Anonymous Donor Gifts EvergreenHealth Foundation Two Ultraviolet Sanitizing Machines to
Support the Health and Safety of Patients and Staff
Advanced UV-C technology kills infection-causing pathogens to provide another layer of protection
Kirkland, Wash. – An anonymous donor recently provided a generous grant to the EvergreenHealth Foundation for the purchase of two additional Clorox Healthcare® Optimum-UV™ EnlightSystems in recognition of the hospital’s comprehensive infection control plan and adept response to COVID-19. Following standard cleaning and disinfecting procedures, the mobile Optimum-UV™ EnlightSystem is used to ensure even hard-to-reach areas are thoroughly treated with short-wavelength ultraviolet light, or UV-C, which eliminates dangerous pathogens in 20 minutes or fewer.
By TARA PARKER-POPE
The scientific research on the benefits of so-called expressive writing is surprisingly vast. Studies have shown that writing about oneself and personal experiences can improve mood disorders, [Writing my blog helps me] help reduce symptoms among cancer patients, improve a person’s health after a heart attack, reduce doctor visits and even boost memory.
Now researchers are studying whether the power of writing — and then rewriting — your personal story can lead to behavioral changes and improve happiness. [I do this on my blog. I "update" all the time.]
The concept is based on the idea ] we all have a personal narrative that shapes our view of the world and ourselves. But sometimes our inner voice doesn’t get it completely right. Some researchers believe that by writing and then editing our own stories, we can change our perceptions of ourselves and identify obstacles that stand[ in the way of better health.
It may sound like self-help nonsense, but research suggests the effects are real.
READ MORE to find a personal story at the end of this article
*World Affairs Council Essay Contest
*"We Can Change the World Challenge"
*Ensemble Championships
* National History Championships in Maryland
*Robotics World Championships
*State Crime Scene Investigation Championships
*Wilder Reading
Kamiakin, Wilder, Juanita High, Lake Washington High, Redmond High, Redmond JH, International Click the blue link to "Read More" about all these activities >>
Mr. Welton wrote the Mayor of the negative health effects from putting fluoride in our drinking water. Below, is the Mayor's response and a copy of Mr. Welton's letter.
Mr. Welton,
Thank you for the article you sent for review along with your request for
the City of Redmond to reconsider adding fluoride to its drinking water. I want
to assure you that I do appreciate your concern.
Staff and I understand that
fluoride has been controversial for many years, with countless studies and
activists both for and against the ionic compound being added to water. In
reviewing the article you provided, the basis of concerns comes from studies
conducted in China on the effect of naturally occurring fluoride in drinking
water where concentrations are much greater than 1.0 mg/l.
As you may know, the City’s well water that serves roughly 40 percent of
Redmond has naturally occurring fluoride, as most natural water does.A small
amount is added to reach a level of 0.7 mg/l, which meets the City’s community
fluoridation objective set forth by the Department of Health.Recently, the
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the Environmental Protection
Agency issued a news release to recommend a slightly lower optimal level (from
1.0 mg/l to 0.7 mg/l) of fluoride in drinking water because Americans now have
increased access to fluoride from other sources such as toothpaste and
mouthwash.
Redmond follows the guiding principles of the Primary Drinking Water
Regulations to meet the guidelines of the Department of Health, the Center for
Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the Environmental Protection Agency.
The safety and effectiveness of fluoridation of public drinking water has
been studied for over 65 years, and the City has been adding fluoride to its
drinking water since 1975. (About 60 percent of Redmond's drinking water is
purchased from Seattle, and a 1968 referendum vote directed Seattle to
fluoridate its drinking water.)
The fluoride used in treatment meets the
quality and safety standards of the American National Standards Institute and
the American Water Works Association. The most respected health agencies in the
world, including The American Dental Association, the American Medical
Association, the American Water Works Association, the CDC, and the World
Health Association, continue to support this public health practice. The CDC
encourages all public water systems to fluoridate to protect people from tooth
decay and dental disease. Nationally, just shy of 80 percent of all drinking
water is fluoridated.
The City will continue to monitor the research and required standards to see
if the recommended concentration of fluoride in drinking water is lowered and
will respond accordingly.
