Healthcare

West Seattle Alex's Lemonade Stand and Yard Sale will be going strong on Saturday June 12 at 49th Ave SW and Alaska Street from 9 AM-2PM This is a Multi-family yard sale, offering fresh lemonade, and baked goods.

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation is a registered 501(c)3 charity that raises money and awareness for pediatric cancer causes, primarily research into new treatments and cures.

Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) emerged from the front yard lemonade stand of cancer patient Alexandra “Alex” Scott (1996-2004). Read more about Alex and other heroes fighting cancer.

http://www.alexslemonade.org

On Sunday June 13, 20 health and wellness providers located in the West Seattle Junction neighborhood are participating in the first annual Junction Health Fair as a way to educate West Seattleites on the wide range of health services in multiple disciplines available to them without having to cross the bridge. In addition to the array of physicians, dentists, massage therapists, fitness and yoga studios, pharmacies and vitamin stores, there will be healthful and interesting activities for the whole family to enjoy.

The event will run from 10 AM to 2PM in the Wells Fargo Bank parking lot, 4314 SW Alaska Street.

Some of what you can do there: Give blood at the blood drive and save 3 lives – Meet Junction fire fighters and police officers – Brush up on disaster preparedness with experts - Enjoy the West Seattle Farmers Market demonstrating healthy cooking with fresh, local produce – Enter a free raffle for healthy prizes including yoga, massage and skin care . The blood drive is sponsored by the Puget Sound Blood Center.

This month, Swedish Medical Center launches the Employer Medical Assistance program designed specifically for companies in heavy manufacturing, construction, marine services, fishing, transportation, firefighting, aviation and related industries. It is the first of its kind in the region.

Located on the Swedish/Ballard campus at 5300 Tallman Ave. N.W., the new service is a logical outgrowth of the nonprofit health system’s Maritime Medical Management practice, which started in the summer of 2009.

The Employer Medical Assistance program incorporates specialty care, diagnostics, emergency services and needed medical solutions for a broader range of injured or ill workers – all tied to the recently updated Swedish Business Health Link employee drug/alcohol testing service and a soon-to-be-added occupational health component.

“Through EMA, employers can get expedited access to the extensive Swedish provider network and have their key people back to work quicker and healthier than in the past,” Rayburn Lewis, executive director of Swedish/Ballard, said in a press release.

Residents and employees at Ballard Care and Rehabilitation Center came together May 7 to speak our against budget cuts to nursing homes at the state and national level and to sign a petition urging Washington's congressional delegation to fight against further cuts.

Gary Weeks, president and CEO of the Washington Health Care Association, said nursing homes were hit hard in the latest legislative sessions, with $15 million being cut to Medicaid at the state level and $14.5 billion being cut to Medicare at the national level.

There are 10,200 residents in nursing homes in the state, and that number is growing, Weeks said. He said the money being cut is needed to keep a great staff, up-to-date facilities and a high-quality of life for residents.

Sabine von Prevss-Friedman, long-term care medical director at Ballard Care, said margins are not large for nursing homes – any budget cuts are cuts in staff and necessary services.

Ballard Care administrator Angie Davis called the cuts dangerous and unacceptable.

For the past 24 years, longtime Ballard resident Faye Cluckey has been battling cancer within her family in one form or another. On May 9, the Seattle Mariners will honor her commitment to raising awareness about breast cancer in a pregame ceremony.

In 1986, Cluckey's younger sister was diagnosed with cancer. Later, Cluckey's dog Tinker Bell was diagnosed with breast cancer and successfully treated. Last year, Tinker Bell's incessant pawing at Cluckey's chest led her to get a mammogram. She was diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and treated.

"That dog would not leave my breasts alone," Cluckey said. "She lived so she could help me live."

She said a strong faith and the ability to smile through life's bumps has kept her going through the difficult times.

"I believe in prayer," Cluckey said. "If I didn't know I had the Lord with me, I couldn't keep going."

Since her sister's first experience with cancer, Cluckey has dedicated herself to raising awareness about breast cancer.

To the editor:

This is an open letter to Mr. Rob McKenna.

