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Healthy Living Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community Healthcare | Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center | Tacoma General Hospital | MultiCare Clinics Jillian Michaels of TV’s The Biggest Loser wants you to Do Something Healthy! Meet her Jan. 2 PAGE 8 WINTER 2008 | www.multicare.org KIDS COUNT! LOOK INSIDE
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Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

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Page 1: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

HealthyLivingAllenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community Healthcare | Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center | Tacoma General Hospital | MultiCare Clinics

HealthyLivingAllenmore Hospital Good Samaritan Community Healthcare Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center Tacoma General Hospital

Jillian Michaels of TV’s The Biggest Loser wants you to Do Something Healthy!

Meet her Jan. 2�PAGE 8

WINTER 2008 | www.multicare.org

KIDS COUNT!

LOOK INSIDE

Page 2: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

MultiCare Health System is a leading-edge, integrated health organization made up of four hospitals, numerous primary care and urgent

care clinics, multispecialty centers, Hospice and Home Health services, and many other services. A not-for-profi t organization based in Tacoma since 1882, MultiCare has grown over the years in response to community needs. Today we are the area’s largest provider of health care services, serving patients at 93 locations in Pierce, South King, Kitsap and Thurston counties. Learn more at www.multicare.org.

HEALTHY LIVING is published as a community service for the friends and patients of MultiCare Health System, P.O. Box 5299, Tacoma, WA 98�15-0299. 800-342-9919, www.multicare.org

For comments or suggestions about HEALTHY LIVING, please write to us at [email protected]. Information in HEALTHY LIVING comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specifi c content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider.

Copyright © 2007 Coffey Communications, Inc. CUN21160c

Mischief makers at it again?Sharing toys and games is great, but germs? No, thanks. Here are a few quick tips to keep pesky germs at bay.

Kids’ weight: Tackle the issue nowNowadays it’s not just adults who deal with weight—your kids are also fi ghting the battle of the bulge.

7

[spotlight]

Happy 2008!

Most of us start out the new year brimming

with resolve—to eat better, exercise more

and be healthier. But

by February many of us

fall into our old ways

and are discouraged by

our lack of progress or

willpower.

Change is hard to

accomplish and sustain.

Research has shown

that it takes at least three weeks to shake old

habits and for new ones to take root—and that

relapses are normal.

Let MultiCare give you extra motivation to

stay on track at the ninth annual Do Some-

thing Healthy—featuring keynote speaker

Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-

sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2�, from 6 to

9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

Trade Center (see page 8 for details).

Last year more than 1,000 people attended

this inspiring event, where we also kicked off

Pierce County’s Biggest Winner in partnership

with the YMCA of Tacoma–Pierce County and the

Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department. Two

teams totaling 10 community members competed

to reach their fi tness and weight-loss goals.

Read about how local participants Aaron

Stewart and April Waddington are faring almost

a year after the last competition in the article

on page 11. I think you’ll fi nd their stories

highly motivating.

We’ll be kicking off the 2008 Pierce County’s

Biggest Winner competition at Do Something

Healthy. So call to reserve your spot today.

Good health is the best gift we can give to

ourselves, our families and our community.

Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2008.

Diane Cecchettini, RN

President and CEO

MultiCare Health System

MultiCare now answers the phones 2�/7You’ve got a lot on your plate. We know not everything can get done during regular workday

hours. That’s why MultiCare is pleased to unveil our new 2�/7 call center.

Now you can call MultiCare for physician referrals and class and event registration

2� hours a day, seven days a week.

Appointment scheduling will continue to be available during the hours of 7am to 7pm.

A message from the CEO

Join MultiCare and the American Heart Association on National Wear Red Day

for our Go Red For Women Rally, featuring free health screenings, food,

entertainment and more!

Friday, Feb. 1 Tacoma Mall (outside of Macy’s) 11am to 1pm

10

Go Red and Go Red For Women are trademarks of AHA. The Red Dress Design is a trademark of U.S. DHHS.

2 | Healthy Living

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MARY BRIDGE CHILD EXPRESS AT GIG HARBOR

Pediatricians, after hours, close to homeMultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park’s Urgent Care

has long offered comprehensive urgent care

services for patients of all ages in Gig Harbor,

and continues to do so. A new addition to those

services is Mary Bridge Child Express.

Staffed by Mary Bridge pediatricians, Child

Express is open afternoons, evenings and week-

ends to augment our urgent care team with ad-

ditional pediatric expertise. Together we provide

prompt treatment for children with non-emergency

health issues, such as abrasions, contusions,

sore throats, colds, lacerations, sprains and

sports injuries.

