile Banking.

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Saint Martin’s University’s Gala 2019 welcomes celebrity chef, author, TV personality & restaurateur

Carla Hall Join us for a black-tie gourmet evening that includes an exquisite five-course dinner, cooking demos, and a live auction benefiting Saint Martin’s student scholarships.

Reserve your table at stmartin.edu/GalaCarla2019 or call 360-438-4366.

June 2019 THURSTON COUNTY CHAMBER VOICE MAGAZINE

Every month, the Thurston County Chamber offers several networking events, forums and workshops to the community. Here are some highlights you won't want to miss.

Morning Mixxer at Enterprise Truck Rental Please join our host Enterprise Truck Rental on Tuesday, June 4 at 7:30

In This Issue...

a.m. for the Thurston Chamber's Morning Mixxer. Enterprise will provide breakfast treats, and our sponsor, L&E Bottling, will host the coffee bar, and you can enjoy a morning of networking. Morning Mixxer is free to attend. Where: 2400 Carriage Lp SW, Olympia, WA 98502.

beverages and snacks, meet with other Young Professionals (21-39 year olds)

Meet the the team at Capital Recovery Center's Olympia Bupe Clinic and learn about their successful efforts to combat opioid addiction and homelessness.

and expand your network. Where: 4005 120th Ave SE, Tenino, WA 98589.

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Forum: Leadership Thurston County Class of 2019

Alternatives to the ER

Thurston Young Professionals at Lady of the Lake Join Thurston Young Professionals on Thursday, June 6 at 5:30 p.m. at Lady of the Lake Public House at Offut Lake Resort. Enjoy a selection of

Leadership Thurston County (LTC) is pleased to recognize members of the Class of 2019, the 25th graduating LTC class. Join the Thurston County Chamber on Wednesday, June 12 at 11:30 a.m. for LTC's graduation program. Hotel RL Olympia. Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members in advance. $30 for

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Business After Hours at Action Business Furniture

Telehealth Improves Access to Care

Hours at Action Business Furniture. Business After Hours is a free networking event. Hosts provide light appetizers and beverages, games and raffles. This is a great chance to learn about a local organization and expand your network.

Where: 2316 4th Ave E, Olympia, WA 98506.

Third-party apps and new technology is expanding health care access and reducing costs.

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Save the Date for Health Care Champions Please join us as we honor and celebrate the 13th annual Health Care Champions event on Tuesday, June 25. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. at the Olympia Country & Golf Club and will include honoree recognition, videos, hor's d’ oeuvres and a no-host bar. Learn more at thurstonchamber.com

iTYP

Community Conversations Thurston Thrives and Kaiser Permanente of Washington engage in community conversations about health.

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Influence Thurston Young Professionals, a program of Thurston Young Professionals (TYP), is kicking off a new series on June 28 to connect TYPs

Caught in the Lens

with business leaders in our region. Visit thurstonchamber.com to learn

Catch the latest round of photos from Chamber events and ribbon cuttings.

speaker, time and location.

Thank you Sponsors!

thurstonchamber.com

Providence St. Peter shares alternatives to the ER for non-life-threatening medical issues.

members, $35 for non-members at the door.

Join the Thurston Chamber on Thursday, June 20, at 5:30 p.m. for Business After

iTYP

Olympia Bupe Clinic

P. 20

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CRC's Olympia Bupe Clinic Staff from left to right: Malika Lamont, Hayley Demus, Darlene Hein, Kelley Jackson, Traci Papof, Meta Hogan, Tamara Heinz, Sofi Harnish, RN, Lucinda Grande, MD. Not shown: Brad Livingstone, RPh, James Wright, Staci Hamlin and Sean Wright.

Dr. Grande to be Recognized for Work Combating Opioid Addiction & Homelessness

by Michele M. Horaney

T

Photography by Dinea De Photo

here's a new program in Olympia to combat the opioid epidemic and associated homelessness.

The Olympia Bupe Clinic (OBC), which opened in early 2019, provides a highly regarded medication-assisted treatment approach in a short-term clinical setting. It joins a rising network of new "low barrier" programs that make it easier for people with opioid use disorder to access medication, thereby reducing overdose death and other consequences such as homelessness.

On June 25, Medical Director Lucinda Grande, MD will be recognized for her role in establishing OBC by receiving the Innovative Community Service award at the 13th annual Thurston County Chamber’s Health Care Champions Awards.

