Healthylivingallenmore Hospital | good samaritan Community Healthcare | Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center | tacoma general Hospital | MultiCare Clinics

take heart, go red10 simple steps to reduce your risk of heart diseasePage 10

spring 2008 | www.multicare.org

a neW Way tO tarGet

tUmOrssee Page 8

a neW Way

one of the greatest

rewards of working in

health care is providing

the treatment and care

a patient needs to re-

turn to a full and healthy

life. and the advanced

treatments and tech-

nologies available

today are helping us to deliver that care in

amazing ways. Procedures that were not

even possible a few years ago are now avail-

able to our patients. on page 8 in this issue

of Healthy Living, you’ll read about one such

patient.

severe headaches led jane Botterman to

MultiCare neurosurgeon Peter Brown, MD.

While investigating the cause of the head-

aches, it was discovered that she had a brain

tumor. the tumor was benign, but still needed

to be treated to prevent future health problems.

jane’s choices were traditional invasive brain

surgery or a new, less invasive technique

called stereotactic radiosurgery, now available

at tacoma general Hospital.

stereotactic radiosurgery uses 3-D computer

imaging to target tumors with an amazingly

precise dose of radiation, sparing healthy

surrounding tissue. it reduces treatment time

dramatically—often from several weeks to

just a few days or less. jane’s pain-free

radiation treatment lasted just seven minutes,

and she was back to work in a few days.

What’s truly exciting is that the technology

we’re using at tacoma general can treat tu-

mors in any area of the body. Moreover, it can

also be used to treat certain neurological and

heart conditions, and it’s safe for adults and

children.

We are delighted that jane was able to ben-

efi t from this treatment, and we’re now proud

to be the fi rst health system in the south

sound region to offer full-body stereotactic

radiosurgery to our community.

diane cecchettini, rn

President and ceO

multicare health system

multicare health system is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent

care clinics, multispecialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. a not-for-profi t organization based in tacoma since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. today we are the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, south King, Kitsap and thurston counties. learn more at www.multicare.org.

HealtHY liVing is published as a community service for the friends and patients of MultiCare Health system, P.o. Box 5299, tacoma, Wa 98415-0299. 800-342-9919, www.multicare.org

For comments or suggestions about HealtHY liVing, please write to us at hleditor@multicare.org. information in HealtHY liVing comes from a wide range of medical experts. if you have any concerns or questions about specifi c content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider.

Copyright © 2008 Coffey Communications, inc. Cun21454c

[spotlight]

transfusion-free medicine

a new mom fi nds peace of mind through MultiCare’s transfusion-Free Medical and surgical Program.

Bedtime a nightmare?

learn about kids’ sleep disorders and how to help them develop healthy habits.

4 6

a message from the Ceo

MultiCare places eighth in national

ranking of top 100 integrated Health

networks

MultiCare Health system has placed eighth in

Verispan’s annual rankings of the top 100

integrated Health networks in the united states,

rising from 56th place in 200�. this is the

sixth consecutive year MultiCare has ranked in

the top 100, more years than any other inte-

grated health network in Washington state.

MultiCare’s climb in the rankings was pro-

fi led in Modern Healthcare magazine in early

February. the industry maga-

zine cites MultiCare’s

new electronic health

record and integra-

tion with good samaritan

Community Healthcare as key

factors in the higher ranking.

For more information, visit www

.multicare.org or www.verispan.com.

2 | Healthy living

World-class cancer care at homeMultiCare regional CanCer Center joins seattle CanCer Care allianCeMultiCare regional Cancer Center is now a network member of the

seattle Cancer Care alliance (sCCa), giving area residents convenient

access to the latest clinical trials and world-renowned expertise. Multi-

Care is the only health system in Pierce County to partner with the sCCa.

MultiCare regional Cancer Center’s affiliation with sCCa will add

five locations to the sCCa network: tacoma general Hospital, allen-

more Hospital, Covington MultiCare Clinic, auburn MultiCare Clinic and

the MultiCare gig Harbor Medical Park.

For more information, visit www.multicare.org/cancer.

sports medicine

You don’t have to be a profes- sional athlete to benefit from sport-focused physical therapy.

12time to go red

join women all across the nation who are taking action to take out heart disease.

10

ViP for Kids Clinic available at Mary BridgeBedwetting is a common childhood prob-

lem that can cause both children and

their parents considerable stress and

embarrassment. MultiCare’s Debra Freund,

Ms, rn, CPnP, arnP, working in affiliation

with well-known, Puyallup-based urologist

Kevin gandhi, MD—the only pediatric urolo-

gist in the entire south sound region—has

established a new ViP for Kids Clinic at

Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health

Center in tacoma.

the Mary Bridge ViP for Kids Clinic

provides comprehensive evaluation,

diagnosis and treatment of children and

teens with daytime or nighttime wetting

or other voiding problems, as well as education

and support to children and their families.

For more information about this new program,

call the Mary Bridge ViP for Kids Clinic at

253-403-3131.