Mary Bridge Child Express at Gig Harbor

• Monday–Friday: 2:30pm to 10:30pm

• Saturday and Sunday: 10:30am to 6:30pm

Child Express also offers a free vaccination

clinic for children ages 0 to 18, every Tuesday

from 2 to 7:30pm.

For more information, visit www.multicare.org/

gigharbor.

Healthy Refl ections Boutique: Wellbeing for women

MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park’s Healthy Refl ections

Boutique carries hard-to-fi nd health care items—

exclusively for women—that can help enhance

your physical and mental well-being during preg-

nancy, new motherhood, surgery recovery or cancer

treatment, in a sensitive and supportive setting.

Products include: • breast pumps and ac-

cessories • nursing bras • nursing gowns and

night wear • partial, traditional and attachable

breast forms • mastectomy bras

• post-surgical bras • wigs • Jane

Iredale skin care products and min-

eral makeup

Our staff is certifi ed in bra and

prosthetics fi tting to provide women

with personalized attention and a

customized fi t (appointments are

recommended for fi ttings).

Visit www.multicare.org/hrboutique

or call 253-530-8118 for additional

information and directions. Open

Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Catching up with the losersMultiCare’s Biggest Winners are still going strong. Check their progress since the contest.

Take steps for better healthFrom yoga and aerobics to sup-port groups and safety classes, MultiCare wants to help you take charge of your health.

11 13

www.multicare.org | 3

Page 4: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

[winter sports][winter sports]

More than 60,000 children are treated

in emergency rooms each year for winter

sports-related injuries. Help your kids stay

safe this season.

• Buy your children properly fitted winter

sports helmets for skiing, sledding and

snowboarding.

• Make certain that their helmets and other

equipment are in good working order.

• Look for clothing made of newer cold-

weather fabrics that provide warmth without

bulk.

• Ensure that they wear sunglasses or

goggles.

• Arrange for them to take lessons before

they try to ski or snowboard.

• Remind them to watch out for trees, rocks

and other people.

• Train them to monitor their speed so that

they can stay in control.

• Supervise their activities.

• Direct them to skating rinks instead of

ponds.

For more information about keeping

your family safe this winter or helmet rent-

als and sales, call the Mary Bridge Center

for Childhood Safety at 253-403-1234.

Children on the slopes: Playing it safe

RegaRdless of the activities you par-ticipate in this winter, safety should be a top priority—especially when it comes to protecting your knees.

“The knee is the largest joint in the body and one of the most easily injured,” says david Coons, do, orthopedic

surgeon with Multi-Care sports Medicine. “each year millions of people end up in doctors’ offices with knee pain.”

When pain man-agement and lifestyle changes are not enough to keep knee pain from interfering with your life, a surgical

procedure may be a good option. With recent advances in surgical procedures, knee surgery has become increasingly less invasive—reducing pain, scarring and recovery time. and specialists like dr. Coons, who is fellowship-trained in sports medicine and arthroscopy, can offer the most advanced procedures available,

damaged ligament can be reconstructed using a strip of tendon from the patient’s knee or donor tissue.

3 Cartilage is the smooth, connecting tissue that covers the ends of the bones

in a joint and enables joints to support your weight when you bend, stretch, walk and run. Cartilage loss can occur when there is trauma to the knee caused by a sports injury or accident.

a cartilage transplant—taking healthy cartilage from another location in the joint and placing it in the damaged area—is of-ten the best option in this case. dr. Coons has written articles on this technique and has years of experience performing this type of procedure.

another option for repairing damaged cartilage is microfracture surgery, in which the bone is penetrated to expose marrow cells. The cells can then access the damaged area and fill in the cartilage gap.

Small incisions mean big improvementsarthroscopy enables surgeons like dr. Coons to diagnose and treat knee disorders by

such as ligament reconstruction and cartilage transplants, to help people return to their active lifestyles following a knee injury.

3 common injuriesThe three most common winter sports knee injuries are meniscus tears, anterior cruci-ate ligament (aCl) injuries and cartilage damage.

1 The meniscus is cartilage that acts as a buffer between the two large bones of

the knee. Tears in the meniscus can occur when you twist or overflex your knee.

“a clean tear in a younger athlete can most likely be repaired,” dr. Coons ex-plains. “Removing the damaged area is a more likely option for the older adult, as the meniscus becomes more brittle with age and is more prone to tearing.”

With a very traumatic injury, he says, a meniscus can be transplanted.

