Winter2008 Gh Final

8/13/2019 Winter2008 Gh Final

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HealthyLiving

Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community Healthcare | Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital & Health Center | Tacoma General Hospital | MultiCare Clinics

Jillian Michaels of TVs The Biggest Loser

wants you to

Do Something Healthy!Meet her Jan. 24

PAGE 8

WINTER 2008 | www.multicare.org

KIDSCOUNT!

LOOK INSIDE


2/16

MultiCare Health Systemis a leading-edge,integrated health organization made up of fourhospitals, numerous primary care and urgent

care clinics, multispecialty centers, Hospice and HomeHealth services, and many other services. A not-for-profitorganization based in Tacoma since 1882, MultiCare hasgrown over the years in response to community needs.Today we are the areas largest provider of health careservices, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce,South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Learn more atwww.multicare.org.

HEALTHY LIVING is published as a community service for thefriends 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 writeto us at [email protected]. Information in HEALTHY LIVINGcomes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have anyconcerns or questions about specific content that may affect yourhealth, please contact your health care provider.

Copyright 2007 Coffey Communications, Inc. CUN21160c

Mischiefmakers atit again?

Sharing toys andgames is great,but germs? No,thanks. Here are

a few quick tipsto keep peskygerms at bay.

Kids weight:Tackle theissue now

Nowadays itsnot just adultswho deal withweightyour

kids are alsofighting the battleof the bulge.

7

[spotlight]

Happy 2008!

Most of us start out the new year brimmingwith resolveto eat better, exercise more

and be healthier. But

by February many of us

fall into our old ways

and are discouraged by

our lack of progress or

willpower.

Change is hard to

accomplish and sustain.

Research has shown

that it takes at least three weeks to shake old

habits and for new ones to take rootand that

relapses are normal.

Let MultiCare give you extra motivation to

stay on track at the ninth annual Do Some-thing Healthyfeaturing keynote speaker

Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Losertelevi-

sion programThursday, Jan. 24, from 6 to

9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

Trade Center (see page 8 for details).

Last year more than 1,000 people attended

this inspiring event, where we also kicked off

Pierce Countys Biggest Winner in partnership

with the YMCA of TacomaPierce County and the

TacomaPierce County Health Department. Two

teams totaling 10 community members competed

to reach their fitness and weight-loss goals.

Read about how local participants Aaron

Stewart and April Waddington are faring almost

a year after the last competition in the articleon page 11. I think youll find their stories

highly motivating.

Well be kicking off the 2008 Pierce Countys

Biggest Winner competition at Do Something

Healthy. So call to reserve your spot today.

Good health is the best gift we can give to

ourselves, our families and our community.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2008.

Diane Cecchettini, RN

President and CEO

MultiCare Health System

MultiCare now answers the phones 24/7Youve got a lot on your plate. We know not everything can get done during regular workday

hours. Thats why MultiCare is pleased to unveil our new 24/7 call center.

Now you can call MultiCare for physician referrals and class and event registration

24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Appointment scheduling will continue to be available during the hours of 7am to 7pm.

A message from the CEO

Join MultiCare and the American Heart

Association on National Wear Red Day

for our Go Red For Women Rally,

featuring free health screenings, food,

entertainment and more!

Friday, Feb. 1 Tacoma Mall

(outside of Macys)

11am to 1pm

10

Go Red and Go Red For Women aretrademarks of AHA. The Red DressDesign is a trademark of U.S. DHHS.

2 | Healthy Living


3/16

MARY BRIDGE CHILDEXPRESS AT GIG HARBOR

Pediatricians,

after hours,close to homeMultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Parks Urgent Care

has long offered comprehensive urgent care

services for patients of all ages in Gig Harbor,

and continues to do so. A new addition to those

services is Mary Bridge Child Express.

Staffed by Mary Bridge pediatricians, Child

Express is open afternoons, evenings and week-

ends to augment our urgent care team with ad-

ditional pediatric expertise. Together we provide

prompt treatment for children with non-emergency

health issues, such as abrasions, contusions,

sore throats, colds, lacerations, sprains and

sports injuries.

Mary Bridge Child Express at Gig Harbor

MondayFriday: 2:30pm to 10:30pm

Saturday and Sunday: 10:30am to 6:30pm

Child Express also offers a free vaccination

clinic for children ages 0 to 18, every Tuesday

from 2 to 7:30pm.

For more information, visit www.multicare.org/

gigharbor.

Healthy Refl ections Boutique:Wellbeing for women

MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Parks Healthy Reflections

Boutique carries hard-to-find health care items

exclusively for womenthat can help enhance

your physical and mental well-being during preg-

nancy, new motherhood, surgery recovery or cancer

treatment, in a sensitive and supportive setting.

