Franciscan Endoscopy Center - Gig Harbor

Congratulations to Cardiovascular Technologist Chad Michels, St. Joseph Medical Center's recent Employee of the Quarter! Chad's expertise in cardiovascular care and commitment to our patients exemplify the best of Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Hear from Chad's nomination: "Chad consistently goes above and beyond for the Cath Lab team every day. He is viewed as a mentor by all members of the team and is the go-to person for a variety of matters. He takes the time to check in with colleagues to see what support they may need to be successful in their own job, which includes emotional and morale support, or specialized training. His knowledge is invaluable and he is truly a cornerstone in the Cath Lab and a big reason why our team is able to be successful in our daily tasks. Chad deserves all the recognition and appreciation."

A big congratulations to Tyler, a nurse at St. Elizabeth Hospital and recent DAISY Award winner! Tyler's incredible knowledge, know-how and compassion, have touched so many lives, and today, we're celebrating one of those moments that truly stands out.

One of Tyler's patients was so moved by his exceptional care that they not only nominated him for this prestigious award but also took the time to attend his award ceremony in person! Tyler, your kindness and expertise make a world of difference, and this honor is so well-deserved. Thank you for being a shining example of what it means to be so committed to creating the best possible patient experience and care. Here's to many more lives touched by your incredible work.

A warm welcome to our new St. Francis Hospital President, Joe Brown! 👋

On his very first day, Joe hit the ground running, taking time to connect with team members across various departments. These one-on-one conversations gave our staff a chance to share their insights, experiences, and ideas directly with our new leader.

We're excited to see the positive impact Joe will make at St. Francis Hospital. Here's to a great start and a bright future together!

As summer winds down, team members at St. Anne Hospital took a moment to celebrate their successes in Quality, Safety, and Patient Experience. Proud to be a pillar of care in their communities, the teams marked the occasion by bringing in an ice cream truck—a perfect way to bid farewell to summer while reflecting on the great work accomplished over the past 12 months.

As we honor the spirit of hard work this , let’s also celebrate the moments that truly matter—time spent with family and friends. Have a safe and relaxing holiday.

Check out this heartwarming story about Doug Perry, a retired Air Force veteran who turned his woodworking hobby into a mission of compassion.

Doug's handcrafted wig stands are bringing dignity and comfort to cancer patients at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Head to the link below to discover how one person's passion can make a world of difference.

Woodworker's hobby became a vocation, then a donation - Gig Harbor Now Doug Perry makes and donates wig stands to the cancer center at St. Anthony Hospital in Gig Harbor.

St. Anthony Hospital hosted its annual Summer Sizzle last week, bringing together team members and their families for an afternoon of live music, food and fun in the sun.

Congratulations to St. Francis Hospital DAISY Award honoree, Frencel Calayag, RN! 🌼👏

Frencel's exceptional compassion shone through as she assisted a family in welcoming their new baby. Her dedication to providing comforting, patient-centered care embodies the very best of nursing at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

The DAISY Award recognizes nurses who go above and beyond, and Frencel's nomination highlights the profound impact she has on our patients during life's most precious moments.

Thank you, Frencel, for your outstanding service and for making a difference in the lives of the families we serve. You make us proud!

Congratulations, Lilia Nakakura, RN, 8 B/C, for receiving a DAISY Award at St. Joseph Medical Center! Lilia was acknowledged by a family member of a patient who was involved in a serious car accident which resulted in multiple injuries and a ten-day hospital stay.

From her nomination: "Lilia listened to each of my son's concerns and addressed them, no matter how small they may have seemed. She went above and beyond to ensure he was well taken care of and comfortable as pain management was a challenge during his stay. She was honest, and took the extra time to get the information we were asking for. We were greeted with a smile each time she entered the room, it is obvious she sees beauty in all of her patients. Lilia truly is an angel and is most deserving of the Daisy Award."

Congratulating Lilia on this well-deserved recognition and for being an extraordinary nurse!

Creating a positive impact and driving innovation starts with a vision. For Mananita "Mannette" Sanchez, Nurse Manager at St. Michael Medical Center, this vision led to the establishment of the Philippine Nurses Association of Western Washington (PNAWW) chapter in June, under the Philippine Nurses Association of America.

The PNAWW aims to unify Filipino-American nurses, amplify their voice, promote a positive image, and foster professional excellence in nursing. The chapter also supports nursing excellence through continuing education, community outreach, medical missions, and leadership development. Pictured third from the left, Mananita serves as the PNAWW’s Founding President, alongside other St. Michael leaders (pictured here) in chapter roles.