2 Ligaments are bands of tough, elastic connective tissue that surround a joint

to give support and stabilize the joint’s movement. The aCl is frequently injured when the knee is force-twisted. The

The slippery slope of Protect your knees this winter sports season

winter sports

David Coons, DO, orthopedic surgeon

� | Healthy Living

Page 5: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

providing a clear view of the inside of the knee through small incisions, using a pencil-size instrument called an arthroscope. Th e scope has a small camera that transmits an image of the knee to a television monitor. during the procedure, surgical instru-ments can be inserted through other small incisions in the knee to remove or repair damaged tissue.

arthroscopy involves smaller incisions, which can mean faster healing and recovery and less scarring. Patients are often able to return home on the same day of the procedure. every case and patient is unique, dr. Coons notes, but typically, full recovery time from arthroscopic knee surgery is two to six months, depending on the procedure.

Getting you back in actionRegardless of the type or severity of a knee injury, dr. Coons spends time with each patient to evaluate his or her condition and provide the information and guidance he or she needs to determine the best course of treatment.

“I give my patients all the options and the pros and cons of each one,” he says. “We work together to fi nd the solution to their problem and determine the best way to get them well and back to living healthy, active lifestyles.”

High-level orthopedic care in Gig HarborThe expertise of MultiCare Sports Medicine is now available in Gig

Harbor. Orthopedic surgeon Gregory Popich, MD, is seeing patients on

Thursdays at the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park.

Dr. Popich, a Gig Harbor resident, has been an orthopedic surgeon

in the Tacoma area for more than 20 years. His practice is primarily

focused on conditions of the knee and shoulder, with particular empha-

sis on arthroscopic knee surgery and reconstruction, knee replacement,

and traditional and arthroscopic shoulder surgery.

Dr. Popich is the medical director and team physi-

cian for the Tacoma Rainiers and serves as an ortho-

pedic consultant for the Seattle Mariners. As

a member of the U.S. Olympic Sports Medi-

cine Society, Dr. Popich also provides care

for Olympic athletes and works closely with

high school, college and club teams.

He was the Gig Harbor High School team physician

for many years and at one time was the only orthopedic

surgeon in Gig Harbor, practicing at a satellite offi ce there

while based in Tacoma.

“I am very pleased to be back in Gig Harbor and seeing patients with ortho-

pedic and sports medicine-related issues,” Dr. Popich says.

Dr. Popich is at the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park on Thursdays from

1:30 to 5pm. He will also continue to see patients at MultiCare Orthopedics and

Sports Medicine Center in Tacoma. For more information, call 253-459-7000.

Gregory Popich, MD, orthopedic surgeon

www.multicare.org | 5

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TWo yeaRs ago when Cathy lensing needed to have gynecological surgery, she was concerned about the impact that the surgery would have on her active lifestyle.

“I taught spin classes and circuit train-ing,” she says. “I also love to run. I have a hard time not being active.”

even fit and healthy men and women experience problems that require surgery, such as prostate issues and gynecological ail-ments like abnormal bleeding, endometriosis and cancer. and, in the past, these surgeries were invasive, involving long, painful recoveries that could last months, as well as significant scarring.

But today robotic- assisted surgical techniques—many of which were pio-neered in this region by MultiCare— eliminate these draw-backs and allow pa-

tients to return to their normal, active lives within a matter of weeks.

“Robotics technology is used in surgical procedures to create 3-d visibility and im-proved precision,” says Champ Weeks, Md, a board-certified urology surgeon with Multi-Care Urology services. “It allows surgeons to perform surgery with much smaller inci-sions, making surgery easier on the patient.”

In the case of prostate surgeries, this

gets you back in action Robotic-assisted surgery

fastmeans being able to remove the cancer while bypassing nerves linked to sexual function and urinary incontinence. studies show that six months after robotic-assisted surgery, 95 percent of men are back to their old selves—a much higher percentage than with tra-ditional, open prostatectomies.

Patients who must have gynecological surgeries also benefit from the low impact that robotic-assisted surgeries have on their bodies.

“I’m grateful that I listened to what my surgeon at MultiCare recommended,” says lensing. “The recovery time is a big piece of it.” lensing, who was one of the first patients in the region to have robotic-assisted surgery, was back to teaching fitness classes within four weeks.

although health systems that use ro-botic technology often have similar devices, robotic-assisted surgery programs are not all alike. It is the skill and experience of the surgeons using the technology that make the real difference—and an area in which MultiCare carries a distinct advantage over new programs in the area.

“Patients definitely want to choose a surgeon who has ample experience using the robotics technology,” says John P. lenihan, Md, a board-certified gynecological surgeon with Tacoma Women’s specialists, who per-forms robotic surgeries regularly at MultiCare.

Champ Weeks, MD

John P. Lenihan, MD

Robotic surgery at MultiCare MultiCare was the first in the Pacific Northwest

to offer robotic-assisted gynecological and pros-

tate surgical programs, starting in June 2005.

