Issue 1 - Providence Washington - Providence Health & Services

heartbeat 

providence 

Quality health care in the Inland Northwest SPRING 2012 

Heart Beat’s 50th Year 

Community 

Connection 

Coordinated 

outreach brings care 

to rural residents 

Making 

Strides 

Providence 

research leads 

the way 

A Life’s 

Work 


nurses have 

a challenging 

role—and they 

wouldn’t have it 

any other way

providence 

heartbeat 

Executive Editor 

Joe Robb 

Managing Editor 

Kate Vanskike 

Medical Editor 

Jeff Collins, MD 

Senior Content Editors 

Kat Johnson 

Kari Redfield 

Art Director 

Monya Mollohan 

Photographers 

Gary Matoso 

Eric Chamberlain 

Copyright 2012 © Providence Health Care. 

Online at phc.org. Published three times 

a year by McMurry. Send comments to 

heartbeat@providence.org or Public Relations, 

PO Box 2555, Spokane, WA 99220. 

Michael Wilson, Chief Executive 

Board of Directors 

Mike Reilly, Chair 

Gary Livingston, PhD, Vice Chair 

Marian Durkin, Secretary-Treasurer 

Patricia Butterfield, PhD 

Ramon Canto, MD 

Dan Dionne, MD 

Susanne Hartung, SP 

Elaine Hoskin 

Paul Larsen, MD 

Keith Marton, MD 

Dean Martz, MD 

Rob McCann, PhD 

Sr. Judith Nilles, OP 

Paul Pimentel 

Curt Shoemaker 

Phil Stalp 

Jim Watts, MD 

Ron Wells 

Providence Health Care includes 11 health 

care organizations in Eastern Washington. 

It is a member of Providence Health & 

Services. Visit providence.org for more 

information. 

Providence Health Care does not discriminate 

against qualified people in 

admissions, services or employment on 

the basis of age, race, religion, gender, 

sexual orientation, disability, ethnicity or 

any other basis prohibited by local, state 

or federal law. 

Mission Statement 

As people of Providence, we reveal God’s 

love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, 

through our compassionate service. 

{FROM THE HEART} 

Taking Care of the 

Whole Population 

I’m troubled by the disparity 

between the uninsured versus 

the insured, in terms of their 

ability to access good medicine in the 

right setting. Aren’t you 

In many circles, the central focus 

of the health care reform discussion is 

cost. Medical care is expensive. Care 

delivery could be done more effectively 

to ease the financial burden on patients, 

payers and providers alike. No one 

denies that these are valid concerns. 

But on a deeper level, especially 

within health care systems like Providence, 

a critical piece of reform is not 

about the money at all. It’s about the 

disparity between people who can pay 

for care and those who can’t. It’s the 

realization that the most poor and 

vulnerable are still being left out of the 

equation. “How do we take care of the 

entire population” is a question that 

continually tugs at me personally and 

professionally, because I believe that 

every person deserves equal access to 

quality care. 

Our leaders at Providence are 

making valiant efforts to address the 

inequality that still exists between 

those who are insured or able to pay 

and those who are not. Providence 

ministries always provide care, 

regardless of a person’s ability to pay— 

that’s one of the hallmarks that set us apart 

from other health systems. But we’re also 

addressing the larger issues, such as where 

patients access care and how providers 

work together, because these issues have a 

great impact on the delivery of health care 

and its availability to all people. 

Providence Health Care is opening 

outreach clinics throughout Eastern 

Washington and expanding our affiliations 

with multiple providers. We’re 

currently developing a large, regional 

physician delivery system that allows for 

managing care more effectively, making 

it more available and reducing costs. Stay 

tuned, because you’ll be hearing about 

this in the coming months. 

In addition to these important endeavors, 

Providence continues advocating for 

programs that serve people who can’t 

get care elsewhere. Examples include 

psychiatry programs and the residency 

clinics that provide care for the poor. We 

actively support other charity clinics and 

prescription drug assistance foundations, 

too, because we know these partnerships 

are absolutely vital. 

I’m very optimistic about the changes 

health care will experience moving 

forward—especially within our local community, 

as Providence demonstrates our 

commitment to this region. I hope you’ll 

watch with eager anticipation for the good 

things that are coming. 

Sincerely, 

Michael Wilson 

Chief Executive 

The Providence Vision 

Together, as people of Providence, we 

answer the call of every person we serve: 

Know me, care for me, ease my way. 

Core Values 

Respect • Compassion • Justice 

Excellence • Stewardship 

PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC CHAMBERLAIN 

Spring 2012 Heart Beat ● 3

{contents} 

Spring 2012, Volume 50, No. 1 

On the cover: Lynn Stapleton, RN, MN; Rick 

Agrella, RN; and Chris Peterson, CRNA, are all smiles 

as they discuss the joys of nursing at Providence. 

To learn more, see page 18. Photo by Gary Matoso. 

3 From the Heart 

In the face of a changing health care landscape, Providence affirms its 

commitment to serve the poor and vulnerable in our community. 

5 Mailbag 

A reader responds to an article about a woman living with HIV. 

28 

6 Insider 

Find out who our newest providers are, why Sacred Heart was named a top 

heart transplant center, and what our new pet policy means for your pooch. 

31 

8 Healthy Living 

Get the scoop on managing common afflictions, such as leg pain and IBS. 

10 Children’s Health 

A 12-year-old boy has a heart-stopping experience with cardiac arrest. 

24 

8 

12 Cardiac report 

A revolutionary new therapy, spinal cord stimulation, brings new hope to 

patients with heart failure. 

14 Forging Medical Milestones 

World-class research distinguishes the work of Providence Medical 

Research Center, which leverages a comprehensive, physician-led 

program to pave the way for the treatments of the future. 

18 A Higher Calling 

Providence nurses reveal the meaningful, unique and often difficult— 

but always rewarding—work of nursing. 

24 Care Close to Home 

Coordinated outreach means patients in rural communities have 

access to Providence’s world-class, specialized care. 

27 

14 

27 foundation 

With the creation of a single foundation, giving is easier than ever. 

28 Growth 

Sacred Heart’s Emergency Department will soon accommodate more 

patients of all ages, thanks in part to a generous donation. 

30 MD spotlight 

Roger Cooke, MD, sheds light on the baffling disease of multiple sclerosis. 

31 Calendar 

Local events, activities, classes and special support groups. 

30 

32 Role Model 

Judy Benson, MD, inspires as an internist, teacher and leader—and she 

recently received major recognition to prove it. 

4 ●Spring 2012 Heart Beat

{mailbag} 

facebook.com/ProvidenceSacredHeart 

facebook.com/ProvidenceHolyFamilyHospital 

youtube.com/ProvidenceSpokane 

twitter.com/Providence_PHC 

Stories 

from the 

Heart 

Dear Heart Beat, 

Thank you for the article about HIV and your clinic. It was great to see 

coverage on an issue about which we’ve become apathetic.—T. Coleman 

It’s true that HIV has dropped out of the headlines in the past decade, leading 

some to believe that it’s not much of an issue anymore. We’re glad you 

noticed—and appreciated—the story, which told the courageous tale of one 

local woman. This article and others can be found anytime on our website at 

phc.org/heartbeat. 

Share Your Story 

A hospital visit can be a stressful and overwhelming time in the best of 

circumstances. Often, it’s the calming and friendly presence of a nurse that 

provides comfort and a lasting memory. We invite you to share a story about 

a time when a nurse made a difference for you. Post your experiences and 

thoughts on our Facebook wall at facebook.com/ProvidenceSacredHeart 

or facebook.com/ProvidenceHolyFamilyHospital. 

Spotlight on Health 

The latest Spotlight on Health videos are on our PHC YouTube channel at 

youtube.com/ProvidenceSpokane. Scan the images on your smartphone 

to watch the videos, each covering a different area of expertise. 

TAke OUR Poll 

tell us your 

thoughts 

When you think of Providence hospitals 

being Catholic, what comes to mind 

A) Catholic hospitals help care for the 

whole person—mind, body and spirit. 

B) Non-Catholic patients are treated 

differently than those who are Catholic. 

C) Catholic hospitals make sure all people 

receive care, and support many community 

services as well. 

D) Whether a hospital is Catholic or not 

has no bearing on my choice of where 

to seek care. 

Visit phc.org/ 

heartbeat or capture 

this image on your 

smartphone and tell 

us what you think! 

Maternal-Fetal 

Medicine 

Neonatal 

Intensive Care 

Pediatric 

Surgery 

Want to receive 

Heart Beat via email 

It’s easy. Just email heartbeat@ 

providence.org with “e-magazine 

sign-up” as your subject line. 


{insider} 

Awards for Mount Carmel 

The National Rural Health Association recently released its list of 

the Top 100 Critical Access Hospitals, which included Providence 

Mount Carmel Hospital in Colville. The list, based on the “Hospital 

Strength Index,” compared data from 1,750 participating rural hospitals to 

identify hospitals that are best prepared for success under health care reform. 