Biggest Winner

seriesMultiCare Health system and the YMCa

challenge you to get fit and be healthy in 2008.

a MultiCare physician and a MultiCare registered

dietitian, along with a personal trainer from the YMCa,

will oversee this 12-week weight-loss program to en-

sure that participants are losing weight and exercising

in a safe, healthy way. applications for the june 18

through sept. 3 session are now being accepted.

applications are available at www.piercecountygets

fit.org and must be received by Wednesday,

May 28, for consideration.

Fee: $299 for YMCa members; $389 for

nonmembers.

www.multicare.org | 3

WHEN a close friend told Serena Resendez about the transfusion-Free medical and Surgical Program at Good Samaritan Hospi-tal in Puyallup, she was eager to enroll. Her baby was due in November, and she wanted to be certain her wishes to avoid a blood transfusion were on record before she en-tered the hospital.

“I called as soon as I heard about the pro-gram,” she says. after speaking with Cynthia moorman, multiCare transfusion-Free medical and Surgical Program Coordina-tor, Resendez was pleased to learn that every effort would be made to provide medical care for her child without the use of blood

transfusions.* “I have very strong per-sonal beliefs about blood

transfusions,” Resendez says. “my feelings

are primarily based on my principles, but I am also very concerned about the possible com-plications that can occur from blood

transfusions. It was important to me that

my beliefs and wishes were acknowledged and

honored. I was so pleased that Good Samaritan offered

this program.”

Peace of mindUnder the orders of her obstetrician/gynecologist, Christopher young, mD, of Sound Family medicine, Resendez was admitted to Good Samaritan Hospital’s maternity ward last November with type 1

Valuing a patient’s choiceTransfusion-free medicine

4 | Healthy living

transfusion-free, defi nedMultiCare’s transfusion-Free Medical and

surgical Program, in place at good samaritan

since 2005 and expanded across MultiCare

Health system this year, is committed to pro-

viding the highest quality medical and surgical

care while respecting each patient’s informed

decisions about blood and blood products.

More than 50 physicians from a variety of

medical specialties currently participate in

the program.

transfusion-free medicine and surgery

provides medical care without using donated

or banked blood.

“transfusion-free care is based on scientifi -

cally sound medical practices,” says Cynthia

Moorman, MultiCare transfusion-Free Medical

and surgical Program Coordinator. “individu-

als may choose this alternative to avoid the

risks associated with a blood transfusion or

because of religious beliefs.”

Be your own blood bankthe goal of transfusion-free medical care is for

the patient to retain as much of his or her own

blood as possible. this requires comprehensive,

integrated care during all phases of treatment

and may include one or more of the following:

Prescribing medications for several weeks

before surgery to boost red blood cell produc-

tion and prevent anemia

reducing the amount of blood drawn when

collecting blood specimens for testing

Performing minimally invasive surgical pro-

cedures whenever appropriate

Diluting the blood running through the body

during surgery to minimize blood loss and

preserve clotting factors

Cleaning and recirculating blood that spills

into the body during surgery

using pulse oximetry monitors during sur-

gery to track blood oxygen levels

•

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•

•

•

•

is it right for you? as with any decision regarding medical treat-

ment or surgery, patients must carefully weigh

the risks and benefi ts involved when consider-

ing a transfusion-free procedure.

“MultiCare has developed a team approach

to ensure the best possible outcomes when

the decision has been made to avoid blood

transfusions,” Moorman says. “our standard

of care during surgery is to always minimize

blood loss, and we are committed to reach

that goal with all of our patients.”

transfusion-free medicine may not be

appropriate for everyone, so you should

talk to your physician to see if it’s right for

you. or call 253-697-2721 or 253-697-2722

to schedule a free consultation with the Multi-

Care transfusion-Free Medical and surgical

Program staff. For more information, visit

www.multicare.org/transfusionfree.

Valuing a patient’s choicediabetes, anemia and pregnancy-induced hypertension. She and her unborn baby were carefully monitored for a week, and on Nov. 20 baby Olivia arrived. Both mother and daughter are doing great.

although she was very uncomfortable and under a great deal of stress during that week before Olivia’s birth, Resendez was impressed with the care of nurses and staff during her stay.

“the nurses were wonderful, and each one took note of my hospital wristband and acknowledged that I was part of the transfusion-free program. It was very reas-suring,” she says.

*In some cases, state and federal laws im-pose limitations on the ability to withhold or withdraw blood transfusions for minors.

www.multicare.org | 5

Bedtime blues[children’s health]

When kids don’t get enough sleep

David ricker, MDHelp for kids with sleep disordersKids aren’t just small adults, and they some-

times need specialized care. that’s why par-

ents turn to the Mary Bridge Pediatric sleep

Disorders Clinic in tacoma.

Pediatric sleep specialists at the clinic can

diagnose sleep disorders in infants, children

and adolescents, often during an offi ce visit.

Call 253-403-3131 for more information.

For more complex problems, the doctor may

recommend a sleep study at the MultiCare

sleep Disorders Center. During the study,

kids sleep in dedicated pediatric rooms with

a parent in the same room. While kids sleep,

painless tests monitor heart rate, limb move-

ments, brain waves and other measurements

to help make the diagnosis.

the center is located at the tacoma

general/Mary Bridge Hospital campus.