John Marchione, Mayor, City of Redmond
###
Dear Mayor Marchione,
First of all, thank you for answering this E-Mail about the negatives of fluoride in our drinking water. I’m skeptical as to whether the any efficacy or safety studies have
been performed since:
1) Study after study is coming out, numerous of them I have sent to you in the
past, showing the harm that is caused by fluoride including dentalfluorosis and
osteofluorosis as well as may be linked to Hashimoto’s Disease causing elevated
cholesterol and underactive thyroid.
As a child I was riddled with cavities and had three root canals. As an adult, I continued with issues until I started taking better care of my teeth but still had a cavity or two a year. About 7 years ago I quit drinking city water, quit using fluoridated toothpaste, and started a regular regimen of brushing and flossing twice a day. My first visit to a dentist in well over four years resulted in significantly reduced Periodontal Pockets and no cavities. Yes this is anecdotal evidence but it is the case. I take thyroid replacement medication daily for treatment of Hashimoto’s Disease, my thyroid has returned to normal activity and cholesterol is down significantly. Elevated Cholesterol led me to take Crestor which is a Statin Drug. There are numerous Statin Drugs on the market and they all have the same possible side effect, Type II Diabetes. Since being Diagnosed with Type II Diabetes I’ve quit taking Statin Drugs but I believe it is too late and the harm caused is permanent. So to recap, since being off most of the fluoride in the average American’s life I have less cavities. I have Hashimoto’s Disease that could have been caused by fluoride, the Hashimoto’s Disease caused elevated Cholesterol which caused me to be prescribed a statin drug that most likely caused Type II diabetes.
Juvenile kokanee salmon – delicate, wriggling slivers of silver – were carefully tipped from buckets into Laughing Jacobs Creek in Issaquah today. The release marked the beginning of their journey to adulthood in the wild and the end of the second season of emergency hatchery supplementation for a critically weak salmon stock that King County and its Lake Sammamish Kokanee Work Group partners hope to rebuild.
“Our effort to boost the struggling Sammamish kokanee population is an essential short-term step, while our long-term goal is to protect and restore the kokanee's habitat so hatchery supplementation is no longer needed,” said King County Executive Dow Constantine, who took part this afternoon in the Earth Week release of 100 juvenile kokanee salmon – the last of approximately 30,000 kokanee released this spring.
The council and Marchione administration are trying a new tack to involve the public in creating a respectable budget for the next two years. It's called "Budgeting by Priorities". [video clip of Mayor Marchione & Pres. McCormick at bottom.]
I went to the first public meeting last Thursday. It was kinda fun. The focus of the meeting was to learn about 6 Budget Priorities that were picked by a Focus Group of 40 citizens and Council. The council chambers were almost full at the meeting. We all had a chance to pick our favorite Priority and talk about it in group breakouts.
I selected the priority group: "I WANT A SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND CONNECTION WITH OTHERS". I look at my blog as a way to connect the neighbors with each other and the city and schools. I also like the network of trails that connect developments to parks and schools and roads. With a good trail system, fewer cars (& less congestion) are needed for student commutes; more bicycles are used for errands. And especially, trails and parks are synonymous with lower health costs & increased productivity.
Korby Parnel, a planning commissioner, has been a long-time advocate of city-wide WI-FI. I like the concept too, for convenience, more opportunities to connect with others, and less commuting "home" or to the office to get "hooked in". Some citizens recommended a more comprehensive web site to connect the neighborhoods. Later, I discovered Communications Program Manager, Ms. Gronlund just built-out a Neighborhood site (here)!
My final strategic thought was to keep families connected by expanding housing choices. "Mother-in-law" housing -- also known as ADU's help to keep handicapped or dependent families under one roof. Seniors and boomerang kids is another group that benefit. One citizen reminded us that affordable housing is more likely when buildings are allowed to add an extra story.