Our specially trained surgeons have completed

more than 300 robotic-assisted surgical proce-

dures since the programs’ inception.

For more information or to find a sur-

geon who specializes in robotic-assisted

surgery, visit www.multicare.org.

Cathy Lensing

“The skills of a roster of surgeons who have been performing these procedures for years with a well-trained and experienced surgical staff are the real core of a successful program like MultiCare’s robotic-assisted surgery programs.”

6 | Healthy Living

Page 7: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

Are your kids making you sick?

yoU TeaCH your kids to share their toys and games. But how do you teach them notto share their germs?

“Th ink about the 25 to 30 students in typical classrooms,” says Marcia Patrick, RN, MsN, CIC, director, Infection Prevention and Control at MultiCare. “Th at’s a lot of germs being shared, and lots of opportuni-ties to bring something home.”

Consider all of the shared areas in classrooms—desks, pencil sharpeners, pencils, crayons, light switches, textbooks and other instructional materials, computer keyboards, and cafeteria and gym surfaces.

“any or all of these can contain germs from the mouths and noses of kids, as well as fecal matter from hands not washed thoroughly after using the toilet,” Patrick says. “another child comes along and touches that surface, then rubs his eyes or nose, and ends up with the infection, which he, of course, takes home with him.”

Keep germs at bayTh ere are several ways to reduce the germs your kids bring home, Patrick advises:

• Teach kids to wash their hands well, especially after using the toilet. you can fi nd pointers for eff ective handwashing techniques at the right or at the U.s. Centers for disease Control and Preven-tion’s website, www.cdc.gov/cleanhands. • show kids how to cough and sneeze into their sleeves rather than into their hands. • encourage kids to keep their hands away from their faces.• find out if your child’s school permits the use of alcohol-based sanitizers or antibacterial cloths. Wiping off shared surfaces will reduce the germs in the environment.

In addition, a strong immune system helps kids fi ght off infections, Patrick says. so make sure your child is eating right and getting enough rest and exercise.

“getting vaccinated for vaccine-pre-ventable illness is [another] good way to stay healthy this winter,” adds Rosalind Ball, RN, MN, CIC, Infection Control Practitioner, good samaritan Hospital.

Visit www.multicare.org/kids for more tips about keeping kids healthy.

LATHER UP! Use soap and water all over

your hands—don’t miss a fi ngernail! Scrub

20 seconds, long enough to sing the “Happy

Birthday” song twice.

AH-CHOO!

If you can’t

reach a tis-

sue, sneeze

or cough into the inside

of your elbow (not your

hands—YUCK).

NO WATER? Gellin’

works too. Rub clean-

ing gel (at least

60 percent alcohol) all over

your hands until they’re dry.

BE SURE

TO WASH:

• Before touching

food • After

handling pets

• After coughing,

sneezing or nose-blowing • Before and

after touching a wound or being with

a sick person • After touching

garbage • After using

the toilet (FOR

SURE)!

Be a germbuster!

1

4

2

3

Sources: Marcia Patrick, RN, MSN, CIC, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

www.multicare.org | 7

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The Biggest Winners

You can win by losing —one inch at a time

TTHeRe’s a picture of Jillian Michaels on her web-site sporting a black, sleeveless T-shirt with “Bully”

written across the front.sure, the black team’s coach on TV’s The

Biggest Loser has the title of television’s toughest trainer. But ask MultiCare Center for Healthy living’s elizabeth Barnard her impressions of the weight-loss reality show star, and she’ll point out how Michaels cares and wants others to reach their healthy goals.

“she’s trying to help people realize that they can do it,” says Barnard, the Center’s Community events Coordinator. “she’s not pushing them beyond their capabilities—she’s pushing them to their capabilities.”

If you’ve seen the show, you know Michaels is extremely fi t, and you’ve watchedher help others lose a lot of unwanted pounds and learn how to live healthy lives. Now you can see Michaels in person at this year’s do something Healthy event, which is bound to include an inspirational dose of “anybody can do it” when it comes to getting physical, eating well and main-taining a healthy weight, Barnard says.

“People want to live a healthy life, but

Jan. 24Do Something Healthy 9

Meet Jillian Michaels and sign upfor the Million Minute Mission.

FebruaryStart classes at the

YMCA. (Register online: www.tacomaymca.org.)

8 | Healthy Living8 | Healthy Living

Page 9: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

The Biggest Winnersare the biggest losers

sometimes they don’t know how to get mo-tivated or where to start,” Barnard says. “do something Healthy is a great first step to learning more about health and nutrition and getting the motivation to make healthy changes to their lives.”

