LIVING WELLFALL 2025 WITH ADVENTIST HEALTH PORTLAND INVITE YOUR KIDS INTO THE KITCHEN SCREENINGS: TAKE CHARGE TODAY 7 REASONS TO GET YOUR FLU VACCINE
2 LIVING WELL Guest editor Caring through every season This fall season, I’m honored to serve as guest editor for this issue of Living Well magazine. Health care is at the heart of our community, playing a vital role in fostering health, wholeness, and hope for every person we serve. Since beginning my career at Adventist Health Portland in 2006, I’ve had the privilege of growing alongside an incredible team of people who show up every day with compassion, commitment, and courage. Today, I’m proud to support our dedicated clinicians and hundreds of team members across 27 clinics and eight sites of care throughout the south and east Portland metro area. Together, they bring our mission to life: to care, to heal, and to inspire health, wholeness, and hope. In this issue, you’ll find a variety of health tips and wellness insights, meet our newest providers, and hear stories that reflect the spirit of our work in the community we serve. I hope it encourages you to take small steps toward better health and reminds you that we’re here for you — every season of the year. Randi White Adventist Health Medical Group Administrator Adventist Health in Oregon just received a Top Workplaces 2025 award from The Oregonian. The list of honored companies is based on feedback from a thirdparty survey that measures how employees experience themes like feeling Respected and Supported, Empowered to Execute, and Enabled to Grow. Farm-fresh food: A PROUD TO BE ONE OF THE BEST
AdventistHealthPortland.org 3 Call for artists: Visiting Artist Series application now open We recently celebrated the launch of our first Visiting Artist Series exhibition, showcasing powerful works that reflect the diversity of our community. Adventist Health Portland invites local artists of all backgrounds to apply for our next exhibition, Celebration of Global Perspectives. Submissions are open through Nov. 15, and all art media are welcome. Learn more at: AdventistHealth.org/ Portland/Events or by scanning the QR code. SCAN ME Now in its 16th year, Adventist Health Portland’s Celebration of Thanksgiving concert is a cherished tradition of music, gratitude, and giving back. Over the years, the event has collected tens of thousands of pounds of food and thousands of socks for local nonprofits. This year’s community concert features 8-time GRAMMY® nominee Natalie Grant, whose powerful voice and uplifting songs promise an unforgettable evening. Admission is free with a ticket and a donation of a nonperishable food item or a new pair of socks. Get your ticket at: AdventistHealthPortland.org/CelebrationOfThanksgiving or by scanning this QR code. SCAN ME 16th annual Celebration of Thanksgiving concert Adventist Health Portland is committed to supporting the health and well-being of our community through both financial and in-kind contributions. Our weekly produce stand, which provides fresh fruits and vegetables to patients and neighbors, is one example of our efforts to address food insecurity and promote healthier lifestyles. We partner with many local organizations to advance community health, education, and access to care. In total, our community benefit contributions to East Portland in 2024 exceeded $32 million, including Medicaid shortfall, subsidized services, and community health need programs. healthy stand Friday, Nov. 21, 7–9 p.m.
