SEE PAGE 13 FOR OUR Calendar of Events OUNCE of Prevention AN Franciscan Health System • FALL 2013 health! fruit and veggie colors to help prevent cancer 3 Learn how a routine screening saved Connie’s life See page 8 St. Francis FROM ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL AND THE OTHER SERVICES OF FRANCISCAN HEALTH SYSTEM St. Francis now offers 3D MAMMOGRAPHY
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See page 13
for our
Calendar of
Events
Ounceof PreventionAN
Franciscan Health System • Fall 2013
health!
fruit and veggie
colors tohelp prevent
cancer
3 Learn how a routine screening saved
connie’s life See page 8
St. Francis
FROM ST. FRANCIS HOSPITAL AND THE OTHER SERVICES OF FRANCISCAN HEALTH SYSTEM
St. francis now offers 3D mammOgraphy
Inside3 CANCER PREVENTION
eating fruits and veggies from a
wide variety of color groups is good
for your health.
4 FRANCISCAN NEWSStay current with what’s happening
at franciscan Health System
6 BREAST CANCERLearn about your breast cancer
screening options, including the
new 3D mammography.
8 SCREENING SAVES LIVESread real stories of people who had a
screening that saved their life.
9 TIME FOR YOUR NEXT SCREENING?find out which clinics in your area
offer the cancer screenings you need.
10 LUNG CANCERDo you know the dangers of lung cancer?
12 WE’RE HERE FOR YOUfranciscan cancer nurse navigators
are with you every step of the way.
Find your nEw health care professional today!
Franciscan is a family of more than 12,000 doctors, nurses and staff who provide exceptional medical care at: Hospitals St. Joseph Medical Center, Tacoma • St. Francis Hospital, Federal Way • St. Clare Hospital, Lakewood • St. Elizabeth Hospital, Enumclaw • St. Anthony Hospital, Gig Harbor • Highline Medical Center, Burien • Harrison Medical Center, Bremerton and Silverdale • Medical Groups franciscan Medical group, clinics throughout the Puget Sound • Harrison HealthPartners, serving the West Sound
CEO, Franciscan Health System Joe Wilczekpresident, St. francis Hospital Tony McLeanManaging editor amanda Hobbs
for questions or comments, or if you’d like to be removed from the health! mailing list, please contact us at 253-382-3850, www.FHShealth.org or write to: editor, franciscan health!, franciscan Health System, Marketing & Communications, po Box 2197, Tacoma, Wa 98401-2197.
Coming soon! Single bill for all Franciscan activityIn July 2013 your local primary care and Prompt Care clinics went live on our new electronic medical record system. In August, St. Anthony Hospital, St. Clare Hospital, St. Francis Hospital and St. Joseph Medical Center all implemented the new system. By 2015, every Franciscan clinic and hospital will have fully deployed the new electronic medical record — ensuring your health informa-tion is quickly and securely available online to you and your doctors.
As we deploy the new system across our system, patients will continue to receive separate bills from our clinics and hospitals. we understand that health care bills can be confusing and frustrating. During our transition to consolidated billing, you may have questions and concerns about the bills you receive. To help guide you through this process, we have set up a special hotline to help answer all of your billing questions.
BilliNg queStioNS? Call 1-888-779-6380 Monday through Friday 8 a.m.-5 p.m. for assistance.
