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May is Stroke Awareness Month! Know the Warning Signs and Ways You Can Prevent Stroke Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and leading cause of serious disability nationwide - but it doesn't have to be. Check out the image below to review the warning signs of stroke and BE FAST. There are things you can do to prevent stroke: Choose healthy foods and drinks. Avoid processed foods, salt, and sugar. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase stroke risk. Get regular physical activity. Two hours and thirty minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week Don't smoke. For information on how to quit visit this site: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/ Limit alcohol use. Alcohol can increase blood pressure which increases stroke risk. Control medical conditions: cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, treat heart disease

May is Stroke Awareness Month! Know the Warning Signs and Ways You Can Prevent Stroke Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and leading cause of serious disability nationwide - but it doesn't have to be. Check out the image below to review the warning signs of stroke and BE FAST. There are things you can do to prevent stroke: Choose healthy foods and drinks. Avoid processed foods, salt, and sugar. Maintain a healthy weight. Being overweight or obese can increase stroke risk. Get regular physical activity. Two hours and thirty minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week Don't smoke. For information on how to quit visit this site: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/ Limit alcohol use. Alcohol can increase blood pressure which increases stroke risk. Control medical conditions: cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes, treat heart disease
Congratulations to Shelly Caldejon, a nurse and professional development specialist on our Professional Development & Education team, and one of Valley's May 2022 Heroes! See what her teammates have to say: "It's not just one thing, it's every day, all the time. She leads Patient Care Services orientation and Nursing Residency, so she is one of the first faces many of our new employees meet at Valley. She listens carefully and makes everyone feel heard and respected." "Shelly does an amazing amount of work with an ever-present smile and kind word. Since I started at Valley, I have been so impressed by her knowledge, professional demeanor, and kindness. Every time I see her, she is asking how she can help. Never have I met a person who embodies 'helper' more than her. She inspires me to be a better nurse, educator and person. We need more humans like her."

Congratulations to Shelly Caldejon, a nurse and professional development specialist on our Professional Development & Education team, and one of Valley's May 2022 Heroes! See what her teammates have to say: "It's not just one thing, it's every day, all the time. She leads Patient Care Services orientation and Nursing Residency, so she is one of the first faces many of our new employees meet at Valley. She listens carefully and makes everyone feel heard and respected." "Shelly does an amazing amount of work with an ever-present smile and kind word. Since I started at Valley, I have been so impressed by her knowledge, professional demeanor, and kindness. Every time I see her, she is asking how she can help. Never have I met a person who embodies 'helper' more than her. She inspires me to be a better nurse, educator and person. We need more humans like her."
Every year, during the month of May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) works to improve awareness about communication, swallowing, and hearing disorders. This year's theme is "Connecting People"! In support of this theme, please connect with someone through any means of communication: Writing a note to offer help and support Calling by phone to set up a play or coffee date Texting "hello" or emojis Knocking on your neighbor's door to check in Elbow bump, nod, tilt your head, or bow to a friend Mail a letter of thanks for being a friend, colleague, or mentor Video conference while preparing a snack Drawing a picture and giving it to someone special Taking a selfie and sharing yourself with someone Or any other means of communication and reason! Here, at UW Medicine-Valley Medical Center's Children's Therapy, the speech-language pathologists (SLPs) see children ranging in age from birth through early adulthood for a wide variety of communication and feeding/swallowing issues.

Every year, during the month of May, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) works to improve awareness about communication, swallowing, and hearing disorders. This year's theme is "Connecting People"! In support of this theme, please connect with someone through any means of communication: Writing a note to offer help and support Calling by phone to set up a play or coffee date Texting "hello" or emojis Knocking on your neighbor's door to check in Elbow bump, nod, tilt your head, or bow to a friend Mail a letter of thanks for being a friend, colleague, or mentor Video conference while preparing a snack Drawing a picture and giving it to someone special Taking a selfie and sharing yourself with someone Or any other means of communication and reason! Here, at UW Medicine-Valley Medical Center's Children's Therapy, the speech-language pathologists (SLPs) see children ranging in age from birth through early adulthood for a wide variety of communication and feeding/swallowing issues.
Congratulations to the Newest DAISY Award Winners! Plus a Big DAISY Surprise! We wrapped up National Nurses Week with a very special DAISY Award ceremony, where we recognized three of our exceptional nurses, Kelly Dix, RN, 3 North, Missy Cruz, RN, Emergency Department, and Tierra Ashcroft, RN, NICU. We also had a big surprise for our Chief Nursing Officer, Theresa Braungardt—who was presented with a DAISY Leadership Award from our CEO, Jeannine, for her strong leadership throughout the challenges of the pandemic over the past two years. "The pandemic created amazing opportunities to see what we could do, and no one was called on that more than Theresa," Jeannine said.