Products include: breast pumps and ac-

cessories nursing bras nursing gowns and

night wear partial, traditional and attachable

breast forms mastectomy bras

post-surgical bras wigs Jane

Iredale skin care products and min-

eral makeup

Our staff is certified in bra and

prosthetics fitting to provide womenwith personalized attention and a

customized fit (appointments are

recommended for fittings).

Visit www.multicare.org/hrboutique

or call 253-530-8118for additional

information and directions. Open

Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Catchingup withthe losers

MultiCaresBiggest Winnersare still goingstrong. Check

their progresssince thecontest.

Take stepsfor betterhealth

From yoga andaerobics to sup-port groups andsafety classes,

MultiCare wantsto help you takecharge of yourhealth.

11 13

www.multicare.org | 3


4/16

[winter sports][winter sports]

More than 60,000 children are treated

in emergency rooms each year for winter

sports-related injuries. Help your kids stay

safe this season.

Buy your children properly fitted winter

sports helmets for skiing, sledding and

snowboarding.

Make certain that their helmets and other

equipment are in good working order.

Look for clothing made of newer cold-

weather fabrics that provide warmth without

bulk.

Ensure that they wear sunglasses or

goggles.

Arrange for them to take lessons before

they try to ski or snowboard.

Remind them to watch out for trees, rocks

and other people.

Train them to monitor their speed so that

they can stay in control.

Supervise their activities.

Direct them to skating rinks instead of

ponds.

For more information about keeping

your family safe this winter or helmet rent-

als and sales, call the Mary Bridge Center

for Childhood Safety at 253-403-1234.

Children on the slopes: Playing it safe

REGARDLESS OF the activities you par-ticipate in this winter, safety should be a

top priorityespecially when it comes toprotecting your knees.

Te knee is the largest joint in thebody and one of the most easily injured,says David Coons, DO, orthopedic

surgeon with Multi-Care Sports Medicine.Each year millionsof people end up indoctors offices withknee pain.

When pain man-agement and lifestylechanges are not enoughto keep knee painfrom interfering withyour life, a surgical

procedure may be a good option. Withrecent advances in surgical procedures,knee surgery has become increasinglyless invasivereducing pain, scarringand recovery time. And specialists likeDr. Coons, who is fellowship-trained insports medicine and arthroscopy, can offerthe most advanced procedures available,

damaged ligament can be reconstructedusing a strip of tendon from the patients

knee or donor tissue.

3Cartilageis the smooth, connectingtissue that covers the ends of the bonesin a joint and enables joints to support yourweight when you bend, stretch, walk andrun. Cartilage loss can occur when thereis trauma to the knee caused by a sportsinjury or accident.

A cartilage transplanttaking healthycartilage from another location in the jointand placing it in the damaged areais of-ten the best option in this case. Dr. Coonshas written articles on this technique andhas years of experience performing this typeof procedure.

Another option for repairing damagedcartilage is microfracture surgery, in which

the bone is penetrated to expose marrowcells. Te cells can then access the damagedarea and fill in the cartilage gap.

Small incisions meanbig improvementsArthroscopy enables surgeons like Dr. Coonsto diagnose and treat knee disorders by

such as ligament reconstruction andcartilage transplants, to help people return

to their active lifestyles following a kneeinjury.

3 common injuriesTe three most common winter sports kneeinjuries are meniscus tears, anterior cruci-ate ligament (ACL) injuries and cartilagedamage.

1Te meniscusis cartilage that acts as abuffer between the two large bones of

the knee. ears in the meniscus can occurwhen you twist or overflex your knee.

A clean tear in a younger athlete canmost likely be repaired, Dr. Coons ex-plains. Removing the damaged area is amore likely option for the older adult, asthe meniscus becomes more brittle with

age and is more prone to tearing.With a very traumatic injury, he says, ameniscus can be transplanted.

2Ligamentsare bands of tough, elasticconnective tissue that surround a jointto give support and stabilize the jointsmovement. Te ACL is frequently injuredwhen the knee is force-twisted. Te

The slippery slope of

Protect your knees this winter sports season

winter sports

David Coons,

DO, orthopedic

surgeon

4 | Healthy Living


5/16

providing a clear view of the inside of the knee through smallincisions, using a pencil-size instrument called an arthroscope. Tescope has a small camera that transmits an image of the knee toa television monitor. During the procedure, surgical instru-

ments can be inserted through other small incisions in theknee to remove or repair damaged tissue.