Maternal-Fetal
Medicine
Franciscan Maternal-Fetal
Medicine Associates
at St. Francis
(253) 835-6260
34503 Ninth ave. S.,
Suite 200, federal Way
Gynecology/
Urogynecology
Franciscan Women’s
Health Associates
(253) 944-6950
34709 Ninth ave. S.,
Suite B-500, federal Way
Family Medicine
Franciscan Medical Clinic
- Bonney Lake
(253) 750-6000
9230 Sky Island Drive e.,
Bonney Lake
Arthur Maslow, DO
Scott Poehlmann, MD, FACOG
New Specialty Clinic Names! Sunanda uberoi, MD
Franciscan Rheumatology Associates at
St. Francis (formerly St. Francis Rheumatology)
(253) 838-3045
34509 Ninth ave. S., Suite 202, federal Way
Franciscan Endocrine Associates - Federal
Way (formerly Shaista Quddusi, MD, in the
Franciscan Medical Clinic – Federal Way)
(253) 839-2030
30809 first ave. S., federal Way
Franciscan Nephrology Associates at
St. Francis (formerly Northwest Nephrology)
(253) 272-5881
34509 Ninth ave. S., Suite 208, federal Way
Franciscan Surgical Associates at St. Francis
(formerly Auburn/Federal Way Surgeons)
(253) 927-1800
34509 Ninth ave. S., Suite 204, federal Way
Franciscan Surgical Associates - Auburn
(formerly Auburn/Federal Way Surgeons)
(253) 927-1800
200 auburn ave., auburn
Marco Pocholo Valencia, MD
2 Franciscan Health System | Fall 2013
Put cancer preveNtioN on your plate
The three color groupsAim to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, and at least one from each of the three color groups.
Purple and Blue
Red and orange
green and Yellow
you know that eating fruits and vegetables is important for your overall health, but did you know eating lots of produce can also reduce your risk for cancer? The key is filling your plate with many different colors.
“The same plant chemicals that give different fruits and vegetables their colors also help protect your body against cancer,” said Tricia Sinek, rD, a Franciscan Cancer Care
expert. “Phytochemicals are naturally occurring compounds that protect plants, and they also protect your cells when you eat them.”
Different types of phytochemicals protect your body in different ways, so consuming a variety of produce colors is key for reaping as many benefits as you can. For instance, some phytochemicals suppress the growth of cancer. others help your cells unload toxins that otherwise may damage the genetic
Tricia Sinek, RD
material inside of your cells contributing to cancer. And others strengthen your cell walls so they’re less prone to form harmful compounds in your body.
How To eaT THe rainbow“Ideally, you want to consume a mini-mum of five servings of fruits and vegetables per day with at least one food from each color group,” Sinek said. These color groups include:■■■ Purple and blue foods: grapes,
beets, berries and eggplant■■■ red and orange foods: tomatoes,
peppers, apples, oranges and sweet potatoes
■■■ Green and yellow foods: kale, spinach, broccoli, string beans and squash
In addition, consume plants that provide lots of aromas and flavors because they often contain cancer-preventing proper-ties, too, Sinek explained. Examples of these plants include garlic, onions, herbs, spices, horseradish and olives.
GeTTinG sTarTedone of the best ways to increase the variety of colors, odors and flavors in your diet is by starting slow. “Choose one food from a color group for a day,” Sinek said. After a few days, add another color so now you’re getting at least two servings of brightly colored plants. Continue adding colors to your diet, experimenting with new foods and flavors to discover what you enjoy.
“It’s been shown that we eat with our eyes first. So if your food is beautiful, it enhances your enjoyment,” Sinek said. “At the same time, you’re reducing your risk for disease.”
+ Want to learn more about healthy eating? Visit FHShealth.org/Classes often to find a class in your area.
www.FHShealth.org 3 www.FHShealth.org 3
St. francis radiation oncology Center earns national accreditation
St. francis radiation oncology Center, located on
the St. francis Hospital campus, in collaboration
with Virginia Mason Medical Center, has been
awarded a three-year term of accreditation in
radiation oncology as the result of a recent review
by the american College of radiology (aCr). The coveted
and rare aCr seal represents the highest quality and
patient safety in radiation therapy.
“This is a testament of our commitment to provide
high quality care for our patients,” said paul Mitsuyama,
MD, medical director of St. francis radiation oncology.