For more information, call 253-403-4554.

george Makari, MD

disorder turn out to be sleep deprived instead, Dr. Ricker says.

Kids who don’t get enough sleep may also have a tendency toward obesity.

Fractured sleepmost sleep disturbances in kids stem from poor sleep habits. according to George makari, mD, a pediatric neurologist and Director of Pediatric Neurology at mary Bridge, parents may set

their kids up for sleep problems by staying in the room until they fall asleep.

“We all wake up slightly during the sleep cycle,” Dr. makari says. “Kids who are used to mom being right there may not go back to sleep without her.”

Other kids have more specifi c disorders, such as:

Sleep apnea: snoring or trouble breathing during sleep.

Restless leg syndrome: an uncomfortable, crawly sensation in the legs.

Periodic limb movement: involuntary leg twitching or jerking.

Night terrors: screaming inconsolably; can’t be woken up or comforted.

Sleepwalking and sleep talking:separately or together.

getting some shut-eyeIf your child seems sleep deprived, even if he or she is sleeping enough hours, see your doctor.

“Childhood sleep habits can persist into adulthood,” Dr. Ricker says. “and sleep is essential for health.”

•

•

•

•

•

WHEN yOUR BaBy fi nally sleeps through the night, you’ve reached an important milestone.

But it may not be your last hurdle when it comes to your child’s sleep. Sleep problems are common in young children.

sleepy timeKids need a lot of sleep. that means 14 to 20 hours a day for infants up to 3 months, and 12 hours until they reach 6 months. Even 6-year-olds should get 10 to 12 hours of sleep.

according to David Ricker, mD, a pediatric pulmonologist and sleep specialist at

mary Bridge Chil dren’s Hospital & Health Center, lack of sleep can cause daytime sleepiness, irritability, headaches and learning diffi culties. In fact, some kids with symptoms of attention-defi cit/hyperactivity

6 | Healthy living

It may seem like there’s a lot to remember when your toddler goes to the doctor. But make sure you don’t forget one important exam—a screening for autism, even if your child isn’t exhibiting signs of the disorder.

“all kids should be screened for autism between the ages of 18 and 30 months,” says Glenn tripp, mD, a developmental be-havioral pediatrician at multiCare’s mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center. “If we screen

early on, we can identify the children needing a comprehensive evaluation, make the diagnosis and recommend effec-tive treatments.”

What is autism?autism is a relatively rare, lifelong devel-opmental disability that’s about four times more common in boys than girls. autism can affect children in different ways— some more severely than others. But chil-dren with autism generally have problems communicating and interacting with others. they also often exhibit behavioral problems.

Signs of autism usually appear in the first three years of a child’s life, according to the american academy of Pediatrics, and can include:

a late start in talking or talking in odd waysLack of social skills and eye contactRepetitive motions, such as rocking,

spinning or hand flappingSelf-harming behavior, such as biting or

head banging“your child may be at a greater risk for

autism if there is a family history of the disease,” Dr. tripp says.

treating autismWhile there is no cure for autism, it can be successfully treated.

“the treatment is primarily educational, not medical,” says Dr. tripp, who has been

treating the disorder for 32 years. therapists can help children with au-

tism develop social and language skills. a highly structured, and often intensive, skills-oriented approach can be tailored for each child. medications are also available to reduce self-harming behavior and other troublesome symptoms, according to the National Institutes of Health.

at mary Bridge, highly trained profes-sionals are on hand to diagnose autism and provide a range of services to successfully treat the disorder. But Dr. tripp is quick to point out that the earlier autism is diag-nosed, the better.

“the reason for doing early intervention is that it does work,” he says. “the more intensive the early intervention is, the bet-ter the outcome.”

•••

•

Autism screening

A must for all toddlers

leading care, close to homethe Pediatric neurosciences Center at Multi-

Care’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital &

Health Center is southwest Washington’s

most comprehensive, integrated resource

for pediatric neurosciences care.

“Children have access to leading-edge

health care close to home from our team of

pediatric professionals who work in partner-

ship with each other and with a child’s primary

care provider,” says Denise Kelly-Ballweber,

Ma, Director of the Pediatric neurosciences

Center. “We have two strengths—our com-

mitment to exceptional, individualized care

right here in our community and our rigorous

search for ways to improve our care.”

the Mary Bridge Pediatric neurosciences

Center’s team of pediatric specialists cares

for children with:

aDHD

autism

Cerebral palsy

Developmental delay

epilepsy

Head trauma

Headache

Mental disability

neuromuscular disorders

For more information, call the Pediatric

neurosciences Center at 253-403-4437.

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

Therapists can help children with autism develop social and language skills in a highly structured environment.

glenn tripp, MD

PeDiatriC neurosCienCes Center

www.multicare.org | �

right on targetStereotactic radiosurgery

JaNE BOttERmaN, RN, didn’t need her nurse’s training to know that there was something very wrong inside her head.