Arthroscopy involves smaller incisions, which canmean faster healing and recovery and less scarring.Patients are often able to return home on the sameday of the procedure. Every case and patient is unique,Dr. Coons notes, but typically, full recovery time fromarthroscopic knee surgery is two to six months, dependingon the procedure.

Getting you back in actionRegardless of the type or severity of a knee injury,Dr. Coons spends time with each patient to evaluatehis or her condition and provide the information andguidance he or she needs to determine the best courseof treatment.

I give my patients all the options and the pros and consof each one, he says. We work together to find the solutionto their problem and determine the best way to get them welland back to living healthy, active lifestyles.

High-level orthopediccare in Gig HarborThe expertise of MultiCare Sports Medicine is now available in Gig

Harbor. Orthopedic surgeon Gregory Popich, MD, is seeing patients onThursdays at the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park.

Dr. Popich, a Gig Harbor resident, has been an orthopedic surgeon

in the Tacoma area for more than 20 years. His practice is primarily

focused on conditions of the knee and shoulder, with particular empha-

sis on arthroscopic knee surgery and reconstruction, knee replacement,

and traditional and arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Dr. Popich is the medical director and team physi-

cian for the Tacoma Rainiers and serves as an ortho-

pedic consultant for the Seattle Mariners. Asa member of the U.S. Olympic Sports Medi-

cine Society, Dr. Popich also provides care

for Olympic athletes and works closely with

high school, college and club teams.

He was the Gig Harbor High School team physician

for many years and at one time was the only orthopedic

surgeon in Gig Harbor, practicing at a satellite office there

while based in Tacoma.

I am very pleased to be back in Gig Harbor and seeing patients with ortho-

pedic and sports medicine-related issues, Dr. Popich says.

Dr. Popich is at the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park on Thursdays from

1:30 to 5pm. He will also continue to see patients at MultiCare Orthopedics and

Sports Medicine Center in Tacoma. For more information, call 253-459-7000.

Gregory Popich,

MD, orthopedic

surgeon



6/16

WO YEARS ago when Cathy Lensingneeded to have gynecological surgery, shewas concerned about the impact that thesurgery would have on her active lifestyle.

I taught spin classes and circuit train-ing, she says. I also love to run. I have ahard time not being active.

Even fit and healthy men and womenexperience problemsthat require surgery,such as prostate issuesand gynecological ail-ments like abnormalbleeding, endometriosisand cancer. And, in thepast, these surgeries

were invasive, involvinglong, painful recoveriesthat could last months,as well as significantscarring.

But today robotic-assisted surgicaltechniquesmanyof which were pio-

neered in this regionby MultiCareeliminate these draw-backs and allow pa-

tients to return to their normal, active liveswithin a matter of weeks.

Robotics technology is used in surgicalprocedures to create 3-D visibility and im-proved precision, says Champ Weeks, MD,

a board-certified urology surgeon with Multi-Care Urology Services. It allows surgeonsto perform surgery with much smaller inci-sions, making surgery easier on the patient.

In the case of prostate surgeries, this

gets you back in actionRobotic-assisted surgery

fastmeans being able to remove thecancer while bypassing nerves linkedto sexual function and urinaryincontinence. Studies show thatsix months after robotic-assistedsurgery, 95 percent of men areback to their old selvesa muchhigher percentage than with tra-ditional, open prostatectomies.

Patients who must have gynecologicalsurgeries also benefit from the low impactthat robotic-assisted surgeries have on theirbodies.

Im grateful that I listened towhat my surgeon at MultiCarerecommended, says Lensing.Te recovery time is a big pieceof it. Lensing, who was one ofthe first patients in the regionto have robotic-assisted surgery,was back to teaching fitnessclasses within four weeks.

Although health systems that use ro-botic technology often have similar devices,robotic-assisted surgery programs are notall alike. It is the skill and experience of thesurgeons using the technology that makethe real differenceand an area in whichMultiCare carries a distinct advantage overnew programs in the area.

Patients definitely want to choose a

surgeon who has ample experience using therobotics technology, says John P. Lenihan,MD, a board-certified gynecological surgeonwith acoma Womens Specialists, who per-forms robotic surgeries regularly at MultiCare.

ChampWeeks, MD

John P.

Lenihan, MDRobotic surgeryat MultiCareMultiCare was the first in the Pacific Northwest

to offer robotic-assisted gynecological and pros-

tate surgical programs, starting in June 2005.

Our specially trained surgeons have completed

more than 300 robotic-assisted surgical proce-

dures since the programs inception.

For more information or to find a sur-

geon who specializes in robotic-assisted

surgery, visit www.multicare.org.

