News RSS News RSS Feed <![CDATA[2008 pocket-sized laminated Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules]]> The 2008 pocket-sized laminated Recommended Childhood and Adolescent Immunization Schedules are here.  The Immunization Action Coalition of Washington makes these schedules available free of charge to providers in Washington State each year.  To order yours, please contact debbien@withinreachwa.org

http://immunizewa.org/providers

]]> Fri, 02 May 2008 16:03:28 GMT <![CDATA[Primary Care Doctors in Decline]]>

"The General Accountability Office said Tuesday that as of 2006 there were 22,146 American doctors in residency programs in the United States specializing in primary care. That was down from 23,801 in 1995, the research arm of Congress told the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee."]]> Number of US primary care doctors down" article from the News Tribune at http://www.thenewstribune.com/tacoma/24hour/healthscience/story/282573.html]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:35:59 GMT <![CDATA[Lawmakers learn more about high health care costs - The Olympian]]> Lawmakers learn more about high health care costs to read more!]]> Thu, 17 Jan 2008 12:08:50 GMT <![CDATA[Vaccine Shortage and Recall Update]]>
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Visit Hib Vaccine Shortage and Interim Recommendations (http://www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize/news/default.htm) for more information.]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2007 09:10:16 GMT <![CDATA[Immunize for a Flu-Free Washington]]> More flu vaccine is available this year than ever before]]> Immunize for a Flu-Free Washington
Submitted by the Washington State Department of Health
 
As health care providers, people listen to you. Encourage your patients and staff to get vaccinated against the flu. Influenza (flu) immunization rates are alarmingly low. In Washington, our rates are 72.4% for adults over age 65 and only 22.8% for children! Help us increase vaccine rates, especially for these two age groups most at risk for flu complications.
 
Flu vaccine is especially important for:
  • Children ages 6 months up to the 5th birthday
  • Pregnant women
  • People 50 years or older
  • Anyone with a chronic health condition like diabetes, heart disease or asthma
  • Anyone who lives with or takes care of a child who is younger than five years old
  • Health care providers
If you are unable to provide flu vaccine to your patients, direct them to:
More flu vaccine is available this year than ever before.
  • Flu shots can be given to anyone 6 months and older
  • The nasal spray flu vaccine can be given to healthy people between the ages of 5 and 49 years who are not pregnant
  • Children younger than age 9 need two doses of either vaccine if they’ve never had flu vaccine before
There's still time to get vaccinated. Flu activity in Washington usually peaks in February or March. It's not too late to protect yourself, your staff and your patients.
 
Remind your patients and staff to practice good health habits: 
·        Cough and sneeze into your upper sleeve, not your hand, or use a tissue – be sure to throw the tissue away
·        Wash hands often with soap and warm water
·        Stay home when sick
 
If patients want additional resources, suggest they visit www.doh.wa.gov/flunews.
]]> Thu, 01 Nov 2007 09:52:28 GMT <![CDATA[Washington's Success in Reducing Smoking Sets Example for the Nation]]> Statement of Matthew L. Myers, President, Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids

]]> Washington, DC - The dramatic drop in Washington's adult smoking rate to a new state low, reported today by the Washington State Department of Health, sets an example for the nation by underscoring once again the positive impact of a comprehensive and aggressive approach to reducing tobacco use – including an increased cigarette tax, a strong smoke-free law and a well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation program. Washington is one of the few states that have implemented all three of these science-based measures to reduce tobacco use and exposure to secondhand smoke, as recommended by public health experts. Washington's efforts are saving lives and saving money by preventing kids from smoking, helping smokers quit, protecting non-smokers from secondhand smoke and reducing tobacco-caused health care costs.

Washington's progress would not have happened without the vision and commitment of Governor Chris Gregoire, Secretary of Health Mary Selecky, state legislators and the dedicated public health professionals who administer the state's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. Because of their leadership, Washington now has one of the lowest smoking rates in the nation.

We also applaud Governor Gregoire and the Legislature for recognizing that continued progress in reducing tobacco use requires a long-term commitment, which the state's leaders demonstrated earlier this year when they approved $50 million in additional funding for the Tobacco Prevention and Control Program. The new money will allow the state to maintain funding at current levels through 2012. While tobacco taxes and smoke-free laws receive significant attention when they are implemented and have an immediate impact on smoking rates, Washington's experience is an important reminder that continued reductions in smoking require a sustained investment in prevention and cessation programs, including hard-hitting advertising campaigns.

Since Washington's Tobacco Prevention and Control Program began in 2000, the adult smoking rate has declined from 22.4 percent to 17 percent in 2006, the Washington State Department of Health announced today. That translates to about 235,000 fewer smokers and a $2.1 billion savings in future health costs, according to the Health Department. Washington's adult smoking rate is well below the national rate of 20.9 percent (in 2005, the last year for which data has been released).