“I was sitting down and I had a hum-dinger of a dizzy spell,” says Botterman, 55, a pediatric nurse who has worked in mary Bridge’s pediatric intensive care unit for 22 years. “I don’t think I lost conscious-ness, but it almost threw me out of my chair.”

after that fi rst, frightening episode, Bot-terman suffered from constant headaches. Sometimes these headaches escalated into incapacitating migraines, but even when they didn’t, her head was fi lled with a dull ache that never went away.

Botterman visited her primary care physician, alexander Lee, DO, at the Spanaway multiCare Clinic. He referred her to Peter Brown, mD, a board-certifi ed

neurosurgeon with the multiCare Neuro-science Center of Washington.

an mRI revealed that Botterman had a meningioma—a tumor that grows along the protective membranes of the brain—pressing against her skull. although it was not likely the cause of her headaches and was not cancerous, it still needed to be treated to avoid future problems.

the benefi ts of stereotactic radiosurgeryDr. Brown had two options for Botterman:traditional invasive surgery or stereotactic radiosurgery.

Stereotactic radiosurgery is not actu-ally surgery at all. It is a form of radiation therapy that uses 3-D computer imaging to attack tumors and lesions with an ex-tremely precise dose of radiation.

“Because we are able to deliver radiation to the tumor site so accurately, stereotactic radiosurgery can target a tumor with much lower risk to the surrounding, healthy tis-sue,” says John Rieke, mD, board-certifi edradiation oncologist and medical Director of multiCare’s Regional Cancer Center, who performed Botterman’s procedure with Dr. Brown. “We can also use it to treat tumors that would otherwise be inoperable because of where they are located in the body.”

“I chose the stereotactic radiosurgery,” Botterman says.

Stereotactic radiosurgery doesn’t remove tumors, but it disrupts the tumor’s cells so that it stops growing. It is typically used to treat tumors in the brain and other parts of the body when traditional surgery is either not an option or would be too invasive.

A new treatment,

[advanced care]

8 | Healthy living

stereotactic radiosurgery at MultiCaretacoma general Hospital is

the first hospital in the south

Puget sound region to offer

image-guided, stereotactic linear

accelerator treatment on the

Varian trilogy® system for treating

cancers and other appropriate

conditions. this device allows us

to tackle tumors with even more

precision, delivering higher doses

of radiation to smaller areas of

the body—in dramatically less

time.

this system treats all forms

of cancer and gives patients in

the south sound access to the

latest treatment methods, close

to home.

linear accelerators offer po-

tential advantages to some pa-

tients over other stereotactic

radiosurgery technologies, such

as the gamma Knife:

the linear accelerator has an

arm that can travel around the

patient’s body, to deliver radia-

tion beams from different angles.

it uses a larger x-ray beam,

which enables it to treat larger

tumors more uniformly and with

less repositioning.

it allows our radiation oncolo-

gists to treat tumors throughout a

patient’s entire body, rather than

just those in the brain.

•

•

•

“Stereotactic radiosurgery was the right choice in Jane’s case because the tumor was located so close to her forehead and face,” Dr. Brown says.

Case in pointBotterman’s stereotactic radiosurgery pro-cedure was a typical one. First, a halo, or head frame, was attached to her skull with specially designed pins. the halo is attached to the procedure table while the radiation is delivered. this ensures that the patient’s head is kept completely still and that the radiation beams are focused exactly where they are needed.

“you feel like you’re in Star Trek,” Botterman says, laughing.

Next, Botterman received an mRI and a Ct scan to get precise measurements of where the tumor was located, its size and so on. these images are used to calculate precisely where the radiation will be aimed.

Once these calculations were finished, Botterman was taken to the treatment room, her halo was attached to the table, and treatment began.

“I was awake and alert the whole time,” she says. “It’s like lying on an x-ray table. the machine is behind you; it comes around on an arm and rotates around you.”

Botterman estimates that once she got into the treatment room the procedure took around 30 minutes from start to finish. the actual radiation time was only seven minutes.

“It’s not scary,” Botterman says of the procedure. “you don’t feel afraid at all.”

It will take several months before the doctors can tell if Botterman’s tumor has been stopped in its tracks once and for all, but Botterman is positive about her overall experience with stereotactic radiosurgery and her treatment team.

“I had confidence in the people,” she says. “During the treatment everyone was there, asking how I was. and Dr. Rieke is so open. He explains everything. He didn’t skip it just because he knows I’m a nurse. Everything about him says he knows what he’s doing, he knows the machine, and everything is going to be OK.”

“It’s not scary. You don’t feel afraid at all.”

—Jane Botterman, regarding stereotactic radiosurgery

the radiation oncologists and surgeons at tacoma general provide compassionate, ex-ceptional care throughout your treatment program. From left, john rieke, MD, radiation oncologist; suraj singh, MD, radiation oncologist; and Peter Brown, MD, neurosurgeon.

www.multicare.org | 9

mULtICaRE HaS joined forces with the american Heart association (aHa) to launch Pierce County Goes Red. this yearlong movement empowers women with the tools and knowledge to reduce their risk of heart disease and stroke and protect their health.

