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Congratulations to Hospitalist Aaron Fang, MD, Valley's April 2019 Provider of the Month. Dr. Fang is lauded for being inspirational, for leading by example, and for delivering excellent care. He collaborates effortlessly, and he genuinely cares about both his patients and his peers. He doesn't hesitate to offer praise or thanks to floor nurses and his positive attitude is infectious. As his nominator writes "Rounding on the unit is always enjoyable when he is on. Without fail, I find that his patients are well-informed and well-cared for. He has a definitive impact on our patients and the unit, and I really appreciate what he brings to this organization. Providers like Dr. Fang remind me why I got in to healthcare in the first place—to help those in need."
Congratulations to Hospitalist Aaron Fang, MD, Valley's April 2019 Provider of the Month. Dr. Fang is lauded for being inspirational, for leading by example, and for delivering excellent care. He collaborates effortlessly, and he genuinely cares about both his patients and his peers. He doesn't hesitate to offer praise or thanks to floor nurses and his positive attitude is infectious. As his nominator writes "Rounding on the unit is always enjoyable when he is on. Without fail, I find that his patients are well-informed and well-cared for. He has a definitive impact on our patients and the unit, and I really appreciate what he brings to this organization. Providers like Dr. Fang remind me why I got in to healthcare in the first place—to help those in need."
Congratulations to Patient Care Assistant, General Medicine, Hanna Weldesmayat, one of Valley's April 2019 Heroes. She is known for going above and beyond caring for her patients. Hanna places importance on being a support system for patients and their families when they are in the hospital. She takes the time to do small things that make a huge difference, like singing "Happy Birthday" to patients and bringing treats, and offering amenities to family members to ensure their comfort. As her manager, Rosalyn Parsons writes, "She is compassionate and creates a culture of inclusiveness. Her acts of kindness and compassion are a role model for my entire team."
Congratulations to Patient Care Assistant, General Medicine, Hanna Weldesmayat, one of Valley's April 2019 Heroes. She is known for going above and beyond caring for her patients. Hanna places importance on being a support system for patients and their families when they are in the hospital. She takes the time to do small things that make a huge difference, like singing "Happy Birthday" to patients and bringing treats, and offering amenities to family members to ensure their comfort. As her manager, Rosalyn Parsons writes, "She is compassionate and creates a culture of inclusiveness. Her acts of kindness and compassion are a role model for my entire team."
Special Thanks to Valley’s Nurses from Chief Nursing Officer, Theresa Braungardt. Valley Medical Center would like to extend a special thanks to you, our nurses, as you continue to provide the highest level of quality care to your patients. You deserve special recognition for your efforts in delivering compassionate care while encompassing the principles of ethical practice in your profession. Through patients, I've learned the most about what it means to be a nurse—selflessness, compassion and dedication to the service of others; these are the cherished values nursing has championed throughout history and create the cornerstone of a healing environment. I have the privilege of working with some of the finest nurses in the world. During Nurses Week, I feel enormous gratitude for each of our nurses, patient care assistants and everyone who contributes and works together in the service of our patients. We have a remarkable, collaborative team.
Special Thanks to Valley’s Nurses from Chief Nursing Officer, Theresa Braungardt. Valley Medical Center would like to extend a special thanks to you, our nurses, as you continue to provide the highest level of quality care to your patients. You deserve special recognition for your efforts in delivering compassionate care while encompassing the principles of ethical practice in your profession. Through patients, I've learned the most about what it means to be a nurse—selflessness, compassion and dedication to the service of others; these are the cherished values nursing has championed throughout history and create the cornerstone of a healing environment. I have the privilege of working with some of the finest nurses in the world. During Nurses Week, I feel enormous gratitude for each of our nurses, patient care assistants and everyone who contributes and works together in the service of our patients. We have a remarkable, collaborative team.
Congrats to Leader of the Quarter, Director of Peri-anesthesia Services, Wendy La Cava! A big shout out to Wendy LaCava, recently named Leader of the Quarter. Wendy's role greatly expanded in the past two years when she was tasked with bringing the Special Procedure Care Unit online, as well as the newly opened, advanced cardiac and vascular services and corresponding procedure rooms. Working in multiple departments and roles since her arrival in 2010, Wendy has skillfully wielded her collaborative abilities, handling challenges calmly and with professionalism, proving herself instrumental to Valley's success. She remains a strong advocate for nursing and the patient experience and is liked and respected by all surgeons. When's she's not working, Wendy loves travel, eating Italian food and zippy sports cars.
