Giving Back Through Research

Winter 2021 1

WI NTER 2021

Continuing Our Legacy—Partnering to serve our community with the highest

quality care, safety and service for nearly 50 years

Finding Joy in the Unexpected—Compassionate Care in the NICU Page 4

EvergreenHealth’s Award-Winning Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Care Page 6

A Lifesaving Second Opinion— EvergreenHealth Cancer Care Page 8

Giving Back Through ResearchEvergreenHealth Parkinson’s Disease Patient Contributes to Clinical Trials

Page 10

2 EvergreenHealth Monitor Winter 2021 3

Continuing Our Legacy

Welcoming a new year always gives us an opportunity to reflect on our past milestones, while also envisioning what lies ahead.

Over EvergreenHealth’s history, there have been many occasions when we’ve come together to support one another, strengthening our bond with each other and the community we care for. Though perhaps no moment has been as significantly unifying as the experience of facing COVID-19 together—first from the frontlines of our critical care unit, to the many ways it’s touched our community, and the world.

All of us at EvergreenHealth share an overwhelming sense of gratitude for every physician, staff member and volunteer who remains fully dedicated to caring for our community under every circumstance. We are even more grateful for you—every single community member who has demonstrated their commitment to staying safe and healthy by following the guidelines of wearing a mask, keeping safe distances and making countless sacrifices in nearly every aspect of your lives. The sacrifices you make not only allow us to take care of patients in the best way possible, but also ensure they get the resources needed for a chance to get better.

Looking forward into 2021, I’m particularly enthusiastic about unveiling our brand-new intensive care unit (ICU) later this spring. As we’ve seen this past year, and on many other occasions, the role of critical care is integral to overcoming great challenges. When patients and families are receiving care in our ICU, they are often facing a significant crisis—one perhaps shared by our community, like a pandemic or a disaster; or maybe one that is more personal. These are pivotal moments in which having access to the safest possible care environment and technology are imperative on their journey to recovery.

That’s why our new ICU, which you’ll read about in this issue, will feature advanced, state-of-the-art technologies, which combined with our highest standards of care, create a thoughtful environment that promotes well-being, service, safety for both patients and caregivers and most importantly, hope.

When families are in their greatest time of need, as so many have found themselves over this past year, we are humbled by the opportunity to become part of your journey. Our legacy of exceptional care and service guides us as we help support you, today and well into the future.

Message from the CEO

We invite your feedback and questions. Contact us at [email protected]

Winter 2021 3

Features4 Finding Joy in the Unexpected

5 Caring from the Heart

6 Get to Know EvergreenHealth’s Award-Winning Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic Care

8 A Lifesaving Second Opinion

9 When Nurse Becomes Patient

10 Giving Back Through Research

11 Living Recovery

12 Spotlight: Practicing Absolute Safety at EvergreenHealth

14 EvergreenHealth’s New Intensive Care Unit Will Provide High-Quality Innovative Care to Our Community

15 Welcoming New Providers

In Every Issue2 Message from the CEO

16 Health Classes

18 EvergreenHealth Foundation

20 EvergreenHealth News

Melissa Lee, MD EvergreenHealth Medical Director

of Critical Care

Dear neighbors,

The end of a year, and beginning of a new year, is a time for a reflection. Understandably, most of us would like to forget much of 2020.

Just over a year ago, the world first learned of the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, that led us in to this worldwide pandemic. As I reflect on 2020, I will remember how well the staff of EvergreenHealth courageously and tirelessly responded to the virus. They did so while providing compassionate, high-quality care. I will remember the amazing collaboration and teamwork required to solve the many challenging problems they faced. It is often the difficult times of life that we remember most, especially if we are able to overcome them.

The staff of EvergreenHealth will remember the trials but they will also remember with great pride that they were on the leading edge of the response to COVID-19. A new year is also a time to look forward. The arrival of the vaccine in December came with excitement, lifting our spirits in the hope that this would bring the beginning of the end to the pandemic. May it be so.

The theme of this issue of Monitor is “Continuing Our Legacy.” Responding to the pandemic will certainly be part of the legacy of EvergreenHealth, and we are extremely grateful for the public’s support throughout this time.

Since 1972, EvergreenHealth has been committed to meeting our mission to “advance the health of our community through our dedication to high quality, safe, compassionate, and cost-effective health care.” With your trust and partnership, we steadfastly pursue our mission by delivering safe, high-quality care. Accomplishing our mission requires committed staff who consistently demonstrate a culture of respect and compassion.

While much has changed in the last half century, our mission and values have remained constant. And, like those who have

come before us, we remain committed to working with you to help you attain your best possible health. Thank you for trusting in our ability to provide care for you in the pandemic and thank you for all the support you have provided us in this time.

On that note, I am excited to welcome you to our Winter 2021 issue of Monitor, which demonstrates how our culture continues to help us achieve renowned clinical outcomes and compassionate care for our patients. This issue highlights the importance of strong and collaborative partnerships between patients and physicians, and across our health system.

We also highlight our ever-growing research department, which excelled this year in partnering with the National Institutes of Health to become the first site on the West Coast, and the second site globally, to enroll qualifying patients in the first COVID-19 clinical trial. And, their work continues as they contribute to additional COVID-19 research, and across many other disciplines.

You will also find information about EvergreenHealth’s commitment to safety during these evolving times, and the comprehensive services that make up the Eastside’s premier care, here on our Kirkland campus.

On behalf of all of us at EvergreenHealth, we are grateful for the honor to continue to serve as your inclusive community health system. This year especially, we look forward to a happy and healthy new year, together.