Follow these 10 simple steps from the aHa to help protect your heart health.

Make a date (and keep it). Each year on your birthday, schedule a

checkup. Have your blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose levels checked, and ask your doctor to help you reach or maintain a healthy weight. Be sure to follow your health care professional’s

recommendations, including taking pre-scribed medications.

Tune in as you tone up. add more physical activity to your life by step-

ping, marching or jogging in place for at least 15 minutes a day while watching your favorite tV shows. Increase your activity by fi ve minutes each week until you’re getting a minimum of 30 minutes most days of the week. Exercise and diet may not get you to your goal. If not, ask your doctor about adding medication.

Grab some H2O when you go. take a water bottle with you wherever

[heart health]

10ways toGo Red

HealtHY reFleCtions BoutiQue

special services just for womena selection of cards, books, baby garments,

organic skin care and aromatherapy products

displayed around Healthy refl ections Boutique—

which has locations at Covington MultiCare Clinic

and the MultiCare gig Harbor Medical Park—

gives it the feel of a traditional gift shop for

women.

But this is more than just a gift shop or

women’s store. although it is well-stocked

with items to encourage women to come in

and shop just “because,” Healthy refl ections

Boutique focuses particularly on products that

women need during pregnancy and childbirth,

as well as when they are preparing for or recov-

ering from surgery or dealing with cancer treat-

ment and recovery. items available include

wigs of many styles, chic hats, scarves, gar-

ments designed especially to be worn with

artifi cial breast forms, mastectomy bras,

10 | Healthy living

you go. It’ll keep you hydrated and the bottle’s weight will strengthen your arms.

Keep out of sight, out of mouth. Keep packages of unhealthy food

hidden in the pantry. Put raw veggies and fruits in front in the refrigerator and healthy snacks in the front of the pantry, so that’s what you see first. If you keep grabbing healthy foods for a minimum of 21 times, it will soon become a habit. also, look for the aHa’s heart-check mark. this easy, reliable grocery shopping tool helps you identify food that can be part of a sensible eating plan.

Eat right to control cholesterol. Eating foods high in saturated fat

can lead to high cholesterol. to help keep your cholesterol levels down, eat foods low in saturated fat, such as lean chicken or tur-key (roasted or baked, with skin removed), fruits and veggies, low-fat or fat-free dairy products, and whole grains. Look for aHa cookbooks in your local bookstore for healthy and delicious recipes.

Shake the salt habit. to help lower high blood pressure, watch your salt

intake. It may be disguised in food labels as sodium alginate, sodium sulfite, sodium case- inate, disodium phosphate, sodium benzoate,

and take charge of your health

ways toGo Red

morning sickness bands, breast pumps and

nursing bras.

“the boutiques were developed to cater

to women in each phase of their lives,” says

MultiCare’s Mary leeper, who oversees both

locations.

Many of the items carried at the boutique

are difficult to find outside of medical specialty

stores, which can be uncomfortable places for

women to shop, especially for items they may

feel self-conscious about buying. Healthy

reflections Boutique, on the other hand, is

a place where women can feel at ease.

“the boutique’s environment is warm and

friendly, and because many of our staff have

personal experience with the life events

our customers are here to shop for, there’s

a great sense of empathy,” says leeper.

“For our customers, the boutique becomes

more than just a place to buy things; it be-

comes an important source of emotional

support.”

each sales representative is a certified

bra and prosthesis fitter, and some, leeper

mentions, are also cancer survivors and moth-

ers, adding an extra level of support and ex-

pertise to the women who shop there.

gig Harbor sales attendant nancy Peterson

enjoys coming to work every day because of

the family feeling that has grown as customers

return to say hello, show off their newborns,

share their progress and shop.

“i love the people contact,” she says. “i

love being able to connect with women and

assist them through whatever phase of life or

challenges they are experiencing.”

sodium hydroxide, monoso-dium glutamate (mSG) and sodium citrate.

Kick butts. If you smoke, quit.

try this four-step way to snuff your habit. On day one, cut the num-ber of cigarettes you smoke by half. On day three, cut the number of cigarettes you smoke in half again. On day five, cut your smoking in half again. On your quit day, quit!

Be a good loser. Excess weight increases your risk of heart disease,

stroke and diabetes. to achieve steady, pain-less weight loss, take it easy. Each day, if you eat 200 to 300 calories less than you would normally consume, and exercise at least 30 minutes on most or all days of the week, you’ll get closer to your goal and be able to achieve weight loss that’s steady and painless.

Don’t let a slip keep you down. If you get off your exercise schedule,

have a cigarette or mess up on a meal, immediately get back on track toward reestablishing a healthy lifestyle.