Washington has also significantly reduced youth smoking rates, with declines of 60 percent among sixth graders, 58 percent among eighth graders, 40 percent among 10th graders and 43 percent among 12th graders. Because of these declines, there are 65,000 fewer youth smokers in Washington.

Tobacco use is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, killing more than 400,000 people and costing the nation more than $96 billion in health care costs each year. Washington's success demonstrates more clearly than ever that we know how to reduce tobacco use and its devastating consequences and just need the political will to act. Elected leaders across the nation should follow Washington's lead in implementing a comprehensive, proven approach to reducing tobacco use that includes higher tobacco taxes, strong smoke-free workplace laws and well-funded tobacco prevention and cessation programs.

Contact: Amber McDowell
202-29-6-5469

 

]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:25:51 GMT <![CDATA[UW student is awarded a Pisacano Scholarship]]> Derek Jackson, a 2007 Pisacano Scholar, is a 4th-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UW).  ]]> Derek Jackson, a 2007 Pisacano Scholar, is a 4th-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UW).  Derek graduated with honors from Stanford University with a Bachelor of Arts in Latin American Studies.  Derek received the Creativity in Latin American Studies Award his senior year, which is given to the graduating student exhibiting the most innovative approach to his/her education with respect to course work, research and study abroad.  Derek’s passion for the Latino community began as a child when he worked alongside immigrant workers on his parent’s dairy farm in southern Idaho.  Since that time Derek has served in many capacities in the Latino community.  He spent two months in Peru and another two months in Mexico teaching English to Spanish-speaking natives.  He also completed an internship at a hospital in Peru and then served as a volunteer migrant outreach care coordinator in rural Idaho during a year away from his undergraduate education.

As a medical student, Derek has continued his involvement with the Latino community.  During his first year of medical school, he began the implementation of a project that would provide information to Latino men in Idaho about sexual safety and would assess which risk-taking practices needed to be addressed by local outreach programs. He has since presented his results to fellow students at UW, at the Western Student Medical Research Forum Conference in 2006, and to physicians and social workers in Idaho. He is now preparing to submit his research for publication. During his second year of medical school, Derek completed a clerkship at a hospital in Guanajuato, Mexico.  He was the first student sent by the University of Washington to what is now an established program between the state of Guanajuato’s medical school and the UW School of Medicine. 

Upon completion of residency, Derek would like to return to Idaho and hopes to serve the diverse group of immigrants and rural populations in his home state.  He doesn’t see his future in medicine as a job or career, but as a lifestyle choice based on passion and the opportunity to leave things better than he has found them.

]]> Tue, 28 Aug 2007 09:13:55 GMT <![CDATA[For the Record: WAFP’s 2007 Annual Meeting Scholarships & Awards]]> Dr. Roy H. Virak Memorial Scholarship – Stephanie S. Dittmer, MD, Tacoma
This WAFP award is named for Dr. Roy Virak, whose professional and personal life was dedicated to the service of his patients and his community. He demonstrated the old-fashioned values of the family doctor while working to develop public and professional recognition of family medicine as a medical specialty. Each year, the WAFP Foundation presents this scholarship to a deserving family medicine resident to both reward and encourage the resident’s continued quest to serve as a shining example of a family physician.

Dr. Dittmer was nominated by Kevin Murray, MD, Program Director at Tacoma Family Medicine Residency Program. In his nomination letter, Dr. Murray noted that “Dr. Dittmer combines a high degree of physician professionalism with the formation of strong empathetic bonds with patients and personal commitment to improving the health of her community.” Dr. Dittmer created and currently teaches a diabetes awareness program for middle school students in the local Latino community to educate and empower them about prevention of diabetes through nutrition, exercise and lifestyle choices. In Dr. Dittmer’s own words, “we are hoping to develop a relationship with the middle school and this segment of Tacoma’s community. Over time, we hope to build on this relationship to strengthen the community’s access to health care.” Dr. Dittmer exemplifies the spirit of service and responsibility to community, and the WAFP Foundation salutes her.

Diverse Constituencies Scholarship – Karen Cross, Seattle
UWSOM student Karen Cross has experienced health care delivery and education across a wide spectrum of settings – from her childhood in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, to college studies at Boston University and Boise State University, to the University of Washington. Throughout, her compelling goal has been to “become a family physician working in a medical health professional shortage area to address the health care needs of the medically underserved.” As a woman of color, Karen Cross has worked tirelessly to educate herself about cultures and ethnicities – including Native American, Latino and refugee cultures – to eliminate barriers to good care and embrace cultural differences. She believes that everyone deserves quality care so that they can be more productive and have a decent quality of life. The WAFP Foundation is pleased to contribute to her dream with this $1,000 scholarship.