Congratulations to the Newest DAISY Award Winners! Plus a Big DAISY Surprise! We wrapped up National Nurses Week with a very special DAISY Award ceremony, where we recognized three of our exceptional nurses, Kelly Dix, RN, 3 North, Missy Cruz, RN, Emergency Department, and Tierra Ashcroft, RN, NICU. We also had a big surprise for our Chief Nursing Officer, Theresa Braungardt—who was presented with a DAISY Leadership Award from our CEO, Jeannine, for her strong leadership throughout the challenges of the pandemic over the past two years. "The pandemic created amazing opportunities to see what we could do, and no one was called on that more than Theresa," Jeannine said.
If you noticed a little extra activity around Valley on Monday, it wasn’t an emergency. It was a touching gesture from our first responder partners for National Nurses Week! Dozens of police officers, firefighters and paramedics fired up their lights and sirens and drove around the Valley campus Monday morning, as a thank you to our nursing staff, who they often work closely with. Agencies included Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Tri-Med, AMR Ambulance, Renton Regional Fire Authority, Renton Police Department, King County Medic 1 and Tukwila Fire Department. The first responders stopped at the Emergency Department, where they gave flowers to ED Nurses Kayla Engelhardt and Emily Tran. They also presented all Valley nurses with a proclamation honoring Nurses Week.

If you noticed a little extra activity around Valley on Monday, it wasn’t an emergency. It was a touching gesture from our first responder partners for National Nurses Week! Dozens of police officers, firefighters and paramedics fired up their lights and sirens and drove around the Valley campus Monday morning, as a thank you to our nursing staff, who they often work closely with. Agencies included Puget Sound Regional Fire Authority, Tri-Med, AMR Ambulance, Renton Regional Fire Authority, Renton Police Department, King County Medic 1 and Tukwila Fire Department. The first responders stopped at the Emergency Department, where they gave flowers to ED Nurses Kayla Engelhardt and Emily Tran. They also presented all Valley nurses with a proclamation honoring Nurses Week.
Congratulations to Dara Jolly, MD, a provider in our Valley Family Medicine clinic and our April 2022 Provider of the Month! See what her colleague had to say: Dr. Jolly is the model of what anyone would want in a personal physician. She is an effective listener and has an astute ability to understand what her patients need or are hoping to achieve. I always feel that she has the patient's needs at the forefront of all her medical decisions, even if she may come to a different decision medically. As a faculty physician she reflects these same traits and skills. She has an uncanny ability to be able to understand the medical learners she is engaged with and teaching and bring out the best in them. She builds their confidence at the same time she outlines any areas where they need to improve. And as a faculty physician partner she quietly works to support her faculty partners in so many ways on a daily basis. She is the first to volunteer when a need is identified, and for me I always know that she will do the best for the training program.

Congratulations to Dara Jolly, MD, a provider in our Valley Family Medicine clinic and our April 2022 Provider of the Month! See what her colleague had to say: Dr. Jolly is the model of what anyone would want in a personal physician. She is an effective listener and has an astute ability to understand what her patients need or are hoping to achieve. I always feel that she has the patient's needs at the forefront of all her medical decisions, even if she may come to a different decision medically. As a faculty physician she reflects these same traits and skills. She has an uncanny ability to be able to understand the medical learners she is engaged with and teaching and bring out the best in them. She builds their confidence at the same time she outlines any areas where they need to improve. And as a faculty physician partner she quietly works to support her faculty partners in so many ways on a daily basis. She is the first to volunteer when a need is identified, and for me I always know that she will do the best for the training program.
Congratulations to Katrina Breaux, an admitting registrar in our Outpatient Rehabilitation department and one of Valley's April 2022 Heroes! See what her supervisors have to say: "Katrina is new to the OP Rehab Team and is quickly building rapport and showing her teamwork "muscle." She is kind, positive and works hard to learn all the new nuances of our repeated scheduling model. She exemplifies the Caregiver Commitment by being principled, striving for excellence, striving to improve, and building a great culture. She encourages collaboration and treats others with compassion and respect. " "Katrina has only been at OP Rehab for 60 days, but I have witnessed her superb customer service skills, the way she's so attentive and respectful to both her peers and our patients. Katrina is so friendly and has a very positive demeanor and attitude. It's been an absolute pleasure having her join our department!"