To learn more, visit hospitalstrengthindex.com. 

For the third year, the Washington State Hospital Association recognized 

Providence Mount Carmel Hospital for outstanding hand hygiene practices. 

The hospital earned the 2011 “Best Hands on Care” award for its efforts to 

decrease the spread of infection through proper hand hygiene. 

Mount Carmel opened its new and improved facility in 2010, featuring 

technology and functional design rivaling that of larger, urban hospitals. 

Sacred Heart 

Named Top 

Transplant Center 

HealthGrades, the leading provider of comprehensive 

information about physicians and 

hospitals nationwide, has announced Providence 

Sacred Heart Medical Center as one of only three 

recipients of its Heart Transplant Excellence 

Award. Nearly 120 hospital transplant programs 

were evaluated, with attention given to patient 

survival rates and other clinical quality data. 

“More than 112,000 patients are on a waiting 

list for an organ transplant in the U.S. and it 

is imperative that patients have a resource to 

compare programs across the country,” said 

Kristin Reed of HealthGrades. The company’s 

data are calculated by the Scientific Registry of 

Transplant Recipients and are available to the 

public at healthgrades.com. 

Timothy Icenogle, MD, director of the Heart 

Transplant program at Sacred Heart, says he 

and his partner, David Sandler, MD, are able to do 

complicated cases not offered by other programs 

because of their many years in transplantation. 

Patient survival rates here consistently outrank 

national averages, too. 

Providence Adds 

Specialty Services 

Pancreas transplantation is now available at Providence Sacred 

Heart Medical Center. Approval by the Washington State Department 

of Health ensures that the transplant program has the required clinical 

expertise and care providers to treat patients who need this surgery and 

appropriate follow-up care. The program director is Ojogho Okechukwu, MD, 

transplant surgeon. Sacred Heart has performed kidney transplants since 

the 1980s and heart transplants since the early 1990s. 

Lithotripsy—a nonsurgical treatment option for patients with kidney 

stones—is once again available at Providence Holy Family Hospital. Holy 

Family is the only Providence Spokane hospital to offer the service, which 

uses high-energy shock waves to break stones into pieces as small as 

grains of sand, allowing patients to pass them easily during urination. 

New Pet Policy 

Providence Sacred Heart and Holy Family hospitals, 

along with many other medical facilities 

throughout the nation, are taking a stronger 

stance on restricting pets on campus. To ensure 

the safety and health of all patients, the only 

animals allowed on hospital premises are service 

animals (specially trained to perform tasks for 

an individual with a disability under federal law) 

and registered Delta Society dogs (preapproved 

by Volunteer Services as part of the official Dog 

Visitation Program on certain units). 

6 ● Spring 2012 Heart Beat 

Mount carmel PHOTOGRAPH BY jim van gundy

Welcome! 

Pathology Associates Medical Laboratories (PAML) has named Francisco (Frank) Velázquez, MD, as its new chief executive 

officer. PAML is ranked among the top clinical laboratories in the nation. Dr. Velázquez comes from Quest Diagnostics, where 

he served as managing director of Nichols Institute and managing director/vice president for Focus Diagnostics in San Juan 

Capistrano and Cypress, Calif. He had direct oversight for the reference laboratory testing business at both laboratories as well 

as the clinical trials at Focus Diagnostics. 

Kevin Sweeny, MD, has joined Providence Health Care as the chief medical officer of Physician Services. Dr. Sweeny left 

Rockwood Clinic at the end of 2010. He will work closely with Providence Medical Group and oversee Providence’s relationships 

with physicians and hospitals throughout the region. 

Providence Opens New Clinics, Adds Doctors 

Providence Medical Group includes more than 140 primary and specialty physicians 

dedicated to quality patient care coordinated closely with the Providence family of 

services. Following are new clinics and physicians who are welcoming new patients. 

Providence Family 

Medicine-Hawthorne 

551 E. Hawthorne 

509-252-1900 

Elizabeth O’Halloran, MD, family 

medicine; Anne Marie McCarthy, MD, 

pediatrics; Kathleen Moudy, PA-C, 

pediatrics 


Medicine-Manito 

1919 S. Grand Blvd. 

509-789-9925 

Tyler Baker, MD; Janet Deegan, MD; 

Kim Hartwig, MD 

Providence Family Medicine– 

Indian Trail 

5011 W. Lowell 

509-385-0610 

Alan Purdy, MD; Deborah Smith, ARNP 

Providence Family Medicine– 

Sacred Heart Doctors 

Building 

105 W. Eighth Ave. 

509-789-9922 

Lynda Williamson, DO 


Medicine–South 

801 W. Fifth Ave. 

509-747-0845 

Larry Eastburn, MD 


Medicine–Chewelah 

100 W. South St. 

509-935-8111 

Paul Larsen, MD 

Providence Adult 

Gastroenterology 

212 E. Central 

509-252-9602 

Wichit Srikureja, MD, 

adult gastroenterology 

Providence Hospitalists– 

Sacred Heart 

Todd Corn, MD, internal medicine; 

Carl Denzenberg, MD, pediatric 

gastroenterology; Jennifer 

Kalisvaart, MD, pediatrics; 

Rebecca Mallo, MD, internal 

medicine; and Joe Phaneuf, MD, 

internal medicine 

Providence Kidney 

Care Spokane 

105 W. Eighth Ave. 

509-340-0930 

Henry Mroch, MD, nephrology; 

Vijay Reddy, MD; Nelson Chow, 

MD, nephrology; Petru Groza, MD, 

nephrology; Krishna Malireddi, 

MD, nephrology 

Providence Maternal- 

Fetal Medicine Center 

Sacred Heart Women’s Health 

Center 

509-474-4060 

Douglas Barber, MD 


Pediatrics–North 

212 E. Central, Suite 440 

509-252-9602 

Anna Barber, MD, pediatrics 

Providence Pediatric 

Specialists 

Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital 

509-474-2800 

Jonathan F. Kalisvaart, 

MD, pediatric urology; 

Rebecca Miller, MD, 

pediatric hospitalist; 

Wendy Osterling, 

MD, pediatric 

neurology; Pragya 

Rai, MD, pediatric 

pulmonology; Monica 

Zherebtsov, MD, pediatric 

gastroenterology; 

Kristin Edgehouse, MD, 

pediatric hematology/oncology 

Providence Spokane 

Heart Institute, Spokane 

Cardiology–Spokane 

122 W. Seventh Ave. 

509-455-8820 

Andrew J. Boulet, MD, cardiology; 

Michael E. Ring, MD, cardiology 

Spokane Cardiology– 

Lewiston 

2315 Eighth St. Grade 

208-298-0720 

R. Alan Wales, MD, cardiology 

Find a Physician 

Learn more about Providence physicians 

at phc.org. Not sure how 

to choose a physician or find a 

specialist for your needs Connect 

with an expert at 877-304-1408. 

Anna Barber, MD, 

cares for infants 

and children 

at Providence 

Pediatrics North. 


{HEALTHY LIVING} 

Zesty Pepper Jelly 

Cream Cheese Bites 

Balsamic vinegar and crushed red pepper 

spark up an easy-to-make, low-fat treat 

Ingredients 

Topping: 

¼ cup all-fruit strawberry or apricot 

spread 

2 tablespoons minced red bell 

pepper 

1 teaspoon peeled and grated 

ginger root or orange zest 

1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar 

1 or 2 dashes crushed red pepper 

flakes 

Filling: 

1½ ounces fat-free cream cheese, 

softened 

2 tablespoons fat-free sour cream 

1 

⁄8 teaspoon salt 

15 frozen mini phyllo shells, thawed 

Directions 

In a saucepan, stir together the 

fruit spread and bell pepper. Cook 

over me dium heat for several seconds 

so the fruit spread slightly 

melts, stirring frequently. Remove 

from heat. Let cool completely, 

about 15 minutes. Stir in ginger 

root (or orange zest), vinegar and 

red pepper flakes. 

In a small bowl, whisk the filling 

ingredients until smooth. Cover and 

refrigerate until needed. 

To assemble, spoon about 

½ teaspoon filling into each shell, 

gently spreading over the bottom. 

Top with 1 teaspoon fruit spread 

mixture, spreading over the filling. 

Cover and refrigerate until needed, 

up to 4 hours. 

Nutritional Information 

Per serving: 102 calories, 2 g protein, 

3 g total fat, 0 g saturated fat, 3 mg 

cholesterol, 162 mg sodium, 16 g 

carbohydrates, 0 g fiber, 8 g sugar. 