Cathy Lensing

Te skills of a roster of surgeons who havebeen performing these procedures for yearswith a well-trained and experienced surgicalstaff are the real core of a successful programlike MultiCares robotic-assisted surgeryprograms.

6 | Healthy Living


7/16

Are

yourkidsmaking

yousick?

YOU EACH your kids to share their toysand games. But how do you teach them notto share their germs?

Tink about the 25 to 30 students intypical classrooms, says Marcia Patrick, RN,MSN, CIC, Director, Infection Preventionand Control at MultiCare. Tats a lot ofgerms being shared, and lots of opportuni-ties to bring something home.

Consider all of the shared areas inclassroomsdesks, pencil sharpeners,pencils, crayons, light switches, textbooks

and other instructional materials, computerkeyboards, and cafeteria and gym surfaces.

Any or all of these can contain germsfrom the mouths and noses of kids, as wellas fecal matter from hands not washedthoroughly after using the toilet, Patricksays. Another child comes along andtouches that surface, then rubs his eyesor nose, and ends up with the infection,

which he, of course, takes home with him.

Keep germs at bayTere are several ways to reduce the germsyour kids bring home, Patrick advises:

each kids to wash their hands well,especially after using the toilet. You canfind pointers for effective handwashing

techniques at the right or at the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Preven-tions website, www.cdc.gov/cleanhands.

Show kids how to cough and sneeze intotheir sleeves rather than into their hands.

Encourage kids to keep their handsaway from their faces.

Find out if your childs school permitsthe use of alcohol-based sanitizers or

antibacterial cloths. Wiping off sharedsurfaces will reduce the germs in theenvironment.

In addition, a strong immune systemhelps kids fight off infections, Patrick says.So make sure your child is eating right andgetting enough rest and exercise.

Getting vaccinated for vaccine-pre-ventable illness is [another] good way to

stay healthy this winter, adds RosalindBall, RN, MN, CIC, Infection ControlPractitioner, Good Samaritan Hospital.

Visit www.multicare.org/kidsfor moretips about keeping kids healthy.

LATHER UP! Use soap and water all over

your handsdont miss a fingernail! Scrub

20 seconds, long enough to sing the Happy

Birthday song twice.

AH-CHOO!

If you cant

reach a tis-

sue, sneeze

or cough into the inside

of your elbow (not your

handsYUCK).

NO WATER? Gellin

works too. Rub clean-

ing gel (at least

60 percent alcohol) all over

your hands until theyre dry.

BE SURE

TO WASH:

Before touching

food After

handling pets

After coughing,

sneezing or nose-blowing Before and

after touching a wound or being witha sick person After touching

garbage After using

the toilet (FOR

SURE)!

Be a germbuster!

1

4

2

3

Sources: Marcia Patrick, RN, MSN, CIC, and the U.S. Centers forDisease Control and Prevention.



8/16

The Big

You can win by

HERES A picture of Jillian Michaels on her web-

site sporting a black, sleeveless -shirt with Bullywritten across the front.

Sure, the black teams coach on Vs TheBiggest Loser has the title of televisions toughesttrainer. But ask MultiCare Center For HealthyLivings Elizabeth Barnard her impressions ofthe weight-loss reality show star, and shellpoint out how Michaels cares and wantsothers to reach their healthy goals.

Shes trying to help people realize thatthey can do it, says Barnard, the CentersCommunity Events Coordinator. Shes notpushing them beyond their capabilitiesshes pushing them to their capabilities.

If youve seen the show, you knowMichaels is extremely fit, and youve watchedher help others lose a lot of unwantedpounds and learn how to live healthy lives.Now you can see Michaels in person atthis years Do Something Healthy event,

which is bound to include an inspirationaldose of anybody can do it when it comesto getting physical, eating well and main-

taining a healthy weight, Barnard says.People want to live a healthy life, but

Jan. 24

Do Something Healthy 9

Meet Jillian Michaels and sign up

for the Million Minute Mission.

February

Start classes at theYMCA. (Register online:

www.tacomaymca.org.)

8 | Healthy Living8 | Healthy Living


9/16

gest Winnersare the biggest loserssometimes they dont know how to get mo-tivated or where to start, Barnard says. Do

Something Healthy is a great first step tolearning more about health and nutritionand getting the motivation to make healthychanges to their lives.

In addition to helping others succeed,Michaels own healthy pursuits have led toseveral personal successes. She has a weeklyradio show, fitness DVDs and two publishedbooks, including her latest, Making the Cut:Thirty Days to the Strongest, Sexiest You.