“This radiation oncology program is the only private
facility in the state of Washington to have been awarded
aCr accreditation,” he added. “The aCr seal assures our
patients that their treatment is being performed at a
facility and by staff that have met the highest levels of
quality and radiation safety.”
radiation therapy is used in more than half of all
cancer cases. Innovative approaches available at
St. francis radiation oncology Center include image-
guided radiation therapy, intensity-modulated
radiation therapy and brachytherapy.
new services available at Franciscan Medical Pavilion in Bonney Lake
Franciscan Medical Pavilion in Bonney Lake opened in June with family medicine, internal medicine, Prompt Care, a retail pharmacy and laboratory services. recently, the services expanded to include physical therapy and state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging (3D Mammography, ultrasound, CT, MrI and pain management injections).
“The pavilion is the result of Franciscan’s mission to create healthier communities by offering high quality care in a calming environment where the patient always comes first,” said Franciscan Medical Group President and Chief Medical officer, Stephen Spare, MD.
Get ready for Medicare open enrollment! Easily compare plans with our FrEE resource.Thinking of signing up for a Medicare Advantage health plan? Franciscan Health System is pleased to provide a free Medicare Insurance Helpline operated by MedicareCompareuSA. The service can help you learn more about how Medicare Advantage plans work and how to pick the one that’s right for you and your needs. you can also learn about plans that are accept-ed by your Franciscan Medical Group physicians and Franciscan hospitals.
MedicareCompareuSA Insurance Specialists are licensed, trained and salaried employees with the mission of helping you find the right Medicare plan that best fits your individual needs, preferences and budget. you can take advantage of their free services as you approach Medicare age (65), or contact them during the annual fall open enrollment period october 15-December 7.
Contact MedicareCompareuSA today by calling 1-866-491-3860 (toll free) or visit online at www.MedicareCompareuSA.com
The Medicare Insurance Helpline is provided to Medicare beneficiaries at no cost and with no obligation. Medicare beneficiaries are also free to contact each Medicare plan directly, work with any licensed Medicare agent, or access Medicare plan information by calling 1-800-meDIcare or online at www.medicare.gov. Medicare CompareUSA is not affiliated with the Federal Medicare program.
learn more at FHShealth.org/StFrancisRadiationCare for the whole family! learn more at FHShealth.org/PatientsFirst
4 Franciscan Health System | Fall 2013
get CARe 24 HouRS A dAY BY PHoNe oR weBCAM witH viRtuAl uRgeNt CARe!
Who hasn’t been there? You’re up in the middle of the night because your little
one has a fever and bad cough. or maybe you’re home sick from work, feeling
awful, and the thought of leaving your home is more than you can handle.
With franciscan Virtual urgent Care, we’re there to help you 24/7 by phone or
secure video chat so you can get the care you need, when you need it. a phone
call or couple clicks later and you’re speaking with a board-certified doctor or
nurse practitioner from the comfort of your own home. We can even call a
prescription in to your local pharmacy if one is needed. all for only $35.
How iT works.Visit franciscanCareNow.org on your computer, tablet or smartphone and
click on “get care now.” after answering a few questions about the reason you
need care, you’re on your way to feeling better. We will contact you by phone
if you want a phone visit or by SkypeTM if you’d like to be seen by video chat
— usually within 30 minutes.
of course you can also turn to one of our clinics or prompt Care urgent care
centers for exceptional care in person. When you visit FranciscanCareNow.org
we’ll also provide you information and directions to the nearest franciscan
clinics and urgent care centers.
sTarT feelinG beTTer now. for years our patients have sought us out from the plateau to the peninsula for
primary care, because they know they’re in good hands, but now there’s another
reason. With franciscan Virtual urgent Care, we’re the first of our kind to offer
24/7 medical care by phone or video chat to help you start feeling better now.
the care you need, when you need it. learn more at FranciscanCareNow.org
Franciscan establishes Center of occupational Health and Education
Franciscan Health System, in partner-ship with the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I) and leading health systems and clinics in the region, has been selected to be the Center of occupational Health and Education (CoHE) of western washington. The CoHE program is designed to improve injured worker outcomes and reduce disability through the education and implementation of occupational health best practices by clinicians and support care coordination of workers through health service coordinators. The CoHE of western washington is the largest CoHE in the state.