Servings: 5 (3 shells per serving) 

Prep time: 30 minutes 

Looking at 

leg problems 

Did you know movement is vital to your 

venous system’s performance Sitting 

or standing for prolonged periods can 

cause legs to feel heavy and tired, or ache 

and throb. The skin of the lower legs may 

change color, and swelling can occur. If 

these symptoms become chronic, the vein 

experts at Providence Vascular Institute 

can help determine the root of these symptoms 

and provide appropriate treatments. 

Up to 40 percent of the population suffers 

from “chronic venous insufficiency,” 

or poor leg circulation, which usually can 

be treated with exercise, leg elevation and 

elastic compression stockings. If these 

techniques aren’t enough, noninvasive 

therapies are available. Radiofrequency 

ablation (microwave energy) and endovenous 

laser therapy are outpatient procedures 

that resolve symptoms and have 

patients back to work within days. 

Get a Leg Up 

For a free consultation regarding 

leg pain, heaviness, edema and 

skin changes, call Providence Vascular 

Institute at 509-891-0202 or 

800-215-6489. 

8 ● Spring 2012 Heart Beat

Coping with Irritable 

Bowel Syndrome 

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a condition 

that affects one in 10 people and causes abdominal 

pain along with bowel movement problems. 

Some sufferers experience diarrhea while others 

have constipation. Other symptoms include belly cramps, 

bloating, increased gas, feeling full quickly and nausea. 

There is no specific test for IBS. Evaluations may 

include blood tests, endoscopy and colonoscopy. There 

is no cure for IBS, but medications and following these 

recommendations can help manage symptoms: 

• Keep track of what you eat to see if a specific food 

makes symptoms better or worse. 

• Avoid dairy products, including yogurt and ice 

cream, for two weeks to see if symptoms improve. 

• Eat more fiber by increasing the amount of fruits 

and vegetables in your diet. 

• Exercise. Be active for 20 to 60 minutes, three to 

five times a week. 

• Drink plenty of water—eight to 10 glasses 

(8 ounces each) per day. 

• Get plenty of rest. 

If your IBS symptoms continue or interfere 

with work or daily activities, it may be time to 

see a gastroenterologist, a physician specializing 

in gastrointestinal disorders. Keep in mind that 

many other conditions cause symptoms similar 

to IBS, and if you experience increased belly 

pain, bleeding in the stool or weight loss, you 

should contact your physician or gastroenterologist 

immediately. 

Providence Medical Group recently welcomed 

a new gastroenterologist, Wichit Srikureja, MD, 

practicing at both Holy Family and Sacred Heart 

hospitals. Providence Adult Gastroenterology is 

on the campus of Holy Family Hospital and can 

be reached at 509-252-9602. 


{children’s health} 

Heart-Stopping Sensation 

A Montana boy has a scary brush with cardiac arrest By Kate Vanskike 

Twelve-year-old Beau Bronson doesn’t 

remember the day his life changed forever. 

That bothers him, as does not being able to 

participate in the contact sports he loves. Still, he 

knows how lucky he is. He has much to look forward 

to, thanks to the expert care he received following a 

sudden cardiac arrest. 

Beau’s home of Columbia Falls, Mont., is a small 

town near Glacier National Park, where neighbors know 

and look after one another. One day last October, Beau 

said goodbye to his parents, threw on a backpack and 

took off on his bike to meet up with friends. He had 

barely rounded the first corner from their home when 

his heart suddenly stopped—just like that—and he was 

on the ground. A neighbor witnessed the event and sent 

her husband out to help. While he began CPR, nearby 

kids ran to tell the boy’s parents. 

An ambulance rushed Beau to Kalispell Regional 

Medical Center, where he underwent a multitude of 

tests. After five hours, he was transported by helicopter 

to Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s 

Hospital in Spokane. 

It was a grueling five-hour drive for Jon and Rose 

Bronson. When they arrived at Sacred Heart, their son 

was stable but had been placed into a medically induced 

coma, and his temperature had been cooled to protect 

his vital organs. 

At the Children’s Hospital, he was under the care 

of many physicians, including an electrophysiologist— 

an expert in the electrical system of the heart. Chris 

Anderson, MD, diagnosed Beau with a rare genetic 

disorder that ultimately caused the cardiac arrest, 

and recommended that Beau have a defibrillator 

implanted in his chest to shock his heart back into 

a normal rhythm if necessary, and to reduce the risk 

of another cardiac arrest. 

“Beau Bronson will be the first to 

attest to the fact that he wouldn’t be 

alive today if the first responders had 

not been there to administer CPR 

and provide life support.” 

“It’s pretty miraculous,” Rose says now. “He suffered 

no brain damage, and he’s the same boy he was before.” 

Back home in Columbia Falls, life continues as normally 

as possible, except that the active preteen can’t play 

contact sports like football and basketball. Most upsetting 

was not being able to go hunting with his dad last fall— 

Beau had just gotten his hunting license, and the two had 

big plans. Rose hopes that once spring comes, he will be 

back out on his bike, enjoying being active in other ways. 

“He’s doing remarkably well for what he’s been 

through,” she says. 

The difficulty of diagnosing 

genetic disorders 

Just a few miles from Beau Bronson’s hometown, another 

boy collapsed at a local high school; he also received 

a defibrillator. These cases are scary—and often come 

without warning signs, or with symptoms that are easily 

passed off as something else. 

In Beau’s case, several years ago the boy had complained 

of his chest hurting after activity. A doctor ran 

tests and ordered an ultrasound, but nothing showed 

up. More recently, an incident during P.E. class had 

brought him to his knees, out of breath and coughing. 

He was diagnosed with asthma. Two days later, he had 

his cardiac arrest. 

“Many cases like Beau’s can go undetected,” says 

Dr. Anderson. “But for others, there are warning signs 

that may help to make an early diagnosis and prevent 

cardiac arrest.” 

The most common warning signs include chest pain 

or fainting during sports or physical exertion. However, 

these are so common in young people that Dr. Anderson 

advises parents not to panic but to report the symptoms 

as accurately as possible to their doctors. 

A good history and physical exam along with an 

ECG (electrocardiogram) are sufficient evaluation in 

many situations. In other cases, these additional steps 

may be required: 

• Echocardiogram (heart ultrasound) 

• Home ECG monitor 

• Exercise test 

• Referral to a pediatric cardiologist 

Finally, when speaking to your doctor, remember 

three words: details, details, details! 

“Most symptoms of chest pain and fainting are not 

related to a heart problem,” says Dr. Anderson. “So the 


PHOTOGRAPH BY Brenda Ahearn/Daily Inter Lake

Heart to 

Handle 

Protect the littlest 

hearts. Learn more 

about specialty 

pediatric services at 

shmcchildren.org. 

Beau Bronson, with his father, 

Jon, had few warning signs 

of the genetic disorder that 

caused his cardiac arrest. 

more information you can provide, the better understanding 

your physician will have.” 

Details are vital when examining a family history of cardiac 

disease, too. People often use the term “heart attack” 

to refer to a stroke or fatal disturbance in heart rhythm, as 

well as a real heart attack (myocardial infarction). 

“These are all actually quite different, and while stroke 

and heart attack are generally not genetic, heart rhythm 

problems often are,” Dr. Anderson clarifies. “It’s helpful for 

a physician to know if family members who died from a 

cardiac event had a preexisting heart condition.” 

Most important of all: prompt care 

Preventing sudden cardiac death is not always possible, 

because early diagnosis is often difficult. That’s why a 

quick response is so crucial. 

“Beau Bronson will be the first to attest to the fact that 

he wouldn’t be alive today if the first responders had not 

been there to administer CPR and provide life support,” 

says Dr. Anderson. 

That’s why Dr. Anderson is a personal champion of 

Project ADAM Inland Northwest, a program directed at 

preventing early sudden cardiac death. Project ADAM, 

funded by donations to the Providence Health Care 

Foundation, partners with schools and emergency medical 

services to provide CPR education, lifesaving AEDs 

(automated external defibrillators) and education about 

sudden cardiac death. 


{cardiac report} 

John Hatheway, MD, (left) 

and Timothy Lessmeier, MD 

A Novel Therapy 

for Heart Failure 

Providence Sacred Heart breaks ground 

in the study of spinal cord stimulation 

By Amy Lynn Smith 

Heart failure is a serious 

yet treatable condition. In 

fact, some cases can even 

be prevented (see sidebar). 

Not every treatment is right for 

every patient, however, and that’s 

why centers around the world are 

involved in a study to investigate a 

new treatment option. Providence 

Sacred Heart Medical Center is one 

of those centers, and was first in the 

country to perform this innovative 

procedure for heart failure. 

Sacred Heart’s two principal 

investigators—Timothy Lessmeier, 

MD, an electrophysiologist, 

and John Hatheway, MD, an 

anesthe siologist and pain medicine 

specialist—explain this revolutionary 

new treatment option. 