Sincerely,

Jeff Tomlin, MD EvergreenHealth Chief Executive Officer


Carolyn Kline, MD, Eastside Maternal-Fetal Medicine

perinatologistAnthony Tagavilla, MD,

EvergreenHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology physician

Polly and Chris Smith, with daughter Mya and son Hudson

Rowlanda Cawthon, Ed. D., EvergreenHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Care patient

On April 25, 2019, Hudson London Smith was born. Though Hudson was only two pounds, he could breathe on his own, which was remarkable for a premature baby of his size.

Over the next three months, Hudson grew in the EvergreenHealth Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).

“One of us would stay with Hudson during the day, while the other took care of our daughter. We’d meet at the hospital and have dinner as a family. Then, we’d switch shifts overnight and do it again,” Polly said.

Eventually the Smiths returned home with a healthy baby, who is now a rambunctious toddler.

“Hudson is our miracle baby and he’s here thanks to our thoughtful and compassionate care team at EvergreenHealth,” Polly and Chris added.

Kenmore parents Polly and Chris Smith were shocked, but delighted, to learn they were expecting a second child—a sibling to their 12-year-old daughter.

But when Polly developed preeclampsia, the couple was concerned for Polly and the baby’s safety. Polly partnered with her care team to regularly monitor her blood pressure and communicate any abnormalities.

“Preeclampsia usually presents as high blood pressure in expecting mothers whose blood pressure has been normal. It’s becoming increasingly more common due to its risk factors becoming more prevalent amongst women,” explained Dr. Carolyn Kline, Polly’s perinatologist who practices with Eastside Maternal-Fetal Medicine at EvergreenHealth, which is one of the only programs on the Eastside to offer high-risk pregnancy care.

Polly was admitted to EvergreenHealth’s Obstetric Emergency Department at 26 weeks gestation. Two weeks later, Polly’s care team performed an emergency C-section to keep her and the baby safe.

For many women, facing a hysterectomy is a life-altering decision. For Rowlanda Cawthon, Ed. D., that was no different. But when her first consultation at a different health system left her feeling unwelcome, she decided to look elsewhere for care.

She was referred to Dr. Anthony Tagavilla, an OB/GYN with EvergreenHealth Obstetrics and Gynecology Care, but she was admittedly unsure what to expect.

Dr. Tagavilla made a point to understand Cawthon’s medical and personal history. During their conversations, he often illustrated what he observed—drawing what would happen during the procedure, giving Cawthon the opportunity to visualize her procedure’s intricacies.

Before her procedure, Cawthon and Dr. Tagavilla met one last time.

“What I valued most is that he said, ‘Sister, if you wake up the morning of your surgery and you feel like this is not going to work for you, don’t hesitate to call me and cancel. It’s a life-changing decision—physically, mentally and spiritually. You need to take the time to work through it,’” Cawthon recalled.

Together, they opted for a minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery, allowing for an easier path to recovery.

“He doesn’t just listen with his ears; he listens with his heart, and he’s one of those rare people who truly understands your experience. This is what women need: to feel that there’s a genuine concern for our well-being—and Dr. Tagavilla exemplifies that,” Cawthon said.

CO N T I N U I N G O U R L E G AC Y CO N T I N U I N G O U R L E G AC Y

Finding Joy in the Unexpected Caring from the HeartCompassionate care in the EvergreenHealth NICU helps one family through hardship How one physician’s support changed a patient’s outlook on women’s care

“Polly was an incredibly strong and resilient woman throughout her entire pregnancy and particularly when we decided her baby needed delivery,” Dr. Kline described.

“The nurses and doctors were incredible. They never made us feel like we were a burden. We were always aware of Hudson’s progress, and his care team was always there to sit with us one-on-one to answer all our questions. The staff became our extended family,” Chris shared.

“I’ll be honest: I had reservations because he is a man,” Cawthon shared. “But since day one, Dr. Tagavilla broke down my biases.”

“It’s important to me to meet my patients at their level of understanding and to never rush them to a decision, especially one that involves surgery,” Dr. Tagavilla shared. “I always want my patients to have time to think about the decision and ask me any questions. After all, we’re partners in care.”


EVERGREENHEALTH DEYOUNG PAVILION

Rehabilitation Services

Neurological Care

Orthopedic & Sports Care

Foot & Ankle Care

Interventional Spine Care

Sport & Spine Care

Spine & Neurosurgical Care

SECOND FLOOR

THIRD FLOOR

FOURTH FLOOR

FIFTH FLOOR


Our renowned team is leading the way with the latest technology, treatment and innovations for musculoskeletal and orthopedic care

High quality. Personalized. Innovative. Those are some of the ways patients visiting EvergreenHealth Orthopedic Care describe the collaborative, comprehensive care offered by our team of renowned specialists.

From spinal and orthopedic surgeons, physiatrists and podiatrists, to interventional pain physicians, radiologists, and rehabilitation therapists, more than 20 fellowship-trained physicians offer the latest technology and advanced approaches for treating pain from injuries, chronic conditions or simple wear and tear, from a single location in the DeYoung Pavilion on the EvergreenHealth campus in Kirkland.

The practice’s team of experts use the latest diagnostic tools to pinpoint the root cause of pain, and then design effective treatment programs, which may include non-surgical options, such as physical therapy, medical management, massage therapy and acupuncture. Or, if surgery is necessary, EvergreenHealth surgeons are regional leaders in minimally invasive, robotic and computer-assisted surgical techniques.

Continuously Investing in Innovative ExpertiseMore than 20 best-in-class, highly specialized physicians come together to work collaboratively with you to reach your health goals. As we continue to expand our team, we look forward to welcoming additional providers in 2021 who will contribute to offering new, effective orthopedic care programs.

To learn more about EvergreenHealth Orthopedic Care’s experts, visit www.evergreenhealth.com/orthopedic-experts.