The awards recognize the heroism, dedication, service and professionalism offered every day in community medical services, clinics, hospitals, offices and emergency rooms. Dr. Grande is also primary care physician at Pioneer Family

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Practice in Lacey.

OBC is a walk-in clinic that offers sameday treatment with no charge for visits or medication. Patients are provided treatment regardless of whether they are able to completely stop using illegal drugs. OBC operates under the umbrella of the Capital Recovery Center (CRC), which is led by executive director Jim Wright. Located in downtown Olympia at 1000 Cherry Street SE, it is open from 4 to 7:30 pm Monday through Friday.

More than 300 patients have entered the program so far.

At OBC, the drug buprenorphine (Suboxone) is prescribed by a certified medical team and delivered to patients on site by pharmacist Brad Livingstone, RPh of Sound Specialty Pharmacy.

“This is an incredibly effective harmreduction approach,” said Dr. Grande, who stopped to talk recently on an afternoon just before the clinic opened. “The drug is a highly-effective medicine to treat addiction to heroin or prescription pain pills. It blocks

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reduce and discontinue drug use, repair relationships and return home to their families."

The program provides a strong peer component to coach patients in early recovery and to connect them with long-term treatment and other needed services.

“The Peer Pathfinders provide a unique dimension of care for every patient, and are an important part of what differentiates this clinic from others that offer the same medicine,” said Meta Hogan, who directs the peer program.

CRC Medical Director, Dr. Lucinda Grande. “The peers, who are themselves in recovery from substance use and behavioral health problems, help withdrawal sickness and opioid craving participants design their own recovery, without creating a drug high. “Every helping them to restore their own lives.” day a patient is on Suboxone is a day they are not on heroin,” she said.

According to executive director Jim “That has already helped a number of Wright, “Every one of these people patients in the clinic move ahead to

Effective. Reliable. Dedicated.

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deserves the opportunity to regain their role and place in the community. Every one of our patients is someone’s child, brother or sister or spouse.”

A recent survey done at the clinic showed that one-third of the patients improved their living situation within weeks of starting the medication.

The clinic is doing long-term research with assistance from the University of Washington on the effectiveness of the clinic and this approach.

Dr. Grande has six years of experience prescribing buprenorphine in her primary practice. Her experience led her to become a buprenorphine waiver training course instructor through the American Association of Addiction Psychiatry. She was co-leader of a free, four-hour training on May 17 at Providence St. Peter Hospital, to help prescribers gain the certification needed

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practitioners and physician assistants who would like to participate.

CRC received a two-year State Opioid Response grant from the Washington State Healthcare Authority to open the clinic. The grant pays for pharmacy services and for nurse care manager Sofi Harnish, RN. The grant supplements OBC’s start-up funding through a partnership with the Cascade Pacific Action Alliance.

CRC Executive Director, James Wright. to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder.

There are 13 prescribers working in the clinic so far, but Dr. Grande is seeking additional certified physicians, nurse

Some of the patients are homeless, while others have jobs and places to live. Some have been addicted for a short time, while others have tried a number of other programs to stop using. The clinic accepts all patients interested in the treatment, but it is particularly valuable for those who have experienced adverse effects of opioid use disorder such as incarceration, medical complications and/or

How do you address the unknowns impacting your business and life?

homelessness. Those patients often have difficulty accessing treatment in other settings. Medicaid is accepted, and assistance is available for those without insurance.

Capital Recovery Center, under which the Olympia Bupe Clinic operates, was established in 1989. It is a not-for-profit community mental health agency that provides an array of services to people working towards recovery in their lives. Capital Recovery Center provides avenues for its participants to pursue individualized recovery goals and to be engaged in their community through a peer-to-peer model of support.

Michele M. Horaney is a writer, editor and communications consultant based in Olympia.

Health Care Champions Awards: Tuesday, June 25, 5:30 to 8 p.m. at the Olympia Country & Golf Club.

The evening includes honoree recognition, videos, hors d’oeuvres and a no-host bar. Tickets are $40 each and available at 360-357-3362 and at thurstonchamber.com.

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Alternatives to the ER for Non-Life Threatening Medical Issues

W

hen you’re not feeling well, most people know the first thing to do is call their doctor. But when the doctor isn’t immediately available, or you’re in need of urgent care, do you know what options are available? Most people first think of the emergency department. And for life-threatening injuries or illnesses such as chest pain, unconsciousness, shortness of breath or other severe conditions – calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room is exactly what you should do.