Congrats to Leader of the Quarter, Director of Peri-anesthesia Services, Wendy La Cava! A big shout out to Wendy LaCava, recently named Leader of the Quarter. Wendy's role greatly expanded in the past two years when she was tasked with bringing the Special Procedure Care Unit online, as well as the newly opened, advanced cardiac and vascular services and corresponding procedure rooms. Working in multiple departments and roles since her arrival in 2010, Wendy has skillfully wielded her collaborative abilities, handling challenges calmly and with professionalism, proving herself instrumental to Valley's success. She remains a strong advocate for nursing and the patient experience and is liked and respected by all surgeons. When's she's not working, Wendy loves travel, eating Italian food and zippy sports cars.
UW Medicine and Valley Medical Center received the Distinguished Acclaim Award from American Medical Group Association. The Acclaim Award rewards the nation’s premier healthcare delivery organizations that are high-performing and moving their organization closer to the ideal delivery model―one that is measurably improving the quality and value of care, improving patient experience and outcomes, continuously learning and innovating, and improving population health. This was a team effort utilizing data from all UW Medicine organizations. Kim Herner, MD, Chief Quality Officer; Kalen Privatsky, SVP of Clinic Network; Phil Chan, MD, Associate Medical Director of Population Health; and Todd Bouchard, MD, Associate Medical Director of Urgent Care, were part of the team that accepted the award along with several members from the UW Medicine team.
UW Medicine and Valley Medical Center received the Distinguished Acclaim Award from American Medical Group Association. The Acclaim Award rewards the nation’s premier healthcare delivery organizations that are high-performing and moving their organization closer to the ideal delivery model―one that is measurably improving the quality and value of care, improving patient experience and outcomes, continuously learning and innovating, and improving population health. This was a team effort utilizing data from all UW Medicine organizations. Kim Herner, MD, Chief Quality Officer; Kalen Privatsky, SVP of Clinic Network; Phil Chan, MD, Associate Medical Director of Population Health; and Todd Bouchard, MD, Associate Medical Director of Urgent Care, were part of the team that accepted the award along with several members from the UW Medicine team.
Thanks to Valley employees over the past decade, Valley is solidly on the sustainability path! In 2018, Valley recycled 1,655+ tons of cloth, paper, food, plastics, rubber, metal, batteries and obsolete equipment. We also upcycled used equipment and expired medical supplies for medical missions aborad through Gateway Medical Alliance. The efforts have results in Valley diverting 59% of our waste from the landfill. Plastics recycling efforts ◾Recycled 128 tons of plastic, 30% comprised of polystyrene #6 (Styrofoam) ◾3 bottle-filling drinking fountains eliminated more than 18,000 bottles—more on the way! ◾Reusable rigid container in OR reduces blue wrap use ◾Stryker sustainability- single use items out for reprocessing ◾All cafeteria eating ware + straws now compostable
Thanks to Valley employees over the past decade, Valley is solidly on the sustainability path! In 2018, Valley recycled 1,655+ tons of cloth, paper, food, plastics, rubber, metal, batteries and obsolete equipment. We also upcycled used equipment and expired medical supplies for medical missions aborad through Gateway Medical Alliance. The efforts have results in Valley diverting 59% of our waste from the landfill. Plastics recycling efforts ◾Recycled 128 tons of plastic, 30% comprised of polystyrene #6 (Styrofoam) ◾3 bottle-filling drinking fountains eliminated more than 18,000 bottles—more on the way! ◾Reusable rigid container in OR reduces blue wrap use ◾Stryker sustainability- single use items out for reprocessing ◾All cafeteria eating ware + straws now compostable
Margarita Prentice spent her entire career, in healthcare and politics, as a champion for patients and advocate for improving care. Senator Prentice passed away at age 88 on April 2, 2019. On January 11, 2010 Valley Medical Center dedicated our Level III Trauma Center to Margarita, who served here for many years in the late '60s and early '70s as a registered nurse. Margarita touched many lives and her legacy lives on in the emergency care Valley provides our community. A quote from Senator Prentice at Valley's Emergency Department Ribbon Cutting: "As someone who has served in almost every nursing capacity from emergency room nurse to director of nursing, who has worked to bring quality healthcare to the community, and who used to work at Valley; I know the dedication, care and quality of this institution. I am proud to be associated with such a tremendous facility that will benefit everyone in our community for many years to come," said Sen. Prentice.
Margarita Prentice spent her entire career, in healthcare and politics, as a champion for patients and advocate for improving care. Senator Prentice passed away at age 88 on April 2, 2019. On January 11, 2010 Valley Medical Center dedicated our Level III Trauma Center to Margarita, who served here for many years in the late '60s and early '70s as a registered nurse. Margarita touched many lives and her legacy lives on in the emergency care Valley provides our community. A quote from Senator Prentice at Valley's Emergency Department Ribbon Cutting: "As someone who has served in almost every nursing capacity from emergency room nurse to director of nursing, who has worked to bring quality healthcare to the community, and who used to work at Valley; I know the dedication, care and quality of this institution. I am proud to be associated with such a tremendous facility that will benefit everyone in our community for many years to come," said Sen. Prentice.
