LATEST NEWS
Juan Unpingco wins 2009 Employee of the Year
On June 26, 2010, IIMC had their annual staff recognition celebration at the fairgrounds. The employee who received the most nominations from his peers was front desk receptionist, Juan.
Soon after Juan was hired in January 2008, he quickly became a patient favorite at the front desk. Patients and IIMC staff have gone out of their way to let IIMC Administration know what a great job Juan is doing at the front desk. Patients say that Juan is helpful, friendly and service-oriented and they can count on him to be their advocate. Juan has an outstanding attitude that reflects a good feeling for his work in one of the most difficult positions in the clinic.
Juan is always willing to do whatever is asked of him and is loyal to his team’s success at IIMC. Juan cares about our community and IIMC patients and knows it is his job to serve their needs by proving customer service with a smile. Juan has also been appointed the IIMC facility manager and can often be found on a ladder, outside checking for maintenance issues, or researching solutions to mechanical breakdowns that can often occur in a facility as old as IIMC.
Here are some things his peers said when nominating Juan as their pick for employee of the year 2009:
“Juan has a wonderful attitude that has changed the entire atmosphere of IIMC, especially at the front reception desk. He is very professional and productive and all the patients just love him.”
“Juan demonstrates professionalism, willingness to help and patience with everyone regardless of the circumstances.”
“Juan always has a good attitude at work and this reflects in his relationships with both the staff and the patients.”
Thank you Juan for your consistent excellent service to IIMC!
Patients can find Juan’s name on the Employee of the Year plaque in the IIMC waiting room.
Front desk receptionist, Juan
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100 Years of Service to IIMC!
7 IIMC staff were recognized at our annual recognition picnic. Together, they make up 100 years of service here at our clinic!
- Rosalie LeVee 25 years of service
- Becky Bird 25 years of service
- Jeri Sansen 20 years of service
- Marlena Gutierrez 10 years of service
- Cynthia Marsh 10 years of service
- Dorie Heeren 5 years of service
- Claudia Weybright 5 years of service
Pictured above: Dorie, Cynthia, Juan, Marlena, & Jeri
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Extended Routine Care Hours Start July 1
The majority of recent patient surveys indicated that patients would prefer extended early morning and weekend hours for routine care appointments. Because of this...
PA, Patricia Davis, will be available for early morning routine care appointments on Wedensdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. You can make an appointment with Pat as early as 7:30am.
Pat will also be working Saturdays from 9am-4pm by appointment only.
The Saturday urgent-care clinic will remain the same, with the usual hours from 10am-1pm. Walk-ins only.
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New Provider Reception Photos!
On June 10, IIMC held a new provider reception to welcome Jim Litch, MD and Pat Davis, PA-C. Community members were invited to meet Jim and Pat and enjoy some cake, coffee, & punch.
Board Commissioner, Michael Rogers and Pat Davis, our new Physician Assistant!
Jim Litch, MD; Joyce Thomson (Islanders PT); & Polly White (former board member) chat during the reception.
The orange sherbet punch & carrot cake were a big hit!
Welcoming our new providers, Jim and Pat!
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Medical Guild Ladies Beautify Outside of Clinic
The Medical Guild Ladies volunteered their time in May to make the outside of IIMC more eye-appealing! The ladies planted flowers, pulled weeds, and made sure the entrance to the medical center looked great. Join the Medical Guild on June 11 at 10:30am for a Bridge Luncheon at the Mullis Community Center. Supporters will be raising funds for the Medical Center's latest wish list. Call Anne Benedict at 378-4224 with questions. Thank you for all you do, ladies!
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IIMC Welcomes Two New Providers!
IIMC is pleased to announce the hire of James A. Litch, MD and Patricia Davis, PA-C, two new providers who are experienced and excited to be a part of our island community. Combined, these two providers will offer 56 hours of additional continuity of care per week. Dr. "Jim" Litch began his schedule on May 11, 2010. Patricia Davis, certified Physician Assistant, began her full-time patient schedule on May 24, 2010. You may call to schedule appointments now!
Meet Dr. Litch:
Dr. Jim Litch is a primary care and public health physician who emphasizes patient-centered care and wellness through a personable approach with shared decision making that strives to identify and achieve individual and community health goals. His work has focused on the delivery of appropriate quality health services in challenging environments and remote communities, by working with non-profit organizations in partnership with local government health departments in the U.S., Asia, and Africa.
Dr. Litch is a board certified in family medicine and holds additional qualifications in travel medicine, tropical medicine, and public health. He received a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Michigan, family medicine residency training with Swedish Hospital Medical Center and the University of Washington, and public health training at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, U.K., the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Washington State Department of Health. He continues his clinical faculty appointment from the University of Washington School of Medicine and School of Public Health and Community Medicine.
His interest in health care developed from his early professional life as a rescue specialist, emergency medical technician, firefighter, and mountain guide among the world’s most remote areas and tallest peaks from Antarctica to Alaska, and from the Himalaya to close to home here in the Northern Cascades and Olympic mountains. Dr. Litch is delighted to be joining his spouse, Dr. Rachel Bishop, and the other physicians in practice at IIMC, and to have settled in our island community with his family, six chickens and two sheep.
