April 2014

The grounds are paved, planted, marked, and lit. Walls are painted, fl oors covered. Lights on. Cabinetry and equipment installed. Elevators humming.

Workstations, operating rooms, prep and sterilization areas ready. The fi nishing touches are in place, and soon Trios Southridge Hospital will welcome its fi rst patients.

Many in our community remember the last time a new hospital opened in the Tri-Cities. It happened in Kennewick in 1952. But for their children, grandchildren, and even great-grandchildren, this is likely a fi rst—one of the

most signifi cant milestones they’ll witness in their lifetime. Major facilities, including air-ports, schools, and hospitals organically become part of the fabric of the communities in which they reside. They serve as lifelong landmarks, geo-graphically and otherwise.

For us, the new hospi-tal means so many things. Growth—in the community, our staff, and the services we offer. Determination—to give

The Final Countdown to SouthridgeWe’re excited to share your hospital with you!

Health Bridge

Get More Online!

Stay tuned to trioshealth.org/Southridge for the latest updates, including facility details and grand-opening information.

trioshealth.orgfacebook.com/trioshealth

Lighting in the three-story atrium at Southridge.

Nurses march in support of building the original community hospital in Kennewick, circa 1950.

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our best to those who support us and need us now and in the future. Perseverance—to remain focused, over the course of a decade and many hurdles, on making this dream a reality for our community.

We’re proud to say the time has come to start getting into the details. This building will soon begin serving its purpose, occupied and operat-ing around the clock, rain or shine—indefi nitely. There is much to do to prepare our-selves and the community for such an important transition.

We’ll start with our staff. Early in April, Trios staff mem-bers will be the fi rst to occupy the new hospital following a ceremonial march onto the campus and into the building they’ll call their home away from home. Just as the com-munity has been awaiting this state-of-the-art facility, so have the hundreds of people who will work inside—serving you in a variety of ways—day and night. This represents a major and exciting change for them, and we’re going to make sure it feels special.

Community InvolvementVery soon, we will announce a variety of community events to celebrate the Trios Southridge

Hospital’s offi cial introduction. This is your hospital, and we’re excited to share it with you! Watch for more information in the local news, as well as at trioshealth.org and facebook.com/trioshealth, as opening day approaches.

Effects on Other Trios LocationsThe majority of Trios Health’s inpatient hospital services—and all of the staff and resources needed to directly support them—will be mov-ing to the Southridge hospital. This includes our 24-hour Emergency Department.

The existing hospital cam-pus will remain integral to

the Trios Health system. Our beautifully appointed, full-service Family Birthing Center and Special Care Nursery will remain at our fl agship location, along with other support ser-vices and essential staff from a variety of Trios departments.

This is an expansion rather than simply a move, with both hospital campuses and all other existing Trios facilities in Kennewick and Richland remaining vital to our continued and successful operation. We’ll keep the community informed of all of the changes afoot, including practical matters such as navi-gating to our service locations, as each is implemented. p

Trios Welcomes Medical Director, Nephrology Specialist

How Is Our Staff Preparing for the Big Move?Over weeks ahead, our clinical staff will be completing extensive training and drills at the Southridge hospital to account for every possible scenario in every department, particularly emergencies. While most of us will rely on directional signage to navigate the building, our medical, nursing, and support staff must operate on opening day as if they’ve always known the way—from anywhere, to anywhere, at a moment’s notice!

The list of things to familiarize with is enormous. Where are the supplies? Which workstation is which? What are the appropriate patient transport routes between departments? When an emergency code is activated, what’s the quickest path between points A and B? When a patient or loved one asks where something is, what is the answer? How do the phone and information systems work? And much more.

During this time, these same people will also continue their regular shifts, providing patient care at the existing hospital in downtown Kennewick—which must continue operating with full resources on standby until the complicated transition is complete. There will be long, hard days, but the good news is that our highly capable staff and leadership have been planning long and hard for this—and are more than up to the challenge.

Kennewick hospital groundbreaking, 1950 Stone-covered fi replace in the Southridge atrium. Trios

EMERGENCY ROOM Is Moving, Too!It will be critically impor-tant for all of us to help remind others in the com-munity to begin seeking emergency treatment at the Trios Southridge Hospital, beginning on opening day. For immedi-ate but less than critical medical needs, our three Trios Urgent Care Centers will continue serving patients seven days a week during specifi c hours. Go to trioshealth.org/UrgentCare.

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Wassim KhaWandi, md, mBa, FaCP, Fasn, has joined our team as the medical director of Trios Medical Group. A board-certified nephrologist, he has practiced as a specialist in the Tri-Cities since 2005. As medical director, he will serve as liaison between the medical group and hospital administration, drive quality initiatives, and participate in strategic planning.

In addition to serving as medical director, Dr. Khawandi will continue to offer clinical services at the Trios Care Center at Chavallo Complex, 7211 W. Deschutes, Suite A, in

Kennewick. While he provides a range of kidney care services, Dr. Khawandi specializes in chronic and acute kidney diseases, hypertension, and post-kidney transplant care.

Dr. Khawandi was most recently medical director for Chinook Kidney Center and Mid-Columbia Kidney Center, and practicing nephrologist for DaVita Nephrology Partners—all located in the

Tri-Cities. He served as medi-cal staff president for Kadlec Regional Medical Center from January 2011 to December 2012 and as chair of Tri-Cities Nephrology LLC for nearly three years until December 2012. He was nationally recog-nized by DaVita as a Clinical Superstar in 2013 and received DaVita North Star Division’s Commitment to Excellence Award in 2010.