To learn more about the Philippine Nurses Association of Western Washington, please email [email protected].

We're proud to announce that six Virginia Mason Franciscan Health hospitals have achieved the Get With The Guidelines® - Gold Stroke Plus award from the American Heart Association:

• Virginia Mason Medical Center
• St. Joseph Hospital
• St. Anthony Hospital
• St. Clare Hospital
• St. Anne Hospital
• St. Francis Hospital

The Gold Stroke Plus award represents the highest level of stroke care, reflecting our teams' dedication to saving lives and reducing disability caused by stroke. Thank you to our exceptional stroke care teams for their tireless efforts. Your expertise makes a critical difference when minutes matter most.

Our own Dr. Catherine Miele, pulmonologist at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, recently sat down with CityLine to chat about lung cancer and women. In this eye-opening interview, Dr. Miele discusses why lung cancer rates in women are on the rise and the importance of early detection.

Your lungs deserve the best care possible. Schedule your screening today!

Lung Cancer & Women: What you should Know - Cityline - August 15, 2024 Lung cancer causes 1 in 5 cancer deaths in the U.S. Lung cancer screening can help you beat these odds. An annual test that’s quick and painless could add ye...

A special shout-out to our Virginia Mason Franciscan Health spokesperson, Dan Wilson, as he steps up to the plate for his first game as Seattle Mariners manager tonight!

We are proud to participate in Chief Seattle Days by providing a first aid and educational booth to support the Suquamish Tribe. This event draws thousands of attendees from across the Puget Sound Region. We are committed to partnering with the Tribes to advance community health through education and addressing the barriers to health and wellness. Pictured here are representatives from the NW WA Family Medicine Residency Clinic and St. Michael Medical Center. We were also proud to have Olympic College nursing students volunteer and join our team.

St. Michael Medical Center President Chad Melton and team members joined their community at the Greater Kitsap Chamber's Summer Concert Series. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at Silverdale Waterfront Park! It was wonderful to connect with the Kitsap community and be part of such an amazing event. With over 600 people in attendance, it was the largest crowd of the summer! We're grateful for the warm reception and can't wait to see you all again soon.

Learn how we are continuing our tradition of providing innovative, user-friendly health care with the launch of a program that helps patients recover at home instead of in the hospital.

Health systems see digital health investments that pay off 75% of health system execs say their organizations fall short in delivering transformative tech. AMA Health System Program members show the way.

A huge thank you to all who came out and supported this incredible event. Your participation directly benefits the Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health.

Every swing, every cheer, and every dollar raised brings us one step closer to groundbreaking immune system research. Together, we're driving towards a future where a healthy immune system is a reality for everyone.

That’s a wrap on another successful PGA TOUR Champions Boeing Classic! ⛳️

Thank you to everyone who supported this fantastic community event benefiting Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health — you’re helping us fuel innovative research that is moving us closer to our vision of a healthy immune system for everyone 💙🧬

Community spirit was in full swing at Gig Harbor's 15th National Night Out!

Our St. Anthony Hospital team had a blast joining Mayor Tracie Markley and the Gig Harbor Police Department for this fantastic event at Skansie Brothers Park.

From the waterfront views to the lively sounds of Victims of Love, the evening was packed with fun:
🎵 Live music
🌭 Free food & root beer floats
🎮 Kid's games
🤝 Community exhibits

It was a perfect opportunity to connect with our neighbors, celebrate our amazing community, and strengthen the bonds that make Gig Harbor so special.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth and to the organizers for including us in this wonderful tradition. Here's to many more years of coming together and keeping our community healthy and safe!

We're thrilled to announce that both St. Michael Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center have been honored with Gold Plus Get With The Guidelines® awards from the American Heart Association! St. Michael Medical Center was also recognized with Silver Plus!

This recognition highlights our commitment to delivering top-tier, guideline-driven care for heart failure patients. It's a testament to our dedicated teams who work tirelessly to ensure the best outcomes for our community.

The Get With The Guidelines® program promotes adherence to the latest scientific treatment guidelines, improving patient care and outcomes. We're proud to be at the forefront of evidence-based cardiac care in our region.

Congratulations to our outstanding cardiac teams at both medical centers. Your expertise and compassion continue to make a life-changing difference for our patients.

St. Joseph Medical Center lights up in remembrance of Sister Jude Connelly.