Helene Polatajko, a leader in our profession, summarized that our focus is with the routine and the mundane, everyday tasks people take for granted until the ordinary becomes the extraordinary when challenged with an illness, disease or disability. In the event of a new disability (i.e., stroke leading to paralysis of the left arm and leg) affecting a person's independence with dressing and toilet tasks, we're often the first clinicians to intervene while a patient is in their most vulnerable state. Often, patients express shame, regret, guilt and embarrassment. In the front lines of a patient's battle with a new disability, we promote Re-learning the mundane tasks through teaching compensatory techniques and Repetitive practice of real-world tasks. Over the short duration of my career, I received the most gratitude from my patients after they've regained dressing and using the bathroom again. No fancy machines used, no magic pill, but with repetitive practice and engagement in real-world tasks, they regain confidence and purpose. By Koob Moua, OTR/L, Rehab Services
Helene Polatajko, a leader in our profession, summarized that our focus is with the routine and the mundane, everyday tasks people take for granted until the ordinary becomes the extraordinary when challenged with an illness, disease or disability. In the event of a new disability (i.e., stroke leading to paralysis of the left arm and leg) affecting a person's independence with dressing and toilet tasks, we're often the first clinicians to intervene while a patient is in their most vulnerable state. Often, patients express shame, regret, guilt and embarrassment. In the front lines of a patient's battle with a new disability, we promote Re-learning the mundane tasks through teaching compensatory techniques and Repetitive practice of real-world tasks. Over the short duration of my career, I received the most gratitude from my patients after they've regained dressing and using the bathroom again. No fancy machines used, no magic pill, but with repetitive practice and engagement in real-world tasks, they regain confidence and purpose. By Koob Moua, OTR/L, Rehab Services
Congratulations to Mike Hori, MD, a physician and medical director at Valley's Infectious Disease Clinic, medical director for Valley's Wound Care Clinic, and our March 2019 Provider of the Month. Dr. Hori is known for being a dedicated and compassionate physician. On top of his busy clinic workload, he helped bring an idea to help some of Renton's homeless to fruition. For the past year, Dr. Hori has dedicated one evening each month volunteering for the "Dinner with a Doc" pilot program, which extended the RotaCare free clinic to patrons of the Salvation Army's community dinner. He has been instrumental in building trusting relationships with some of Renton's most vulnerable citizens. As his nominator writes "We are lucky to have Dr. Hori at Valley, as he is the perfect example of why many of us strive to be caregivers. He truly cares for the whole patient and you can see it in his work."
Congratulations to Mike Hori, MD, a physician and medical director at Valley's Infectious Disease Clinic, medical director for Valley's Wound Care Clinic, and our March 2019 Provider of the Month. Dr. Hori is known for being a dedicated and compassionate physician. On top of his busy clinic workload, he helped bring an idea to help some of Renton's homeless to fruition. For the past year, Dr. Hori has dedicated one evening each month volunteering for the "Dinner with a Doc" pilot program, which extended the RotaCare free clinic to patrons of the Salvation Army's community dinner. He has been instrumental in building trusting relationships with some of Renton's most vulnerable citizens. As his nominator writes "We are lucky to have Dr. Hori at Valley, as he is the perfect example of why many of us strive to be caregivers. He truly cares for the whole patient and you can see it in his work."
Congratulations to Jennifer Spotted Horse, RN Care Manager at Valley’s Cascade Clinic and one of our March 2019 Heroes. Jennifer has received multiple Hero nominations. She is lauded for her dedication to meeting patients’ needs and for being a committed member of the RN Care Manager team. She assists with training new RN Care Managers and helped set the standard for RN Care Manager workflows. Her supervisor, Kris Nakanishi, Manager of Clinic Operations, states “she is an all-around accountable employee and an awesome nurse!”
Congratulations to Jennifer Spotted Horse, RN Care Manager at Valley’s Cascade Clinic and one of our March 2019 Heroes. Jennifer has received multiple Hero nominations. She is lauded for her dedication to meeting patients’ needs and for being a committed member of the RN Care Manager team. She assists with training new RN Care Managers and helped set the standard for RN Care Manager workflows. Her supervisor, Kris Nakanishi, Manager of Clinic Operations, states “she is an all-around accountable employee and an awesome nurse!”