Dr. Khawandi is a fellow of the American Society of Nephrology and the American College of Physicians. He com-pleted medical training at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon; a residency in internal medicine at Indiana University in Indianapolis; ultrasound training and a nephrology fellowship at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta; and, an MBA in healthcare from George Washington School of Business in Washington D.C. p

Trios Welcomes Medical Director, Nephrology Specialist

Make an AppointmentCall 509-735-4274 to schedule a visit with Dr. Khawandi.

Schedule a VisitCall 509-585-2449 to schedule a visit with Dr. Hamarneh. To learn more about Trios Cancer Care, go to trioshealth.org/CancerCare.

Trios Expands Cancer Care Services with Addition of New Oncologist

iyad hamarneh, md, has joined Trios Medical Group–Oncology. He offers oncology services at Trios Care Center at Spaulding, located at 216 W. 10th Ave., Suite 206, in Kennewick. Prior to joining Trios Medical Group, Dr. Hamarneh practiced with Columbia Basin Hematology and Oncology, also in Kennewick.

Dr. Hamarneh is board-certified in internal medicine, oncology, and hematology. He completed medical training at the University of Jordan in Amman, Jordan; a rotating internship with the Jordanian Ministry of Health Community Hospitals in Jordan; internal medicine residen-cies at King Hussein Cancer Center in Amman and University of Iowa Health Care in Iowa City, Iowa; and a hematology and oncology fellow-ship, also at University of Iowa Health Care. He was named chief fellow in Hematology–Oncology in 2009, among other awards and honors received throughout his training in medical school and beyond. p

Wassim Khawandi, MD, MBA, FACP, FASN

Iyad Hamarneh, MD

Welcome New Providers

Find one of our other physicians at trioshealth.org/FindPhysician.

3April 2014

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Trios Health PO Box 6128 Kennewick WA 99336

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDStevens Point WIPermit No. 103

Trios Health at the Tri-Cities Senior Life ShowDate: June 12Location: Three Rivers Convention Center

Trios Health Sports Physicals ClinicDate: June 14Location: Trios Care Center at Vista Field

Genetic Testing Aids PreventionAbout 200,000 women will develop breast cancer this year. Many will discover it early because they’ve prioritized prevention through proper screening. Some will have been extra-vigilant because of fam-ily history, or because genetic testing revealed a higher risk.

Research suggests that up to 10 percent of all breast and ovarian cancers are genetically predisposed—and that the majority of those predis-posed have a mutation in their BRCA 1 or BRCA 2 genes. Women who carry a BRCA mutation are at dramatically increased risk of developing breast or ovarian cancer than those who do not—up to 87 and 44 percent, respectively.

An estimated one million people in the U.S. are carrying genes for the most common hereditary gynecologic cancers. Only about 10 percent of those with BRCA mutations have been identified.

There is a bright side! Just as in many areas of life, knowledge is power. Armed with the results of BRCA testing, you have the power to adjust—heighten if the result is positive—your commitment to regular screenings. Regular screenings lead to early detection, which leads to improved treatment outcomes. The more you and your doctor know, the better prepared you’ll be to attack it if needed.

3D Mammography at Trios HealthWe’re proud to be the first in town to offer 3D mammography, which combines new 3D technology with existing standard 2D mammography to provide an enhanced 3D image of the breast. Also known as digital breast tomosynthesis (or tomo), this is as good as it gets for mammography screening, improving early detection of breast cancer by up to 30 percent.

Call 509-585-5441 to schedule your next mam-mogram. Results are often available the same day!

Endoscopy Critical to Tracking GI IssuesThe series of organs that make up the digestive system—also referred to as the gastrointestinal, or GI, tract—work together with help from the liver, gallbladder, and pancreas to convert the food we eat into usable energy and nourishment via digestion.

When something goes wrong with this system, it can be troubling, painful, and sometimes danger-ous. But how do you know the difference between a short-term GI upset that will resolve and a poten-tially larger problem that requires treatment?

Endoscopy is a medical procedure that takes the guesswork out of investigating GI symptoms. An advanced medical instrument, called an endo-scope, allows us to see inside the digestive tract and even take a biopsy, remove polyps or foreign bodies, and make small repairs if needed.

The Trios Endoscopy Center is fully equipped with the latest technology and a caring medical staff seasoned at performing a variety of these outpatient procedures. And procedural sedation or anesthesia is provided for patient comfort. The benefits of having an endoscopic procedure can be life-changing.

Symptoms of digestive disorders vary greatly, but generally you should see a doctor if you have:

p Blood in your stoolp Changes in bowel habitsp Severe abdominal painp Unintentional weight lossp Heartburn not relieved by antacids.

Calendar of Events

Get BRCA Testing

For women who meet the criteria for possible genetic risk, Trios offers BRCA test-ing and analysis. Call Trios Medical Group–Obstetrics & Gynecology at 509-585-5910 for more information.

Schedule an Appointment Today!For a list of Trios gastroenterology providers, visit trioshealth.org/FindPhysician and search by specialty.

Colon Cancer Is Often Preventable with Regular ScreeningA colonoscopy is an endoscopic procedure focused on examining the colon for signs of polyps, which can become cancerous. Ask your doctor when and how often you should receive a colonoscopy.

Learn more in the June issue of HealthBridge or at trioshealth.org/Events.

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