In addition to helping others succeed, Michaels’ own healthy pursuits have led to several personal successes. she has a weekly radio show, fitness dVds and two published books, including her latest, Making the Cut: Thirty Days to the Strongest, Sexiest You.

according to her website, the energetic fit- ness trainer and life coach struggled with her

own weight, so she knows firsthand about the challenges. Then came martial arts, a source of her passion for fitness training.

This passion, along with Michaels’ desire to help people reach their fitness goals, should make the do something Healthy event all the more inspirational and exciting.

In addition to Michaels’ featured presen-tation, do something Healthy will include a health fair and screenings, and a registered dietitian and personal trainer will be available to answer attendees’ questions about nutri-tion, healthy eating and physical activity.

and if previous events are an indication—

Join the Million Minute Mission Here’s your mission, should you choose to accept it: Help your Pierce County friends and neigh-

bors reach a goal of logging millions of exercise minutes.

It’s called the Million Minute Mission—a community-wide fitness event led by the MultiCare Center

For Healthy Living—and it’s a fun way to get physical, get healthy, and win individual or team prizes.

Here’s how it works: You register online—it’s easy—and then log

an average of 30 minutes of physical activity five or more days a week,

Jan. 2� through June 1�. Kids can aim for 30 to 60 minutes.

You also track your progress online, so you can see your healthy

minutes add up! Get the details at www.multicare.org/mission.

You can win by losing—one inch at a time

this is the ninth year do something Healthy is taking place—people will walk away with something they can use to better their health, perhaps profoundly so. Barnard has seen it before: “Participants have taken information from this event,” she says, “and used it to change their lives.”

DO SOMETHING HEALTHY 9

Meet Jillian!

When: Thursday, Jan. 2�, 6 to 9pm

Where: Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, 1500 Broadway, Tacoma

This year’s theme: Weight Maintenance—Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle

Special guest: Jillian Michaels, trainer from NBC’s The Biggest Loser, 7pm

• Health fair and screenings, 6 to 7pm• Bring a question for “Ask the Dietitian”• Have Michaels sign her book • Cost: $10

Preregistration is required. Register online at www.multicare.org.

June 14 Sound to Narrows

Fun and fitness for a great cause and the Biggest Winner

finale. See you there!

April Tracking your weight each

week is one good way to monitor your health.

www.multicare.org/mission

May Thirty minutes a day:

Keep logging your exercise at www.multicare.org/mission.

MarchGet your Passport

to Healthy Dining at www.piercecountygetsfit.org.

www.multicare.org | 9

Page 10: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

gRoWNUPs aReN’T the only ones at risk for being overweight or obese. More and more children are too.

What can parents do to help? Take action, says nutrition expert Monica dixon, Phd, Rd.

dixon is working to establish an optimal Weight Clinic at MultiCare’s Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital & Health Center. she is researching the causes of the childhood obesity epidemic and exploring what hospitals, schools, governments and others can do to turn the tide.

It’s a complex matter, she says. But she adds that the best place to begin preventing childhood obesity is at home.

“Th ere’s a lot parents can do to help kids manage their weight,” dixon says.

get started by following these tips:Serve whole foods. “Th ink fresh fruit,

vegetables and dairy, whole grains, nuts and oils, and less processed foods,” dixon says. off er kids water instead of pop or juice.

Eat together. family meals give you better control of food choices and are also a chance to bond with your kids and teach them manners.

“Th ere are so many advantages,” dixon

Help your kids manage their weight

Pierce County gets your family fi t

says. “Th ere are even studies that show that kids who eat with their families often are less likely to use drugs or join gangs.”

Exercise as a family. “Th ere are lots of things you can do together—hiking, biking, playing in the park,” dixon says. “Having an active family helps children

remain active as adults.”Talk to your doctor. your child’s doctor

can determine if your child is overweight. He or she also can give you advice on safe ways to help children take off extra pounds.

for more information, visit Kids get fit at www.piercecountygetsfi t.org.

Pierce County residents, are you ready to

make good on those New Year’s resolutions?

Let Pierce County Gets Fit help you and your

family meet your 2008 fi tness goals.

Pierce County Gets Fit is a partnership

between MultiCare Health System, the YMCA

of Tacoma–Pierce County and the Tacoma–

Pierce County Health Department. Formed

in 2005, the goal of Pierce County Gets Fit

is simple: Help you and

your family get fi t by pro-

moting good nutrition and

physical activity. Best of all, it’s easy to

participate.

Whatever your health challenges or fi tness

goals, Pierce County Gets Fit has something

for adults and kids alike.

Visit www.piercecountygetsfi t.org today.