Say, “Yea for me.” to maintain momentum with exercising, losing

weight or quitting smoking, keep track of your achievements and reward yourself by doing something you enjoy. Reprinted with permission from the American Heart AssociationGo Red and Go Red For Women are trademarks of AHA. The Red Dress Design is a trademark of U.S. DHHS.

uma Krishan, MD, Director, MultiCare Women’s Heart Center

www.multicare.org | 11

[physical therapy]

yOU DON’t have to be a professional athlete to benefi t from sports-focused phys-ical therapy. Just ask David maldonado, a physical therapist and certifi ed athletic trainer at the multiCare Orthopedics and Sports medicine Center.

“I use an athletic sports angle with every person who comes to me for evaluation and treatment,” he explains. “It’s all about getting people back in action—whether it’s a busy soccer mom trying to balance work and family and

still stay active, an athlete wanting to get back on the pitcher’s mound, or someone who simply wants to be able to walk their dog.”

maldonado’s dual certifi cation in physical therapy and athletic training is an added ben-efi t for his patients, even the ones he sees with injuries resulting from sedentary lifestyles.

“the less you do, the more easily you can get hurt,” maldonado says. “Our bod-ies are machines, and they need to be kept well oiled to keep running.”

Of course, in today’s hectic world, busy adults often have diffi culty fi nding time to exercise in between working and taking care of the family.

“too often, we worry so much about fi nding the perfect type of exercise or get-ting the right amount that we don’t exercise at all,” maldonado says. “and when we do, that’s when injury can occur. So change your mindset. you don’t have to have cer-tain equipment, or take half of your day to complete a regimen of exercise. there are a lot of ways to stay active and avoid injury.”

Quick tips for getting activeTake advantage of spare time. Walk a few laps on the track during your daughter’s soccer practice or walk to a local deli for lunch rather than sitting at your desk.

Take it slow. If you have been inactive, ease back into exercise. If your goal is to run a 5K, gradually increase your intensity from walking at a 15-minute-mile pace to adding short bursts of speed to jogging to full-out running. Be sure to warm up fi ve to 10 minutes before starting any activity.

Lift more than a laundry basket. Lifting weights twice a week can keep your muscles and connective tissues strong and help prevent injury.

If you do sustain an injury and seek physical therapy services, be patient. Heal-ing takes time, diligence and compliance.

“Physical therapy is a team effort,” maldonado says. “When people are en-gaged and committed, they are going to get better faster, and stay healthy and active for a long time.”

For more information about rehabilitation services offered

through multiCare Health System, visit www.multicare.org.

David Maldonado, physical therapist

How i spent my summer vacationWhile some people might seek out the beach

or lakeside for a vacation retreat, David Maldo-

nado, a physical therapist and certifi ed athletic

trainer at the MultiCare orthopedic and sports

Medicine Center, chose a unique destination

for his last summer vacation. He spent six

weeks participating in a training camp intern-

ship with the tennessee titans, a national

Football league team based in nashville.

the internship program is highly competitive—

the organization receives 100 applications

each summer and offers only fi ve internships.

“it’s normally offered to college students,

but i was fortunate enough to be selected to

participate,” Maldonado says. “it was a very

different niche of sports medicine. i really got

to see the inner workings of a professional

team environment.” and he experienced the

grueling schedule that goes with it.

“i was up at 4:30am, made hundreds of ice

packs, taped more ankles than i can remember,

picked up towels and stood in muddy water for

hours,” he says. “Who could complain about

that schedule?”

Maldonado also worked with a team of vet-

eran athletic trainers and physical therapists.

“We were able to trade information and

experiences,” he says. “they offered some

clinical pearls, and i was able to share some

of my own.”

it was hard work, but he’d like to do it

again. “We’ll see about next year,” he says.

MultiCare

Orthopedics and

Sports Medicine

Center

For soccer moms to soccer pros

photo by essence of Photography, by loriena

12 | Healthy living

BRIDGES: A Center for Grieving ChildrenGrief support groups with children 4 to 18 years old who have experienced the loss of aparent or sibling. Discoveries support groups for families with children 4 to 18 who are coping with a family member’s serious illness. Concurrent groups for parents and children.mary Bridge Children’s Hospital253-272-8266

Parenting: Love and LogicBased on the parenting philosophy that allows children to live with the consequences of their choices, while giving guidance and support with love. Fee: $50/personSix-week class, 6:30 to 8:30pmtacoma General Hospital253-680-7500

Children’s Diabetes Education and ClinicIndividual education for children newly diagnosed with diabetes and for their families. By appointment for those who need further education or review. Classes, camps and support groups also available. mary Bridge Children’s Hospital253-403-3131

Custom-Fit Helmet SalesGet custom-fi t helmets, available in both child and adult sizes, to use with bikes, scooters, skateboards and skates. Wearer must be present. Bike helmet: $7 multi-impact helmet: $10 Covington, Kent, Olympia, Silverdale, tacoma253-403-1234

Car Seat InspectionsCar seat inspections and phone consultations by certifi ed technicians.Kent, Silverdale, tacoma 253-403-1234

Children’s Asthma EducationEducation for children with asthma

and their families.mary Bridge Children’s Hospital253-403-3131

Immunizations on the GoFor children 0 to 18 years old in Southwest Washington. available at various locations253-403-1767 or 800-552-1419, ext. 1767

Life Jacket Loans and SalesFree life jacket loaners available year-round. Loaned for up to one week, limited quantities. Custom-fi tted life jackets sold for $12 from May to September; wearer must be present.Kent, Olympia (no sales, loaners only), Silverdale, tacoma 253-403-1234

family health and safetyCall for times and locations.