“At Franciscan, we understand that returning workers to good health so they can return to their jobs as soon as safely possible is important to employers and employees,” said Paul Darby, MD, CoHE medical director and medical director for Franciscan’s occupational Health program.
The Center of occupational Health and Education of western washington is a broad-based partnership that includes leading healthcare systems and clinics.
For more information, visit www.FHShealth.org/CoHe
www.FHShealth.org 5 www.FHShealth.org 5
Exciting advancement in breast cancer screeningfranciscan Breast Center at St. francis offers new 3D mammography in your community
6 Franciscan Health System | Fall 2013
www.FHShealth.org 7
One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in her lifetime. That’s the bad news. The good news is mammography is the very best tool to detect this disease early. yearly screen-ings increase the likelihood that cancer will be detected earlier when there are more treatment options available and a greater chance of survival.
when you schedule your mammogram at the Franciscan Breast Center at St. Francis (previously women’s Health & Breast Center) you may notice an exciting development since your previous screenings. That’s because the Franciscan Breast Center recently acquired 3-dimensional (3D) mammography technology, a revolutionary new tool to improve the early detection of breast cancer.
“overall, the experience of 3D mammography is very similar to what you’re used to with 2D mammogra-phy, and in fact you’ll receive a combination of 2D and 3D mammog-raphy within the same exam,” said Khai Tran, mD, board-certified
radiologist at St. Francis Hospital in Federal way. “The difference is whereas 2D takes two views of the breast, 3D mammography does an arc around the compressed breast and takes a series of images within seconds. This allows the radiologist to look at the breast layer by layer for a more comprehensive screening of the breast tissue.”
MakinG a difference in deTecTionwhile 2D technology continues to be an effective screening and diagnostic tool, 3D mammography offers some benefits beyond traditional mammography. The more detailed results improve the rate of cancer detection by 10 to 30 percent, Dr. Tran said.
“For women with dense breast tissue, it can be difficult to spot cancer with 2D mammography because it can blend in with the breast tissue,” Dr. Tran said. “3D mammography makes cancer easier to spot in these women because we can look at the tissue one layer at a time.” This is especially beneficial for young, pre-meno-pausal women who are more likely to have dense breasts and are also more likely to have very aggressive tumors.
The new 3D mammography significantly
Khai Tran, M.D.
To schedule your mammogram today, call the franciscan Breast Center at St. francis at (253) 944-4025.
decreases the likelihood that you’ll be called back after your test for a follow-up mammogram to get a closer look at abnormal areas. “research shows that the call-back rate drops by as much as 30 percent with 3D mammography compared with 2D mam-mography alone,” Dr. Tran said. “Beyond the inconvenience, the experience of being called back can be very anxiety-provoking and stressful for women, so this makes a big difference in your overall experience and peace of mind.”
wHy you sHouldn’T waiT Due to conflicting reports in recent years, you may feel confused about recommendations for breast cancer screenings. “we still fully support the recom-mendation that women start annual screenings at age 40,” Dr. Tran said. If you have a family history of the disease, discuss starting screenings sooner with your physician as well as the possibility of doing genetic testing.
“It’s also important to receive clinical breast exams once a year and be sure to get your mammogram annually,” Dr. Tran said. “Even if your results are normal, it’s important to get screened yearly because cancer can grow within that time. Detecting cancer as early as possible offers the greatest opportunity at having a successful recovery.”
www.FHShealth.org 7
PeoPle wHo know:
Cancer screenings save livesYou have heard it before — cancer screenings save lives — but when you hear it from someone who had their life saved, it takes on a
whole new meaning. Remember, the earlier cancer is detected, the more successful the treatment. Always discuss your health, your
habits and your family history with your physician as they may influence when and how often you should receive screenings.