It appeared the bulk of the folks in my group were interested in arts and theatre and culture. Many arts commissioners were present,including Tom Flynn, Chair of the arts commission and Mary, the arts staffer. I thought the best idea we agreed upon as a group was one recommended by Tom. He suggested an indoor gathering place similar in concept to the Crossroads Mall. Every weekend live music is played by a different group, kids and adults dance (my favorite attraction), "sidewalk" chess is played, large food court, and a New York style open newspaper rack and bookstore. Tom suggested a public-private partnership. A developer savvy citizen said the X-Roads mall worked, in part, because it was surrounded by high density residential. Good point. Several Arts commissions had brought up Cleveland Ave. for a location idea. With several 6 story residential buildings going up on Cleveland Avenue soon, commissioners may have hit the mark for a mall location?!! Promenades came up briefly, too.
One gentleman recommended we add a 7th Priorityaddressing aspects of "CIVIC PRIDE". I think it's a great idea! Do you? The 6 Priorities are listed below:
Priorities: 1) I want a well-maintained city whose infrastructure keeps pace with growth. 2) I want to live,learn,work, and play in a clean and green environment. 3) I want a sense of community and connection with others. 4) I want to be safe where I live, learn, work and play. 5) I want a diverse and vibrant range of businesses in Redmond. 6) I want a city government that is responsible and responsive to its residents and businesses.
Is there a place for "civic pride" here? What's our city signature? "Who are we"? How do we budget for it? Is our city "signature" the bicycle capital of the NW? Digital art? Parks & trails? Natural areas? What are we proud of in Redmond and how do we express it?
4 minute clip of Council President Nancy McCormick and Mayor John Marchione talking it up at the 3/4 meeting. The next, last and most important meeting is April 24.
Kirkland, Wash. – Last night, EvergreenHealth’s Board of Commissioners formally appointed Tim McLaughlin as its newest board member. After a thorough search and selection process, the board selected Mr. McLaughlin to fill the seat that represents the Redmond/Sammamish area. The position was held formerly by Auggie Kempf, who announced his retirement in September.
Mr. McLaughlin brings an abundance of professional and community experience to the board.
“Tim has an impressive business and financial background, combined with decades of experience as a trusted community leader,” said EvergreenHealth CEO Bob Malte. “His experience managing the financial, procedural and business functions for national organizations will be a tremendous asset to our organization as we continue to expand our services and offer exceptional care to the communities we serve.”-
About Tim McLaughlin:
Mr. McLaughlin is an experienced financial executive currently serving as chief financial officer of SightLife, a global health organization with a mission to eliminate corneal blindness, and its subsidiary, SightLife Surgical. Over the last decade at SightLife, McLaughlin oversaw a $50 million operating budget and is responsible for accounting, treasury, financial reporting, facilities, information technology and purchasing functions.
He brings more than 35 years of financial experience across multiple industries, and his former positions include: CFO of Eddie Bauer; vice president and controller for AT&T Wireless Services; and CFO of National Cash Register Corporation’s microelectronics division.
The health system is among Healthgrades’ nationally ranked top hospitals in four specialty areas
Kirkland, Wash. – EvergreenHealth announced today that it has been named among America’s 100 Best™ hospitals in several specialty care areas by Healthgrades, the leading resource that connects consumers, physicians and health systems. The health system once again earned recognition for excellence in stroke care, pulmonary care, gastrointestinal care, and general surgery, as part of Healthgrades’ 2021 Report to the Nation.
KEYNOTE SPEAKER 10:30 AM- 12 Noon
Dr. Christy Kimpo, Ph.D, LMHC, IMHS, of Navos Infant & Early Childhood Mental Health What is Infant Mental Health and how do early attachment relationships impact mental health across childhood?
Breakout session #1 1:00 – 3:30 PM
• Lara Okoloko, MSW, CDPT, of Science and Management of Addictions (SAMA) Drug Use Trends, Signs of Use and Prevention.
• Dr. Susan Cavalry, PhD, ARNP, BC of Therapeutic Health Services Encompass Program An Integrated Treatment for Adolescents and Young Adults with Substance Use and Mental Health Disorders.