Get mOvinG With classes at the ymca

April through June 2008

it’s not too late to join! registration ends april 30

Here’s your mission, should you choose to accept it:

Help your Pierce County friends and neighbors reach a

goal of logging millions of exercise minutes.

the Million Minute Mission is a community-wide fi t-

ness event led by MultiCare Center For Healthy living.

register online—it’s easy—and then log an average of 30 minutes of physical activity fi ve or

more days a week through june 14. Kids can aim for 30 to 60 minutes.

You also track your progress online, so you can see your healthy

minutes add up! get the details at www.multicare.org/mission.

Join the ymCa and receive $50 off the join-ing fee. For fi rst-time members only; must be age 15 or older to join. For more informa-tion, branch schedules or to register, call 253-534-7820 or visit www.tacomaymca.org.

12-Week Personal Fitness ProgramSupervised exercise program for the adult fi tness beginner. A great way to get started.

Active Older Adult FitnessA fun, low-impact aerobic class for people 55+.

Water AerobicsCardio workout in the water. Great for all levels.

Yoga/Pilates Combines stretching with strengthening movements for a low-impact, high-result workout.

ZUMBAThe new trend in cardio fi tness...Latin dance! Appropriate for all fi tness levels.

unless otherwise noted, visit www.multicare.org/classes or call 800-342-9919 for information or to register.

milliOn minUte missiOn

smart steps for a healthy life

smart steps for a healthy lifetake cOntrOlAquatic Therapy Rehabilitation classes.multiCare Orthopedics & Sports medicine Center253-459-6999

Cardiac Health & Rehabilitation ProgramMedically monitored exercise therapy and lifestyle education on risk-factor reduction, medications, nutrition and stress reduction for patients who have had a heart attack, cardiac bypass surgery, angioplasty/stents, heart valve surgery or angina. Requires a physician referral.tacoma General Hospital253-403-1058

Congestive Heart Failure (CHF)Support group for people with CHF and their families. Please call for class availability.253-403-4590

Diabetes EducationA 12-hour group course for adults with diabetes. Individual appointments available. Cost covered by most insurance plans.253-403-1726

Insulin Pump InstructionIndividual education.Cost covered by most insurance plans.253-403-1726

Pulmonary RehabilitationClasses for adults with chronic lung conditions.Cost may be covered by insurance.allenmore Hospital253-459-6623

Want to Quit Tobacco?Free weekly support groups with great

success rates! No matter where you are in the quit process, this group is for you. Topics include tobacco addiction, successful cessation practices, individualized quit plans, nicotine replacement therapies, cessation medications, withdrawal symptoms, coping skills, relapse

and recovery. Drop-ins and support people are welcome; low-cost nicotine patches are avail-able. For best results, we recommend weekly group attendance for one year following your fi nal quit date. • allenmore Hospital, boardroom: mondays, noon to 1pm• Good Samaritan Community Healthcare: mondays, 7 to 8pm• tacoma General Hospital, 6m: tuesdays, 11:45am to 12:45pmCall for more information, 253-223-7538. ask about our QuitSmart classes!

Living With Heart Failure SeriesFor patients and families. A comprehensive approach to treatment, medications, nutrition and exercise.253-403-4590

Yoga for Cancer SurvivorsDesigned for those who have

faced cancer. Appropriate for beginning participants. 253-403-1073

Tobacco Cessation QuitSmart™

Identify and conquer your personal challenges in quitting tobacco by laying a solid founda-tion for a successful quit. Class topics are designed to take you through the fi rst year of quitting. A variety of activities ensures easy absorption of the material. You don’t have to

have quit to come to class, just have an interest in learning how to do it! QuitSmart works in conjunction with our support groups. Work-book included. Fee: $80 (scholarships available to income-qualifi ed participants)• allenmore Hospital: Saturday, april 26, 9:30am to 3:30pm• Covington multiCare Clinic:Friday, may 23, 9:30am to 2:30pm800-485-0205

[calendar of events]

Get fit PassPOrt tO healthy dininG multiCare Center For Healthy Living—in partnership with the Washington Restaurant association, tacoma–Pierce County Health Department and the ymCa of tacoma–Pierce County—presents a yearlong program designed to provide you with healthy meal options in restaurants. the Get Fit Passport to Healthy Dining gives you a list of more

than 60 restaurants that will be offering four Get Fit menu options. Each menu option will meet our Get Fit healthy criteria.

But wait, there’s more! Not only will you have Get Fit menu options, but you can also earn Get Fit incentives. For every 10 Get Fit options you purchase, you’ll be able to receive an incentive, such as a pedometer, a water bottle and more.

