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In the Community
Helping our Community Stay Healthy
You may only think of a hospital as a place to visit a sick relative, have a baby or get emergency care but Northwest Hospital & Medical Center offers much more than that. Our hospital has a long history of service and outreach to our patients and to the greater community. We are committed to improving the health status and quality of life of the people we serve.
Our hospital is honored to be a part of the community we serve. From health fairs and wellness outreach to donations and support groups, we make it a priority to be involved and visible in the community.
Northwest Hospital Employees Team Up to Volunteer for Seattle's Livestrong Challenge
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| Left to right ER nurse Liza Skelton, Kim Burns, nursing manager in the Childbirth Center, ER nurse Angie Thompson, ER physician Dr. Richard Kwun and Dr. Dawn Frankwick of Meridian Women’s Health |
In June, Northwest Hospital employees teamed up to offer volunteer medical services for Seattle's annual Livestrong Challenge. Emergency room nurses Liza Skelton and Angie Thomson joined Emergency room physician Dr. Richard Kwun, Dr. Dawn Frankwick, an obstetrician with Meridian Women's Health and Kim Burns, nursing manager of the Childbirth Center, to provide first aid support for the event.
Dr. Kwun said the event, which features a 5K run or a multi-distant bike ride with 10, 45, 70 and 100 mile options, was a great opportunity to partner up with his Northwest Hospital coworkers to do something good for the community. The charitable event, run by Lance Armstrong's Livestrong Foundation, raises money for cancer research and advocacy.
"It's nice to work outside of the hospital with people you work with every day," he said. "It enhances the collegiality we share with one another and we bring that back to Northwest Hospital. At the end of the day, we all become collectively inspired by the people we help at events like these. And then we take that inspiration back to the workplace."
The Sports Medicine Clinic Rolls Out Updated Mobile Clinic
On November 14, The Sports Medicine Clinic debuted its new, fully-equipped mobile medical clinic at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Winter Pineapple Classic. The new truck and trailer replaces one the clinic has used for more than a decade. Two of the clinic's physicians, Drs. Thomas Jansen and Edward Blahous, attended the annual 5k team run and provided medical services for the event's participants.
The two doctors worked alongside local EMTs and first responders to treat sprains, lacerations and bruises. The mobile clinic holds four exam tables and is outfitted to respond a range of different injuries.
"Thankfully, we were blessed with good, dry weather, so we treated mostly small injuries like bruises and a few cuts -- nothing too serious," Jansen says.
The Sports Medicine Clinic provides medical support at community and sporting events throughout the year, including the Sea Fair Unlimited Hydroplane Races and the St. Patrick's Day Dash. Dr. Jansen says this event, in particular, is very near and dear to him.
"My own son, Nathan, was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma when he was 20. He is now 28 and in full remission," he says. "It's a way for me to give back."
Northwest Hospital Foundation Accepts Generous Gift from Lynnwood Wal-Mart
In January 2010, Northwest Hospital Foundation staff members gathered at the Lynnwood Wal-Mart to accept a $1,000 contribution from the larger retailer. Foundation special projects coordinator Anna Marie Selvidge had been working with Wal-Mart for a few months to earn the grant.
 "Community contributions like these go a long way in helping us provide needed services to people who cannot otherwise afford them," Selvidge said.
Wal-Mart's gift will go directly to Northwest Hospital's childbirth center. The center's nursing manager Kim Burns said the donation will help purchase small play tables and chairs, engaging toys and teddy bears and dolls for children to play with when they visit the center with their parents.
This fall, the Northwest Hospital Foundation hosted the annual Northwest Casting Call, a fly-fishing adventure for breast cancer survivors. Fifteen women joined hospital Chief of Staff Dr. Mary Horan on the beautiful Northwest hospital campus for a two day introductory series into the art of fly fishing. Event participants learned about the different types of fly fishing, various types of fishing waters, types of fish, and received and introduction to casting, all from professional instructors and guides. Later, the group embarked on a day-long fishing expedition to the upper Yakima River in Cle Elum, where five of the women reeled in a few big fish.
"This program offers a sense of camaraderie to these incredibly courageous women," Northwest Hospital events coordinator Anna Maria Selvidge said. "It's about getting out and feeling whole again and connecting with other survivors."
Walk From Obesity
 Northwest Hospital staff and patients enjoyed a last day of summer while taking part in the September 27 Walk from Obesity in Bellevue. The event brought together people affected by obesity, their families and friends, and area healthcare professionals to raise awareness of the disease. Misty Baskett, who had weight loss surgery at Northwest Hospital, raised almost $2,000 to support the cause.
Northwest Hospital Foundation Donates Defibrillators to Everett Golf and Country Club
The Northwest Hospital Foundation recently provided three defibrillators to the Everett Golf & Country Club through its Life Links Program. The portable machines deliver electric shocks to reestablish a heart rhythm in someone who has suffered a heart attack or life-threatening cardiac arrhythmia.
The machines, their upkeep and maintenance, and on-site training for clubhouse personnel are funded through the Jack and Irene Curran Trust, which is administered by the Northwest Hospital Foundation. The foundation currently provides 24 defibrillators to eight golf courses in the Seattle area.
"Golf courses are places where these cardiac problems could likely occur," says Norman Brown, Foundation development coordinator. "By having defibrillators available and trained personnel in the clubhouse, players can get the earliest response possible in case anything happens."
Maria Dormann, the Everett Golf & Country Club's general manager, said the hospital team has trained 16 core staff including employees in the pro shop, golf course maintenance and clubhouse.
"Thankfully, we haven't had an incident here," Dorman said. "But it is nice to know that we have the defibrillators available. It provides a sense of security and the club really appreciates being a part of this program."
Out And About with Northwest Hospital Nurses
The Northwest Hospital Community Outreach team of nurses has had a busy fall already. They have been providing flu-shots at-cost to teachers and academic support staff throughout the Shoreline school district. Clinical coordinator Deb Butler said in 10 days, the outreach team gave more than 400 shots. The team also traveled a bit farther north to Edmonds where they attended the Edmonds school district benefits fair, screening close to 100 school district employees for cholesterol and blood pressure levels.
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