According to her website, the energetic fit-ness trainer and life coach struggled with her

own weight, so she knows firsthand about thechallenges. Ten came martial arts, a sourceof her passion for fitness training.

Tis passion, along with Michaelsdesire to help people reach their fitness goals,should make the Do Something Healthyevent all the more inspirational and exciting.

In addition to Michaels featured presen-tation, Do Something Healthy will includea health fair and screenings, and a registereddietitian and personal trainer will be availableto answer attendees questions about nutri-tion, healthy eating and physical activity.

And if previous events are an indication

Join the Million Minute MissionHeres your mission, should you choose to accept it: Help your Pierce County friends and neigh-

bors reach a goal of logging millions of exercise minutes.

Its called the Million Minute Missiona community-wide fitness event led by the MultiCare Center

For Healthy Livingand its a fun way to get physical, get healthy, and win individual or team prizes.

Heres how it works: You register onlineits easyand then log

an average of 30 minutes of physical activity five or more days a week,

Jan. 24 through June 14. Kids can aim for 30 to 60 minutes.

You also track your progress online, so you can see your healthyminutes add up! Get the details at www.multicare.org/mission.

losingone inch at a time

this is the ninth year Do Something Healthyis taking placepeople will walk away withsomething they can use to better their health,perhaps profoundly so. Barnard has seen itbefore: Participants have taken informationfrom this event, she says, and used it tochange their lives.

DO SOMETHING HEALTHY 9

Meet Jillian!

When: Thursday, Jan. 24, 6 to 9pm

Where: Greater Tacoma Convention and

Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma

This years theme: Weight Maintenance

Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Special guest: Jillian Michaels, trainer from

NBCs TheBiggest Loser, 7pm

Health fair and screenings, 6 to 7pm

Bring a question for Ask the Dietitian

Have Michaels sign her book

Cost: $10

Preregistration is required.

Register online at www.multicare.org.

June 14

Sound to Narrows

Fun and fitness for a great

cause and the Biggest Winnerfinale. See you there!

April

Tracking your weight each

week is one good wayto monitor your health.

www.multicare.org/mission

May

Thirty minutes a day:Keep logging your exercise at

www.multicare.org/mission.

March

Get your Passport

to Healthy Dining at

www.piercecountygetsfit.org.



10/16

GROWNUPS AREN the only ones atrisk for being overweight or obese. Moreand more children are too.

What can parents do to help? akeaction, says nutrition expert Monica

Dixon, PhD, RD.Dixon is working to establish an OptimalWeight Clinic at MultiCares Mary BridgeChildrens Hospital & Health Center. Sheis researching the causes of the childhoodobesity epidemic and exploring whathospitals, schools, governments and otherscan do to turn the tide.

Its a complex matter, she says. But she

adds that the best place to begin preventingchildhood obesity is at home.

Teres a lot parents can do to help kidsmanage their weight, Dixon says.

Get started by following these tips:Serve whole foods. Tink fresh fruit,

vegetables and dairy, whole grains, nuts andoils, and less processed foods, Dixon says.Offer kids water instead of pop or juice.

Eat together. Family meals give youbetter control of food choices and are alsoa chance to bond with your kids and teachthem manners.

Tere are so many advantages, Dixon

Help your kids

manage their weight

Pierce County gets your family fi t

says. Tere are even studies that showthat kids who eat with their families oftenare less likely to use drugs or join gangs.

Exercise as a family. Tere are lotsof things you can do togetherhiking,biking, playing in the park, Dixon says.

Having an active family helps children

remain active as adults.Talk to your doctor.Your childs doctor

can determine if your child is overweight.He or she also can give you advice on safeways to help children take off extra pounds.

For more information, visit Kids Get

Fit at www.piercecountygetsfit.org.

Pierce County residents, are you ready to

make good on those New Years resolutions?

Let Pierce County Gets Fit help you and your

family meet your 2008 fitness goals.

Pierce County Gets Fit is a partnershipbetween MultiCare Health System, the YMCA

of TacomaPierce County and the Tacoma

Pierce County Health Department. Formed

in 2005, the goal of Pierce County Gets Fit

is simple: Help you and

your family get fit by pro-

moting good nutrition and

physical activity. Best of all, its easy to

participate.Whatever your health challenges or fitness

goals, Pierce County Gets Fit has something

for adults and kids alike.

Visit www.piercecountygetsfit.orgtoday.