How is heart failure 

currently treated 

Dr. Lessmeier: Sometimes we use 

medical therapy or implant a device 

called a biventricular defibrillator to 

regulate the heart’s electrical system 

if it isn’t working properly. If those 

treatments don’t help, then we have 

to consider a left ventricular assist 

device (LVAD) or a heart transplant, 

which are both major procedures. 

This therapy looks at a new direction 

to treat heart failure. 

What is the new therapy 

Dr. Hatheway: The therapy is spinal 

cord stimulation, which is already 

approved by the U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration for treating various 

types of pain, especially back pain. 

We think spinal cord stimulation 

may have beneficial effects on the 

heart, based on studies of its use to 

relieve angina [chest pain that’s a 

symptom of a heart problem]. 

How can spinal cord 

stimulation help with 

heart failure 

Dr. Lessmeier: The hope is that the 

stimulation will positively impact 

parts of the heart’s sympathetic 

nervous system. The sympathetic 

nervous system is the fight-or-flight 

response you get when someone startles 

you and you can feel your heart 

racing. In people with heart failure, 


PHOTOs BY GARY MATOSO

that system is keyed up 24 hours a 

day, which doesn’t have good effects 

on the heart. 

How does the 

treatment work 

Dr. Hatheway: We place a long wire 

and electrodes into the epidural 

area, which is right outside the 

spinal space, and steer them to a 

very specific location where it’s been 

found to do the most good in angina 

patients. The wire is attached to a 

battery implanted in the buttocks, 

which creates an electrical system. 

Dr. Lessmeier: The wire is hooked 

up to a device similar to a pacemaker, 

and it stimulates the nerves 

in the area of the spinal cord that 

goes to the heart. The stimulator is 

on for 12 hours a day, and the hope 

is that by controlling the sympathetic 

nervous system, it will help 

improve heart function and make 

people feel better. 

Dr. Hatheway: Starting right after 

the outpatient procedure, the system 

is programmed and managed 

from then on by remote control. 

For the study, we’re testing three 

different settings, one of which is 

The implantable device regulates 

the heart’s electrical system. 

no stimulation. Patients don’t know 

which setting they’re receiving. 

Why is an anesthesiologist 

involved in research about 

heart failure 

Dr. Hatheway: Every study team 

is made up of a cardiologist and an 

anesthesiologist and/or pain specialist 

who has experience in spinal cord 

stimulation procedures. 

How many patients are 

involved in the study, how 

are they selected and what 

is the progress to date 

Dr. Hatheway: Providence Sacred 

Heart can enroll up to 19 patients 

and we completed three procedures 

in 2011. We’re identifying patients 

who can’t tolerate medical therapy, 

which means their choices would 

be limited to more aggressive treatment 

like an LVAD or transplant. 

Spinal cord stimulation gives them 

another option. 

Dr. Lessmeier: We performed the 

first implant in June 2011 and that 

patient is doing very well. We’re 

hopeful the procedure can improve 

patients’ quality of life, and possibly 

their longevity. 

Could 

Spinal Cord 

Stimulation 

Work for You 

To learn more about 

research trials or to 

determine whether you’d 

be a good candidate, 

call 509-474-4345, 

email researchinfo@ 

providence.org or visit 

research.shmc.org. 

5 Steps to a 

Heart-Healthy 

Lifestyle 

In people with heart failure—an 

increasingly common problem—the 

heart doesn’t pump blood as effectively 

as it should. That means the 

heart can’t supply enough blood to 

the body’s cells, which causes shortness 

of breath and fatigue that can 

make basic activities a challenge. 

Fortunately, heart failure can be 

managed. Even more important, 

because heart failure develops over 

time, there are steps you can take to 

prevent it. 

1Exercise regularly. Simply 

walking for about 30 minutes 

most days has a host of benefits, 

including strengthening the cardiovascular 

system, improving circulation, 

lowering blood pressure and 

increasing energy. 

2Eat right. What you eat is so 

important that a heart-healthy 

diet—one that’s low in fat and high in 

fruits, vegetables, whole grains and 

lean protein—can cut your risk for 

heart disease in half. 

3Don’t smoke. Smoking causes 

the heart to beat faster, raises 

blood pressure and damages blood 

vessels, all of which increase the risk 

of developing heart failure over time. 

4Drink alcohol only in moderation. 

Excessive—and especially 

chronic—alcohol consumption is 

linked to diminished heart function 

and failure. 

5Get regular checkups. Work 

with your doctor to manage 

your particular risk factors, such as 

high blood pressure, high cholesterol 

and diabetes. 


By Amy Lynn Smith 

caRe 

Advancing 

Research at Providence plays a vital role 

in developing treatments of the future 

Without medical research, 

there would be no antibiotics to treat 

infection, no insulin to manage diabetes, 

and no way to successfully transplant 

a kidney. These are just three 

of the countless examples of medical 

treatments made possible through 

research—and the list of new discoveries 

expands nearly every day. 

Providence Medical Research Center 

is among the leading centers performing 

this work. Clinical research 

is conducted as part of the Mission 

of Providence Sacred Heart Medical 

Center & Children’s Hospital and 

Providence Holy Family Hospital. 

“I think most people aren’t aware 

that Sacred Heart really is the academic 

medical center in Eastern Washington, 

by virtue of the scholarly activities 

occurring here,” says Katherine Tuttle, 

MD, executive director for research. 

“That includes our robust research 

program, as well as our training 

programs that encompass medical 

students, residents and fellows.” 

Providence Medical Research 

Center is the only physician-led, 

comprehensive medical research center 

in the Inland Northwest. The program 

performs what is known as “benchto-bedside-to-community” 

research, 

which emphasizes studies that translate 

into practical applications of 

advances in medical care. Providence 

participates in multicenter trials and 

also originates its own studies, looking 

at every area of medicine ranging 

from the search for new medications 

to best practices in delivery of care. 

A meaningful mission 

According to Dr. Tuttle, there are 

currently more than 300 studies under 

way. These cover most specialties in 

both adult and pediatric medicine— 

such as cardiology, neurology, 

14 ● Spring 2012 Heart Beat PHOTOgraph BY comrade studios

Ensuring 

Scientific 

Excellence 

and Safety 

All research studies conducted 

at the Providence Medical 

Research Center have oversight 

by the Institutional Review 

Board (IRB) of Spokane. The 

IRB-Spokane is a 20-member 

board of technical experts, 

administrators, laypeople and 

clergy who meet monthly to 

review research projects involving 

human subjects. 

“The IRB plays a central 

role in our work, and their main 

goal is as an independent body 

charged with the protection 

of people who volunteer to 

participate in research studies,” 

says Katherine Tuttle, MD, 

executive director for research 

at Providence Sacred Heart 

Medical Center & Children’s 

Hospital and Providence Holy 

Family Hospital. 

The IRB begins by looking at 

the science behind the study, 

she explains, because if the 

science isn’t good there’s no 

value in putting anyone at possible 

risk. In addition, the IRB 

makes sure that participants 

understand exactly what they’re 

signing up for when they agree 

to take part in a study, and that 

they can withdraw from the 

study at any time. 

“The IRB is very astute in 

assessing risks and benefits. 

They perform ongoing review of 

studies and can suspend them if 

they determine there’s an unacceptable 

number of adverse 

events,” says Dr. Tuttle. “The 

IRB is essential in doing clinical 

research that’s ethical, legal and 

scientifically valid.” 


gastroenterology and endocrinology, 

as well as primary care. The 

center also operates an active 

basic science research program 

largely focused on diabetes and 

kidney disease. 

The Providence Mission is 

fundamental to the work of the 

Medical Research Center. “Our 

program serves the Mission by 

advancing knowledge essential to 

improving care of the poor and the 

vulnerable,” says Dr. Tuttle. 

Many scientific discoveries 

made at Providence have evolved 

into clinical trials. This includes 

one that received a National Institutes 

of Health (NIH) grant in 

2011—one of only five such grants 

to study ways to improve the science 

of delivering optimal care to 

people with kidney disease. 

Providence received the grant 

based on its own initial study, 

which proved the difference education 

can make in outcomes after 

Katherine Tuttle, 

MD, directs research 

with a special focus 

on providing for the 

poor and vulnerable. 

Joel Hernandez, MD, 

Pediatric Nephrology, 

is a co-investigator 

at Providence Sacred 

Heart Medical Center 

& Children’s Hospital. 

hospitalization. Although there are 

very good treatments for people with 

kidney disease, without instruction 

on managing multiple medications, 

these patients are at high risk for 

readmission to the hospital and possible 

death. 

Researchers at Providence conducted 

a pilot study that found that 

when medication discrepancies are 

eliminated, readmission rates and 

costs dropped by 50 percent among 

all hospital patients. For kidney 

patients, the risk of readmission was 

reduced by 90 percent. 

The NIH grant will fund a twoyear 

trial at Providence to study 

the impact of improved medication 

management education. A pharmacist 

will visit patients at home 

within five days of discharge from 

the hospital, to help them understand 

their medications and how to 

take them properly. 