Congratulations to Katrina Breaux, an admitting registrar in our Outpatient Rehabilitation department and one of Valley's April 2022 Heroes! See what her supervisors have to say: "Katrina is new to the OP Rehab Team and is quickly building rapport and showing her teamwork "muscle." She is kind, positive and works hard to learn all the new nuances of our repeated scheduling model. She exemplifies the Caregiver Commitment by being principled, striving for excellence, striving to improve, and building a great culture. She encourages collaboration and treats others with compassion and respect. " "Katrina has only been at OP Rehab for 60 days, but I have witnessed her superb customer service skills, the way she's so attentive and respectful to both her peers and our patients. Katrina is so friendly and has a very positive demeanor and attitude. It's been an absolute pleasure having her join our department!"
Congratulations to Angela McNamee, a registered nurse on 6 South and one of Valley's April 2022 Heroes! Her nominators write: "Angela was a PCA on 6 South while she was going to nursing school. She is now one of the champions on 6 South. She is kind, compassionate, and thoughtful. She is very thorough and asks questions to clarify. She really is an asset to Valley, and we are very lucky to have her on our team."

Congratulations to Angela McNamee, a registered nurse on 6 South and one of Valley's April 2022 Heroes! Her nominators write: "Angela was a PCA on 6 South while she was going to nursing school. She is now one of the champions on 6 South. She is kind, compassionate, and thoughtful. She is very thorough and asks questions to clarify. She really is an asset to Valley, and we are very lucky to have her on our team."
Congratulations to Mike Kaminski, MD, a provider in Valley's Fairwood Clinic and our March 2022 Provider of the Month! Read more about why his nominators say he's "extraordinary": "Dr Kaminski is an excellent Doctor, who gives 110% to his patients and his teams. He is very dedicated to serving our Community like Family. His patients love him, as he takes the time to listen, care and heal with them. He is not only an extraordinary doctor, but also an extraordinary human being! He will be retiring at the end of June, and will be missed tremendously, but has definitely put his time in providing care and his patients health outcomes are the true testaments." "I'd love to see Mike Kaminski nominated as provider of the quarter. He's been my PCP for many years and is an all-around amazing doctor. He truly cares about his patients, I mean it. I've never felt rushed with his visits; he gives you as much time as you need. He speaks honestly and truly values what you have to say. He works collaboratively with you towards your health-related goals.

Congratulations to Mike Kaminski, MD, a provider in Valley's Fairwood Clinic and our March 2022 Provider of the Month! Read more about why his nominators say he's "extraordinary": "Dr Kaminski is an excellent Doctor, who gives 110% to his patients and his teams. He is very dedicated to serving our Community like Family. His patients love him, as he takes the time to listen, care and heal with them. He is not only an extraordinary doctor, but also an extraordinary human being! He will be retiring at the end of June, and will be missed tremendously, but has definitely put his time in providing care and his patients health outcomes are the true testaments." "I'd love to see Mike Kaminski nominated as provider of the quarter. He's been my PCP for many years and is an all-around amazing doctor. He truly cares about his patients, I mean it. I've never felt rushed with his visits; he gives you as much time as you need. He speaks honestly and truly values what you have to say. He works collaboratively with you towards your health-related goals.
April is Occupational Therapy Month Occupational therapy is a science-driven and evidence-based practice that helps patients who are recovering from illness or injury to minimize dysfunction, adapt to their deficits, and maximize overall health. Occupational therapists evaluate patients' function with their daily routines in their families and communities and customize a treatment plan that addresses physical, cognitive and psychosocial needs. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to bring meaning and purpose to everyday life. Occupational therapists in acute care: Serve patients with medical, neurological or orthopedic impairments Perform vision, cognition and arm range of motion and strength assessments Assess fall risk, medication management skills, and skills needed to manage self-care and household chores Provide education on energy conservation and compensatory techniques Recommend equipment to prevent falls, enable independence with daily tasks, and facilitate safe discharge Fit patients with hand splints to prevent skin breakdown and joint deformities