[healthy families]

10 | Healthy Living


11/16

LAS FEBRUARY, two teams of five contes-tants took part in a four-month weight-losscompetition modeled after The Biggest LoserV show. A collaborative effort of MultiCareHealth System, the YMCA of acomaPierceCounty and the acomaPierce County

Health Department, Pierce CountysBiggest Winner contest and ongoingweight-maintenance program weredesigned to help Pierce County residentsadopt healthier lifestyles.

While the competition ended monthsago, the contests top two losers are stillgoing strong.

Whats new with AaronAaron Stewart may have been the contestsfirst-place winner, but he considers his im-proved health and lifestyle the real prize.

It was the best experience of my lifefrom the fellowship to the weight loss tothe whole transformation of my diet andhow I think about food, he says.

A 32-year-old executive pastor fromUniversity Place, Aaron is a former collegefootball player who feels just as strong todayas he did while playing for Pacific LutheranUniversity more than a decade ago. Aaronweighed 295 pounds coming into the com-petition and has lost a total of 52 pounds,or 20 percent of his body weight. He creditsMultiCare dietitians, the YMCA trainer,

fellow teammates and his wife for his success.What I really learned is that its

not about dieting, he says. Its about

Catching up with

the Biggest Winners

2008: Be our next Biggest Winner!

MultiCare Health System, the YMCA of TacomaPierce County and the TacomaPierce County

Health Department challenge you to get fit and be healthy in 2008. A MultiCare physician andregistered dietitian, along with a personal trainer from the YMCA, will oversee the Pierce County

Biggest Winner program to ensure that participants are losing weight and exercising in a safe,

healthy way. Applications for the program are available at www.piercecountygetsfit.org.

changing the way we eat.Aaron continues to exercise

regularly at the YMCA withhis wife, as well as fellow teammember Chris Waiss. Hes keptthe weight off and plans to lose

five to 10 more pounds.

Checking in with AprilApril Waddington was determined to makea dramatic change in her weight and life-style. And she did, coming in second overallin the contest and losing nearly 50 poundsand 17 percent of her body weight.

Te 34-year-old family support worker

from Puyallup battled her weight for morethan a decade and was 278 pounds whenthe competition began. Athletic in school,April was inspired to participate by thecompetitive nature of the contest.

Having such a great team motivatedme to do morefor myself and the team,she explains. I had to be accountable to

someone, and that made a big difference.April looks forward to reaching her goalweight of 165 pounds. Te key, she says,is combining low-fat proteinsand a high-fiber diet chock-fullof fruits and vegetables with anexercise program that includesfitness classes, weight trainingand yoga.

Teres no magic pill, shesays. It takes work, but its worthit. I feel 100 percent better!

[update]



12/16

IS WINER in western Washington,which means rain, wind and, all too often,power failures. Sometimes these failures lastjust a few hours, but its not uncommon insome areas to go a dayor two or three orfivewithout electricity.

Te duration of the power failure andthe temperature outside your home candetermine whether an outage is a simpleinconvenience or a major disruption. Witha little preparation, you and your familycan keep the hassle of a winter electricityloss to a minimum.

If you live in an area that loses power

regularly during the winter, consider in-vesting in a gas-powered generator. Runthe generator a safe distance away from thehouse so that the exhaust does not pose adanger.

Make sure you have enough supplies,including water, food, flashlights, warmclothing, a battery-operated radio, extrabatteries and medications.

Fill your vehicle with gas and keep

plenty of gas on hand to operate genera-tors. If power outages are widespread, itmay be diffi cult to find gas following astorm.

Set aside some cash for necessarypurchases.

Keep mobile phones fully charged and

consider hanging on to that outdatedcorded phone. Even corded phones wontwork if phone lines are down, but all ittakes to disable your cordless phone is alack of electricity.

Minimize your use of candles as asource of light. Unattended burningcandles are a major cause of house firesin the US. Its better to invest in a fewbattery-powered lanterns and a supplyof fresh batteries.

Keep barbecues and charcoal grillsoutside. Tese items are not designed to beused indoors, and their burning fuel canemit fumes that are dangerous in an en-closed area.

If you or a member of your family hasspecial medical needs that may be adversely

affected by a power outage (for example, ifyou use home medical equipment or yourmedication must remain chilled), make aplan to accommodate those needs if thelights go out.