PHOTOs BY GARY MATOSO

“Our grant was funded because 

of our work on the original study, 

which showed the dramatic reduction 

in readmissions and our data 

demonstrating that kidney disease 

patients are at highest risk,” 

says Dr. Tuttle. “We have to figure 

out the best ways to deliver treatment 

to people, or even the most 

novel therapies will not have the 

necessary impact.” 

A spectrum of studies 

The “novel therapies” Dr. Tuttle 

mentions are new treatments— 

another important area of research 

at Providence. Studies are currently 

under way in kidney transplantation, 

for instance, exploring alternative 

approaches to managing 

immune suppression while reducing 

the toxicity of medication. 

Other examples include a study 

evaluating a medication to prevent 

stroke and heart attack in people 

with a history of certain types of 

strokes, and another to compare 

different kinds of biopsies used 

in people with lung disease. (For 

details on other Providence trials, 

see sidebar at right.) 

Research conducted at Providence 

falls under the jurisdiction 

of the U.S. Food and Drug 

Administration, which approves 

the use of any drugs or medical 

devices involving human subjects 

at Providence Medical Research 

Do Your 

Research 

Want to learn more about the 

Providence Medical Research Center, 

including studies open for enrollment 

Visit research.shmc.org or call 

509-474-4345. 

“Our 

program 

serves the 

Mission by 

advancing 

knowledge 

essential to 

improving 

care of the 

poor and 

vulnerable.” 

—Katherine 

Tuttle, MD 

Center. Working closely with 

physician investigators, the center 

constantly evaluates the impact 

of research-based treatment 

approaches to ensure the highest 

level of patient safety (see sidebar, 

page 15). 

The work of Providence has a 

healthy future ahead, thanks to a 

focus on fiscal responsibility and 

appropriate funding. As Dr. Tuttle 

points out, the center doesn’t exist 

to make a profit, but to discover 

new and better ways to provide 

health care. 

“We have an absolute commitment 

to excellence at all levels, 

from the science itself to the 

importance of the clinical issue 

to how we perform and deliver 

research studies,” she says. “We 

try to choose studies that really 

matter in terms of staying true 

to the Providence Mission and 

advancing patient care.” 

SPOTLIGHT ON 

Current Studies 

A closer look at trials under way at the 

Providence Medical Research Center 

reveals the wide range of conditions and 

therapies studied there on a regular basis. 

Condition: Fecal incontinence, or the 

involuntary loss of stool. 

Goal: Explore alternative treatment 

options, which are currently limited. 

Lead Investigator: Shane McNevin, MD, 

leading physician at the Providence Continence 

Center and program director for 

the gastrointestinal section of Providence 

Cancer Center. 

Specifics: One study investigates the 

safety and effectiveness of a new implantable 

device made up of magnetic beads 

attached with wires and implanted around 

the muscles that control continence. A 

second study evaluates a mesh device 

that provides support of the pelvic floor in 

women. The device, similar to one used to 

control urinary incontinence, is implanted 

using a minimally invasive procedure. 

Condition: Atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome 

(aHUS), an autoimmune disorder. 

Goal: Evaluate the safety and effectiveness 

of a medication to treat children and 

adolescents with aHUS. The medication 

prevents the breakdown of red blood cells 

that can lead to anemia, kidney failure and 

other health issues related to aHUS. 

Lead Investigator: Joel Hernandez, MD, 

pediatric nephrologist at Providence 

Sacred Heart Medical Center & Children’s 

Hospital. 

Specifics: So far, about 13 children have 

been enrolled in the study, which is being 

conducted at approximately 20 centers 

worldwide. One of the first study participants 

was diagnosed with aHUS at 

9 months of age. He was given infusions 

of the medication, which put his aHUS into 

remission—and at nearly 2 years of age, 

he’s a healthy and active toddler. 


“Nursing is one of the 

most meaningful paid 

positions in our world.” 

“To answer the call of every 

person to ‘know me, care for me, 

ease my way’ is the motto that 

guides our nurses every day.” 

“If I have to work, 

let me be doing 

something that 

matters.” 

Peg Currie, 

RN, MA, 

Chief Nursing 

Officer 

Lynn Stapleton, 

RN, MN, 

Holy Family 

Hospital 

Rick Agrella, 

RN, Sacred 

Heart 

Medical 

Center, ICU 


Story by Kate Vanskike 

a Higher 

Photos by Gary Matoso 

Calling 

On the day Maria Martin gave birth to a son, her life 

changed forever—though not only for the reason 

you might expect. The day she became a 

mother, she also decided to become a nurse. 

“I was fortunate to be at Providence Holy Family, 

where I had a wonderful experience bringing my little 

boy into the world,” she says. “I don’t remember all 

the details of my labor and delivery, but I do remember 

how I felt and how I was treated. My nurse, Deanna, 

treated me with compassion, respect and kindness.” 

Martin adds, “Because of that experience, I chose to 

become a nurse myself.” 

She now visits the Family Maternity Center at Holy Family regularly—as a 

labor and delivery nurse, helping other people bring new life into the world. 

More than 2,400 men and women proudly serve as nurses in Providence Health Care 

ministries. Most are within the hospital setting, where they’re dedicated to specific types 

of care such as obstetrics, surgery, cardiac, intensive care and emergency. Others serve 

within skilled nursing facilities or provide in-home care. While their daily demands 

differ, they share the belief that 

nursing is a calling. Here, 

Want to Thank a Special Nurse 

Tell us how a special nurse made a difference in your life. Visit 

Providence Sacred Heart or Providence Holy Family on Facebook, 

or send us an email: heartbeat@providence.org. 

Providence nurses 

unite the science and 

art of nursing with a 

deep commitment to 

compassion 

seven nurses who answered 

that call tell their stories. 


Lynn 

Stapleton, 

RN, MN 

PROVIDENCE 

Holy Family 

Hospital 

Why nursing Aside from a few 

months in the sixth grade when I wanted 

to be an interstate trucker, my whole life 

has focused on nursing. I’ve always been 

fascinated by the contrast between the 

strength and frailty of the human body. 

Its intricate and complex design provides 

continual opportunities to learn more 

about how health and disease affect the 

whole person: body, mind and spirit. 

The Providence difference: I 

choose to work at Providence because 

the organization’s Mission and values 

align with my own. I believe our work 

is God-centered and Providence allows 

us to bring our beliefs into our work 

environment to strengthen what we do 

as care providers. 

Rewards and challenges: The 

way we deliver health care is constantly 

changing to improve patient care, which 

is sometimes a challenge. I’ve had the 

privilege of sharing in some of life’s 

most valuable moments, which could 

be a time of healing or of passing on. 

I feel that my presence, my skills and 

my caring have brought some peace 

to families, and knowing that I had a 

positive impact provides me with the 

emotional energy to meet the demands 

of this profession. 

Nursing in a nutshell: Nursing 

is one of the most meaningful paid 

positions in our world. The act of 

knowledgeable caring for strangers goes 

beyond the normal boundaries of society. 

Nursing touches lives on an intimate 

level, as we learn and care about each 

person to optimize their health. 

Why nursing I have always 

been fascinated with God’s 

creation and the complexity of 

the human being. When I had my 

first baby she was frequently in the 

hospital, which inspired me to go 

to nursing school. 

The Providence difference: 

Its Mission is unique: providing 

compassionate care to the poor and 

vulnerable as demonstrated by Jesus. 

I appreciate that I can also reach out 

to patients spiritually and even pray 

with them if they desire. 

Why nursing I have 

always wanted to be a nurse. I 

was a candy striper at Mount 

Carmel Hospital during high 

school and later became 

a volunteer at St. Joseph 

Long Term Care, where I 

eventually became a nurse. 

The Providence 

difference: Being a 

Providence nurse is more than just 

caring for patients’ medical needs—it 

is giving quality to their lives. 

Rewards and challenges: 

The residents in long-term care 

have unique needs, and finding out 

what will improve their lives is very 

rewarding and challenging at the 

same time. Working together with 

the many providers to deliver the 

best care and helping the families 

through very difficult times has 

given me great joy. 

Gail Vance, 

RN 

PROVIDENCE 

VISITING NURSE 

ASSOCIATION 

(VNA) HOME 

HEALTH 

Rewards and challenges: It’s 

rewarding to see patients improve 

and flourish, and equally rewarding to 

comfort a patient who is at the end of 

life. In home health, I get to know the 

patient and family, and really see what 

their needs are and connect them 

with community resources. I truly get 

to answer the call of every patient to 

“know me, care for me, ease my way.” 

Nursing in a nutshell: 

Nursing is fulfilling and rewarding, 

and offers so many possibilities to fit 

a person’s abilities and personality. 

