LIVING WELLSPRING 2025 WITH ADVENTIST HEALTH PORTLAND STEPS TO REFRESH YOUR HEALTH LIFTOFF TO LIFE: A HEART-STOPPING STORY EXPLORE A CAREER IN HEALTH CARE
OUTDOOR AGENDAS Nursing leaders enjoy one of many walking meetings on the Living Well fitness trail around Adventist Health Portland’s hospital and medical campus. Patient Care Executive Diana Erdmann, RN, started walking meetings to help team members collaborate outside and connect during breaks. SUPPORTING OUR NEW NURSES FROM DAY ONE Our nurse residency program helps new graduates transition confidently into their first year of practice. The program combines hands-on clinical training with mentorship and peer support, helping nurses strengthen their skills while building strong relationships with co-workers and fellow nurse residents. Jennifer Krieger, BSN, RNC-OB, is one of 20 honorees in the state to receive a 2024 Oregon Outstanding Nurse Preceptor Award from the Oregon Center for Nursing. Jennifer works in Family Birth Place as a registered nurse and a preceptor, teaching, mentoring and training new nurses. OUTSTANDING PRECEPTOR The heart of all we do When people think of hospitals, they may picture doctors and nurses in scrubs, patients and families in waiting rooms, high-tech equipment, wheelchairs and IV pumps — all in a clinical setting. These aspects of health care are all important, but at Adventist Health Portland, we take care of people on a far deeper level too. Practiced from the heart, our approach can be summed up in one word: love. Every day, people who are vulnerable come through our doors. They’re anxious, worried and may have a diagnosis that’s not good. In a world full of polarization and divisiveness, here at Adventist Health Portland, we strive to create an environment where everyone can feel supported, valued and cared for. What I want people to know about our organization is that we are built on a really strong foundation of love. Love is where it all starts. Genuine and authentic love is what inspires health, wholeness and hope. We have people coming to us who are broken, and we do what we can to fix them. That fixing might be physical, it might be emotional, it might be spiritual. We are committed to fostering love and fostering belonging, regardless of a person’s background or what they believe in. Everyone is welcome here. Our aspiration is to have each person who comes through our doors — patients, families, community members and employees — feel a sense of love and belonging and acceptance for who they are. Shane Voshell Oregon Network HR Director 2 LIVING WELL Guest editor
High school students, college students and aspiring health professionals are getting an inside look at career options through two educational programs at Adventist Health Portland. The Medical Assistant Program and the Health Scholar Program, offered in partnership with COPE Health Solutions, feature a mix of coursework, lectures, in-person training and, for Health Scholars, basic clinical experience. In 2024, the first year of the program, 22 participants trained and volunteered in six hospital departments for a combined total of 389 hours. Over time, the goal is to expand the program so that more departments can connect with people who want to explore careers in health care, says Shane Voshell, human resources director. To learn more or to apply, go to CopeHealthScholars.org. An inside look at health care careers “I am so grateful for the opportunities that COPE Health Scholars has brought me and the knowledge that I have gained. I am excited to continue!” —Gina Soto Landeta, an inaugural Health Scholar at Adventist Health Portland. She plans to become a surgeon. Adventist Health was recognized by Forbes as one of Oregon’s top employers with over 500 employees, ranking fourth overall and first among health care organizations in the state for 2024. Adventist Health Portland also received a Top Workplaces 2024 award from The Oregonian. The list of honored companies is based on feedback from a third-party survey that measures how employees experience themes like feeling Respected and Supported, Empowered to Execute, and Enabled to Grow. “Our team is deeply committed to love and service, which shines not only in how they treat our patients but also in how they support and care for one another,” says Kyle King, President of Adventist Health Portland. “To me, that’s what truly sets this place apart — our people.” ONE OF THE BEST Explore the options. Whether you are new to the world of health care or are an experienced hospital employee, working with us is rewarding. Explore career opportunities at AdventistHealthPortland.org/Careers. SCAN ME AdventistHealthPortland.org 3