Ken BeckmanDiagnosed with lung cancer in 2013Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Pulmonary Consultants, Northwest Medical Specialties
“A routine blood test showed there was too much calcium in my blood. My doctor said this can be an indication of cancer and sent me for a chest X-ray. The test found some-thing unusual, and a bron-choscopy and biopsy showed I had a tumor in the lower lobe of my left lung — even though I don’t smoke. Doctors were able to remove it in surgery along with samples of lymph nodes, which didn’t have any signs of cancer. Currently, I’m cancer-free and will follow up with CT scans about every six months.”
Annmarie Powers-VanceDiagnosed with breast cancer in 2012Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Virginia Mason
“After a routine mammo-gram, my doctor called me and said there was an abnormal reading. I was sent for an ultrasound and biopsy, which found I had a tumor in my breast. It was stage I. I had a lumpectomy, six weeks of radiation, and hormone therapy. My six-month mammogram showed I’m now clear of cancer. Mammograms save lives. If I had skipped the test for a year or two the cancer could have killed me, but it was caught early because of the yearly test.”
Connie ShirkDiagnosed with colon cancer in 2012 Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center, Northwest Medical Specialties
“I had been putting off a colonoscopy when my doctor insisted I get one. The screening found cancerous polyps so I was scheduled for surgery and had a section of my colon removed. I then had six months of chemotherapy. I previously had a few symp-toms that should have warned me, but I rationalized them away. I thought a colonoscopy would be painful, but it’s a breeze. If people like me knew just how easy it was, they might get screened sooner before cancer has a chance to develop. Today I am fortunate to be cancer-free.”
Chris SmithDiagnosed with prostate cancer in 2011Treatment team: Franciscan Cancer Center
“Every year when I get done with a routine annual physical, I sign up for the next year. My last physical saved my life. During the physical my doctor found hard masses in my prostate, so I was sent for a biopsy. The test confirmed that I had a very aggressive, fast-growing cancer. The change happened in one year — everything was normal the year before but this time I had cancer. I then had a robotic prosta-tectomy and couldn’t be happier with the outcome.”
franciscan Cancer Center is a collaboration of dedicated franciscan Health System and franciscan Medical group surgeons, clinicians, staff and community specialist partners, who together provide american College of Surgeons Commission on Cancer accredited oncology care to patients throughout the South puget Sound.
8 Franciscan Health System | Fall 2013
www.FHShealth.org 9
“I encourage my patients to take the opportunity to get screened for cancers of the cervix, breast, colon and rectum, endometrium and prostate, as well as have a cancer-related physical examination suggested by the American Cancer Society,” said Kamran Khan, Md, family medicine physician at Franciscan Medical Clinic on 11th Place in Federal Way. “A small effort on your part can make a significant difference by saving your own life.”
Schedule life-saving screenings today! Contact a clinic near you from the list below.
Pap test FCervical cancer
screening
Beginning at age 21, yearly pelvic exam with Pap collection every 3 years or
based on your doctor’s recommendations
Franciscan women’s Health Associates
320th (253) 838-1520 federal Way (253) 944-6950
St. francis (253) 838-3695 Franciscan Medical Clinic 11th place (253) 927-2150 St. francis (253) 874-2227
federal Way (253) 839-2030 Milton (253) 922-5262
Bonney Lake (253) 750-6000
Mammography FAn X-ray of the breasts
to check for signs of breast cancer
once a year starting at age 40. if you’re at high risk or have a
family history of breast cancer, talk to your doctor about whether you
should start screenings earlier.