Kathy 

Semenza, 

RN 

PROVIDENCE 

ST. JOSEPH 

HOSPITAL, 

CHEWELAH 


Being a nurse is both a rewarding 

and heartbreaking career. It’s hard 

work, physically and emotionally, 

and requires continuous education 

to keep up on skills, technology 

and changes in medications and 

treatments. However, if you like 

a challenge, excitement and the 

rewards that come from helping 

others, please join us. We always 

need more nurses. 


“I chose nursing so I 

could serve people who 

are in need.” 

“Some of the greatest 

rewards come from caring 

for a challenging patient.” 

Cathy 

Mindemann, 

RN 

PROVIDENCE 

St. Joseph 

Care Center, 

Spokane 

Why nursing When I was a child, 

I wore my “nurse’s uniform” and took 

care of my “sick” dolls in a hospital ward 

I made with cribs and cradles. When I 

was 8, my brother had surgery and while 

he was in the hospital I loved helping the 

nurses. When he came home, I continued 

to treat him just like the nurses did. 


I worked at a for-profit nursing home 

where it was all about making money. 

I knew it wasn’t the place for me, and 

when I gave my resignation, my manager 

suggested I might fit in better at St. 

Joseph—and he was right. At Providence, 

doing the right thing for the patient is 

always at the forefront of all we do. 

Chris Peterson, 

CRNA, Sacred 

Heart Medical 

Center, 

Anesthesia 

Carrie 

Peck, RN, 

Mount Carmel 

Hospital, 

Colville 


challenges can be many: facing difficult 

situations with patients and families; 

giving heartbreaking news; feeling pulled 

in lots of directions at once; just being 

“present” with someone when there is 

nothing else that can be done. No matter 

how big the challenges, the rewards far 

exceed them. Every day I come to work, 

I make a difference for someone. 

Nursing in a nutshell: Nursing 

is not just a job—it is about who and 

what we are at our very core. There 

is no feeling in the world like hearing 

a patient thank you and tell you that 

you made a difference in his or her life. 

Every day I make a difference … because 

I am a nurse. 

CATHY MINDEMANN PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC CHAMBERLAIN 


The Call of 

Compassion 

Florence Nightingale would be 

proud. Nursing has gone from 

basic care in the poorhouses 

and battlefields to specialization 

in many areas of advanced 

medicine. It builds on both art 

and science to prevent illness, 

alleviate suffering and optimize 

the health of all people. Within 

Providence Health Care ministries, 

nurses combine those 

duties with the essence of our 

Mission, which is compassion. 

Nursing is a high calling. The 

science of it requires critical thinking, 

carrying out treatment within 

a prescribed formula and assessing 

the entire person in addition to 

a diagnosis or set of symptoms. 

That in itself is often complicated 

and time-consuming. Then, a 

nurse must master the “art” of 

this field, which is about fostering 

healing on every level—by listening, 

coaching, teaching, exploring 

and being present in the moment. 

It is truly sacred work. 

To answer the call of every 

person to “Know me, care for me, 

ease my way” is the motto that 

guides our nurses every day as 

they seek to provide safe, effective, 

compassionate and 

quality care. They have 

received many awards 

and countless notes 

of gratitude for the 

expert care they 

provide, and yet we 

believe we have no 

“finish line.” Our practice 

will always evolve 

and stretch alongside the 

complexity of health care as we 

continue our mission of healing. 

Peg Currie, RN, MA 

Chief Nursing Officer 

Want to 

Join the 


Team 

Visit providence 

iscalling.org to view 

available jobs. 

“I have always wanted 

to be a nurse.” 

Kathy 

Semenza, RN, 

St. Joseph 

Hospital, 

Chewelah 

“Nursing is fulfilling 

and rewarding, 

and offers so 

many possibilities 

to fit a person’s 

personality.” 

Gail Vance, RN, 

VNA Home 

Health 


Carrie Peck, 

RN 

PROVIDENCE 

Mount carmel 

hospital, 

colville 

Rick 

Agrella, RN 

PROVIDENCE 

SACRED HEART 

MEDICAL 

CENTER, ICU 

Why nursing I spent a period 

researching where to go in my life and 

chose intensive care nursing, feeling 

it would be a good balance between 

helping people and working with 

technology. It was the right fit, and 

I’ve never looked back. 


As I finished nursing school, I looked 

at hospitals all over the Pacific 

Northwest and kept returning to 

the wonderful people at Sacred 

Heart. It has now been 20 years 

with Providence and many people 

I work with were here before me— 

that says something. I’ve walked the 

halls in many nursing roles and have 

consistently seen very hardworking 

people, still taking the time to care 

for patients and help one another 

in spite of endless pressures and the 

escalating complexity of our practice. 


role of nurse has become more complex 

over the years, and the time to truly 

engage with patients is increasingly 

scarce. However, I have had the honor 

of helping to save the lives of countless 

patients and I have engaged with 

families in their greatest time of need. 

Nursing in a nutshell: I am 

able to live out my personal mantra: 

“If I have to work, let me be doing 

something that matters.” 

Why nursing Nursing chose 

me—it was a calling. I was always 

fascinated by the human body and 

wanted to be challenged by a job that 

required critical thinking skills and 

provided the opportunity to work 

with people. 


The story of the Sisters of Providence 

and how they cared for the poor 

and vulnerable makes us special. 

Providence has an amazing legacy and 

we have an opportunity to continue it. 

Why nursing I chose 

nursing so I could serve 

people who are in need. I 

felt empathy for people who 

were hurting, and wanted 

to help in a healing 

process. I later chose 

anesthesia as a specialty 

to advance my training 

and career while staying 

in the acute care arena. 


Providence stands out for the values 

set forth in the Mission statement, 

its excellent care for all levels of 

need, and by staying on the cutting 

edge of technology and procedures. 


The challenges in anesthesia are 

to remain current on the latest 

techniques and medical discoveries 

in order to offer the safest care. The 


Some of the greatest rewards come 

from caring for a challenging patient. 

Knowing you were able to help them 

spiritually, physically and emotionally 

is a gift. 


Nursing is a difficult job that is 

rewarding only to those who really 

love caring for the human spirit and 

facing daily challenges. If I had to 

do it all again, I would choose this 

profession a million times over. 

Chris 

Peterson, 

CRNA 

PROVIDENCE 

SACRED HEART 

MEDICAL CENTER, 

ANESTHESIA 

reward is in having skills that 

enable me to help change lives. 


Nursing offers unique opportunities 

to do meaningful work. Because 

I’m a nurse, I am able to be part 

of a surgical team that performs 

repairs of cleft lips and palates for 

poor children in Guatemala. It has 

changed my life. 


C 


extends 

high-level 

care to rural 

communities 

o 

Henry Gwaltney and his wife, Linda, 

have called Grand Coulee, Wash., home for more 

than 25 years. The rural community offers the 

best of all worlds for the couple—a friendly town, 

a 7-acre home site and some of the best upland 

bird hunting in the state. 

Hunting is the Gwaltneys’ lifelong passion. 

So when the couple had the chance to leave East 

Coast cities behind and make their way west, the 

unique geology and outdoor attractions of Eastern 

Washington made it a perfect place to put 

down roots. But today, Henry is grateful for an 

unexpected amenity of his rural lifestyle—access 

to expert health care close to home. 

Hiking through the rugged basalt canyons and 

into grass-covered valley floors in search of quail 

and pheasants isn’t easy for someone with an old 

joint injury. “I crushed my ankle 48 years ago, and 

Making 

n N 

e ti 

c 

broke it again three years after that,” says Henry. “I’ve been having 

trouble ever since.” The pain has intensified recently, forcing the 

retired lineman to use a cane and shorten his hunting days. 

Not yet ready to forgo his pastime, Henry began seeing 

James Dunlap, MD, orthopedic surgeon with Providence 

Orthopedic Services, in nearby Davenport. Dr. Dunlap travels 

from his office in Spokane to Davenport about once a week, 

bringing specialized orthopedic care to residents of Grant and 

Lincoln counties, and saving Henry several hours of driving 

time per appointment. 

“This is something I’ve done for years—reaching out to 

patients in their hometowns so they don’t have to travel,” 

says Dr. Dunlap. “Patients like getting care close to home, surrounded 

by people they know.” 

Dr. Dunlap performs surgery at Lincoln Hospital in Davenport 

one day a month. When more complicated surgery such as 

joint replacement requires a higher level of care, the procedures 

are performed at Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center. “We 

coordinate care with patients’ hometown primary care physicians 

and rehabilitation therapists so that they can return 

home as quickly as possible, staying in their own communities 

for follow-up care,” says Dr. Dunlap. 

That’s just the way Henry wants it. His first surgery, to 

realign the bones in his right leg, was successfully completed 

o 


Story by Elizabeth DeRuyter 

Photograph by Gary Matoso 

last summer. Next is an ankle replacement surgery at Sacred 

Heart, followed by physical therapy and checkups within sight 

of his favorite hunting grounds. “I’m already looking forward 

to this year’s hunting season,” says Henry. 