[healthy families]

10 | Healthy Living

Page 11: Allenmore Hospital | Good Samaritan Community …Jillian Michaels from The Biggest Loser televi-sion program—Thursday, Jan. 2 , from 6 to 9pm at the Greater Tacoma Convention and

lasT feBRUaRy, two teams of fi ve contes-tants took part in a four-month weight-loss competition modeled after The Biggest LoserTV show. a collaborative eff ort of MultiCareHealth system, the yMCa of Tacoma–Pierce County and the Tacoma–Pierce County Health department, Pierce County’s Biggest Winner contest and ongoing weight-maintenance program were designed to help Pierce County residents adopt healthier lifestyles.

While the competition ended months ago, the contest’s top two “losers” are still going strong.

What’s new with Aaronaaron stewart may have been the contest’s fi rst-place winner, but he considers his im-proved health and lifestyle the real prize.

“It was the best experience of my life—from the fellowship to the weight loss to the whole transformation of my diet and how I think about food,” he says.

a 32-year-old executive pastor from University Place, aaron is a former college football player who feels just as strong today as he did while playing for Pacifi c lutheran University more than a decade ago. aaron weighed 295 pounds coming into the com-petition and has lost a total of 52 pounds, or 20 percent of his body weight. He credits MultiCare dietitians, the yMCa trainer, fellow teammates and his wife for his success.

“What I really learned is that it’s not about dieting,” he says. “It’s about

Catching up with the Biggest Winners

2008: Be our next Biggest Winner!

MultiCare Health System, the YMCA of Tacoma–Pierce County and the Tacoma–Pierce County

Health Department challenge you to get fi t and be healthy in 2008. A MultiCare physician and

registered dietitian, along with a personal trainer from the YMCA, will oversee the Pierce County

Biggest Winner program to ensure that participants are losing weight and exercising in a safe,

healthy way. Applications for the program are available at www.piercecountygetsfi t.org.

changing the way we eat.” aaron continues to exercise

regularly at the yMCa with his wife, as well as fellow team member Chris Waiss. He’s kept the weight off and plans to lose fi ve to 10 more pounds.

Checking in with Aprilapril Waddington was determined to make a dramatic change in her weight and life-style. and she did, coming in second overall in the contest and losing nearly 50 pounds and 17 percent of her body weight.

Th e 34-year-old family support worker from Puyallup battled her weight for more than a decade and was 278 pounds when the competition began. athletic in school, april was inspired to participate by the competitive nature of the contest.

“Having such a great team motivated me to do more—for myself and the team,” she explains. “I had to be accountable to someone, and that made a big diff erence.”

april looks forward to reaching her goal weight of 165 pounds. Th e key, she says, is combining low-fat proteins and a high-fi ber diet chock-full of fruits and vegetables with an exercise program that includes fi tness classes, weight training and yoga.

“Th ere’s no magic pill,” she says. “It takes work, but it’s worth it. I feel 100 percent better!”

[update]

www.multicare.org | 11

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IT’s WINTeR in western Washington, which means rain, wind and, all too often, power failures. sometimes these failures last just a few hours, but it’s not uncommon in some areas to go a day—or two or three or fi ve—without electricity.

Th e duration of the power failure and the temperature outside your home can determine whether an outage is a simple inconvenience or a major disruption. With a little preparation, you and your family can keep the hassle of a winter electricity loss to a minimum.

✔ If you live in an area that loses power regularly during the winter, consider in-vesting in a gas-powered generator. Run the generator a safe distance away from the house so that the exhaust does not pose a danger.

✔ Make sure you have enough supplies, including water, food, fl ashlights, warm clothing, a battery-operated radio, extra batteries and medications.

✔ fill your vehicle with gas and keep plenty of gas on hand to operate genera-tors. If power outages are widespread, it may be diffi cult to fi nd gas following a storm.

✔ set aside some cash for necessary purchases.

✔ Keep mobile phones fully charged and consider hanging on to that outdated corded phone. even corded phones won’t work if phone lines are down, but all it takes to disable your cordless phone is a lack of electricity.

✔ Minimize your use of candles as a source of light. Unattended burning candles are a major cause of house fi res in the Us. It’s better to invest in a few battery-powered lanterns and a supply of fresh batteries.

✔ Keep barbecues and charcoal grills outside. Th ese items are not designed to be used indoors, and their burning fuel can emit fumes that are dangerous in an en-closed area.

✔ If you or a member of your family has special medical needs that may be adversely aff ected by a power outage (for example, if you use home medical equipment or your medication must remain chilled), make a plan to accommodate those needs if the lights go out.