Lights out!A checklist to help you weather winter power outages

12 | Healthy Living


13/16

Body Composition Testing

Check your body-fat percentageand lean-mass percentage and set a goalfor your weight.Fee: $15

253-530-8974

Bone Density Screening

Comprehensive DEXA screening for osteoporosis.Allenmore Hospital

253-403-1059

Mens and Womens HeartAdvantage Screening

A personalized consultation, risk assessmentand basic lab tests.Fee: Starts at $55

acoma General Hospital

800-342-9919

CHECK YOUR HEALTH

GET MOVING WITHCLASSES AT THE YMCA

Smart steps for a healthy life January

through

March 2008

Great success rates! No matter where you are in thequit process, this group is for you. Topics include

tobacco addiction, successful cessation practices,individualized quit plans, nicotine replacementtherapies, cessation medications, withdrawal symp-toms, coping skills, relapse and recovery. Drop-insand support people are welcome; low-cost nicotinepatches are available. For best results, we recommendweekly group attendance for one year following your finalquit date. Call for more information.Allenmore Hospital, boardroom: Mondays, noon to 1pm

Good Samaritan Community Healthcare: Mondays, 7 to 8pmacoma General Hospital, 6M: uesdays, 11:45am to 12:45pmMultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park: Wednesdays, 7 to 8pm253-223-7538

Personal Wellness Profile

Comprehensive wellness profile addressesnutrition, fitness, stress and heart health.Does not take the place of physician exams.Fee: $45

253-403-6340

Resting Metabolic Rate ScreeningGet the exact measurements youneed to successfully lose weight. The compre-hensive target calorie report will show you howto eat the maximum amount of food and stilllose weight.Fee: $40

253-530-8974

QuitTobacco Support Group

YMCA Womens Fitness Center

The YMCA Womens Fitness Center isnow open at the MultiCare Gig HarborMedical Park, 4545 Pt. Fosdick Drive

NW.This one-stop wellness and fit-

ness facility is available to our femalemembers (age 15 and older) andfeatures a 30- to40-minute circuitthat utilizes intervalsof cardio training andstrength training.

Yoga, Pilates, toningand other classes are alsooffered and are includedin your YMCA membership.Membership is also valid atthe Gig Harbor YMCA and allTacomaPierce County branches.Monday through Friday, 6:30am to 8pm

Child care is available from 8am to 7:30pm.

253-853-YMCA (253-853-9622)

Virtual tour: www.ymcatacoma.org

MARCH IS NUTRITION MONTH!Start the month off rightget your Passport to Healthy Dining.

MultiCare Center For Healthy Livingin partnership with the

Washington State Restaurant Association, acoma-Pierce CountyHealth Department and the YMCA of acoma-Pierce Countywill

present a yearlong program designed to provide you with healthy meal

options in restaurants. Te Get Fit Passport to Healthy Dining gives

you a list of restaurants that will be offering four Get Fit meal options.

Each meal option will meet our Get Fit healthy criteria.

But wait, theres more! Not only will you

have Get Fit meal options, but you can also

earn Get Fit incentives. For every 10 Get

Fit meals you purchase, youll be ableto receive an incentive, such as a

pedometer, a water bottle and more.

For more information, please visit

www.piercecountygetsfit.org.



14/16

EverActive

If youre at least 55, enrollnow and enjoy benefits inhealth and finance, travel,and entertainment.Fee: $25/single or

$39/couple

800-485-0205

Grandparenting

for the 21st Century

Learn the latest on child-birth, infant care andchildproofing your home.Plus, tour the Family BirthCenter!

Fee: $42/couple

Good health for active adults

Smart steps for a healthy life

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

TAKE CONTROLTobacco Cessation QuitSmart

Identify and conquer your personalchallenges in quitting tobacco by layinga solid foundation for a successful quit.Class topics are designed to take youthrough the first year of quitting. A vari-ety of activities ensures easy absorption ofthe material. You dont have to have quitto come to class, just have an interest in

learning how to do it! QuitSmart worksin conjunction with our support groups.Workbook included.Fee: $80 (scholarships available to income-

qualified participants)

Allenmore Hospital: Saturday, Jan. 19,9:30am to 3:30pm

Good Samaritan Community Healthcare:Saturday, Feb. 9, 9:30am to 3:30pm

MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park:Saturday, March 15, 9:30am to 3:30pm

[calendar of events]

BRIDGES: A Center for Grieving Children

Grief support groups with children 4 to18 years old who have experienced the lossof a parent or sibling. Concurrent groups

for parents and children.Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital

253-272-8266

Car Seat Inspections

Car seat inspections and phoneconsultations by certified child passengersafety technicians.Kent, Silverdale, acoma

253-403-1234

Childrens Asthma Education

Individualized education for parents andfamilies who have children with asthma.Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital

253-403-3131

Childrens Diabetes Education and Clinic

Individual education for children newlydiagnosed with diabetes and for their families.By appointment for those who need furthereducation or review. Classes, camps andsupport groups are also available.253-403-3131