Rural Outreach 

Residents of many rural communities throughout Eastern 

Washington and Northern Idaho are blessed with community 

hospitals and quality 

ns 

medical care. But when residents need 

a higher level of care involving medical specialists not readily 

available in outlying areas, travel to Providence Sacred 

Heart Medical Center or Holy Family Hospital in Spokane 

can be difficult. 

“That’s when outreach becomes essential,” says Michael 

Wilson, chief executive of Providence Health Care. “We’re 

making it easy for rural hospitals and clinics to connect with 

Providence so that physicians can share clinical expertise, 

coordinate care and serve patients in the best way possible.” 

The result is that residents in rural communities have 

access to specialized care—such as cardiology, orthopedics or 

pediatric specialties—that is coordinated with their primary 

care physicians and other local providers. 

“In many cases,” Wilson explains, “patients receive all the care 

they need without ever having to leave their hometowns.” 

Beth Reynolds rarely travels to Spokane for medical care. 

The former university professor has multiple sclerosis and 

heart issues, making driving long distances unsafe. She 

was searching for a cardiologist online when she found 

a physician with impressive credentials and a treatment 

philosophy she liked. Reynolds was thrilled to discover that 

Janice D. Christensen, MD, a member of the Providence 

Henry Gwaltney loves 

the outdoor activities of 

his rural home; now, he 

appreciates the medical 

care available there, too. 


C 

o 

Making 

c 

nN e ti 

o 

n 

s 

Spokane Heart Institute, made regular visits to 

nearby Pullman. 

“We are so appreciative that Dr. Christensen 

comes to the Moscow-Pullman area to see 

patients, especially in the winter,” says Reynolds. 

“Travel to doctor appointments requires that my 

husband take time off from work. So seeing my 

doctor here every month is such a godsend. 

“Dr. Christensen is amazing—she coordinates 

care with my neurologist and my family doctor, and 

looks at the whole picture to understand what is 

going on. I can’t tell you what it means to me to have 

them look at everything together,” Reynolds says. 

Ease of Transfer 

In other cases, it is a relief to know that should 

a condition require treatment at an advanced 

regional medical center, coordinated outreach 

means fast diagnosis and treatment, with followup 

care in the local community. 

That was the scenario for Moses Lake resident 

Ken Carlile, who felt chest pressure along with 

nausea, and hurried to Samaritan Healthcare. 

The emergency department diagnosed his coronary 

blockage and transferred him to Providence 

Sacred Heart Medical Center. He received a lifesaving 

procedure and was back home in two days. 

All his follow-up care has been in Moses Lake. 

Connecting the Dots 

In addition to physicians who bring personalized 

care to patients in outlying communities, outreach 

also includes the ability to transfer images and 

crucial information using technology, share expertise 

among health care providers, and connect 

rural, community-based hospitals with the services 

available at Providence Sacred Heart and Holy 

Family hospitals. 

“There’s a limit to the care rural hospitals are 

able to provide,” says Tom Martin, chief executive 

of Lincoln Hospital in Davenport. “We are able to 

extend greater care by connecting with specialists 

in Spokane. Our patients are often able to stay in 

the community or, when necessary, be treated in 

Spokane and return home quickly. Our local providers 

and the outside specialists share accountability 

for our patients,” he adds. 

“In the end, it shouldn’t matter if you live in 

a city or on a farm at the center of Washington’s 

wheat country. It’s all about making health care 

accessible to everyone,” says Wilson. 

Providence Services 

in Rural Communities 

WASHINGTON 

• Airway Heights: Inland Orthopaedics 

• Chewelah: Pediatric Pulmonology 

• Colfax: Spokane Cardiology 

• Davenport: Orthopedic Specialties 

• Deer Park: Inland Orthopaedics, Spokane Cardiology 

• Grand Coulee: Spokane Cardiology 

• Kennewick: Center for Congenital Heart Disease 

• Moses Lake: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric 

specialists (Nephrology, Neurology, Genetics, Cardiology), 

Spokane Cardiology 

• Newport: Inland Orthopaedics, Spokane Cardiology 

• Okanogan: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric 

specialists 

• Omak: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Spokane Cardiology 

• Othello: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric 

specialists, Spokane Cardiology 

• Pullman: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Spokane 

Cardiology, Pediatric specialists 

• Quincy: Center for Congenital Heart Disease 

• Ritzville: Orthopedic Specialties 

• Tri-Cities: Pediatric specialists (Nephrology, Endocrinology, 

Neurology, Urology, Surgery, Oncology/Hematology) 

• Walla Walla: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric 

specialists 

• Yakima: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Pediatric specialists 

IDAHO 

• Coeur d’Alene: Pediatric specialists 

• Grangeville: Spokane Cardiology 

• Moscow: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, 

Pediatric specialists 

• Lewiston: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, 

Pediatric specialists 

• Sandpoint: Center for Congenital Heart Disease, Spokane 

Cardiology 

Cities where rural hospitals receive patient 

support services from Providence * 

Davenport 

Newport 

Ritzville 

Colfax 

Odessa 

Pullman 

Grand Coulee 

Moses Lake 

Othello 

Republic 

Ephrata 

Dayton 

Brewster 

Kennewick 

Omak 

Chelan 

Colville 

Chewelah 

Pomeroy 

Lewiston, Idaho 

Clarkson, Idaho 

Grangeville, Idaho 

Moscow, Idaho 

Orofino, Idaho 

Cottonwood, Idaho 

*Patient services include Cardiac Level 1, Level II Trauma and Stroke. 


{Foundation} 

How 

to Help 

The Foundation accepts many 

types of gifts, including grants from 

private foundations, planned and 

major gifts, proceeds from special 

events, and annual giving. Call 

509-474-4917 or visit 

phc.org/giving 

to learn more. 

One Foundation, 

Many Opportunities 

Giving to Providence is easier than ever 

This year marks a new 

beginning for the philanthropic 

work of Providence 

Health Care’s hospital foundations. 

We are pleased to announce the 

creation of a single foundation 

for Sacred Heart Medical Center, 

Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital 

and Holy Family Hospital. 

As the face of health care 

changes, closer collaboration 

within our ministries has become 

essential. To that end, Providence 

embraces the opportunity to align 

the work of our philanthropic 

efforts, too. With one combined 

Board of Directors and a central 

mission, the Providence Health 

Care Foundation, Eastern Washington 

will continue the great work 

of connecting with the hospitals’ 

financial donors to fund essential 

programs and services that draw 

people to Providence. 

“As a united organization, it is our 

goal to create a more visible presence 

in the community and better share 

the many stories we have to tell of 

caring for the poor and providing 

world-class health care right here in 

Eastern Washington,” says Lorilei 

Bruggink, president of the Board of 

Directors for the PHC Foundation. 

“With more of our family and friends 

finding themselves without medical 

insurance, the financial support 

provided by our foundation becomes 

even more important.” 

According to Chief Development 

Officer Joyce M. Cameron, the foundations 

for Sacred Heart, Children’s 

and Holy Family provided more 

than $2.5 million in grants in 2011, 

and the need for 2012 is expected to 

be three times greater. 

“We’re invigorated by our new 

approach to fundraising for our 

local hospitals,” says Cameron, 

“but the Mission of Providence—to 

reveal God’s love for all, especially 

the poor and the vulnerable—is the 

same. And we invite you to be a 

part of delivering the region’s most 

advanced and compassionate care 

through whatever contribution 

you’re able to make.” 

Officers 

Lorilei Bruggink, President 

State Bank Northwest 

Larry Soehren, Vice 

President 

Kiemle & Hagood Company 

Karla Greer, Secretary 

FSC Financial Group 

Helen Andrus, Treasurer 

Providence Urban Hospitals 

Members 

Charlene Clark 

Elaine Couture 

Steve Duvoisin 

Denis Felgenhauer 

Carl Garabedian, MD 

Diana Henke 

Rob McCann, PhD 

Michael O’Malley 

Sr. Margaret Pastro, SP 

Dave Peden 

John G. Peterson, MD 

Jeff Philipps 

Tom Rockefeller, PhD 

Rosemary Selinger 

Cheryl Stewart 

Tim Thomas 

Michael Thronson 

Bill Symmes 

Sr. Pam White, SP 

Jeff Wilcox 


{GROWTH} 

More Help in 

an Emergency 

Sacred Heart’s new 

Emergency Department 

will serve more patients of all 

ages in an expanded, efficient 

and comfortable space 

In an emergency, you want prompt, expert 

care delivered in the best-equipped, most 

soothing environment possible. 

And that’s exactly what Providence Sacred 

Heart Medical Center & Children’s Hospital wants 

to provide each and every patient. 