Diverse Constituencies Scholarship – Margaret Onwuka, Seattle
Margaret Onwuka, another UWSOM student, has been exploring working in the underserved community for several years. Her experiences at the Odessa Brown Children’s Clinic in Seattle’s Central District, as an intern for AmeriCorps’ Sports4Kids Fitkids and San Francisco General Hospital’s Healthy Kids programs, and with the YMCA King County and Children’s Hospital Strong Kids/Strong Teens program have, in her words, “heightened my awareness of the need for committed doctors and caregivers both in my local community and in the greater human community.” Margaret Onwuka looks forward to practicing in an inner-city community clinic where she will have an opportunity to make a long-lasting impact on her patients’ health and lifestyles. The WAFP Foundation is pleased to support her efforts with this $1,000 scholarship.

Student Award for Excellence in Family Medicine Research – Amy Rodriguez, Seattle
UWSOM graduating student Amy Rodriguez has been selected as winner of the Excellence in Research award based on her project, “The Malpractice Insurance Crisis and Obstetrical Provider Shortages in Rural Washington: An Impending Health Disaster.” The award recognizes original research that is reported clearly, demonstrates scientific rigor, is relevant to family medicine and offers potential impact on patient care, policy, public health or education. The WAFP Foundation is pleased to honor Amy Rodriguez’ academic excellence with this $500 award.

The Washington Academy of Family Physicians Foundation is pleased to announce that they have renamed this award, the Alfred O. Berg Student Award for Excellence in Family Medicine Research. This award honors the faithful service of Dr. Berg, who is retiring as Chair of the Family Medicine Department at the UW School of Medicine.   

]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[March of Dimes 2008 Community Grants: Request for Proposals]]> The Washington Chapter of the March of Dimes has announced its Community Grants schedule for 2008 projects. The Community Grants program is designed to invest in priority projects that further the March of Dimes mission, support national campaign objectives, and further the strategic goal of reducing disparities in birth outcomes.

Projects will be accepted from organizations (not individuals), and priority will be given to projects that, based on community needs, address increased access to care and/or prevention services to help reduce disparities in preterm birth. Project interventions may be provider-focused and/or consumer-focused.

Chapter community grants funds of approximately $118,000 are available for 2008. It is estimated that five to six projects will be funded for one year, with awards ranging from $5,000 to $25,000 each; one preconception demonstration project will be funded for a 2-year to 3-year period at $40,000 or more per year; and four to five projects will be funded from $500 to $3,000 through the Community Awards process.

Letters of intent are due August 31, 2007; applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal by September 28, 2007; full proposals are due November 2, 2007. For more information about the grants program, visit http://marchofdimes.com/washington or contact Cherish Hart at chart@marchofdimes.com or 206.624.1373 x 17.

]]> Tue, 03 Jul 2007 00:00:00 GMT <![CDATA[WAFP 2007 Family Physician of the Year: Dr. William F. Roes, Tacoma]]> The WAFP is proud to name William F. Roes, MD, as our 2007 Family Physician of the Year. Dr. Roes has been caring for Key Peninsula residents since 1979, serving literally generations of local families. Until 2005, he was the only physician in practice in this designated “healthcare manpower shortage area.”

According to Dr. Jennifer E. Smith who nominated him for the award, “Dr. Roes has made a career out of saying ‘yes’ to patients: yes to continuing as medical director of Trinity Neighborhood Health Clinic (free clinic) since 1993 – yes to a sliding fee scale for low-income patients – yes to $10 well-child visits for families in need – yes to visiting homebound patients – yes to admitting and caring for his hospitalized patients – yes to serving as medical director of Rocky Bay Health Care Facility, a residential home for developmentally delayed adults.”

In addition to patient care, Dr. Roes has written a monthly column in his local newspaper, was medical director for the local fire department for ten years, currently chairs the Multicare Graduate Medical Education Committee and is active in medical tort reform initiatives. He was also “instrumental” in forming the Down Home Band, a group of musicians that performs at local Key Peninsula functions. Dr. Roes and his wife Ruth have two grown daughters and reside in Tacoma.

Honored guest Dr. Roland A. Goertz, AAFP Board Member, presented the Family Physician of the Year Award to Dr. Roes, noting that family doctors around the country who receive these state awards represent the highest caliber of professionalism, dedication and integrity to their colleagues. He expressed thanks from the entire AAFP membership and leadership for the powerful example set by Dr. Roes, who is an inspiration for selfless service to his patients and his community. The WAFP also commends and thanks him for exemplifying the values of family medicine in Washington.

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