With heavy hearts, we honor Sister Jude Connelly, who passed away at 83. For over 60 years, she shaped Virginia Mason Franciscan Health as a nurse, chaplain, administrator, and board member.

From caring for our first open-heart patient to leading major healthcare initiatives, Sister Jude's compassion and dedication were unmatched.

Her legacy of service, especially to the most vulnerable, will forever inspire us. Thank you, Sister Jude, for embodying our mission and touching countless lives in Pierce County and beyond.

Leading Health Care Provider in WA - PNW | VMFH Virginia Mason Franciscan Health provides compassionate, quality health care throughout the Pacific Northwest and Puget Sound Area. Schedule an appointment today!

It's never too early to save the date for the 2025 Boeing Classic!

Mark August 4-10, 2025 on your calendar for the 20th Anniversary of The Boeing Classic!

Legendary golf, flyovers, views, and Seahawks will be back before you know it!


The Club at Snoqualmie Ridge
PGA TOUR Champions
Virginia Mason Franciscan Health
Benaroya Research Institute
First Tee - Greater Seattle
Boeing in Washington
Seahawks Legends

A heartfelt thank you to the Tacoma Police Department and all of our community partners for their generous donation to the St. Joseph Medical Center NICU!

Our littlest patients and their families will benefit greatly from the blankets, books, and food provided. These thoughtful gifts bring comfort during challenging times and help create a more home-like environment for families during their NICU stay.

Chad Melton, President of St. Michael Medical Center, was thrilled to recently present the 2024 Q2 Employee of the Quarter award to Alex Vaughn, Certified Nursing Assistant. Nominated by her peers, Alex is described as a "powerhouse" team member. Her colleagues shared, "She’s the person you want by your side at work and the one you’d trust to care for your loved ones. Alex sets the standard every ICU nurse aspires to in a colleague. We are constantly amazed by her exemplary care and unmatched compassion, treating every patient with dignity and respect. Alex goes above and beyond to help patients feel more like themselves during a vulnerable time. Her positive attitude is contagious no one is more deserving of recognition!"

We caught St. Clare Hospital President Matthew Metsker and CommonSpirit Health Administrative Fellow Mayesha Awal at the Boeing Classic! Events like these provide valuable opportunities to connect with our community and work towards a greater goal.

Thank you to the Boeing Classic for another fantastic tournament benefiting Benaroya Research Institute at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health. Together, we're driving towards better health for all!

Congratulations to Stephen Ames for his incredible back to back victories at the Boeing Classic!

The Boeing Classic is off to a fantastic start! Thank you to everyone who stopped by Seahawks Village to snap a photo with Jermaine Kearse, play some putt-putt golf and race the clock with a 40-yard dash. Don't miss your chance to meet Kam Chancellor, Jordan Babineaux and Cliff Avril this Saturday and Sunday only at Seattle Seahawks Village.

Learn more and purchase your tickets today at boeingclassic.com

Celebrating an incredible milestone: 30 years of living with ALS! 🎉

Meet Carl Moore, a true inspiration and long-time patient at Virginia Mason Franciscan Health's ALS Clinic. Diagnosed at just 32, Carl has defied the odds and continues to spread hope and laughter three decades later.

From avid 100-mile cyclist to ALS warrior, Carl's journey showcases the power of resilience, expert care, and community support. Our dedicated ALS team, led by pioneers like Dr. John Ravits, has been by Carl's side every step of the way.

But Carl's impact goes beyond his own fight. Together with his wife Merilyn, he helped establish the ALS Association Washington, providing crucial support to others facing this challenging diagnosis.

Carl's wisdom for those newly diagnosed:
"You can live with ALS. Don't focus on dying from it."
"Seek help and accept assistive devices early – they're game-changers!"

To Carl, our ALS care team, and all those living with ALS: Thank you for showing us the true meaning of strength, hope, and perseverance. Here's to many more years of laughter, tiramisu, and making every day count!

We are proud to share that Virginia Mason Franciscan Health has been named one of the '100 hospitals and health systems with great heart programs' for 2024 by Becker's Hospital Review.

This recognition highlights our commitment to excellence in cardiovascular care across our network. From innovative treatments to compassionate patient support, our heart team works tirelessly to deliver top-tier cardiac services to our community.

Thank you to our dedicated cardiovascular specialists, nurses, and support staff who make this level of care possible. And a special thanks to our patients who trust us with their heart health.

www.beckershospitalreview.com