As of mid-April of this year, according to the San Juan County Health Department, there have been more than 1000 cases in Washington, which is more than in all of 2011.

“The vaccine used before 2005 was only for children under seven years old,” said Giefer, who holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) degree, “so there was no booster for adults. Now the ‘Tdap’ immunization protects against three diseases — tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis — and can be used in people of all ages.”

Protection fades as time goes on, according to Giefer, so a booster is recommended every 10 years. “If you had a tetanus shot within the last 10 years but it did not include the pertussis vaccine, you should get a Tdap now,” he said.

Pertussis causes a respiratory illness with a severe cough that lasts for weeks. It is most serious for infants, causing pneumonia and other complications, with death in about 1 in 100 cases.

“Infants and children should receive the full immunization series, and that can start at 6 weeks of age for infants,” Giefer said. “The chance of any significant side effects from the shots is extremely low. Adults of all ages should have the Tdap booster to protect themselves and children and grandchildren.”

He concluded, “OMC patients can call the Medical Center if you need the Tdap booster. We can check your records to see if you have already received protection. If you are new to Orcas Island or do not have an on-island heath care provider, we can assist you in contacting your primary care physician to check your records.

Dr. Jennifer Chao, Assistant Professor, UW Department of Ophthalmology

More than 40 people attended the Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) annual meeting on April 24 in the Madrona Room at Orcas Center.

OMF Board President Norm Zimlich began with a brief OMF business meeting, which included a positive review of 2011. “We successfully transitioned to Island Hospital management of Orcas Medical Center (OMC),” said Zimlich. “As hoped, expenses are down and revenue is up.”

He continued, “Thanks to broader-based support from OMF members, the Foundation is now less reliant upon a small number of generous donors who have kept the doors open for the past few years.”

Next, guest speaker Dr. Jennifer Chao, Assistant Professor, University of Washington Department of Ophthalmology, spoke on the topic, “Stem Cell Therapy and Vision at UW Medicine.” Dr. Chao is a clinician-scientist who specializes in diseases of the retina, vitreous and macula. She sees patients in clinic, performs surgeries and teaches residents.

Dr. Chao and her colleagues at the UW Medicine Eye Institute are researching the use of stem cell therapy for treating degenerative eye diseases. In the next few years, they hope to launch the first human clinical trials of these therapies aimed at treating patients with diseases such as retinitis pigmentosa and macular degeneration.

Dr. Chao’s presentation was followed by comments from Dr. Tony Giefer, Medical Director of OMC, announcement of new OMF officers, and light refreshments.

Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) is the non-profit organization that owns the Orcas Medical Center (OMC) building. OMF is now affiliated with Island Hospital of Anacortes, which manages the practice at OMC.

Dr. Jim Litch talks with Salmonberry School students Emma Freedman, left, and Tashi Litch.

In recent weeks, fourth and fifth-grade students at Salmonberry School, on North Beach Road in Eastsound, have explored many aspects of the human body with guidance from their teacher Paul Freedman and two Salmonberry School parents who are local physicians.

“Dr. Jim Litch presented a terrific lesson on the structure and function of the human spine,” said Freedman. “He focused on keeping the spine and the nerves it contains strong and healthy, and on avoiding injuries when bike-riding and diving. He also talked about the diagnostic process for spinal injuries and conducted some experiments on our ability to sense temperature changes.”

In addition, Dr. Rachel Bishop led a fun and informative lesson in which students played detectives, examining a series of real x-rays for clues, according to Freedman. “The x-rays gave students clear pictures of the human skeletal system,” Dr. Bishop said. “Thanks to the Group Health Foundation for the loan of their spinal model, x-rays and other teaching materials.”

Dr. Litch is a family physician at Orcas Medical Center, and Dr. Bishop is a family physician at the Inter Island Medical Center on San Juan Island.

According to Freedman, other science lessons in the Salmonberry curriculum have emphasized the importance of a balanced diet for health and wellness. “We like to integrate strong academics with active learning to inspire our students to develop as creative thinkers and doers,” he said.

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The seminar will be at the Senior Center from 5 to 8 p.m. and is intended for parents and grandparents of infants and preschoolers.

Free childcare at the Senior Center, as well as free pizza and refreshments, will be provided for attendees. The event is sponsored by the Orcas Medical Foundation.

“We’ll review, then pick up where we left off, focusing on infants and preschoolers,” said Catherine. “New attendees are welcome. There are no prerequisites.” Last October, more than 20 Orcas Island moms, dads and grandparents attended Henderson’s first seminar.

“We barely scratched the surface,” said one attendee. “Catherine had so much to offer, responded to so many questions, and stimulated so much discussion. We all wanted more!”

Tamara Joyner, R.N., San Juan County public health nurse, added, “I thought it was fabulous how Catherine broke things down into easily understandable parts. This is a great new resource for parents and expectant parents on Orcas Island. I hope the Foundation continues to offer health-education programs such as this.”

Ms. Henderson is an advanced registered nurse practitioner with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She is a training and supervising child and adult psychoanalyst at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Institute and a faculty member at the Center of Infant Mental Health at the University of Washington.

Her private practice is in Bellevue, where she sees mothers and infants, children, adolescents and adults for psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Catherine is a member of the Orcas Medical Foundation board of directors.

Alison Shaw, left, of Orcas Medical Center and Erin O'Dell of the Orcas Family Resource Center.

At least 25 more Orcas Island children will have new winter coats this year, thanks to an ongoing program sponsored by employees of Island Hospital of Anacortes, with contributions of $1,000 from the Orcas Medical Center (OMC) staff and Orcas Medical Foundation (OMF) members.