Life Jacket Loans

Free life jacket loanersavailable year-round. Loaned forup to one week, limited quantities.Kent, Olympia, Silverdale, acoma

253-403-1234

Custom-Fit Helmet SalesGet custom-fit helmets, available in both childand adult sizes, to use with bikes, scooters,skateboards, skates, skis and snowboards.Wearer must be present for custom fit.Bike helmet: $7

Multi-impact helmet: $10

Ski helmet (Nov.-Feb.): $15

Covington, Kent, Olympia, Silverdale, acoma

253-403-1234

Parenting Love and Logic

Based on the parenting philosophy that allowschildren to live with the consequences of theirchoices while giving them loving guidance andsupport.Six-week class, 6:30 to 8:30pm

Fee: $50/person

acoma General Hospital

253-680-7500

FAMILY HEALTH AND SAFETYCall for times and locations.

14 | Healthy Living


15/16

irls

Night

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

Healthy@Work

Boost productivity and reduce absenteeismwith this work-site wellness program.Program offerings include health screenings,tobacco cessation, and health educationprograms and classes, all taught on-site for

both large and small companies.253-403-7895

MultiCare Center For Healthy Living

Education and programs for communitymembers and corporations. We promotehealth and wellness with exercise, nutri-tion, weight loss, life balance and tobaccocessation. (This community resource is

made possible by generous gifts donatedthrough the MultiCare Health Foundation.)800-485-0205, www.multicare.org

SmartMenu

The MultiCare Center For HealthyLiving offers free menu analysis torestaurants participating in the TacomaPierce County Health Departmentsmenu labeling program.253-403-7894 or253-405-8024

OUR HEALTHY COMMUNITYYOUR HEALTHYPREGNANCYBates echnical College,

in cooperation with a-

coma General Hospitals

Family Birth Center,

offers a variety of child-

birth and related classesat acoma General.

o register, visitwww.

bates.ctc.edu/registration

or call 253-680-7500.

Breastfeeding Classes

Choose the best feed-ing option for mom

and baby with currentinformation.Fee: $15/couple

Massage for Pregnancy

and Labor Class

Massage techniquesfor labor supportpartner and mom.Fee: $42/couple

Prepared Childbirth

Five-week series orweekend classes preparemom and partner forbirth and parenthood.Plus, tour the Family

Birth Center!Fee: $80/couple

Everything You Ever

Wanted to Know About

Rejuvenating Your Skin

Jan. 21, 5:30 to 8:30pmFeaturing laser procedures, hydrofacialsand physician-strength products.

Learn About Nonsurgical

Facial Enhancements

March 17, 5:30 to 8:30pmWalter Rooney, MD, will presentoptions such as:

Botox Restalyne

Radiesse

o R.S.V.P. for these events, call253-530-8005.

Healthy Reflections Medical &

Day Spa Education SeminarsMultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park

Out

$15OFFThe stress of the season and the

harshness of winter can wreakhavoc on our skin. If you areexperiencing dryness, dehydrationor acne and want to look yourbest, we have a solution for you!

A Winter Fix Facial from the

Healthy Reflections Medical &Day Spa can help calm, sootheand hydrate your skin whilegaining control over those break-outs caused by stress.

Call us today for an appoint-ment and discover radiant skin.

Dont wait!For more information and a

complete list of services and treat-ments, call 253-530-8005.Fee: $60 (a $15 savings)

Tis offer expires on

March 31, 2008.

Healthy Reflections Medical

& Day Spa

MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park

4545 Pt. Fosdick Drive NW

Gv r ts tr


[ ]


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STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER!| SIGN UP FOR A CLASS. SEE PAGE 13.

MultiCare Health SystemP.O. Box 5299Tacoma, WA 98415-0299

Nonprofit Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMultiCare

Health System

GH

[support]

CAREPAGES ARE free, private, personal-ized web pages that allow you to stay intouch with family and friends before, dur-ing and after hospitalization. All MultiCarepatients and families can create and updatea web page where they can share their latestnews with friends and family and receivemessages of support.

CarePages let you:

Update your loved ones all at the sametime without repeated phone calls or e-mails.

Create web pages that are not open tothe general public.

Send comments and compliments tocaregivers.

Share photos, contact information,

visiting hours and other information onyour schedule.

CarePages provide a free, convenient wayfor you to keep loved ones updated andfor them to provide you with emotionalsupport.

Visit www.multicare.orgor www.marybridge.orgto create a CarePage.

Keep in touch with CarePages

SM

before

See what Pierce

Countys 2007

Biggest Winners

look like now!

Page 11

Documents

Winter2008 Gh Final