But, nearly 40 percent of the visits to emergency rooms are categorized as “avoidable.” How can someone know where to go for what types of care? And what options are available (especially locally here in Thurston County)?

“First and foremost, we want people to call 911 or go to the nearest emergency

thurstonchamber.com

department in life-threatening situations,” emphasized Providence Southwest Chief Executive Medrice Coluccio. “We are here for you.”

For non-life-threatening issues, other options are available – and they can be more convenient and less expensive.

expensive place to receive care, and if your issue is non-life-threatening, you may have to wait a long time as more urgent patients are being cared for,” said Coluccio.

That’s where immediate/urgent care clinics or even a “virtual” healthcare visit “The emergency department is the most can be the cure.

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Help shape the way our Port looks, feels and functions in the future The Port has been creating economic opportunity in Thurston County for nearly a century. Over time, we’ve also developed some of our community’s most prized community spaces and places and increased our role as an environmental steward.

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What is Immediate Care?

Immediate Care clinics (also known as urgent care) can help with non-life threatening medical issues for infants, children and adults that could become worse if not treated immediately. It’s a good option if your primary care provider is not available. An immediate care clinic can take patients on a walk-in basis – no appointment scheduling is necessary.

The clinic offers care for a variety of issues, including: Illnesses Bone, joint or muscle complaints Cuts, puncture wounds, burns, foreign bodies, abscesses Work-related injuries such as back strain, minor bruises and minor cuts (new claims) Services such IV hydration, IV antibiotics, splinting X-rays and diagnostic imaging Lab tests for strep throat and flu

The Flu, and Flu-Like Symptoms The biggest contributor to avoidable emergency department visits is flu-like symptoms. “During the winter months – flu season – we see a severe spike of people who come to the emergency departments with high fevers, body aches and respiratory issues,” said Coluccio. “We encourage people to get a flu shot. If people are experiencing these symptoms, unless they are life threatening, they should really stay home.”

The flu, and flu-like symptoms are not comfortable, but the virus is very transmittable. Most people with symptoms should check in with their primary care provider or use alternatives such as an immediate care clinic or virtual visit.

When to use Immediate Care or Emergency Room:

Providence has 3 immediate care clinics in Thurston County: Lacey Immediate Care: 4800 College St. SE • 360-486-2900 Open Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m.

West Olympia Immediate Care: 1620 Cooper Point Road SW • 360-486-6710 Open Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Hawks Prairie Immediate Care: 2555 Marvin Road NE • 360-493-4450 Open Mon-Fri 8 a.m.-7:30 p.m.; Sat-Sun 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Providence Express Care Virtual is a telemedicine service providing $49 online visits for minor illnesses right on your smartphone, tablet or computer. No appointment needed.

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Immediate Care

Emergency Room

•

Allergies

•

Chest Pain/Discomfort

•

Colds/Flu/Fever

•

High Fever

•

Ear Pain/Infection

•

Shock

•

Minor Asthma

•

Severe Burns/Cuts

•

Minor Cuts/Burns

•

Severe Headaches

•

Rashes

•

Shortness of Breath

•

Sprains/Strains

•

Sudden Paralysis

•

Simple Fractures

•

Unconsciousness

•

Urinary Tract

•

Uncontrollable Bleeding

Infections

•

Visible Fractures

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Telehealth Can Reduce Costs & Improve Access to Care – Is Your Business Ready?

Third-party apps, new mobile technology and government policies are poised to drastically expand telehealth access in the coming years. That’s good news: Research shows that telehealth has the potential to save U.S. companies approximately $10 billion a year.

And 93% of consumers who’ve used telehealth say that it lowered their health care costs. However, only 15 percent of doctors use telehealth with their patients. At Kaiser Permanente’s Olympia Medical Center, we’ve rolled out video visits for primary care and mental health and wellness and our providers are connected to patients on care chat. While embracing telehealth presents great cost-saving opportunities, it’s important for employers to fully understand the telehealth landscape to get the most out of their health care benefits. thurstonchamber.com

Telehealth helps employees keep up with much-needed care

•

3 out of 5 people say they feel uncomfortable leaving work for a preventive appointment.