• Steve Anderson, MC, LMHC, of Hartley Counseling & NAMI Support Group Facilitator Helping Family Members Cope With Dual-Diagnosis
Breakout session #2 1:00 – 3:30 PM
• Dr. Gayle Fay, PhD, Neuropsychologist Neuropsychology Assessments of Children
• Dr. Wendy Hutchins Cook, PhD, Clinical Psychologist Assessments of Families in Crisis/Divorce
No childcare provided
Cafeteria on site for lunch (12-1), snacks and beverages provided
RSVP FORM AND DETAILS HERE
Space is limited Return RSVP form below to: NAMI Eastside
16315 N.E. 87th Street, Suite B-3
Redmond, WA 98052 Internet photo - Child Psychiatry
Kirkland, Wash. – Robert “Bob” Malte today announced he plans to retire from his position as Chief Executive Officer of EvergreenHealth, by the end of 2018, after nearly eight years in the role and a 42-year career in health care leadership.
“Bob has been at the helm of our system during a period of immense growth and change,” said Al DeYoung, chairman, EvergreenHealth Board of Commissioners. “We are grateful for his exceptional leadership, commitment to our organization, and dedication to advancing the health and well-being of this community, alongside our over 5,000 employees, providers and volunteers.”
In a message to staff today, Malte shared: “This was a difficult decision and one that I have been contemplating for a while. I love EvergreenHealth, my work, the people, and all that we have accomplished together.I know I will miss my work here and all of you who make EvergreenHealth such an amazing organization – both to me and to our entire community.
“Yet, I am also ready to pursue aspirations not yet fulfilled in my life, and to pay it forward. These include teaching health administration at the graduate level, volunteering in the community, and most importantly, spending more time with my wife Susi and our family, here in the Northwest where we’ve made our home.”
During his tenure as CEO, EvergreenHealth has gained both regional and national recognition as one of the top health systems for its performance and commitment to quality, safety, service, and value. For nine of the past 10 years, Healthgrades recognized the hospital among the top 5 percent in the nation for clinical excellence, and for the past two years, it was rated among the top 2 percent. EvergreenHealth was also the first in the state to receive a five-star quality rating from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid, among many other awards and achievements.
Under Malte’s leadership, EvergreenHealth also expanded substantially into a two-hospital system, with a 310-provider multispecialty medical group, 12 primary care locations and five urgent care locations, as well as becoming the largest home care and home hospice network in the Puget Sound region.
Tom Hinman's "Sustainable Redmond" facilitated the salvaging of native plants at the former Group Health hospital site before the understory vegetation was lost to redevelopment. The Native Plant Society had a dig on November 15th and December 1 with the Green Kirkland Team totaling 150 plants.
Eastside Audubon organized a salvage work party on Saturday, December 1st totaling over 450 plants from 40 volunteers. Sword Fern, Salale, Oregon Grape were the popular shrubs. The plants were transported to Marymoor Park Bird Loop and stored. On Saturday, January 5, 8 AM, volunteers can meet at Parking Log G to install the plants into a hillside on the Loop.
The picture on the left taken by Tom Hinman with his volunteers celebrating their "trophy sword fern." Redmond Councilmember Hank Myers participated.
The City is hosting its Fall Recycling & Collection Event this Saturday, October 6th. As part of this, you can dispose of many prescription drugs, over the counter medications, and vitamins. Visit the 2012 Fall Recycling & Collection Event site for more information, times, location, and to see the specifics of what you can/can’t bring. Outside of this event, you can always dispose of most medications at the Group Health Medical Center Pharmacy (15809 Bear Creek Parkway in Redmond)- you do NOT need to be a member of Group Health to take advantage of this great service. Learn more at:www.takebackyourmeds.org. You can find other drop locations in the state by visiting: www.takebackyourmeds.org/what-you-can-do/locations/temporary-drop-off-locations#search, however, always read instructions of what can/can’t be disposed of before going.
For those of you who wondered what was to become of the Sears site in Overlake, here's the answer. The development company Seritage has proposed a project that covers a 14 acre parcel that includes a park (over the new storm water vault) in a master planned mixed use development. View the project design HERE. It's amazing. The project, known as Heritage Place, has been approved by the Design Review Board per information linked below and will be the subject of an initial Redmond City Council study session on January 23rd. There will be another study session on March and a public hearing on this development a bit later on.
Hospital and free-standing ER's over prescribe
narcotics like Percodan, Oxycontin, Vicodin
UPDATED: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it's recommended doctors limit prescription pain medications, especially opiates, prescribed through the emergency rooms. Good to know, seeing Redmond has 5 Emergency Departments within ~12 miles and opiates like Oxycontin are extremely addicting and can be lethal.