Franciscan Breast Center at St. Francis
(253) 944-4025 Franciscan Medical Pavilion Bonney Lake (253) 573-7320
Colorectal cancer screening
M/Flooks for signs of cancer
and pre-cancer in the colon and rectum
Colonoscopy starting at age 50, repeated every 10 years.1
Franciscan digestive Care Associates at St. Francis
(253) 272-8664
PSA blood test with or without a rectal exam
MChecks for
prostate cancer
Starting at age 50, discuss the pros and cons of this test with your doctor. Men at high risk, such as those with a family history, should discuss the test with their doctor starting at age 45.
Franciscan Medical Clinic 11th place (253) 927-2150 St. francis (253) 874-2227
federal Way (253) 839-2030 Milton (253) 922-5262
Bonney Lake (253) 750-6000
Skin cancer screening M/FClinical skin examination
discuss with your doctor whether a visual skin examination
is right for you.
Franciscan Medical Clinic 11th place (253) 927-2150 St. francis (253) 874-2227
federal Way (253) 839-2030 Milton (253) 922-5262
Bonney Lake (253) 750-6000
Ct scan of the lungs M/FChecks for lung cancer in
people who are at risk
if you have a history of smoking 30 pack-years, equal to one pack per day for 30 years or two packs
a day for 15 years, ask your doctor about a lung cancer screening.
Franciscan Medical Clinic 11th place (253) 927-2150 St. francis (253) 874-2227
federal Way (253) 839-2030 Milton (253) 922-5262
Bonney Lake (253) 750-6000
1 Additional methods for colon cancer screenings include: fecal occult blood test yearly; flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years; double contrast barium every 5 years; computed tomography every 5 years.
SCreening wHo wHy wHen? wHere?
Kamran Khan, MD
Is it time for your next screening?
www.FHShealth.org 9
Time for a lung cancer screening? If you’re at increased risk for lung cancer, such as having smoked a pack a day for 30 years or two packs a day for 15 years, you should get screened. Visit FHShealth.org/lungAware.
If you’ve brushed off concerns about lung cancer risk because you never smoked or quit years ago, you may not be off the hook. Lung cancer kills more people each year than any kind of cancer. “Although smoking is respon-sible for the majority of lung cancer deaths, certain forms of lung cancer that aren’t associated with smoking are on the rise,” said Frank Senecal, mD, a board-certified medical oncologist and medical director of Franciscan Cancer Center.
Besides smoking, exposure to pollu-tion and chemicals such as asbestos and radon gas may increase your risk, said Saif Kasubhai, mD, a board-certified medical oncologist at St. Francis Hospi-tal. Even if you never smoked, second-hand smoke — breathing in the smoke from other people’s cigarettes — can boost your risk for lung cancer, too.
new researcH yields life-savinG resulTs with lung cancer, you may not have any symptoms early on. “Early detection is everything,” Dr. Senecal said. “often, once you develop symptoms of lung cancer such as shortness of breath or coughing up blood, the disease is already very advanced.” Fortunately, a study published in the spring of 2013 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that low-dose CT scans reduce lung cancer deaths.
Frank Senecal, MD Saif Kasubhai, MD
Do you know the
dANgeRS ofluNg CANCeR?Franciscan offers most advanced services for screening and treatment
“CT scans can help detect lung cancer earlier when we have a greater chance at an effective cure,” Dr. Kasubhai said.
Currently, the standard recommenda-tion for receiving a lung cancer screening is a history of smoking “30 pack-years,” which is equal to smoking one pack per day for 30 years or two packs per day for 15 years. If you’ve been exposed to other chemicals or have a family history of the disease, discuss with your doctor whether you should be tested.
“Franciscan has embraced the newest research findings and is committed to providing imaging for patients who need it in order to identify disease sooner so we can improve patients’ chances of survival,” Dr. Senecal said.
Stacy Engle quit smoking with help from our Freedom from Tobacco program.
10 Franciscan Health System | Fall 2013
www.FHShealth.org 11 www.FHShealth.org 11
one of the best ways
to reduce your risk
for lung cancer, as well
as countless other
diseases, is to quit
tobacco. even if you’ve
tried kicking the habit
before, franciscan’s
highly successful
freedom from Tobacco
smoking cessation
program will help you
reach your goals.