According to Erin O’Dell, Orcas Family Resource Center Director, the 25 new coats were delivered to the Resource Center on December 2 by Alison Shaw, the Medical Center Practice Administrator.

“These coats are going to families in need, with children who did not receive one of the many winter coats donated earlier this year by Island Hardware and Supply,” said O’Dell. “So many families are in need right now. This additional program came along at just the right time.”

According to Alison Shaw, the Island Hospital program has been operating successfully in Anacortes for several years. “The systems are all in place,” she said, “Now, through our OMC affiliation with Island Hospital, our personal contributions go further and we are able to bring the program to Orcas. Erin and the Family Resource Center make sure that the coats get to Orcas families and children who need them.”

Erin O’Dell explained, “Through local pastors, the school counselor and our Family Resource Center, we were able to identify and contact families in advance. We listed each child’s color and style preference. Then, using our list, Island Hospital employees and volunteers did all of the coat shopping.”

Catherine Henderson, Ph.D., A.R.N.P., leads discussion with parents and grandparents who attended October seminar on infants and preschoolers.

More than 20 Orcas Island moms, dads and grandparents attended a  free, two-hour seminar on October 15, entitled “Knowing Your Child and Your Child Knowing You.” The seminar was presented in the Madrona Room at Orcas Center by Catherine Henderson, Ph.D., A.R.N.P. and sponsored by the Orcas Medical Foundation.

The focus was on infants and preschoolers.

“I thought it was fabulous how Catherine broke things down into easily understandable parts,” said Tamara Joyner, R.N., San Juan County public health nurse, who attended. “This is a great new resource for parents and expectant parents on Orcas Island. I hope the Foundation continues to offer health-education programs such as this.”
According to Joyner and OMF Board Member Mary Riveland, who also attended, parents and grandparents at the event were actively engaged in the presentation. Riveland said, “Moms and dads, including some expectant parents, asked questions and eagerly participated in discussions, which Catherine encouraged throughout.”

The seminar presenter Catherine Henderson is an advanced registered nurse practitioner with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She is a training and supervising child and adult psychoanalyst at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Institute and a faculty member at the Center of Infant Mental Health at the University of Washington.

Her private practice is in Bellevue, where she sees mothers and infants, children, adolescents and adults for psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Catherine is a member of the Orcas Medical Foundation board of directors.

Henderson stressed, “Recognizing and acknowledging infants’ and preschoolers’ thoughts and feelings builds ‘emotional muscle’ in parents and children.”

This Saturday event will be from 10 a.m. to noon in the Madrona Room at Orcas Center. It is sponsored by the Orcas Medical Foundation and will be presented by Catherine Henderson, Ph.D., A.R.N.P.

“Recognizing and acknowledging infants’ and preschoolers’ thoughts and feelings builds ‘emotional muscle’ in parents and children,” writes Henderson.
Ms. Henderson is an advanced registered nurse practitioner with a Ph.D. in clinical psychology. She is a training and supervising child and adult psychoanalyst at the Seattle Psychoanalytic Institute and a faculty member at the Center of Infant Mental Health at the University of Washington.
Her private practice is in Bellevue, where she sees mothers and infants, children, adolescents and adults for psychotherapy and psychoanalysis. Catherine is a member of the Orcas Medical Foundation board of directors.

“Our goal is to enhance patient care and add a major level of financial stability to Orcas Island health care,” said Norm Zimlich, OMF Board President. “On the revenue side,” he said, “reimbursements by government and private insurance are more favorable to a hospital-affiliated practice. On the expense side, Island Hospital can handle many administrative matters more cost-effectively. Their purchasing power lets them acquire medications, supplies and equipment for less.”

Island Hospital and OMC have a history of working together. From 1992 to 2004, the OMC practice was managed by Island Hospital. From 2006 until August 2011, Dr. Tony Giefer’s practice managed the Medical Center practice. The Medical Center building, itself, is wholly owned by the non-profit Orcas Medical Foundation, which contracts for management of the practice.

“We’re thrilled to be back on Orcas Island,” said Vince Oliver, Island Hospital CEO, adding that changes in the economics of health care nationwide make alliances such as this one more beneficial than ever for rural clinics and patients. Oliver stressed that there is no requirement that OMC physicians refer patients to Island Hospital. “We want to win Orcas patients with our quality of medical care and services,” said Oliver.
Dr. Tony Giefer, Dr. Jim Litch, and Jean Bried, PA-C, of OMC support the affiliation with Island Hospital to enhance patient care. They, too, emphasized that each patient’s needs and freedom to choose among medical providers — including hospitals — will continue to be guiding principles of care at Orcas Medical Center.

Island Hospital has recently undergone hospital-wide renovation, including its state-of-the-art Emergency Room, Birth Center, and 43 private (not shared) hospital rooms. A new Medical Arts Pavilion is under construction, scheduled to be operational in early 2012. It will house an expanded Cancer Care Center, a Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center, and new Wound Care Center featuring hyperbaric oxygen therapy units. Unchanged is the large force of volunteers who welcome and assist patients and their families.

OMF is the non-profit organization that owns the Orcas Medical Center building and contracts for the management of its practice, Since 2006, Dr. Tony Giefer’s practice, Orcas Medical Center, PLLC, has managed the Medical Center practice. Before that , from 1992 to 2004, the practice was managed by Island Hospital.

“We believe that affiliation with Island Hospital will add a major level of financial stability to Orcas Island health care,” said Norm Zimlich, incoming OMF Board President.