In many ways, health care still operates • 9 out of 10 would cancel on a 9-to-5, Monday through Friday, or reschedule a preventive schedule. This can present a real dilemma appointment because of job for working people who have to take time pressure. off work for health appointments. This can also lead to delayed or missed care because employees can’t or don’t want to Third-party apps aim for convenience, but is the care effective? take the time off: •

More than 2 in 3 people say they’ve delayed seeking care for a health problem, often because they’re too busy.

One way the market is looking to capitalize on the consumer interest in telehealth is through third-party mobile apps.

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But there are big drawbacks to thirdparty apps. In most cases, providers can’t access patient medical records, so they’re not aware of existing health conditions and medications. This can lead to serious problems — one study found that doctors on a third-party telehealth app were more likely to prescribe antibiotics for respiratory infections, even though most respiratory infections do not respond to antibiotics.

The truth is that some third-party telehealth care apps won’t do much to help support overall health. “Telehealth has to be integrated fully into a total care system,” Mario Gutierrez, executive director of the Center for Connected

Health Policy, told Wired magazine. “It can’t just be a one-off. That’s not health care.”

apps carry their own set of issues.

For employers, understanding their telehealth coverage must be part of their overall health care strategy.

It pays to carefully consider your telehealth options

At Kaiser Permanente Washington, we offer virtual visits for primary care and When done right, telehealth can be an mental health and wellness. We also effective way for doctors, payers and offer care chat, where patients can chat employers to manage costs. It can help over a mobile device with a provider, providers deliver care sooner, potentially a 24/7 nurse consulting phone line resulting in fewer procedures, shorter and secure email over patients’ online hospital stays and healthier outcomes. portal.

But current employee-sponsored coverage levels vary widely. Most All of this is coordinated in one medical private insurance payers currently limit record to ensure patients get the telehealth reimbursement to certain care they need, how and when it’s types of interactions. And third-party convenient for them.

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Community Check-Up: Kaiser Permanente & Thurston Thrives Host Conversation on Health

by Heidi Smith

W

hen representatives from 34 nonprofits, community groups and state and local agencies got together in April to discuss community health, talk kept returning to supporting young people’s mental wellbeing. “Every conversation came back to adding behavioral health resources in our schools,” says Krosbie Carter, Director of Thurston Thrives. “Regardless of whether we were talking about education or economics, mental health support for our kids was a pivotal point.”

While Thurston Thrives has hosted such community round tables previously, this one was different: the co-host was health industry giant Kaiser Permanente Washington.

Every three years, Kaiser performs a community health assessment both statewide and within their areas of service, including Thurston County. Based on the outcome of that assessment, they determine their top priorities within each region and design strategies to address them.

Now for the first time, Kaiser solicited community input to help them develop those strategies, collaborating with three county coalitions statewide to convene community conversations with local organizations, city and county governments and community residents. Thurston County was one of the three regions chosen, and given the close alignment between their missions, Thurston Thrives was

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an excellent fit as a regional partner. “They recognized that we could bring together an enormous number of community stakeholders and leverage their impact,” says Carter.

Kaiser’s focus for the conversation was on mental health and mitigating trauma, improving equity and economic opportunity, increasing access and opportunity for careers and ensuring community vitality and equity in the areas surrounding Kaiser Permanente facilities. The day was centered around helping Kaiser understand how it could make the biggest impact in the region. “They wanted to have a coalition with deep community connections to help them select their next strategies,” Carter explains.

“They’d already done their first phase of gathering the data and looking at the larger areas. Now they wanted a local group to finesse what works best for our region and how

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they can make the biggest difference, whether that’s through funding, partnerships or projects.”

Initially, they hoped for 15 to 20 participants to join the two-hour conversation. Instead, over 40 people showed up from agencies ranging from the Senior Action Network and the Thurston Economic Development Council to the Olympia Master Builders, the Olympia Farmers Market, South Sound YMCA and four municipalities.

The group looked at four health need focus areas: Access to healthcare, mental health, economic security and healthy eating/active living. Within each category, they identified local efforts addressing those needs as well as opportunities for Kaiser to form partnerships with groups that have local knowledge and expertise.

They also looked for any needs or gaps and made recommendations for what could be done differently or to a greater degree within each area.

school • Support trades education & STEM • Expand funding for K-12 and non-profit STEM Regardless of the category, participants emphasized the importance of bolstering support for young people through mental health services and preventative measures.