Located on the EvergreenHealth campus in Kirkland, the DeYoung Pavilion provides patients with the convenience of complementary services in one location. The space not only offers continuity between services, but also provides ease of access for patients and families, and promotes collaboration between provider teams and their patients. EvergreenHealth Neuroscience, Spine & Orthopedic Institute spans four levels of the building, including two floors dedicated to the system’s musculoskeletal and orthopedics practices, which feature:

> 51 exam rooms > 6 pre- and post-procedure rooms > 3 procedural rooms > 2 imaging centers

EvergreenHealth Orthopedic Care is focused on offering an extraordinary level of care. To schedule an appointment or receive a referral, visit www.evergreenhealth.com/ortho or call 425.899.3000.

EvergreenHealth’s Award-Winning Musculoskeletal & Orthopedic CareGet to Know

“It is truly an honor to work alongside an elite group of providers who share a vision for improving our patients’ lives with personalized, innovative treatment options. The complementary services within our practice allow us to enhance the ways we innovate in the areas of patient care, treatment and experience —all of which work together to create exceptional care.”

Mark Freeborn, MD, Chief Surgeon, EvergreenHealth Orthopedic Spine Surgeon

6 EvergreenHealth Monitor

EvergreenHealth orthopedic surgeons have trained at some of the most prestigious fellowships in the country, and are leaders in combining minimally invasive surgery with computer navigation techniques to provide even greater surgical precision.

The keys to successful minimally invasive surgery are the tiny, robotic instruments and the advanced training of our surgeons. They also use GPS technology, similar to what you have in your car, and 3D computer images to help your surgeon move the instruments with more precision.

EvergreenHealth is among the few health systems to combine both technologies, providing patients with the precise alignment of computer-navigated surgery and the comfort and easier recovery of minimally invasive surgery.

Experts in Leading-Edge Surgical Techniques

EvergreenHealth DeYoung Pavilion

Comprehensive Care Under One Roof

Orthopedic Care Earns Five Stars from Healthgrades Healthgrades regularly recognizes EvergreenHealth’s Orthopedic Care team for its excellence in hip and knee replacements.

As a past collegiate athlete himself, Dr.

Manning knows how to care for patients at the top of their game, as well as patients new to their sport. His expertise is ensuring access to quality orthopedic care for athletes of all levels.

He specializes in sports medicine, minimally invasive shoulder, hip and knee surgeries, cartilage restoration, sports and overuse injuries, fracture care and non-surgical treatment options. He is also well-trained in the most modern biologic and surgical treatments, and incorporates a multifaceted approach including nutrition and exercise optimization.

John Manning, MD Jeff Stepanian, PA-C

Jeff Stepanian, PA-C, is well-known across

the region for his expertise in building programs and services to meet the evolving needs and preferences of orthopedic care patients. In the clinic, he specializes in hip conditions, knee conditions, minimally invasive hip and knee replacement surgeries and knee computer navigation.

He is board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants, and he enjoys focusing on his patients’ care holistically. In addition, he has received the Seattle Met Top Physician Assistant Award four times since 2016.


Ever since Debbie Kirchner was a girl, she’s lived with Hashimoto’s, an autoimmune disorder that attacks the thyroid. It had become a regular part of her life, taking hormones daily and attending regular check-ups.

That was until Kirchner felt a particularly large lump in her throat. After an initial consult with another provider, she read outstanding reviews for EvergreenHealth endocrine surgeon Dr. Timo Hakkarainen, and she scheduled an appointment for a second opinion.

Between rounds of chemo, Kirchner saw her care team daily for immune-boosting shots, where they made sure she felt her best—whether she needed water, someone to talk to or a place to lie down.

Hanculak was thrilled to learn her surgery was a success. Though her life is different without a thyroid, experiencing a few common side effects is a small price to pay for living without cancer, she says.

Debbie Kirchner, EvergreenHealth Cancer Care patient

“Throughout the entire process, I realized how lucky I was to have a support group – doctors, nurses, food staff and technicians. While I was blessed to have the support of my family and friends, I also had a class act, transparent care team by my side.”

“Because the lump had grown quite rapidly and an initial biopsy returned with abnormal cells, I had a suspicion for potential thyroid lymphoma, even though it’s rare,” Dr. Hakkarainen explained.

The tumor was attached to an area where damage could leave her with a paralyzed vocal chord and voice changes. Though it took nearly three more hours than an average thyroidectomy, surgery was successful.

However, Dr. Hakkarainen was right. Kirchner was diagnosed with Burkitt’s lymphoma, a rare cancer that impairs immunity and is sometimes fatal. It was an oncologic emergency.

Dr. Hakkarainen arranged for a chemotherapy port to be implanted and Kirchner began working with Dr. Tim Carlos, a medical oncologist with EvergreenHealth’s Cancer Program—a partnership program between EvergreenHealth and Seattle Cancer Care Alliance, located on the EvergreenHealth Kirkland Campus.

For more than 12 years, Lindsay Hanculak has worked as a nurse in EvergreenHealth’s Kirkland Emergency Department. In 2018, she found herself not only caring for others but becoming a patient herself.

After receiving concerning bloodwork results that indicated abnormalities with her parathyroid, Hanculak scheduled an appointment with EvergreenHealth specialist Dr. Timo Hakkarainen.

Not only had Hanculak witnessed Dr. Hakkaranien’s exemplary patient care first-hand, she was also impressed that he’s one of only three fellowship-trained endocrine surgeons in Washington state.

“Part of my practice involves performing diagnostic ultrasounds at the bedside, which is not always done for hyperparathyroidism,” Dr. Hakkarainen explained. “For Lindsay, we were able to detect a large nodule on her thyroid during her first consultation. I was concerned that her parathyroid problem was now secondary, and I was concerned she had thyroid cancer.”