Lights out!A checklist to help you weather winter power outages

12 | Healthy Living

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Body Composition TestingCheck your body-fat percentage and lean-mass percentage and set a goal for your weight. fee: $15253-530-8974

Bone Density ScreeningComprehensive DEXA screening for osteoporosis. allenmore Hospital253-403-1059

Men’s and Women’s HeartAdvantage ScreeningA personalized consultation, risk assessment and basic lab tests. fee: starts at $55 Tacoma general Hospital800-342-9919

CHECK YOUR HEALTH

GET MOVING WITH CLASSES AT THE YMCA

Smart steps for a healthy life January through March 2008

Great success rates! No matter where you are in the quit process, this group is for you. Topics include tobacco addiction, successful cessation practices, individualized quit plans, nicotine replacement therapies, cessation medications, withdrawal symp-toms, coping skills, relapse and recovery. Drop-ins and support people are welcome; low-cost nicotine patches are available. For best results, we recommend weekly group attendance for one year following your fi nal quit date. Call for more information. • allenmore Hospital, boardroom: Mondays, noon to 1pm• good samaritan Community Healthcare: Mondays, 7 to 8pm• Tacoma general Hospital, 6M: Tuesdays, 11:45am to 12:45pm• MultiCare gig Harbor Medical Park: Wednesdays, 7 to 8pm 253-223-7538

Personal Wellness Profi leComprehensive wellness profi le addresses nutrition, fi tness, stress and heart health. Does not take the place of physician exams.fee: $45253-403-6340

Resting Metabolic Rate ScreeningGet the exact measurements you need to successfully lose weight. The compre-hensive target calorie report will show you how to eat the maximum amount of food and still lose weight.fee: $40253-530-8974

QuitTobacco Support Group

YMCA Women’s Fitness Center The YMCA Women’s Fitness Center is now open at the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park, 4545 Pt. Fosdick Drive NW.

This one-stop wellness and fi t-ness facility is available to our female members (age 15 and older) and features a 30- to 40-minute circuit that utilizes intervals of cardio training and strength training.

Yoga, Pilates, toning and other classes are also offered and are included in your YMCA membership. Membership is also valid at the Gig Harbor YMCA and all Tacoma–Pierce County branches.Monday through friday, 6:30am to 8pmChild care is available from 8am to 7:30pm.253-853-YMCA (253-853-9622)Virtual tour: www.ymcatacoma.org

MARCH IS NUTRITION MONTH! start the month off right—get your Passport to Healthy dining. MultiCare Center for Healthy living—in partnership with the Washington state Restaurant association, Tacoma-Pierce County Health department and the yMCa of Tacoma-Pierce County—will present a yearlong program designed to provide you with healthy meal options in restaurants. Th e get fit Passport to Healthy dining gives you a list of restaurants that will be off ering four get fit meal options. each meal option will meet our get fit healthy criteria.

But wait, there’s more! Not only will you have get fit meal options, but you can also

earn get fit incentives. for every 10 get fit meals you purchase, you’ll be able to receive an incentive, such as a pedometer, a water bottle and more.

for more information, please visit www.piercecountygetsfi t.org.

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irl’s Night

EverActive®

If you’re at least 55, enroll now and enjoy benefi ts in health and fi nance, travel, and entertainment. fee: $25/single or $39/couple800-485-0205

Grandparenting for the 21st CenturyLearn the latest on child-birth, infant care and childproofi ng your home. Plus, tour the Family Birth Center!fee: $42/couple

Good health for active adultsGood health for active adults

Smart steps for a healthy life

Unless otherwise noted, visit www.multicare.org/classesor call 800-342-9919 for information or to register.

TAKE CONTROLTobacco Cessation QuitSmart™

Identify and conquer your personal challenges in quitting tobacco by laying a solid foundation for a successful quit. Class topics are designed to take you through the fi rst year of quitting. A vari-ety of activities ensures easy absorption of the material. You don’t have to have quit to come to class, just have an interest in learning how to do it! QuitSmart works in conjunction with our support groups. Workbook included. fee: $80 (scholarships available to income-qualifi ed participants)• allenmore Hospital: saturday, Jan. 19, 9:30am to 3:30pm• good samaritan Community Healthcare: saturday, feb. 9, 9:30am to 3:30pm• MultiCare gig Harbor Medical Park: saturday, March 15, 9:30am to 3:30pm

[calendar of events]

BRIDGES: A Center for Grieving ChildrenGrief support groups with children 4 to 18 years old who have experienced the loss of a parent or sibling. Concurrent groups for parents and children.Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital 253-272-8266

Car Seat InspectionsCar seat inspections and phone

consultations by certifi ed child passenger safety technicians.Kent, silverdale, Tacoma253-403-1234

Children’s Asthma EducationIndividualized education for parents and families who have children with asthma.Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital 253-403-3131