Providence Sacred Heart already provides 

excellent emergency care, but the current Emergency 

Department (ED) is no longer large enough 

to handle the volume of visitors. Now, a major 

expansion project is set to improve patient flow 

and staff responsiveness, and to offer some unique 

services other area medical centers don’t. 

Originally designed to handle up to 50,000 

visits per year, the ED now sees nearly 79,000 

patients annually. This has meant making some 

patients wait longer than they should have to—or 

even diverting patients to other EDs. The new 

expansion and remodeling project will allow Providence 

Sacred Heart to care for more emergency 

patients with greater efficiency and a higher level 

of customer satisfaction. 

The project, which began in October 2011, 

will nearly double the existing 27,000-squarefoot 

space by adding 24,000 more square feet. 

Also, 4,200 square feet of the current facility 

will be remodeled. 

One of the highlights of the new ED is the 

Rypien Foundation Children’s Emergency 

Center—a dedicated children’s space featuring 

15 exam rooms, two treatment rooms, one trauma 

bay and a pediatric mental health room. It will 

also include a Kids Clubhouse for siblings and 

children of patients. 

The redesigned adult space will feature 36 

exam rooms, three trauma bays and six mental 

Renderings of Sacred Heart’s new Emergency Department 

reveal key details of the expansion, including nearly 24,000 

square feet of new and 4,200 square feet of remodeled 

space, completely separate reception and treatment areas 

for children and adults, a Kids Clubhouse with a view of the 

nearby Healing Garden, an atrium featuring a tree grove, and 

a spacious, calming and modern design. 


RENDERINGS COURTESY OF Mahlum Architects

health rooms. Separate treatment and reception 

areas for adults and children are designed to 

improve the ER experience for everyone. 

The expanded ED will include a number of 

unique services not offered at other hospitals in 

the region. One of the most significant is a Level 

II Trauma Center for adults and children. This 

means patients with critical needs across the 

region can be brought to Sacred Heart rather 

than being diverted to other EDs. 

Pediatric Emergency services will be overseen 

by pediatric-trained specialists and supported 

by the complete range of services available at 

Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital. In addition, psychiatric 

triage and inpatient care will be available 

for both children and adults with acute mental 

health care needs. 

The new design creates more capacity to serve 

patients using the full complement of advanced 

technology at Sacred Heart. It also recognizes 

that in an emergency, a calming environment 

with special touches makes a difference to 

patients and their loved ones. 

In the new ED, these special touches include 

a full-service coffee bar and an atrium with a tree 

grove that creates a park-like setting—an oasis in 

the midst of a major medical center. 

Scheduled for completion at the end of 2012, 

the expansion is expected to cost a total of 

$18.6 million. Providence is covering $14 million 

of this expense, with the balance coming from 

philanthropic contributions, including a generous 

gift from the Rypien Foundation. 

PHOTOGRAPH BY XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX 


{md spotlight} 

Tackling the 

Mysteries of MS 

Dr. Roger Cooke sheds light on a baffling 

disease, giving patients new hope 

Roger Cooke, MD, Neurologist 

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, often disabling 

disease of the central nervous system. Symptoms range 

from fatigue and numbness in the limbs to severe 

paralysis and loss of vision. It’s a complicated disease to diagnose 

and is incurable, though treatable with medications and new 

therapies. In this interview for Heart Beat, Roger Cooke, MD, 

neurologist and medical director of Providence Multiple Sclerosis 

Center, offers a glimpse into the latest such innovations. 

Why is MS such a mystery 

The cause of MS is complex. Genetics definitely play a role, but 

there are other factors that may trigger the disease process, 

including viral infections. The progression and severity of symptoms 

vary tremendously between patients, so it’s sometimes 

hard to make an accurate prognosis. 

The Best 

in MS Care 

You can reach the 

Providence Multiple 

Sclerosis Center, on 

the campus of Holy 

Family Hospital, at 

509-252-9602. 

What populations are more prone to MS 

Caucasians—particularly those from Northern Europe—make 

up the majority of MS patients. Our Caucasian predominance 

in the Northwest, and our distance from the equator, are reasons 

our region has a high number of patients with the disease. 

People living far from the equator tend to have lower vitamin 

D levels (due to less sunshine), which increases the risk of 

multiple sclerosis. Women make up three quarters of the total 

number of patients with MS. 

What makes this field rewarding for you 

It’s very rewarding to offer people new and more effective 

treatments that have become available. This is extremely 

important since MS is a lifelong condition. 

What does the Providence 

MS Center offer 

We have dedicated staff members who 

assist in all aspects of care, including diagnosis, 

treatment, psychological support, 

rehabilitation, education and research. 

Since MS can affect a person’s judgment, 

speed, multitasking capabilities and other 

day-to-day functions, we’re trying to 

improve treatment for these. We’re also 

participating in research to better monitor 

the safety of new drugs. 

What would you say is the 

hallmark of the Center’s care 

More than just treating physical symptoms, 

we focus on helping to improve the quality 

of life for those living with multiple 

sclerosis, their families, and those who are 

concerned they may have MS. There’s a real 

family approach to our care, centered on 

flexibility as well as thorough and honest 

communication with everyone involved. 

Only 80 centers in the nation have the 

National MS Society’s “stamp of approval” 

recognizing Centers for Comprehensive Care 

… and Providence is one of them. 


{community calendar} 

Spring 2012 Classes, 

Activities & Events 

Click Away! 

Check out the calendar 

of events at phc.org. 

Click “News & Events,” 

then “Event Calendar.” 

MOTHER-BABY TIME 

Wednesdays • 10 a.m. 

Sacred Heart Women’s Health Center 

Come with your new baby to meet new friends, 

support one another and receive answers to your 

questions. A lactation consultant will be there 

to address infant health care issues and to 

weigh your baby. Call 509-474-2400. 

CANCER SUPPORT GROUPS 

A cancer diagnosis creates all kinds of needs 

for patients—and their family members. To 

learn more about support groups available 

through the Providence Regional Cancer Center, 

call 509-474-5490. 

MEDITATION AND MORE 

A variety of classes and seminars related to spirituality 

and stress reduction is offered at the Providence 

Center for Faith and Healing, located on the Sacred 

Heart campus. Call 509-474-3008. 

SHAMROCK GALA 

March 31 • 6–11 p.m. 

The Davenport Hotel 

Join us for an evening of fabulous food, fine wine, 

dancing and wonderful company, with the opportunity 

to bid on one-of-a-kind auction packages. 

Proceeds support Providence Holy Family Hospital’s 

areas of greatest need and Family Maternity 

Center. Tickets are $150 each. To learn more, call 

509-474-4923. 

Spokane Women’s Show 

April 20–22 

Spokane Convention Center 

Bring your friends to enjoy cooking demonstrations, 

health booths, exhibits, shopping and much 

more. Admission is $5. To learn more, visit 

spokanewomensshow.com. 

BLOOMSDAY 

TRAINING CLINICS 

SATURDAYS, March 17–APRIL 28 • 8:30 A.m. 

SPOKANE FALLS COMMUNITY COLLEGE GYM 

It’s time for the annual FREE Providence Group Health 

Training clinics to help you get in shape for the annual 

Bloomsday run. Train safely and progressively over the 

seven weeks leading up to the big day. Start off each Saturday 

with a talk from a local expert on different health topics, then 

warm up with a personal trainer before 

hitting the trail. You’ll start with one 

mile and increase by one mile each 

week, until you’ve “rehearsed” for the 

full length of the Bloomsday route. 

Register in advance at phc.org or 

simply show up. Free! 


Providence Sacred Heart 

Medical Center & Children’s Hospital 

101 W 8th Ave 

Spokane, WA 99204 

NON-PROFIT 

ORG 

us postage 

paid 

heart beat 

{role model} 

Inspirational 

Leader 

When Judy Benson, MD, was selected as 

Internist of the Year by the American College 

of Physicians’ Washington chapter last fall, it 

came as no surprise to her colleagues. They consider 

Dr. Benson, medical director at Internal Medicine 

Residency Spokane, a fine role model for physicians in 

training and seasoned providers, too. 

It’s not only her excellent clinical skills and 

powerful teaching abilities that make Dr. Benson a 

worthy recipient. What sets her apart is the personal 

investment she has in her patients—many of whom 

present exceptional challenges—and her philosophy 

of care, which is to serve rather than merely treat. 

Above all, Dr. Benson’s colleagues nominated her for 

demonstrating and cultivating this integrity despite 

the myriad complications of modern medicine. 

Our Mission is to reveal God’s love for all, especially the poor and vulnerable, through our compassionate service. Our values are respect, compassion, 

justice, excellence and stewardship. If you have a story of an employee demonstrating these, please email heartbeat@providence.org. 

PHOTOGRAPH BY GARY MATOSO

Issue 1 - Providence Washington - Providence Health & Services

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