A biopsy confirmed their suspicions; the 38-year-old learned she had papillary thyroid cancer. Within days, Dr. Hakkarainen performed a total thyroidectomy, meticulously freeing Hanculak’s laryngeal nerve— which helps control speaking and swallowing—from

the tumor’s grip.

“Dr. Hakkarainen has been an amazing partner and supporter. Not only does he make his patients feel cared for clinically, he also deeply cares on an emotional level, too.”

“Lindsay came to me at the right time,” Dr. Hakkarainen shared.

“Thyroid cancer can often be symptomless and it’s becoming increasingly more common in the U.S.”

“Debbie came to me prepared with insightful questions and we’ve formed a great partnership,” shared Dr. Carlos. “What’s unique about our cancer care is when patients have a rare form of cancer, like Debbie’s, we’re able to collaborate with innovative cancer centers in the U.S. to better care for our patients.”

Timothy Carlos, MD, Seattle Cancer Care Alliance

at EvergreenHealth

Lindsay Hanculak, EvergreenHealth Surgical Care patient, EvergreenHealth Emergency Care nurse

Timo Hakkarainen, MD, EvergreenHealth Surgical Care

Redmond resident Debbie Kirchner knew something wasn’t right, so she turned to the care team at EvergreenHealth

A Lifesaving Second Opinion


When Nurse Becomes PatientAfter a routine check-up revealed cause for concern, Lindsay Hanculak sought care from the best team she knew

Learn more at www.evergreenhealth.com/surgical-clinic.

Did You Know?Dr. Hakkarainen and the team at EvergreenHealth are among the few providers who offer two innovative, minimally invasive surgical techniques that leave no visible or hidden scars for some patients undergoing thyroid surgery.

Kirchner is now cancer-free. She visits EvergreenHealth routinely for check-ups, takes thyroid hormones and is learning to enjoy her newly found lifestyle as a retiree in Redmond.



Living Recovery

“I felt like I could manage it; like I could start and stop when I wanted. But I just didn’t realize how bad addiction could get,” Brown-Smith shared.

“The remarkable thing about Ashley is that she was motivated and took our advice to heart,” said Doug Benecke, Brown-Smith’s outpatient counselor. “There are different pathways to recovery and Ashley has forged her own through community-based support groups, a commitment to herself and self-exploration. We are very proud of her.”

After a diagnosis confirmed Parkinson’s Disease, Eric Singsaas knew he wanted to contribute to EvergreenHealth clinical trials

How Ashley Brown-Smith ended her uphill battle with addiction

For years, Eric Singsaas thought his right arm tremor was the result of enjoying one too many cups of coffee.

But when his wife, Vickie, asked why he was shaking at church one morning, it was a sign that he needed to see a physician.

They met with neurologist Dr. Pinky Agarwal, who specializes in movement disorders at EvergreenHealth’s Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Center. After a series of tests, Vickie asked, “Does he have Parkinson’s disease?” Being a hospice nurse, she was accustomed to seeing patients with Parkinson’s disease at their worst.

Dr. Agarwal was straightforward. “Yes, you do,” she said to Eric. “But early identification helps manage the disease’s better.”

Ashley Brown-Smith was just 17 years old when she began struggling with substance use and addiction after the death of her father.

What started with alcohol progressed to drugs, and by her 30s, she’d been arrested more than 50 times for crimes to support her drug addiction. At the same time, she’d made repeated attempts to get clean, but each time returned to using.

Dr. Agarwal went on to explain EvergreenHealth’s clinical trials cater to patients who have recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease to those with more advanced motor and non-motor symptoms and provide innovative treatment options to improve quality of life.

In December 2019, she was homeless and living without shelter in the woods when something within Brown-Smith changed.

“It just felt like the end of the end. I was so done,” she described.

Then came another discovery. She learned she was six weeks pregnant. Already a mother of two, she had previously lost custody of her son and daughter and she knew this time needed to be different.

“I was so scared, but I wanted to change so badly. I knew I couldn’t keep doing this and I desperately wanted my baby to be born healthy,” Brown-Smith described.

Within a week, Brown-Smith checked into The Recovery Center at EvergreenHealth Monroe, where one of their specialties is providing treatment for pregnant women with substance use disorders.

Though she’d been to rehab programs before, she felt like The Recovery Center care team understood her like others hadn’t. She could relate on a personal level with her counselors and connect with other patients.

In August 2020, Brown-Smith delivered a healthy baby girl, Journey Rose, and she’s living well from a new apartment that all three of her kids call home.

“I couldn’t be where I am without The Recovery Center,” Brown-Smith shared. “I actually feel like I changed; I became a better woman, mother, friend—one step at a time.”

Singsaas didn’t allow his diagnosis to hinder his positive spirit. “It’s ominous to hear that you have a neurodegenerative disease—your mind can go to dark places,” he shared. “But I’m blessed to have the love of an amazing woman and knew right away I wanted to participate in research.”

Currently, he’s enrolled in PROSEEK, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study for newly diagnosed patients. He has a 33% chance of receiving the medication being studied to help treat the disease.

Singsaas’ trial ends in July 2021 and he’s looking forward to the possibility of joining more research. In the meantime, he enjoys walking his dog, Cooper, in their Sammamish neighborhood, and spending time with Vickie and their five children.

In 2020, more than 2,200 patients scheduled an appointment with EvergreenHealth Research Services.