They offered multiple ideas of partnerships that afford young people access to help when they need it, including:

As a next step, Kaiser will be releasing a report based on all of the input collected thus far. “Communities know their strengths and needs best,” says Victoria Garcia, Health Manager at Kaiser Permanente. “We are grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from many community members and leaders in Thurston County who have shared how Kaiser Permanente can be a partner in the great work that is already underway.”

• Partnering on a school-based health center in this community • Collaborating on Youth Alive to help prevent suicide • Connecting to existing activities to support community initiatives rather than creating a new system • Making sure students in the area Heidi Smith is a freelance writer based have easy access to medical care and suicide prevention T H E C A P I T A L A D VA N T A G E

Overall, there was a resounding Some of Kaiser’s existing strategies recommendation to had clear connections to physical focus on prevention health while others were more focused and the factors on economic opportunity. For example, that adversely Kaiser’s strategies include working impact vulnerable with low-income communities near populations such their facilities to improve parks and as low-income active transportation routes as well as residents, traumaincreasing access to STEM careers and affected youth and support for youth and young adults adults and the many facing barriers. For the latter, the group who face health had plenty of ideas for local partners inequities. In looking such as Pacific Mountain Workforce ahead to solutions, Development Council, the YMCA, a common theme school districts and more. was to scale or A few of their suggestions: strengthen capacity in programs and • Career pathway apprenticeships systems that are • Mentorship opportunities for youth working well, or as • Support FoodCorp positions to several participants connect kids to healthy food in put it, ‘don’t

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reinvent the wheel.’ Instead, build out more wraparound support services and consider supporting the most influential change agents. “Come into the community with boots on the ground,” was one comment. “Meet with Thurston Thrives action teams and non-profits who are already doing the work.”

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Honoring Health Care Champions

By Kathryn Millhorn

L

et’s face it, healthcare workers are amazing. They seldom see us at our best and yet strive to provide calm, competent care while being surrounded by equipment and scenarios that make most people shudder.

On Tuesday, June 25, join industry professionals, civic leaders and community members in honoring these unsung heroes at the 13th annual Thurston County Chamber Health every day in our community’s medical Care Champions event. offices, clinics, hospitals, emergency services and related organizations.”

Federal CDC statistics show that “Healthcare is the fastest-growing Since 2007, they’ve celebrated more sector of the U.S. economy, employing than 50 individuals who work for over 18 million workers.” But as medical and dental clinics, fire populations age, more and more districts, insurance companies workers are needed. According to and hospitals. This year’s honorees the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, in are Eric Moll, Innovation in Rural 2017 alone “The healthcare industry Medicine, Dr. Lucinda Grande, has added an average of 24,000 jobs Innovative Community Service Award, each month. That’s vigorous growth Chelsea Unruh, Health Care Pioneer in any industry. While healthcare job Award and Eileen McKenzie Sullivan growth will ebb and flow in the future, and Senior Services of South Sound, the trajectory of growth has been Safety Net Award. consistently upward.”

To honor their tireless, round-theclock service, the Thurston County Chamber partnered with the nonprofit Thurston-Mason County Medical Society to host an evening showcasing some of our region’s hardworking health care workers.

Organizers explain that these awards “were established to recognize heroic acts, steadfast dedication, extraordinary service and professionalism that are seen

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“This is a way to recognize professionals in our community’s largest industry,” says Thurston County Chamber President and CEO David Schaffert, “To honor those who are having an impact.” The event may feel industry-specific but is open to anyone wanting to learn more or just say thanks.

“It’s definitely a feel-good, social event,” agrees Chamber Director of Member Engagement and Events, Krystal Barkus. A video documenting

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the recipient’s journey is shown with appetizers and desserts for attendees.

This year’s gathering takes place at the Olympia Country and Golf Club from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. Tickets are $40 each and available through the Thurston County Chamber offices.

The Thurston County Chamber was created in 1874 and the ThurstonMason Medical Society in 1889. Over their long history, they’ve focused on forging partnerships, providing leadership and offering networking opportunities in and around the region. Join them in celebrating Western Washington’s finest at this welcoming event.

We all rely on healthcare. The National Center for Health Statistics reports that 85% of adults and 93% of children had contact with a health care professional in the last year alone.

