Franciscan Endocrine Associates - Gig Harbor

The creative spirits were high as teams across St. Francis Hospital showed off their pumpkin carving skills! From spooky to spectacular, each department brought their A-game to the competition. Thanks to everyone who participated and brought some Halloween fun to our halls. The competition was gourd-geous!

We are proud to announce that three programs within the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Center for Cardiovascular Health have been recognized by the American Heart Association’s Get With the Guidelines® – Heart Failure program for their dedication to improving cardiac care – St. Joseph Medical Center, St. Michael Medical Center and Virginia Mason Medical Center.

This recognition is awarded to hospitals that consistently follow evidence-based practices to ensure better outcomes for patients diagnosed with heart failure and underscores their unwavering commitment to providing the highest quality cardiovascular care.

A heartfelt congratulations to our hospitals for their dedication to providing exceptional care to individuals throughout the Puget Sound who are suffering from cardiac failure. Your hard work is truly making a difference in the lives of those you serve!

Tiny Costumes, Big Smiles at St. Michael Medical Center NICU!

Our littlest patients celebrated their first Halloween in style! Our amazing St. Michael Medical Center NICU team brought some festive cheer by dressing up our precious babies in adorable costumes.

From boba to little cows, each of our tiny warriors joined in the Halloween fun, creating precious memories for their families to cherish forever.

A special thank you to our dedicated NICU nurses and staff who go above and beyond to make every milestone special. These sweet moments mean the world to our NICU families. 👶💝

St. Joseph Medical Center's NICU was filled with joy as we celebrated our tiniest patients experiencing their very first trick-or-treat Halloween! For over eight years, St. Joseph's dedicated staff has lovingly crafted adorable costumes for our little ones, creating a heartwarming tradition. Families receive a printed photo to capture these precious moments. Take a look at how we enjoyed the cutest and spookiest night of the year!

Dr. Edward Esparza recently shared his expertise in a compelling discussion with the American Medical Association about eczema management.

If you're living with eczema or know someone who is, this conversation is invaluable. Dr. Esparza explores management strategies, breaks down the latest treatment options, and addresses the most common questions about this challenging skin condition.

Head to the link below to hear the full conversation.

What doctors wish patients knew about managing eczema This skin condition can be uncomfortable. Virginia Mason Franciscan Health dermatologist Edward Esparza, MD, PhD, shares how to manage eczema.

The rainy weather didn't dampen the spirit of the St. Michael Medical Center teams who took a pause after work to enjoy their Halloween Carnival. Team members and their families went all out in costumes and festivities. The hospital is fortunate to have an energized Employee Engagement Committee who puts together seasonal events regularly that help our teams further bond and enjoy well deserved fun!

Congratulations to Liz Lipasan, RN at St. Francis Hospital for being recognized as a DAISY Award honoree! Your compassionate care and dedication to nursing excellence shines bright every day.

The DAISY Award celebrates nurses who go above and beyond, providing exceptional patient care with heart and skill. Liz, you exemplify these qualities in everything you do.

Thank you for making a difference in our patients' lives and inspiring your fellow nurses.

Exciting news for our Lakewood community! St. Clare Hospital ICU is expanding its capabilities with continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT), an advanced form of dialysis for critically ill patients.

Our dedicated ICU team is currently completing comprehensive training to bring this life-saving service to our patients. Soon, those needing this specialized kidney care can receive treatment right here at St. Clare Hospital, eliminating the need for facility transfers and keeping patients closer to home.

In honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, St. Joseph Medical Center glows in brilliant pink lights, standing as a bright reminder of our commitment to breast cancer awareness and early detection.

This illumination represents more than just lights—it's a beacon of hope for survivors, a tribute to those we've lost, and a powerful reminder about the importance of regular screenings.

Learn more at vmfh.org/cancer.

We're thrilled to announce that TWO Virginia Mason Franciscan Health hospitals have been named among America's Best-in-State Hospitals for 2025 by Newsweek and Statista Inc.!

🌟 Virginia Mason Medical Center ranks #1 in Washington State
🌟 St. Joseph Medical Center ranks #9 in Washington State

This prestigious recognition places our hospitals among the nation's top 700 medical centers, reflecting our unwavering commitment to exceptional patient care and clinical excellence.

To our dedicated teams at both hospitals: Your passion, expertise, and dedication made this possible. To our patients: Thank you for trusting us with your care.

We're honored to serve our communities with world-class healthcare, right here in the PNW.

America's Best-in-State Hospitals 2025 Newsweek and Statista are proud to present America's Best-in-State Hospitals 2025, highlighting 700 leading hospitals at the state level to help you find trusted medical facilities no matter where you live.

Myth: "Mammograms cause breast cancer."

Fact Check: ❌ This is false!

Here's what you should know:
• Mammograms use very low doses of radiation
• The benefits of early detection far outweigh any risks
• Modern mammogram machines use the lowest radiation dose possible while still getting clear images

Remember:
✅ Mammograms DETECT cancer early
✅ Early detection saves lives
✅ Annual screenings are recommended for women 40+

Don't let myths stop you from getting this potentially life-saving screening. Learn more at vmfh.org/cancer.

Watch Rod Priest ring the Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Crucial Catch bell, marking the end of his cancer healing journey. These moments remind us why we do what we do. Rod's victory is our victory, and we couldn't be prouder to have been part of his journey.

Cancer Survivor Rings Crucial Catch Bell Rod Priest, a patient at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's St. Michael's Medical Center in Silverdale, successfully completed 33 radiation sessions for skin cancer on his nose. With the completion of his treatment, Rod rings the Crucial Catch bell and ce

Congratulations to St. Clare Hospital’s Medical Therapy Unit and Progressive Care Unit for their recent Race to Zero award! These two units were recognized for their outstanding performance of having zero patient safety events.

The Race to Zero Patient Harms Award, presented by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health’s department of Quality and Population Health Acute Care Quality, recognizes the inpatient medical, surgical, and critical care nursing units successfully achieving the lowest sum patient harms across multiple categories.

Join us in congratulating Kelly Barret at St. Anne Hospital for her recent recognition as Preceptor Extraordinaires by Virginia Mason Franciscan Health Education Services. Hear from Kelly's nomination below.

“Kelly uses each patient interaction as a teaching moment, emphasizing the importance of understanding and advocating for patients from their perspective. One notable lesson she imparted is the critical need to address the physical health problems of psychiatric patients, a group whose physical issues are often overlooked. By doing so, she not only ensures comprehensive care but also teaches me to see the patient as a whole person, not just a set of symptoms.”