Eric Singsaas, EvergreenHealth Neurological care patient, with wife Vickie

Ashley Brown-Smith, EvergreenHealth Monroe Recovery Center patient, with daughter Journey and son Braden

Pinky Agarwal, MD, EvergreenHealth Neurological care,

Booth Gardner Parkinson’s Center

Doug Benecke, Outpatient Counselor, EvergreenHealth Monroe Recovery Center

“Clinical trials can be challenging, but Eric understood the rationale behind the studies and was eager to help us understand if a clinical trial may alter the progression of the disease,” Dr. Agarwal explained.

“Parkinson’s is a part of who I am, I’ve accepted it. But I want to help contribute to research so someone else doesn’t have to go through what I have,” Singsaas said.

Giving Back Through Research


Q: How does EvergreenHealth invest in safety?

A: Two of the areas where we continually invest in safety are with our people and our technology. It involves providers who work on the frontlines with our patients, and teams who work behind the scenes. Everyone is responsible for safety, which is why we ensure our teams have the education, tools and commitment to uphold safety without exception.

We are also dedicated to the systems, technologies and protocols that represent the latest developments in safety initiatives. SafeLinQ is a digital tool that empowers all staff to report a safety event, such as a patient fall or staff injury, or something that could have resulted in a safety incident. We believe these “near misses” are just

as important to preventing a similar safety event in the future. Each event is examined with an in-depth analysis to inform even safer policies. SafeLinQ submissions aren’t negative or punitive. Rather, they help us learn and provide even safer care.

Q: How is safety measured?

A: Safety is commonly measured with qualitative and quantitative data and through clinical outcomes. Healthgrades and other organizations provide patients with information about how the safety of a health care system compares to others across the nation. Our unwavering diligence to sustain an environment of absolute safety has helped us achieve recognition as a Healthgrades Top 100 hospital, as well as earning an “A” rating for outstanding patient safety from The Leapfrog Group.

Q: How has EvergreenHealth maintained its commitment to safety throughout the response to COVID-19?

A: Ensuring our patients’ safety is ongoing and constant. We were ready to respond to COVID-19 because of the strength of our systems and protocols. Now, safety continues to be vitally important—from the way we meticulously don and doff our personal protective equipment (PPE), to our standard screening procedures for everyone entering any of our locations, our commitment to absolute safety leads us in our response.

Q: What role do patients and families play in EvergreenHealth’s culture of safety?

A: Patients are the most important member of the health care team. They help ensure safety by being informed and involved in their care. We encourage patients and families to play active roles by asking questions about their general health or condition. Research shows that patients who are engaged in decisions about their own health care are more likely to get better faster.

Q: What does safety in health care mean?

A: The terms “safe” and “safety” are used frequently in health care. Keeping patients safe starts with basic safety initiatives, like ensuring our waiting areas are kept impeccably clean, that patients seeking care are properly triaged, that systems are in place for accurate EMR documentation and that staff and providers are properly educated to provide the best care. All of these are supremely important, though safety goes beyond basic protocols. Safety also includes more complex initiatives, like providing patients the right level of care at the right time.

EvergreenHealth embraces our responsibility to be experts in delivering safe care—it’s part of our organizational culture and one of the many ways in which we live our values.

Dr. Ettore Palazzo leads clinical quality and safety at EvergreenHealth, overseeing quality and regulatory work, infection control, risk management, pharmacy, medical staff services and hospitalists and intensivists services. Dr. Palazzo joined EvergreenHealth in 2003 and served as an internal medicine hospitalist physician before becoming Quality Medical Director, and later expanding his quality work as the system’s Chief Medical and Quality Officer.

Monitor sat down with Dr. Palazzo to learn about EvergreenHealth’s culture of safety. To read the full interview, visit www.evergreenhealth.com/absolute-safety-qa.

100% Safe. Always.As we continue our response to COVID-19, we also continue our commitment to safety every day and night, to protect our families, our patients and one another.

100% Safe Always reminds us to keep our safety precautions top of mind with videos, signage, education and other resources, all related to common, and crucial, COVID-19 safety topics—including our visitor policy, safe distancing, masking, how to have challenging conversations, and many other important topics that require our daily attention and commitment to the safety and care of our community.

Together we continually renew our commitment to protect one another—at work, at home and in our community. Every person, every safety action, every time.


Practicing Absolute Safety at EvergreenHealth

EvergreenHealth Chief Medical and Quality Officer Dr. Ettore Palazzo shares how the health system, along with patients and families, support a culture of safety, now and always


Ettore Palazzo, MD, EvergreenHealth Chief Medical and Quality Officer

Leapfrog’s Hospital Safety Grade report scores more

than 2,600 hospitals, assessing how well they keep patients safe from errors, accidents and infections. EvergreenHealth is one of only 18 hospitals in Washington to achieve an “A” rating this fall.

14 EvergreenHealth Monitor Winter 2021 15 Winter 2021 15

Welcoming New Providers

Caring for our most critically ill patients with nationally recognized critical care is central to our legacy of service to our community.

When EvergreenHealth began our response to COVID-19, plans were already underway to expand and relocate our intensive care unit (ICU). Our brand-new ICU will combine the highest standards of care with advanced state-of-the-art technologies, to create a thoughtful environment that promotes well-being, service and safety for patients and caregivers.

The new ICU creates intentional spaces within patient rooms, and across the unit, that welcome and include families in their loved one’s care, with private consultation rooms for families to gather as a group, seek solitude or talk with their clinical team.

Opening this spring, the new 20-bed ICU will be located on the third floor of the Silver Tower on EvergreenHealth’s Kirkland medical center campus—where we can better provide safe care in the most advanced healing environment.