Children’s Diabetes Education and ClinicIndividual education for children newly diagnosed with diabetes and for their families. By appointment for those who need further education or review. Classes, camps and support groups are also available. 253-403-3131

Life Jacket LoansFree life jacket loaners

available year-round. Loaned for up to one week, limited quantities. Kent, olympia, silverdale, Tacoma 253-403-1234

Custom-Fit Helmet SalesGet custom-fi t helmets, available in both child and adult sizes, to use with bikes, scooters,skateboards, skates, skis and snowboards. Wearer must be present for custom fi t. Bike helmet: $7 Multi-impact helmet: $10 ski helmet (Nov.-feb.): $15Covington, Kent, olympia, silverdale, Tacoma253-403-1234

Parenting Love and LogicBased on the parenting philosophy that allows children to live with the consequences of their choices while giving them loving guidance and support. six-week class, 6:30 to 8:30pm fee: $50/person Tacoma general Hospital 253-680-7500

FAMILY HEALTH AND SAFETYCall for times and locations.

1� | Healthy Living

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irl’s Night

Unless otherwise noted, visit www.multicare.org/classesor call 800-342-9919 for information or to register.

Healthy@WorkBoost productivity and reduce absenteeism with this work-site wellness program. Program offerings include health screenings, tobacco cessation, and health education programs and classes, all taught on-site for both large and small companies.253-403-7895

MultiCare Center For Healthy LivingEducation and programs for community members and corporations. We promote health and wellness with exercise, nutri-tion, weight loss, life balance and tobacco cessation. (This community resource is made possible by generous gifts donated through the MultiCare Health Foundation.)800-485-0205, www.multicare.org

SmartMenuThe MultiCare Center For Healthy Living offers free menu analysis to restaurants participating in the Tacoma–Pierce County Health Department’s menu labeling program. 253-403-7894 or 253-405-8024

OUR HEALTHY COMMUNITYYOUR HEALTHY PREGNANCYBates Technical College, in cooperation with Ta-coma general Hospital’s family Birth Center, off ers a variety of child-birth and related classes at Tacoma general. To register, visit www.bates.ctc.edu/registrationor call 253-680-7500.

Breastfeeding ClassesChoose the best feed-ing option for mom and baby with current information.fee: $15/couple

Massage for Pregnancy and Labor Class Massage techniques for labor support partner and mom.fee: $42/couple

Prepared Childbirth Five-week series or weekend classes prepare mom and partner for birth and parenthood. Plus, tour the Family Birth Center! fee: $80/couple

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rejuvenating Your Skin• Jan. 21, 5:30 to 8:30pmFeaturing laser procedures, hydrofacials and physician-strength products.

Learn About Nonsurgical Facial Enhancements• March 17, 5:30 to 8:30pmWalter Rooney, MD, will present options such as:

■ Botox■ Restalyne■ Radiesse

To R.s.V.P. for these events, call 253-530-8005.

Healthy Refl ections Medical & Day Spa Education SeminarsMultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park

Out

$15 OFFThe stress of the season and the harshness of winter can wreak havoc on our skin. If you are experiencing dryness, dehydration or acne and want to look your best, we have a solution for you!

A Winter Fix Facial from the Healthy Refl ections Medical & Day Spa can help calm, soothe and hydrate your skin while gaining control over those break-outs caused by stress.

Call us today for an appoint-ment and discover radiant skin. Don’t wait!

For more information and a complete list of services and treat-ments, call 253-530-8005.fee: $60 (a $15 savings)

Th is off er expires on March 31, 2008.

Healthy Refl ections Medical & day spaMultiCare gig Harbor Medical Park4545 Pt. fosdick drive NW

Give your skin its winter � x

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STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER! | SIGN UP FOR A CLASS. SEE PAGE 13.

MultiCare Health SystemP.O. Box 5299Tacoma, WA 98�15-0299

Nonprofi t Org.U.S. Postage

PAIDMultiCare

Health System

GH

[support]

CaRePages aRe free, private, personal-ized web pages that allow you to stay in touch with family and friends before, dur-ing and after hospitalization. all MultiCare patients and families can create and update a web page where they can share their latest news with friends and family and receive messages of support.

CarePages let you:• Update your loved ones all at the same time without repeated phone calls or e-mails.• Create web pages that are not open to the general public.• send comments and compliments to caregivers.• share photos, contact information,

visiting hours and other information on your schedule.

CarePages provide a free, convenient way for you to keep loved ones updated and for them to provide you with emotional support.

Visit www.multicare.org or www.marybridge.org to create a CarePage.

Keep in touch with CarePages

SM

STAY HEALTHY THIS WINTER!

before

See what Pierce County’s 2007 Biggest Winners look like now!

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