“Since its inception
by Dr. patrick Hogan in
May 1992, freedom
from Tobacco’s free
weekly support group
has assisted those
who want to quit
tobacco, help others
quit, stay quit or deal with issues of relapse,”
said Heidi Henson, program facilitator. “Because
it’s a true support group, we focus on who’s there
and what they want to achieve, offering com-
pletely personalized support to help them quit
and stay quit for life.”
federal Way resident Stacy engle, 45, smoked
for 24 years. When a bout of pneumonia landed
her in St. francis Hospital in 2011 she saw a poster advertising
the freedom from Tobacco program. She attended her first
meeting the week she got out.
“at the time I started going to the meetings, everyone else in
the group had already quit, but I never felt judged for being the
only current smoker,” engle said. Instead, she felt bolstered by their
success and support and learned from other group members
what worked best for them. She smoked her last cigarette after
attending the meeting for two weeks and continued going every
Thursday for a full year. “It was great way to talk about frustrations
of wanting to have a cigarette and learning how to cope with
that,” she said. “I was always surrounded by a group of good
people trying to work toward the same goal.”
reAdy To quiT? To sign up for our freedom from Tobacco program, call (253) 223-7538 or visit FHShealth.org/Support.
freedom from Tobacco
Stacy Engle , tobacco-free for 2 years.
Heidi Henson (TBD)
www.FHShealth.org 11
a cancer diagnosis brings up emotions — and questions. “How will I care for my ailing husband during treatment?” “Can I afford to take time off from work?” “what will treatment be like?” “How will I tell the kids?”
If you’re diagnosed with cancer at St. Francis Hospital, you don’t have to face these or any other questions about your treatment alone. A Franciscan cancer nurse navigator is available to support you from diagnosis through survivorship.
offerinG undersTandinG“when you’re diagnosed, you don’t know what to expect,” said Tricia Sinek, rD, co-manager of Franciscan Community Cancer Program. “you’ve been given information that sounds like a foreign language.”
A nurse navigator helps explain what each of your appoint-ments and tests mean, why they’re important, and why it’s critical to make sure they’re completed within a specific period of time.
“All our nurse navigators have many years of oncology experience,” said Sinek. “They are instrumental in supporting and advocating for the patient.”
reMovinG barriers To carenurse navigation is an important part of cancer care. “I provide insight into what a patient’s treatment journey might look like,” said Susan nixon, rn, Franciscan nurse navigator. nixon serves breast cancer patients across the Franciscan system. However, we have nurse navigators for every type of cancer diagnosis.
There are many areas where your nurse naviga-tor can help ensure your needs are being met including social support, transportation, commu-nity programs and nutrition resources. If you have financial concerns or difficulty understanding complex treatment recommendations, your nurse navigator will also help address these issues.
“when I get off the phone with a patient, she usually says, ‘I’m so glad you called,’” said nixon. “I help patients focus, and also help them know what questions to ask their surgeon or oncologist.”
servinG our coMMuniTyIn our community, anyone diagnosed with cancer can call for help from a Franciscan nurse navigator, regardless of where you received your diagnosis. Physicians will often refer you to nurse navigation as well.
“Everyone’s at a different place in their lives when they are diagnosed,” said nixon. “The care we provide is personalized, focusing on the individual needs of our cancer patients.” Franciscan also provides community-based cancer navigators who work with specific ethnic minority populations with greater cancer risks, and clinic-based patient navigators.
Susan Nixon, RN
+To learn more about our cancer treatment programs, call (253) 426-4815 or visit FHShealth.org/Cancer.