Meet the newest physicians to join EvergreenHealth Medical Group


“Our ability to quickly adapt is crucial to providing critical care, and these renovations help us plan for the future by building in the flexibility to integrate new systems and equipment, without adding complexity to the patient’s bedside or requiring further renovations.” Dr. Melissa Lee, EvergreenHealth Medical Director of Critical Care

Melissa Lee, MD, EvergreenHealth Critical Care

Medical Director

Opening in spring 2021, the new ICU will provide space for patients and their families to receive care in a modern environment that supports compassionate, high-quality care in their greatest time of need

Dr. Dockins is fellowship trained and board-certified

in obesity medicine and general surgery, and has clinical experience with morbid obesity, obesity-related diseases, and minimally invasive bariatric surgery. He believes that to be a skilled bariatric surgeon, he must be fully invested in all aspects of weight loss and the wellness journey.

Dr. Parveen specializes in pediatric medicine and enjoys

partnering with her patients’ families to help improve chronic and acute problems in order to make positive changes in their lives and overall health. She speaks English and Bengali and is board-certified in family medicine.

Lisa Miller, ARNP is a family nurse practitioner at

EvergreenHealth Primary Care in Monroe and Sultan. She specializes in women’s health and is passionate about empowering her patients through proper education so they can make the best decisions for their unique health needs.

Dr. Van Swearingen’s practice is focused on understanding

her patients’ health in the larger context of their lives, and partnering with them on individualized plans for diagnosis, treatment and follow-up, rather than a one-size-fits-all declaration, while still remaining informed by evidence-based science and national guidelines.

Dr. Samia is board-certified in family medicine and speaks

both English and Arabic. She cares for family members of all ages and specializes in adult medicine, women’s health and preventive care.

Dr. Pamer specializes in preventive care and focuses

on acute illness and chronic pain, including treatment for joint pain, and osteopathic musculoskeletal manipulation, skin biopsies and treatment of other skin maladies. He is a firm believer in partnering with his patients and involving them in all aspects of care planning and decision-making.

Dr. Boone brings a breadth of knowledge in family medicine,

preventive medicine, chronic disease and common procedures to EvergreenHealth’s Sammamish primary care practice. Dr. Boone has practiced medicine for more than 20 years and originally decided to pursue family medicine because of his passion for working with people.

John Dockins, MD, FACS, FASMB EvergreenHealth Weight Loss & Bariatric Care

Jinat Parveen, MD EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Canyon Park

Lisa Miller, ARNP EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Monroe

Ingrid Van Swearingen, MD EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Canyon Park

Hoda Samia, MD EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Canyon Park

Jeremiah Pamer, DO EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Redmond

Paul Boone, MD EvergreenHealth Primary Care, Sammamish

The Power of Preventive Care

Coming Soon: A Re-Envisioned Family Maternity Center

Preventing injuries and illnesses and detecting diseases early are essential to optimizing your health and living well. By partnering with your providers to stay up-to-date on regular wellness checks and recommended screenings, you not only increase your chances of catching potential problems, but it also can significantly reduce your health care costs.

Renovations are slated to begin summer 2021

Families have continually embraced EvergreenHealth’s Family Maternity Center for its exceptional care and family-centered approach. That’s why we’re excited to announce new upgrades to the unit, which will help us to continue to provide high-quality, safe care for welcoming new babies.

New FMC enhancements will include:> Renovations to the unit’s birthing suites, with two full floors dedicated to mothers and babies > A brand new OB emergency department (ED), offering direct access to private triage and treatment rooms> A redesigned entrance and lobby, adjacent to the OB ED to warmly welcome laboring mothers and families efficiently and comfortably

Looking for a Doctor?Let us help. Call EvergreenHealth’s Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000 and we’ll be happy to refer you to a provider or specialist who meets your needs and preferences. Or, visit online at www.evergreenhealth.com/find-a-doctor where you can read more about our physicians’ philosophies and their patient reviews.

EvergreenHealth’s New Intensive Care Unit Will Provide High-Quality, Innovative Care to Our Community

Healthgrades regularly recognizes EvergreenHealth’s Critical Care team among the top 10% of hospitals nationwide.

Recognized for Excellence in Critical Care


H E A LT H C L A SS E S H E A LT H C L A SS E S

Register for Classes Online or By PhoneFor your convenience, you may register and pay for classes 24/7 online at www.evergreenhealth.com/classes. You may also call the EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000, Mon. – Fri., 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. Pre-registration is required for all classes. Checks, VISA and MasterCard are accepted. Refunds and rescheduling will only be given for cancellations two business days prior to the class. Let us know if you need special accommodations to participate.

FREE SEMINARS

Fall Prevention This class offers information about strategies for staying safe, active and independent. Falls are quite common in adults ages 65 and older but fortunately, they are preventable. You can also watch previously recorded classes here: www.evergreenhealth.com/balance-fall-prevention.

Weight Loss and Bariatric Care Seminar

Bariatric Care Support Group

Type 2 Diabetes Support Group This class will be held virtually and in-person on the first Thursday of each month from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

WELLNESS & HEALTHY LIVING

What You Need to Know About Stroke

How Dietary Antioxidants Can Support Immunity

Healthy Meals Made Easy!

Prevention of Burnout for Employees Learn ways to cope and decrease stress with a busy work schedule before it leads to burnout.

Hormones: Menopause and Pre-Menopause

CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION

For class dates and times or to register for classes, go to www.evergreenhealth.com/birthing-classes or call the EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000. Register early during your pregnancy, as classes fill quickly.

Journey to Birth

Family Maternity Center Tour This free, 20-minute tour is currently offered via YouTube during the pandemic.

Meet A Midwife

Delivery Day – Birth and Beyond

During COVID-19, Delivery Day offerings have changed. Please contact the Healthline or visit www.evergreenhealth.com/birthing-classes for the most updated information.

Delivery Day for Teens and Young Adults Contact Healthline at 425.899.3000 for more information.