Meet Patricia Davis, PA-C & Family:
Chica, Gypsy, & Cobre
Physician Assistant, Pat Davis, will be joining the medical staff of IIMC on May 24, 2010. She describes her relocation as the end of a passionate journey encompassing many years of visiting the San Juan Islands. Her medical background includes Primary Care and Emergency Medicine both in rural healthcare settings and major metropolitan facilities. She approaches healthcare as a partnership between the patient and provider with an emphasis on preventative medicine, lifestyle, and knowledge as the cornerstone to ongoing physical and mental well being. Her experience includes serving communities of challenging socio-economic groups as well as non-profit, for profit and government entities. For the past 2 years she has worked in the Emergency Department of The Veteran’s Hospital in Tucson, Arizona caring for Veteran’s from throughout the Southwest including returning Iraq and Afghanistan poly-trauma Veterans.
Pat Davis attended the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences graduating in 1997 with Special Recognition in Primary Care and Surgery. She has served as adjunct faculty with the Arizona School of Health Sciences. With an interest in bringing education to rural areas she coordinated and assisted with Emergency Medical Services training of Paramedics/ Firefighters through the University of Arizona. She served as a trauma and Advanced Cardiac Life Support Instructor for many years. Prior to becoming a Physician Assistant she was a Registered Nurse for 12 years in varied departments and settings. Those years brought experience in General Medicine and Surgery, OB, Labor/Delivery, Emergency Medicine, Trauma, Home Health and Administration. She developed several facility support programs and a rural hospital based home health agency which are still in existence.
Pat’s “other life” and interests are multifaceted. She loves being outdoors and many forms of art. She does stained glass, paints mostly in acrylics, does ceramics, pottery and once owned her own ceramic business. As a “newbie” living at Friday Harbor, she is excited to be able to continue hiking, outdoor photography and kayaking. She is looking forward to participating with the SeaDoc Society in their endeavors and hopes to be a consistent volunteer. She adds that her personal goal is not to drown while learning to be a GOOD kayaker!
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Architectural Firm Selected
The Peace Island Medical Center Steering Committee announced the selection of an architectural and engineering firm to lead the design of San Juan County's new integrated medical center and critical access hospital. The committee selected Mahlum, a Seattle-based firm that has strong connections to the San Juan Islands. "Mahlum was a unanimous choice for us, based on their outstanding track record for innovative health care and energy-efficient design, and their strong connection to the San Juan Islands," said Barbara Cable, chair of PIMC's Design Committee. "Mahlum's inspired proposal and presentation demonstrated a clear understanding and commitment to designing an Island-appropriate health care facility. We believe they will be a highly motivated and exceptional design partner for our community." Visit http://mahlum.com for more information about the firm. For the remainder of the press release, please see www.peacehealth.org.
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Washington State Vaccine Program Changes
According to the Washington State Department of Health, Washington’s program that uses state and federal funds to buy vaccine for all children in the state is changing. Starting July 1, human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine will no longer be bought with state money. Next May, state funds will no longer be used to buy any childhood vaccine — allowing time to plan a smooth transition so there are no breaks in vaccinating kids.
The state will continue using federal funding to buy vaccines for low income children. Health care providers can use this publicly-purchased vaccine to immunize children under age 19 who are enrolled in the state Medicaid program, have no insurance, are underinsured, or are Native American or Alaska Native. Children enrolled in free or low-cost state health plans, including the State Children’s Health Insurance Program and Basic Health, will also continue to receive publicly-purchased vaccine.
"Vaccinating children is one of the best things parents can do to keep their children healthy," said Secretary of Health Mary Selecky. "The key to disease prevention is to make sure children have continued access to vaccine – that’s our goal as we work through this change with our partners."
The changes mean kids with private health insurance won’t get state-funded vaccine anymore. So, parents are encouraged to check their insurance policies to see which childhood vaccines are covered. Parents should present their insurance card every time their children are vaccinated.
Details on child vaccine changes (www.doh.wa.gov/cfh/immunize/providers/universal.htm) are available online. To contact the Department of Health Immunization Program CHILD Profile with questions, call 1-866-397-0337 or e-mail universalchanges@doh.wa.gov.
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Influenza Outbreak
With the recent outbreak of the Swine Flu, it is increasingly important to recognize the signs of Influenza and to know how to protect yourself. Symptoms of influenza may include high fever, cough, headache, muscle aches, diarrhea, vomiting, and/or abdominal pain. Influenza is easily spread from person to person, therefore it is important to thoroughly wash hands with soap and water. Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing. Wash dishes and laundry with warm water and soap, and clean countertops and surfaces regularly with everday cleaning products. Stay at home if you are sick. If you must go out, wear a surgical mask. Remember, the best way to prevent the spread of Influenza is by getting a Flu vaccination annually.
For more information regarding Influenza and how to prevent a pandemic, please visit the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/swineflu/.
You may also visit the Official US Government Pandemic Flu website at www.pandemicflu.gov/plan/tab3.html.
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Free Breast and Cervical Screenings for Qualified Women
Are you an under-insured or uninsured woman between the ages of 40-64? You may qualify for the Washington Breast and Cervical Health Program. Visit www.doh.wa.gov/WBCHP for more information. You may also call us at 378-2141.
For more information regarding Breast Cancer, please see our FAQs page.