4 LIVING WELL Craig Gleason enjoys a refreshing hike on Oct. 3, 2024, at Riverside Park in Reno, Nevada. After recovering from a cardiac arrest, he notices the beauty of nature now more than ever. ‘I blacked out and woke up three days later’ Craig boarded a plane in Orlando for the six-hour direct flight back to Portland. It was late at night when the plane landed, and Craig quickly made his way down to baggage claim. “I grabbed my bag and called my cousin Bill for a ride,” he recalls. “We had some small talk, but after that I don’t remember a thing. I blacked out and woke up three days later.” Opening his eyes, Craig found himself in a hospital room. A nurse explained that he had survived a cardiac arrest and was recovering at Adventist Health Portland. “Go for launch,” radios NASA’s launch director, commencing the countdown for the unmanned SpaceX mission. “T-minus 10, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one…and liftoff of Intelsat Galaxies 31 and 32. Go Falcon 9!” Cheers erupt from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as the satellite-loaded rocket blasts up and into orbit. On a deck across the river, self-described “space geek” Craig Gleason, 67, watches the fiery blastoff with friends. Little does he know, his trip home 10 days later will launch his life in a dramatic direction. to life after death
Emergency care you can trust In a medical emergency, you want help you can trust. As part of the OHSU Health partnership, Adventist Health Portland’s emergency room is staffed by OHSU doctors, physician assistants and nurse practitioners who specialize in emergency medicine. These providers work as an integrated team with Adventist Health Portland nurses, technologists, support staff and others to provide the best care as quickly as possible. Craig glanced around the room and spotted a familiar face: his cousin Bill, who had picked him up at the airport. As they talked, one thing became clear: Bill’s decisive action began a chain of heroic steps that saved Craig’s life. Lifesaving care “It’s a good thing Bill picked me up, because he’s retired military and knows CPR,” Craig says. “He pulled me out of the car, started CPR and called 911.” Airport police quickly drove up and kept CPR going until paramedics arrived. Finally, nearly an hour after Craig’s heart stopped beating, two defibrillator shocks restarted it. Lights ablaze, the ambulance rushed him to the hospital. Fortunately for Craig, he was en route to Adventist Health Portland, one of just 50 hospitals in the nation contributing data to a national clinical trial. The ICECAP study, short for “Influence of Cooling Duration on Efficacy in Cardiac Arrest Patients,” aims to identify the best length of time to cool a patient’s body with ice packs, a machine that cools the blood, or a combination. Cooling treatment can slow damaging elements from reaching the blood, help protect the brain, and enhance overall recovery. In Craig’s case, the treatment lasted three days, during which he was peacefully unaware. When he woke up and saw the nurse and his cousin, his memory came back, and tests showed that his brain was working well. A few days later, before returning home, Craig had surgery to implant a small, battery-powered device called an internal cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) in his chest. The device monitors his heartbeat and, if needed, delivers electric shocks to restore a regular rhythm. Craig returned to Adventist Health Portland several months later for another operation. Cardiothoracic surgeon Michael Kilbourne, MD, performed a triple coronary artery bypass graft, or “CABG times three,” as Craig calls it. That procedure improves blood flow to the heart by using healthy blood vessels from other areas in the body and connecting them above and below blocked coronary arteries. Rehab and rebuilding Craig still needed some care after surgery, so Adventist Health Portland’s Home Health team visited him regularly for a couple of months, assessing his recovery. He later completed a cardiac rehab program at the hospital, going in twice weekly and doing specific exercises. At last, the day came when Craig’s cardiologist cleared him for travel. Craig flew to Las Vegas, attended a conference, where he walked 10 miles a day, and returned home feeling fine. Today, he stays busy with computer projects, working in the yard and tending his fruit trees. He even delivered a bag of apples to rehab team members, whom he now also considers friends. One of the staff used them to make applesauce and shared some with Craig at his next rehab visit. “I’m just so thankful,” Craig says. “The exceptional treatment I received saved and restored my life.” Craig Gleason surprises his cardiac rehab team with a bag of homegrown apples. Maylin, RN, center, used the fruit to make applesauce and shared some with Craig at his next visit. AdventistHealthPortland.org 5