SENIOR HEALTH CLASSES

In addition to the classes offered at EvergreenHealth Medical Center, we offer classes and health screenings at other convenient community locations. Visit www.evergreenhealth.com/classes for class schedules and locations.

I See What You’re Saying (Using Visual Cues To Maximize Communication Success) This class explores techniques for improving communication skills, understanding lip-reading basics and maximizing your hearing in noisy places for those that are hearing-impaired.

Manage Your Blood Pressure Through Nutrition

Laughter Yoga

Five Wishes Five Wishes is an easy-to-use legal document that shows loved ones how a person wants to be cared for, should they fall ill. This class teaches you how to complete this document and gives you peace of mind in your medical care.

SENIOR HEALTH CLASSES CONTINUED

Home Sweet Home Learn more about the various senior housing options available and what’s right for you.

NEUROLOGICAL & MOVEMENT DISORDERS

EvergreenHealth Neurological Care offers classes and support groups to aid patients living with a variety of neurological diseases and movement disorders.

Parkinson’s Carepartner Support Group

Women Living With Parkinson’s

Neuro-Nutrition Class

From-The-Ground-Up Strength and Flexibility

Living Well After Stroke For more information, email [email protected].

Evergreen Men’s Parkinson’s Support Group

Eastside MS Self Help Group

Kirkland MS Self Help Group

Visit www.evergreenhealth.com/classes for a full listing of classes, descriptions, dates and times.

PRESENTATIONS

Medical Marijuana Jan. 23 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Combating Chemo Brain Feb. 9 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. S

Chair Yoga Feb. 16 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Transitioning into Survivorship Feb. 17 from 9:30-10:30 a.m. & Feb. 17 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Spring Cleaning & Cancer: Renewing Our Spirits March 2 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Navigating Your New Normal After Cancer March 3 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Life in Survivorship March 10 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Palliative Care: A Component of Cancer Treatment April 10 from 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Addressing Fears of Recurrence April 13 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.

Genetic Testing for Prostate Cancer April 15 from 6:30-7:30 p.m.PRE-

SUPPORT GROUPS

Bosom Buddies Breast Cancer Support Group Meets every third Wednesday, 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.

Breast Friends Breast Cancer Support Group Meets every third Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

GI Cancer Support Group Meets every first Wednesday, 6:30-8:00 p.m.

Living with Cancer Support Group Meets every second Tuesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Living with Metastatic Cancer Support Group Meets every second & fourth Saturday, 10:00-Noon.

Oral Head and Neck Cancer Support Group Meets every second Wednesday, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Lung Cancer Support Group Meets every first Tuesday, 6:30-8:o0 p.m.

NEW Creative Outlets for Families with Children and Adolescents Meets every fourth Saturday, 10:00-11:00 a.m.

CHILDBIRTH PREPARATION CONTINUED

Delivery Day for Multiples

Labor Coping Skills Review

HypnoBirthing

Conscious Fathering

Fit4Baby Program

Yoga for Pregnancy

Pelvic Health Class

BABY CARE, SAFETY & PARENTING

Car Seat Safety

Car Seat Checkup Contact Healthline for virtual and in-person options.

Infant Safety and Injury Prevention

Day About Baby

Breastfeeding Basics and Beyond

Pumping Class

Bringing Baby Home Workshop

Parent-Baby Groups

This Is Not What I Expected

Starting Solids

Breastfeeding Your Older Baby

Baby & Family Boutique

For more information visit www.evergreenhealth.com/boutique.

STRENGTH. DIGNITY. HOPE.

BABY CARE, SAFETY & PARENTING CONTINUED

Screen Savvy Parenting This class covers information on how screen time affects children’s growth and development. We’ll explore interactions on children ages birth to five, share best practice recommendations and solutions for common challenges.

Toddler Talk Join us virtually to share about the joys and challenges of parenting a toddler. Designed for parents of toddlers from 15 months through 3 years old, this Parent Baby education and support group format will include questions and answers on: development, discipline, feeding, sleep, potty readiness, tantrums and more.

CANCER CLASSES

Cancer Lifeline at EvergreenHealth continues to support patients and caregivers during these challenging times of COVID-19. Join support groups, classes and presentations online. For a complete listing, visit CancerLifeline.org or call 206.297.2500.Classes are available in the areas of:

Artistic Expression

Nutrition and Cooking

Exercise and Movement > Gentle Yoga > Vital Moves > Qigong

Stress Reduction & Relaxation

Due to COVID-19, many classes are being held virtually in lieu of an in-person format. Please call the EvergreenHealth Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000 or visit www.evergreenhealth.com/classes for help with questions about a specific class.

Denotes virtual class meeting


EV E R G R E E N H E A LT H F O U N DAT I O N EV E R G R E E N H E A LT H F O U N DAT I O N

Save The Date for April 19-25, 2021

as EvergreenHealth Foundation celebrates its

20th Anniversary Evergreen Gala This year’s annual gala is a benefit for EvergreenHealth and the NICU Enhancement Project and is our biggest

fundraiser of the year. The virtual, week-long campaign will highlight 20 years of

Gala success, our wonderful doctors and staff and will showcase video stories of our patients and families.

Gala support for the NICU Enhancement Project ensures EvergreenHealth will continue to provide the highest quality care in a thoughtful environment to our tiniest patients who require specialized care.

Community partners have come together to donate auction items and help EvergreenHealth Foundation create a platform where the whole community can join and support.

All are invited to participate, support and celebrate! With all elements online—the auctions, the red carpet, photobooth, cocktail hour with John Howie—there’s no reason not to join in! You won’t want to miss the incredible program we are planning. As a special highlight, the virtual after party will feature music from EvergreenHealth’s own “Doc Band”! It will be the best Gala yet!