Without their skill, knowledge and determination, our daily life would be much—let’s be honest—ickier.

Even if you can’t attend Health Care Champions, take a minute to thank a caregiver in your life. Or, better yet, invite them to the reception and together raise a glass to their population as a whole.

thurstonchamber.com

Welcome New Members!

bigbeancoffeeroasters.com

Coffee Roasting

Cinco de Mayo Fruits & More Saul Mariscal (360) 819-4651 Restaurant – Food Truck Clarity Business Design Erik Soper (360) 930-6525 claritybusiness.design

Internet Marketing

Eric Zabala State Farm Agent Eric Zabala (360) 754-7878 www.insuredbyez.com

Insurance

Governor Hotel, The Shawn Miller (360) 352-7700 www.coasthotels.com

Hotels & Accommodations Humana Randy Walden (360) 253-7523

www.humana.com/ medicare

Insurance

Larsen’s Auto Repair Matthew Adams (360) 352-7065 Auto Repair & Service

thurstonchamber.com

La Vida Wine Bar Doug McCrea (360) 915-8307 www.lavidawinebar.com Brew Pubs, & Wine Bars

South Sound Productions Jennifer McMillen (360) 763-9154 Event Planning

Title Guaranty Company Emily Moon (360) 748-0001 titlegco.com Title Companies

LoanDepot Becky Arnold (360) 753-5626

Spin Tees Ryan Demaris (360) 515-0543

Mortgage Companies

Screen Printing & Embroidery

Vert Fitness & Wellness Center, LLC Trevor Marum (310) 985-2657

www.loandepot.com/jlathrop

My Salon Suite Adam Teske (253) 260-4125 mysalonsuite.com Salon & Spa

www.spinteesprints.com

www.vertfit.com

Chiropractors, D.C.

We Get IT

Big Bean Coffee Roasters Pamela Richmond (615) 707-1347

CONNECT

Nelson Interiors Peggy Nelson (253) 961-6416 nelsoninteriors.com Interior Designers Northwest Cooperative Development Center Diane Gasaway (360) 943-4241 nwcdc.coop

Non-Profit Organizations & Associations Our Glory Coffee, LLC Barney McClanahan (360) 943-8350 ogcoffee.net

Coffee Roasting South Sound Fire & Security, LLC Maria Hetland (253) 229-2132 Fire Alarm Systems

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Caught In The Lens

Caught in the Lens is a place to catch up on all of the Chamber happenings over the past month - whether its Morning Mixxer, Business After Hours, Thurston Young Professionals, Chamber Forum, an awards ceremony, fundraising event, or a Ribbon Cutting. For more photos, follow the Thurston Chamber on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ThurstonCountyChamber.

EVENTS

Leadership Thurston County Celebrates Class of 2019

By Alisha Blain, Program Director Leadership Thurston County (LTC) and the Thurston County Chamber Foundation are pleased to recognize members of the Class of 2019, the 25th graduating LTC class. Sponsored by The Creative Office, the graduation program will be held June 12 during the monthly Thurston County Chamber Forum.

Are you an alumni of Leadership Thurston County? Join us after graduation for an all class reunion from 5:30-7:30pm at Cebula Hall at Saint Martin’s University! Meet the newest alumni, reconnect with your class and enjoy an evening of leadership connections.Â

During the 10-month program, LTC class members met with local, community and statewide leaders; learned about issues surrounding South Sound communities; expanded networks and resources; and explored numerous opportunities to get involved. Topics ranged from business and economic development to environmental issues, education and health and human services. Site visits included tours of local businesses, schools, public agencies and non-profit organizations.

Thanks to our Graduation Sponsor, The Creative Office, all the employers who sponsored participants, local leaders who contributed to the monthly sessions, LTC Sustaining Trustees and Board of Regents and the Thurston County Chamber for all their outstanding support during the past LTC year!

thurstonchamber.com

What: Leadership Thurston County's Class of 2019 Graduation.

When: Wednesday June 12, 11:30 a.m.

Where: Hotel RL Olympia, 2300 Evergreen Pkwy, Olympia, WA 98502.

Cost is $25 for members, $30 for non-members in advance. $30 for members, $35 for non-members at the door.

For more information: Contact Krystal Barkus at (360) 357-3362 or email events@thurstonchamber.com.

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PO BOX 1427 Olympia, WA 98507-1427