We’re here for you Franciscan cancer nurse navigators are with you every step of the way
12 Franciscan Health System | Fall 2013
See something you like? Mark your calendar! Franciscan Health System offers these upcoming events and resources to help promote healing of mind, body and spirit.
fall 2013
health!for your
Classes
eat it to Beat it: diabetes PreventionA two-part class series introducing participants to
the tools necessary to take control of their health
to prevent or delay the onset of type 2 diabetes.
Our registered dietitians also are certified diabetes
educators specializing in health promotion through
exercise and good nutrition. Participants complet-
ing the introduction series will have the opportu-
nity for ongoing educational opportunities (for
an additional fee). $35/person. Register online at
FHShealth.org/classes.
TACOMA, St. Joseph Medical Center,
Dining Room 1 and 2, 1717 South J. St.
» Mon., Oct. 7; 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., and
Mon., Nov. 4; 10:30 a.m.-12 p.m.
» Mon., Nov. 4; 1-3 p.m., and Mon., Dec. 2;
1-2:30 p.m.
GIG HARBOR, St. Anthony Hospital, Green Point
Dining Room, 11567 Canterwood Blvd NW
» Mon., Nov. 11; 3-5 p.m., and Mon., Dec. 9;
3-4:30 p.m..
Heart Healthy nutrition SeriesHeart healthy nutrition series is a 4-week class that
will give you information on reading food labels,
eating out, portion control and heart healthy
eating. Cost: Free. Call 1-888-825-3227 to register.
» First and fourth Wednesdays of every month
from 9:30 -10:30 a.m.; TACOMA, Heart Center
Education Room at St. Joseph Medical Center,
1717 South J. St.
living well with kidney diseaseThis free class will help you understand your condition
better, learn ways to preserve kidney function and live
a better life with kidney disease. Register online at
FHShealth.org/classes or call 1-888-825-3227.
» Wed., Nov. 6; TACOMA; St. Joseph Medical
Center, 1717 South J. St.
events
An Autumn event to Fall For and your Skin will love it!Join us at our fall open house for gift sets, appetizers,
raffles, 20% product discount and 20% off coupons
for: skin care products, skin care treatments, skin care
packages and injectable services. To register, call (253)
weight loss Surgery — learn the FactsFREE seminar about your surgical options at the
Franciscan Center for Weight Management, a
designated Bariatric Surgery Center of Excellence.
Registration is required. Call 1-888-825-3227 or go
to FranciscanWeightLoss.org.
» FEDERAL WAY, Franciscan Center for Weight
Management, 34509 Ninth Ave. S, Suite 100
weight loss Surgery Support groupsWhether you’re contemplating surgical weight loss
or have already had surgery, we have a support
group to meet your needs. Register online at
FranciscanWeightLoss.org or call 1-888-825-3227.
» LAKEWOOD, Third Monday of the Month,
6:30-7:30 p.m., St. Clare Hospital Resource
Center
» FEDERAL WAY, Second Tuesday of the Month,
1-2 p.m., St. Francis Hospital Medical Office
Building, 34509 Ninth Ave. S
www.FHShealth.org 15 www.FHShealth.org 15
FHShealth.org
fraNCISCaN HeaLTH SYSTeM1717 South J StreetTacoma, Wa 98405
NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE
PAIDFRANCISCAN
HEALTH SYSTEM
ABOuT FRANCISCAN HeAlTH SySTeM
›› OuR MISSION
To create healthier communities
›› OuR VISION
To be the South Sound’s first choice for healing of mind, body and spirit
›› OuR VAlueS
Reverence, Integrity, Compassion, Excellence
Franciscan Health System is a family of more than 12,000
doctors, nurses and staff who provide exceptional medical
care in hospitals, clinics, urgent care and outpatient centers
throughout Puget Sound.
10437MB
YOUR FLUSHOTIS WAITING.Walk-ins welcome.
Get your flu shot today!Franciscan Prompt Care, 9230 Sky Island Drive E., Bonney LakeFor hours and information, go to www.FHShealth.org/flu or call (253) 750-6000.