NEW BEGINNINGS Irena Cabrera, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology “From performing lifechanging surgeries to providing routine prenatal care, the ability to diagnose, treat and support patients through their health journeys is a privilege I deeply value." Bojan Malmin, MD Obstetrics and Gynecology "I consider it an honor to support women along their medical and personal journeys and to provide them consistent and empathetic care, always striving to create a space where they feel heard, respected and empowered." Carissa Marie St Onge Carneiro, CNM Midwifery "As a midwife, I have the opportunity to honor each birthing person’s journey in a gentle, comforting and intuitive way. I love offering evidence-based care and witnessing a new family bloom." Ashley Ulmer, CNM Midwifery "I consider it a privilege to partner with people on their journey through pregnancy and birth. My approach is to flex to the needs of each person by providing knowledge and expertise — as well as to simply hold space and listen." Buds blooming, birds singing, soil warming. All around, roots are stretching, creatures are stirring and humans are soaking up the magic of spring. This is a season of fresh starts, and you can leverage the energy to give your health a fluff and refresh. You can double down on healthy habits, like choosing more nutritious foods and getting plenty of exercise. You can also make sure you’re up-to-date on routine checkups and exams. And if you need help along the way, you can ask your health care provider for tips to keep your wellness on track. Say hello to some of our women’s health providers Every season in a woman’s life brings unique joys, challenges and needs. Our health care providers deeply understand. They care about the whole you, including your body, your mind and your spirit. Refresh your health this spring Connect with us. You can find out more about our women’s health care providers by searching for their names at AdventistHealthPortland.org/Doctors. If you’d like to schedule a visit, call 971-231-7790. SCAN ME 6 LIVING WELL
WALK FOR A CAUSE WITH US Join us at the 2025 Heart & Stroke Walk in Portland on Saturday, June 7. Stop by the Adventist Health Northwest Heart Center booth and say hi, or walk with our team to support the mission of the American Heart Association. Find out about this fun, family-friendly event at AdventistHealthPortland.org/ 2025HeartWalk. Achoo! Spring allergies are no walk in the park. Scan this QR code to discover ways to deal with itchy, sneezy, wheezy symptoms and say goodbye to seasonal allergies. SCAN ME Warmer weather can put a spring in your step, and that’s good news for your health. Research shows that three to four hours of walking per week can result in big improvements. For example, consistent walking may bring: You can start out with a 10-minute walk. As you build endurance, take short walks throughout the day to add up to 30 minutes. Here are some ideas to help you find opportunities to walk: ● Break up periods of prolonged sitting with short walks during your day. Get up and walk around for five minutes once an hour or so. ● Join or start a walking group. ● Try an activity monitor, like a pedometer or smartwatch. ● Keep sneakers in the car. You’ll be ready to lace up when you can fit in a few extra steps. ● Invite friends on walking dates instead of meeting for coffee or a meal. ● Schedule your walks and honor the time as if you were meeting with someone else. Reduced blood pressure. Stronger heart and cardiovascular system. Increased bone density. Better mental health. One step at a time for these health benefits AdventistHealthPortland.org 7
8 LIVING WELL Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 10123 SE Market St. Portland, OR 97216 Adventist Health Portland’s Living Well magazine provides health information, news and tips for our neighbors in East Portland and surrounding communities. Information in Living Well comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2025 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Would you prefer to read Living Well online and opt out of print? Visit AdventistHealthPortland.org. June 10, 6 p.m. Let us know you plan to join! Scan the QR code to RSVP. TUESDAYS from 4 to 6 p.m., JULY through OCTOBER 10123 SE Market St., Portland, OR 97216 Enjoy the freshest produce while supporting local agriculture! Each week this summer, plan your farm-to-table meals by shopping at the farm produce stand just outside the main hospital entrance. Farm produce stand SCAN ME WEIGHT-LOSS AND BARIATRIC SURGERY SEMINAR
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