Winter 2021 19

Building the ICU of the FutureBuilt in the 1970s, EvergreenHealth’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) has taken care of the sickest, most vulnerable patients in our community for nearly 50 years. In need of a transformation, construction began to relocate and renovate the ICU in spring 2020, unexpectedly coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. As it turns out, a global health crisis waits for no construction timetable.

EvergreenHealth’s ICU became the center of the fight against COVID-19 when the health system became the first hospital in the country to lead a cohesive response to a community-based outbreak of COVID-19. The ongoing pandemic reminds us that the strength of our community’s health care affects us all.

With the community’s support we will build the ICU of the future—an expanded 22,000 square-foot unit, located at the heart of the hospital, that prioritizes patient safety and care with the addition of state-of-the-art technology and medical equipment. With this new, upgraded facility, scheduled to open to patients in spring 2021, we will be prepared for whatever comes our way next, ensuring we can continue to serve the families in our community for the next 50+ years.

Invest in what matters most—the future of health care in our community—and make a gift today. Follow the construction progress and learn how you can support this project at www.evergreenhealthfoundation.com or by contacting Megan Whitman at [email protected].

Monroe’s Blue Jeans & Boots Gala Goes VirtualAlong with many other organizations in 2020, EvergreenHealth Monroe Foundation pivoted away from our annual Blue Jeans & Boots country themed in-person gala. Instead, The Foundation hosted a week-long, virtual program that ran from Sept. 14 through Sept. 19.

Hospital staff, leadership, community members, patients and sponsors, which included small local businesses, came together to make the event a huge success. The gala featured a video that highlighted EvergreenHealth Monroe’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and was shared widely in Snohomish County. The event also featured a robust silent auction where hundreds of bids were placed in support of the gala’s beneficiary.

The virtual gala, presented by Coastal Community Bank, has raised nearly $145,000 and that number is still growing. The Foundation has already deployed funds raised to purchase 24 personal respirators, known as CAPRs, for our frontline staff. This and other future investments are only made possible through the generosity of our donors who continue to make a lasting impact on EvergreenHealth Monroe. The success of this reimagined virtual event is a testament to the incredible philanthropic support from our community.

Thank you for continuing to support EvergreenHealth Monroe!

EvergreenHealth’s new ICU under construction

For more information on how to get involved, contact Shauna Smith, the Foundation’s Corporate Relations and Events Officer, at [email protected] or (425) 899-1908.

Want to Know More?

Celebrating 20 Years of the Evergreen Gala

20 2018 EvergreenHealth Community Annual Report

12040 NE 128th StreetKirkland, WA 98034www.evergreenhealth.com

EvergreenHealth complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex. Español (Spanish) EvergreenHealth cumple con las leyes federales de derechos civiles aplicables y no discrimina por motivos de raza, color, nacionalidad, edad, discapacidad o sexo. (Chinese) 注意：如果您使用繁體中文，您可以免費獲得語言援助服務。請致電 425-899-1000（TTY：425-899-1000）。

FACEBOOK facebook.com/evergreenhospital.org

TWITTER @EvergreenHosp

YOUTUBE youtube.com/evergreenhospital

PINTEREST pinterest.com/evergreenhosp

INSTAGRAM @EvergreenHealth

OUR APP @EvergreenHealth

Receive our free, monthly healthy lifestyle e-newsletter with helpful tips and news to help you be your healthiest best! Sign up today at: evergreenhealth.com/newsletter

For more information, contact EvergreenHealth by email at [email protected], or call the 24/7 Nurse Navigator & Healthline at 425.899.3000.

EVERGREENHEALTH BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TIM MCLAUGHLIN, CHAIR Redmond/Sammamish

MINERVA BUTLER, SECRETARY At-Large

AL DEYOUNG Bothell/Duvall/Woodinville

DAVID EDWARDS At-Large

REBECCA HIRT Kirkland/Kenmore

CHUCK PILCHER, MD At-Large

VIRGIL SNYDER At-Large

You may contact the Commissioners by email at [email protected].

EDITOREvergreenHealth Marketing and Public Relations Group and Firmani + Associates Inc.

PHOTOGRAPHY Keith Brofsky

DESIGN Lot22

PRODUCTION Arscentia

EvergreenHealth Monitor is published as a community service by EvergreenHealth. Its contents are not intended to replace professional health care. See your health care professional for information relevant to your medical history.

EvergreenHealth is an equal opportunity employer and service provider.

For career opportunities at EvergreenHealth, visit our website at https://jobs.evergreenhealth.com.

EvergreenHealth Receives Primary Plus Stroke Center (PSC+) Certification for Excellence

in Stroke Care EvergreenHealth was recognized as a Primary Plus Stroke Center (PSC+) Certification from DNV-GL Healthcare, a world-leading certification body for hospitals and health systems. To be recognized with PSC+ status, health systems must demonstrate excellence within a range of quality and safety requirements. EvergreenHealth’s state-of-the-art standards for thrombectomies, hemorrhagic care, brain aneurysm management and commitment to providing the highest quality stroke care made this certification possible.

Healthgrades Names EvergreenHealth As One of America’s 100 Best

Hospitals for Specialty Care EvergreenHealth has once again been named among America’s 100 Best™ hospitals in five specialty areas by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems. EvergreenHealth earned recognition for excellence in stroke care, pulmonary care, gastrointestinal care, general surgery and critical care, as part of Healthgrades’ 2021 Report to the Nation. Annually, Healthgrades evaluates hospital performance among nearly 4,500 hospitals across the country and ranked EvergreenHealth among the top 2% of hospitals in the nation in four key areas of specialty care.

Documents

Giving Back Through Research