Meet some of our newest providers Jessica Larsen, NP Primary Care Lac Nguyen, MD Primary Care Alea Garces, NP Cardiology Our providers care about your whole health, including your body, your mind, and your spirit. They bring broad clinical expertise to help you experience the best of what life has to offer. Say hello to: 4 LIVING WELL Druanne LaPlante, DO Diabetology Greg Johnson, NP Cardiology Connect with us. You can find out more about our providers by searching for their names at AdventistHealthPortland.org/Doctors or by scanning the QR code. SCAN ME With fall underway, one preventive measure, a flu shot, can help keep you healthier in the weeks and months ahead. “Fall is a good time to protect yourself and your family from the flu,” says Karen Kostenko, board-certified physician assistant at Adventist Health Urgent Care – Sandy. “A flu shot can significantly reduce your chances of getting the flu. And with few exceptions, a flu shot is recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older.” Kostenko and other health experts share seven great reasons to roll up your sleeve: 1 Immunization is the No. 1 best way to prevent the flu. And even if you do get sick, your symptoms will likely be less severe. 2 Spare yourself. The flu can bring miserable symptoms and lead to missed work or school. 3 Influenza makes some people seriously ill. Every year, flu complications lead to hospital stays — and even deaths. 4 Viruses tend to change each flu season. Scientists review U.S. flu vaccines yearly to make sure they best match circulating viruses. 5 Influenza spreads. Be ready — get vaccinated as promptly as possible. 6 Flu vaccines have a solid safety record. Vaccines can’t give you the flu — and serious side effects are very rare. The flu vaccine contains an inactive or weakened form of the virus to help your body build immunity. 7 Shot or spray? You can have it your way. Flu vaccines are available as shots or nasal sprays. The nasal spray is an option for healthy people ages 2 through 49 years who are not pregnant. If you wonder whether a flu shot is right for you, ask your primary care provider. reasons to get your flu vaccine Karen Kostenko, PA-C Urgent Care
Want more info? We can help. Go to AdventistHealthPortland.org and explore our health services and providers at our clinics in the greater Portland area. Medical experts recommend these guidelines for most adults. To learn which tests and screenings are best for your unique health needs, talk with your provider about a personalized plan. “Routine screenings can provide valuable insights about your health and wellness,” says Jennifer Redfearn, DO, at Adventist Health Primary Care – Clackamas. “Plan ahead with your provider and make it a priority to follow through on these key checkpoints along life’s journey.” Key screenings: Take charge today Jennifer Redfearn, DO Family Practice Age Tests for MEN 18 Blood pressure. Be screened every 3 to 5 years. Those at increased risk for high blood pressure should be screened yearly. 35 Diabetes. Start screening based on risk factors. 40 Blood pressure. Be screened yearly. Cholesterol. Start screening based on risk factors. 45 Colorectal cancer. Talk with your doctor about screening options. 50 Lung cancer. Be screened yearly based on your history of smoking. Prostate cancer. Ask your doctor about screening.* 65 Abdominal aortic aneurysm. Be screened once between ages 65 and 75 if you’ve ever smoked. *African American men should talk with their doctor at age 45. AdventistHealthPortland.org 5 Age Tests for WOMEN Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Be screened through age 24 if sexually active. 18 Blood pressure. Be screened every 3 to 5 years. Those at increased risk for high blood pressure should be screened yearly. 21 Cervical cancer. Have a Pap test every 3 years. 25 Chlamydia and gonorrhea. Continue screening if at increased risk for infection. 30 Cervical cancer. Have a Pap test every 3 years, a high-risk HPV test every 5 years, or a Pap test plus a high-risk HPV test every 5 years.* 35 Diabetes. Start screening based on risk factors. 40 Blood pressure. Be screened yearly. Breast cancer. Begin regular mammograms. Cholesterol. Start screening based on risk factors. 45 Breast cancer. Continue with regular mammograms. Colorectal cancer. Talk with your doctor about screening options. 50 Lung cancer. Be screened yearly based on your history of smoking. 55 Breast cancer. Continue with regular mammograms. 65 Osteoporosis. Start screening (or start earlier based on risk factors). *Women older than 65 may safely stop testing if they meet certain criteria.