Comment: In February, a close family member (Jane) was admitted to Overlake Hospital ER by an Overlake-Redmond Urgent Care Physician's Assistant for recurring, moderate abdominal pain. Even though we told the doctor that Jane had previous treatment and imaging for abdominal pain at Virginia Mason he didn't check her medical records or ask for details. Rather, he immediately put her on Hydro-morphine Inj and after a $7,605 charge for ER services, sent her home with a bottle of 12 narcotic pills and a diagnosis of abdominal pain even after a CT radiologists indicated constipation. Jane took only two pills. The next day laxatives relieved her pain. Yes, it was constipation causing the pain (and opiates make constipation worse!) B.Y.
So, now what to do with the remaining 10 addicting pills? Read More >>
Public process for the park is robust. Sites are selected for off-site tree mitigation
When Capstone purchased the Overlake Group Health site this Spring to build their mixed-use urban village it didn't take them long to get to the drawing boards. In last night's Council session Capstone's Mike Hubbard said the hotel and conference center would move to the Northwest corner and it was decided they would design, own, and maintain the park. After the spine road and parcel access roads are built, residential units (near 152nd) owned by Avalon will be constructed in May/June of next year. All other construction will come afterwards.
1400 multi-family residential units, 1.2 million square feet of commercial (office and retail) an 180,000 sq. ft. hotel/conference center, 2.7 acre public park and 10 acres of off site forest canopy are slated to be constructed eventually in this transit friendly mixed-use village. The Group Health Hospital has already been demolished; possibly the second largest demolition in the State after the Kingdome, according to Hubbard.
The public process for development of the park will be robust. The Parks Commission and Design Review Board will hold special meetings on the park. A Public Hearing is scheduled for October 15. The first of two Community Meetings will be held mid-November. Councilmember Allen asked that Council have input before the project goes to a formal "Type II" Review. So there will be plenty of public comment time up front before formal review.
Off Site Tree mitigation of all the trees that will be chopped down at the site drew the most interest and discussion from Council. After consulting with Sustainable Redmond, staff narrowed down the potential sites for 81% of the trees from 14 to 7 and then 6. They based their site selection on visibility, closeness to trails, habitat value, connection points between critical areas, and proximity to Overlake. Perrigo Park, Perrigo Heights Open Space, Cascade View Park, the 2.5 acres behind Swedish Medical offices, and wetlands near the Marymoor Storage Center were finalists. Councilmember John Stilin asked if citizens living near parks and open space gave any input, besides Sustainable Redmond members View Point Open Space Corridor was the closest available location to Overlake for the remaining 2 acres of mitigation...but the slopes are steep. The small tree "specimens" will be planted this Fall.
Posted on March 4, 2012 by Max Feingold publisher of Cat's Paw Images, Blog"Exploring the Seattle Area Camera in Hand"
In 1871, Warren Wentworth Perrigo and Captain Luke McRedmond became the first white men to stake a claim and settle the land that would become the city of Redmond. Read and See More >>
Photo and Story by Max Feingold
These pictures tell the story eloquently. Hopefully, they will help decision-makers realize what they’ve got in this urban jewel before it’s gone. Enough of paving paradise! We can have the transit-oriented village AND a good percentage of these beautiful trees; they are not mutually exclusive unless the only consideration is profit. Thanks for all the work you put into this post. -- Comment by Katheryn, Reader of "Cat's Paw Images - Blog"
LETTER: It's easy to assume the four listed parks would have received new trees regardless of the developer's actions. So, while this might reduce costs to the city, it won't result in offsetting trees removed from the Overlake property.
The developer should be required to purchase their own property, plant trees, and gauantee the survival of those trees for a reasonable period of time -- 99-years for example. Such a requirement has been place on developers in the past, in other areas of the U.S., and isn't unreasonable to expect here.
Still time to take part in 5th-annual King County Parks’ Big Backyard 5K, June 1 at Marymoor Park
Presented by Group Health, this fun family event benefits King County Parks
It’s almost time to join with friends, family and fellow outdoors enthusiasts in a fun event that supports King County Parks – the Big Backyard 5K presented by Group Health, Sunday, June 1 at Marymoor Park.