For more information, please visit www.piercecountygetsfi t.org.

take charGe Of yOUr healthBack Pain SeminarPeter Brown, MD thursday, april 17, 7pmallenmore Hospital

Hand Pain SeminarIan Lawson, MDtuesday, april 29, 7pmallenmore Hospital

Total Joint SeminarJohn Jiganti, MDthursday, may 29, 7pmJackson Hall, 315 martin Luther King Jr. Way, tacoma

Washington Restaurant association, tacoma–Pierce County Health

14 | Healthy living

unless otherwise noted, visit www.multicare.org/classes or call 800-342-9919 for information or to register.

Programs and activities to help us build a healthier community.

Healthy@WorkBoost productivity and reduce absenteeism with this work-site wellness program. Program offerings include health screenings and health education programs and classes, all taught on-site for both large and small companies.253-403-7895

MultiCare Center For Healthy LivingEducation and programs for community members and corporations. We promote health and wellness with exercise, nutrition, weight loss, life balance and tobacco cessation. This community resource is made possible by generous gifts donated through the MultiCare Health Foundation.800-485-0205, www.multicare.org

SmartMenuThe MultiCare Center For Healthy Living offers free menu analysis to restaurants

participating in the Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department’s menu labeling program. 253-403-6340 or 253-405-8024

Community OutreachHigh school students are invited to apply now for the 2008–2009 Medical Explorers program that runs from September 2008 to June 2009. Medical Explorers gives youth ages 13 to 18 the opportunity to explore health-oriented careers. 253-403-1401

Power Cooking: Empower Yourself to Healthy CookingLearn how to fix and freeze 30 nutritious meals and sample many of the finished products. Class taught by a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator from MultiCare Health System. Fee: $30; $15 for ymCa membersmonday, april 28, 6 to 9pmJackson Hall, 315 martin Luther King Jr. Way, tacoma800-342-9919

OUr healthy cOmmUnity

Body Composition TestingCheck your body-fat percentage and lean-mass percentage, and set a goal for your weight. Fee: $15253-403-1503

Bone Density ScreeningComprehensive DEXA screening for osteoporosis. allenmore Hospital253-403-1059

Breast Health CenterEverything you need for breast health: mammography, ultrasound, stereotactic biopsy, clinical breast exams and education.allenmore Hospital 253-459-6311

Men’s and Women’s HeartAdvantage ScreeningA personalized consultation, risk assess-ment and basic lab tests. Fee: Starts at $55 tacoma General Hospital800-342-9919

Personal Wellness ProfileFind out where your health stands with a wellness profile to analyze your nutri-tion, fitness, stress and heart health. Includes cholesterol and glucose screen-ings. (Not a replacement for physician exams.)Fee: $45253-403-6340

Resting Metabolic Rate ScreeningGet the exact measurements you need to successfully lose weight. The comprehensive target calorie report will show you how to eat the maximum amount of food and still lose weight.Fee: $40253-403-1503

check yOUr health

Adult Day HealthPromoting independence for older (and dis-abled younger) adults in Tacoma. 253-459-7222

EverActive®

If you’re at least 55, enroll now and enjoy benefits in health, finance, travel and enter-tainment.Fee: $25/single or $39/couple800-485-0205

Home Health ResourcesComprehensive in-home services provide nursing, therapy, social work and aide care to help people manage their illness and recovery at home.King County: 253-876-8175 or 800-762-7766Pierce County: 253-459-8355 or 800-762-7766

GOOd health fOr active adUlts

Grandparenting for the 21st CenturyThe latest on childbirth, infant care and childproofing your home. Plus, tour the Family Birth Center!Fee: $42 per coupletacoma General Hospital253-680-7500

www.multicare.org | 15

calendar Of events | sign uP For a Class tHis sPring. see Page 13.

On your mark,

MultiCare Health systemP.o. Box 5299tacoma, Wa 98415-0299

Nonprofi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMultiCare

Health System

PC

get set,go!PUt ON yOUR running (or walking) shoes and head to Vassault Park in tacoma on Saturday, June 14, for the Roman meal®

Sound to Narrows™ 2008 fundraising event.

Whether you’re a competitive runner, a brisk walker or a leisurely stroller, the 36th annual Sound to Narrows is a wonder-ful tacoma tradition and a great morning of healthy fun for people from all walks of life.

the 12-kilometer run and walk traverses the scenic and hilly terrain of west tacoma and beautiful Point Defi ance Park. the 5k run and walk is a short, yet challeng-ing, course. a 1.2-mile Junior Shuffl e tests the hearts and legs of children ages 4 to

10, while the 20-yard Diaper Dash, a fan favorite, is a showcase of Olympians in the making.

a highlight of the day is announcing the winner of the second annual Pierce County Biggest Winner contest—a 14-week, team-based weight-loss competition sponsored by the multiCare Center For Healthy Living, the ymCa of tacoma–Pierce County and the tacoma–Pierce County Health Department.

Sound to Narrows is a multiCare Center For Healthy Living event benefi ting health and wellness in our community.

For more information about the event or to register to participate,

visit www.soundtonarrows.org.

How many hours of sleep does your child need each night?

Find the answer on page 6.