6 LIVING WELL In your upper abdomen and chest, a hiatal hernia can disrupt food and digestive fluid flow. This common condition can cause uncomfortable, even painful, symptoms that interfere with daily life and make it harder to do basic tasks like eating and swallowing. “When symptoms persist or complications form despite other treatments, surgery can restore function and bring significant relief,” says board-certified surgeon Elliot Dobkin, DO, who provides this and other procedures at Adventist Health Portland. Discover more. When surgery is needed, you can trust the expertise of Adventist Health Portland’s board-certified surgeons. Our skilled surgical teams have earned recognition for outstanding quality outcomes. To learn more, go to AdventistHealthPortland.org/Surgery. To schedule an appointment, call 971-231-6833. SCAN ME Elliot Dobkin, DO General Surgery Other steps you can take If you have a hiatal hernia, surgery may be the solution, but it’s not the only option. Lifestyle changes and other treatments can ease symptoms too. Here are some strategies to discuss with your health care provider. Take medication to neutralize, reduce, or block stomach acid. Eat several smaller meals throughout the day rather than a few large meals. Avoid eating foods that trigger heartburn, like fatty or fried foods, tomato sauce, alcohol, chocolate, mint, garlic, onion, and caffeine. Avoid lying down after a meal or eating late in the day. Maintain a healthy weight. Don’t smoke. Elevate the head of your bed by 8 inches. Surgical solutions Surgery for a hiatal hernia may involve:: ● Pulling the stomach and lower esophagus down into the abdomen and making the opening in the diaphragm smaller. ● Reshaping the muscles of the lower esophagus, which helps keep the contents of the stomach from coming back up. ● Tightening the junction between the stomach and esophagus. The surgery is performed with a minimally invasive technique through small incisions in the abdomen. for hiatal hernias Relief
AdventistHealthPortland.org 7 Every busy parent knows, kidfriendly drive-thrus are quick and popular solutions for meals on the go. But if you want your little ones to grow up being adventurous eaters, try staying home sometimes and inviting them into the kitchen to help you cook. “Kids who help parents cook are more likely to try all the foods prepared, even if they don’t embrace them right away,” says Natalie Miller, PA-C, board-certified physician assistant with Adventist Health Portland. Cooking teaches kids about nutrition and food safety — not to mention mathematics and science. And a child who becomes skilled in the kitchen is less likely to quickly grab processed foods when hungry. Ready to have your kids start cooking? Here are some tips for enlisting their help. Natalie Miller, PA-C Family Medicine Invite your kids into the kitchen Let them explore with their senses. Kneading dough. Rinsing produce. Tearing lettuce and snapping green beans. These activities will pique a child’s curiosity about food with senses other than taste. If your child is hesitant to taste a food, invite them to smell it first. Taste it yourself, and tell them how good it is. Schedule a visit. Natalie Miller, PA-C, welcomes patients of all ages, from babies and toddlers to teens and adults. To book an appointment, call 503-558-3340. Little foodies Teach them how to read (and follow) a recipe. Show your kids how to gather ingredients and utensils for a recipe. Tell them why it’s important to measure the correct amount of each ingredient for the recipe to work. Emphasize safe kitchen skills. Teach your child how to use kitchen tools the correct way to avoid injuries. They may not be ready to use knives, even with adult supervision, until they are 10 to 12 years old. Show them how to wear oven mitts to protect themselves from burns, and explain why they should turn pan handles inward to avoid bumping into them. Be sure they know how to turn appliances on and off. Start with food safety. Be sure your children know the basics, like: Washing their hands with soap and running water before and after handling food. Keeping raw meat, poultry, and fish separate from other foods. Keeping work surfaces clean. Waiting until food is cooked before tasting it. Cooking foods to their proper temperatures.
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. GivingTuesday is Dec. 2 Grabbing a latte or a meal out is a fun, easy way to practice self-care. Giving ourselves little treats releases mood-boosting chemicals that promote well-being. Even better — giving to a cause you care about not only boosts your mood but also strengthens our community. This GivingTuesday, treat yourself and our community by donating the value of a latte or meal out to the Adventist Health Portland Foundation. Donors like you make a big difference! Your gifts have helped Adventist Health Portland acquire: ● A portable X-ray unit to reduce the need to move or transport patients. ● Twelve fetal monitors for our Family Birth Place that allow medical staff and parents to hear the baby’s heartbeat. ● Two ultrasound machines to increase the number of patients who can be seen while also decreasing wait times. Give us (and yourself) a boost today — you’ll be happy you did! Scan the QR code or visit AdventistHealthPortland.org/ GivingWell to contribute. Treat yourself (and us!) SCAN ME CONNECT WITH US ONLINE @AdventistHealthNW @AHNW Adventist Health Portland @AdventistHealthNW AdventistHealthPortland.org
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