The Big Backyard 5K starts at 9 a.m. and takes participants through beautiful Marymoor Park at the northern end of Lake Sammamish. The course follows the Marymoor Connector Trail and a portion of the East Lake Sammamish Trail. Strollers and leashed dogs are welcome.
A free kids’ dash sponsored by Whole Foods and featuring King County’s environmental mascot, Bert the Salmon, follows the fun run at 10 a.m., and then it’s time for the awards ceremony at 10:15 a.m.
Register online at www.bby5k.comprior to race day for $40 and you’ll get an event t-shirt, plus food, drinks, timing chip and more on race day. Day-of-race registration is $40, and includes all of the swag mentioned earlier, except the t-shirt, which is only available while supplies last.
Funds raised by the 5K help leverage King County taxpayers’ investment in parks, trails and open space by keeping these features open and safe for all to enjoy.
Looking for more incentive to sign up? How about cash? Break the course record (16:18 for men, 20:15 for women), and you’ll win $100.
The Big Backyard 5K promotes fitness and community involvement, and has raised more than $125,000 for King County Parks.
NAMI Eastside’s February Educational Forum on ATTENTION DEFICIT/HYPER ACTIVITY DISORDER (ADD/ADHD)
Please join us on Tuesday evening, FEBRUARY 19, 2013 as we welcome Dr. Harlan Gephart, a well-known expert on ADHD. Dr. Gephart is an ADHD Consultant at Pediatric Associates in Redmond, Washington. He developed and directed the Center for Attention Deficit Disorders at Group Health in 1990 and for 12 years served as its Medical Director. He has been actively involved in medical education for medical students and physicians, and is a Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Washington. He is currently on the national faculty of the REACH Institute, www.thereachinstitute.org; an educational institute in New York which provides educational courses for physicians in Pediatric Psychopharmacology, along with other courses for health care professionals.
Dr. Gephart will provide us with an overview of current knowledge of ADHD and its evidence-based treatment.
We hope you can join us at Evergreen Health (formerly Evergreen Hospital), 12303 NE 130th Lane in Kirkland in Suite Tan 100 which is downstairs in the Education Center. This FREE program begins at 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm. For more information contact the NAMI Eastside office at (425) 885-6264 or info@nami-eastside.org. You can also check out our website at www.nami-eastside.org.
By Barbara Thompsen NAMI-Eastside Executive Director
You may notice unwanted pharmaceuticals accumulating in your cabinet with "no place to go". Recently, the State Attorney General said we are not to flush pharmaceuticals. Yet, throwing them in the trash contaminates ground water; and they are a drug abuser's delight. So how do we safely dispose of our unwanted pharmaceuticals? The City of Redmond is working hard on this!
Last Saturday, City Police participated in a National "Take Back Drug" program with the Drug Enforcement Agency. According to the two police officers on duty in the Public Safety Building Lobby the event was a success; over 100 citizens dropped off their unwanted pharmaceuticals. When I visited a half hour before closing, the police pointed to a large brown box (18 inches X 48 inches) completely filled with drugs - going to the incinerator.
The National Take Back Program is a once a year event. But, other local organizations will take-back your drugs. The Sammamish Police Department has a lock-box and accepts controlled drugs. Group Health - Redmond (425-882-6150) and Bartell Drug - Bridal Trails (425-881-5544) take-back all but controlled drugs. A Group Health -Redmond pharmacist recommended mixing the controlled drugs with water and coffee grounds.
Sherry Grindeland, spokesperson for Evergreen (Public) Hospital says Evergreen won't take-back drugs for the community, writing:
"Hospitals have to follow certain protocols when they discard outdated drugs. We are required by law to have them destroyed and it is quite expensive. (I didn't ask exact amount.) We give them to a company that specializes in this and they're incinerated at extremely high temperatures.
The pharmacists I talked to said the best way to dispose of drugs was to mix them with kitty litter --- USED kitty litter - and put them in your household trash. Yuk!" 7/23
County Parks – the Big Backyard 5K presented by Group Health, Sunday, June 1 at Marymoor Park.