Pacific Science Center and Group Health team up for kids health

July 28, 2010 — 7:52 am

Professor WellbodyPacific Science Center is developing an innovative and highly immersive new exhibit, Professor Wellbody’s Health & Wellness Academy, which is scheduled to open in the fall of 2011. The center is working with Group Health to bring the Exhibit to life.

The exhibit guests will be encouraged to get their game on in the Fitness Play Zone, dodge flying particles at the Sneeze Wall, glimpse their future self with the interactive aging software and climb musical stairs to a second floor of discovery.

This is the Science Center’s first new permanent exhibit in more than (more…)

Group Health Connects Blog

June 2, 2010 — 11:59 am

Group Health launched a new blog called Group Health Connects to support and connect all of the passionate Group Health staff and members who are active in the community. (more…)

Group Health and Seattle Sounders FC partner for kids

May 7, 2010 — 11:31 am

Keeping kids healthy and active is what Group Health does best and yesterday announced a cool new partnership with Sounders FC to integrate nutrition and healthy lifestyle tips into all the Sounders FC summer youth camps.

As part of the sponsorship, Group Health will also provide scholarships to area youth. Those interested, can apply for the scholarships at www.soundersfc.com. (more…)

Husband and wife team return from Haiti

March 10, 2010 — 3:04 pm
Drs. Lindsay and Dan MacDougall volunteering in Haiti

Drs. Lindsay and Dan MacDougall volunteering in Haiti

The Group Health husband-and-wife team of Drs. Lindsay and Dan MacDougall are medical relief veterans with approximately 14 tours under their belt, returned last weekend from three weeks stationed just outside Port-au-Prince.

Dr. Dan MacDougall, who became involved in medical-relief missions after the 1986 Mexico City earthquake, asked me to share the following account and photos of their experience:

Drs. Lindsay MacDougall

Dr. Lindsay MacDougall

“The areas of P-a-P (Port-au-Prince) and the surrounding towns and villages were destroyed to a degree that even the pictures we have seen on TV gave little justice to. The collapsed buildings, the piles of rubble and trash, and the aimless crowds of victims who had lost just about everything they had, including family, was almost overwhelming. Many people lived in 4×6 plastic wrapped shelters or just under bed sheets.

Our primary job there with Medical Teams International was to (more…)

Views from Haiti and Dominican Republic

March 3, 2010 — 1:52 pm
Dr. Mary Wierusz in the Dominican Republic with a Hatian patient who needed a skin graft.

Dr. Mary Wierusz in the Dominican Republic with a Hatian patient who needed a skin graft.

What is it like to be on the ground, as a physician, helping as best as possible in such conditions? Reports from two physicians—one a new doc at Northgate and the other a retired Group Health physician—tell the story. View more of Dr. Wierusz photos here: Images from Dominican Republic

“We cared for refugees who came to the Dominican Republic from Haiti, most with orthopedic problems—crush injuries, need for amputations, wound infections—but some tropical diseases such as malaria, too,” said Mary Wierusz, MD, a family physician at Northgate Medical Center, recently returned from 12 days in the Dominican Republic. “As a volunteer with Children of the Nations, I was one of five physicians on a medical team of three surgeons, and another family physician.” (more…)

Group Health and community leaders bring vaccines to those in need

February 23, 2010 — 4:48 pm

Vaccine1Group Health and community leaders are creating a new system to ensure children and everyone in Washington state continues to have access to affordable vaccines without interruption.

In 2009 Washington state eliminated funding for its universal purchase of vaccine program due to the state’s severe budgetary crisis. This change threatened to disrupt Washington’s efficient and cost effective system for acquiring and distributing childhood vaccine, potentially leading to even higher costs and administrative challenges. Funding was slated to be eliminated in May of 2010.

When it became apparent that the program would be eliminated, Group Health began working on solutions that would maintain the low cost and easy access to vaccines for providers and families across the state.

Group Health joined a group of community leaders, doctors, insurers, public health officials, and other stakeholders to explore ways to maintain the state’s universal purchase system. Recently the group agreed in principle to form a public private partnership that would continue universal purchase of vaccines with funding provided by insurers. One major benefit of maintaining the universal purchase program means that vaccines can be purchased at a discounted rate through the federal government.

Proposed legislation will finalize an agreement reached by health insurers to continue universal purchase of vaccines effective May 1, 2010. Final details of the universal purchase program will be worked out in the coming weeks.

The follow is a story about the cuts was recently featured on KING5 TV

Free training clinics for Bloomsday Run

February 19, 2010 — 2:58 pm

running

Group Health and Providence are working together to provide FREE training clinics to help participants get in shape for Bloomsday™ — a Spokane area run that attracts more than 50,000 participants young and old from around the nation.

Register now for seven free weeks of training at Spokane Falls Community College, 8:30 a.m. on Saturday mornings starting March 13.

Every week, start inside Spokane Falls Community College gym, listen to training tips, warm-up with a personal trainer, and by 9 a.m. start your training! Walk or run at your own pace, starting with one mile, increasing one mile each week. Volunteers will be waiting for you at water stations with first aid, and crossing guards will encourage you to keep up the good work.

Register in advance or at the clinics.
The registration form is attached or you can go to www.phc.org to download a registration form, or call 509-482-2356 for further information.

Words from Haiti

February 10, 2010 — 4:36 pm

The following is a powerful message from Group Health Urgent Care Dr. Ken Elam, who just returned  from volunteering in Haiti. He shares his experience, sadness, joy and advice.

Dr. Elam with nurse, and proud father

Dr. Elam with nurse, and proud father

Before on trips to Haiti, we often had trouble nailing down with patients when exactly symptoms started, probably a point of little relevance to those seeking treatment. Now, however,the tremblement de terre or earthquake is the starting point of all misery, injuries of course, but headaches, back pain and acid stomach too. With few new additional injuries, our focus in  an area of Port au Prince away from the worst destruction was on care of the scores with wounds often hastily covered the first days, and post op care for the many people with bones fixed in place surgically with metal rods and with amputations. The heart freezes, the breath gasps at the sight of every amputated child. (more…)