I am a small business owner in West Seattle. Recently, our elected Attorney General, Rob McKenna, has subjected Washington State to the lawsuit involving universal health care. I am at a loss as to why he would waste taxpayers dollars on such a law suit. I understand that he believes the Federal Government doesn't have the right to require companies and individuals to purchase this coverage.

Now, I ask in this open letter as to why I have to purchase Workers' Compensation Insurance Coverage from Labor & Industry and am not allowed to purchase this coverage in the private market where there is competition. I have worked in other states and have found that competition protects the consumer. Here in Washington State, all employers, except the very largest who can manage a self insured retention, have no choice but to buy from the state monopoly.

In honor of its 100th year of nonprofit service, Swedish Medical Center wants to recognize some of its patients through a search for photos of babies born at any birthing center now part of Swedish Health Services, including Swedish Hospital (Swedish First Hill, Swedish Ballard and Swedish Cherry Hill), Doctors Hospital, Seattle General Hospital, Ballard General Hospital, Ballard Community Hospital and Providence Seattle Medical Center.

Since opening its doors in 1910, more than 200,000 babies have been born at Swedish Medical Center. Last year alone, there were more than 7,400 babies born at Swedish’s First Hill and Ballard campuses.

“Swedish is iconic in the community as a place to have your baby,” Cal Knight, president and chief operating officer at Swedish Medical Center, said in a press release. “We often meet people in the community who are proud to tell us they were born at Swedish or had their children here.”

How to Enter the “I’m a Swedish Baby” Photo Contest

Entries for the cutest Swedish baby photo contest will be accepted online through June 1.

Workers were putting the finishing touches on the new Emergency Room and Patient Care Center at Highline Medical Center in Burien on April 8th during a media walking tour. The contrast from the current cramped and outdated Emergency Room was dramatic. The new ER opens officially April 13th. Emergency Dr. Sue O'Brien provided the explanations of what the new facilities will offer including:
• 32 large, private treatment rooms with space for family members to stay with the patient, each room universally equipped to handle any emergency
• Three rooms where patients can be triaged and taken directly to a private treatment room with admitting handled at bedside
• Triage and admitting areas designed to offer privacy and to protect the confidentiality of patient information
• Two large adjoining trauma rooms with state-of-the-art equipment on moveable, overhead systems
• Three nurses’ stations placed throughout the ER for more efficient patient monitoring
• A private room for consultations and family meetings
• A separate family waiting area to create a more comfortable environment for kids and adults alike

Workers were putting the finishing touches on the new Emergency Room and Patient Care Center at Highline Medical Center in Burien on April 8th during a media walking tour. The contrast from the current cramped and outdated Emergency Room was dramatic.

With the potential for traffic problems looming for downtown access from West Seattle in the next few years, the new facilities in Burien take on greater importance. For your reference the Highline Medical Group West Seattle Walk-In Clinic is located at 4744 41st Avenue SW, Suite 101.

The new ER opens officially April 13th, but a public celebration is being held this Saturday, the 10th of April.

Emergency Dr. Sue O'Brien provided the explanations of what the new facilities will offer including:
• 32 large, private treatment rooms with space for family members to stay with the patient, each room universally equipped to handle any emergency
• Three rooms where patients can be triaged and taken directly to a private treatment room with admitting handled at bedside
• Triage and admitting areas designed to offer privacy and to protect the confidentiality of patient information

According to a new press release:

The Seattle City Council and City Attorney Pete Holmes took a united stand today opposing Attorney General Rob McKenna’s participation in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the historic national legislation that will dramatically reform health care in the United States.

Seattle’s elected officials oppose McKenna’s involvement as contrary to the interest of the people of Washington State and the City of Seattle.

This afternoon the Seattle City Council passed Resolution 31196 supporting enactment of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act for health care reform.

The City’s resolution also urges the State Legislature to restrict the Attorney General’s budget authority to prevent any state funds from being spent opposing federal health care reform.

The united front in Seattle supports the strong stance taken by Governor Christine Gregoire, who has made it clear that she will actively oppose the lawsuit filed in Florida.