Puyallup Tribal Health Authority

Tomorrow is World Gratitude Day and we want to remind you st’ulǰəxʷ ti sk’ʷədiid (gratitude is medicine).

We are grateful to have the skills, training and resources to provide care to our patients and clients. We are grateful for our ancestors who made it possible for us to be here. We are grateful for the teachings of our Elders, so we may pass on traditions. And we are grateful for the future generations that will carry our people and our traditions into the future.

How do you practice gratitude in your day-to-day life?

This week is National Security Officers Week. We want to take the opportunity to show gratitude to our security officers who ensure PTHA is safe and secure for our patients, staff, and visitors. They work round the clock keeping an eye on things, and we are so grateful for them!

Thanks Security!

Today is National IT Professionals Day. Our Information Technology department is critical to every part of how we provide care to our patients. From ensuring we have phone and internet access, to maintaining all the technology across PTHA, training employees, and more, our IT professionals do it all.

We wanted to get you a picture of our amazing IT team, but they are so busy getting the job done that we couldn't pin them down for a picture 😁

Thanks IT, we really appreciate you!

Our Environmental Services Team is essential to keeping PTHA clean, safe, and welcoming for patients, staff and visitors.

We raise our hands to our Environmental Services Team. We are grateful for you!

Unsure how to help someone who may be suicidal? You can be the one to help them when they are in need.

Go to www.BeThe1To.com to learn the 5 steps to help!

This season's flu vaccines for patients 6 months and older will be available soon.

Flu vaccines are a safe and effective way to prevent illness and help protect vulnerable members of our community, especially our elders. When we do our part in getting vaccinated, we can reduce the spread of infection to others.

Mark your calendar for one of these upcoming Flu Shot Clinics to help protect yourself and your community this season.

If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, and/or have children under five, PTHA's WIC Program can help give you and your family a healthy start.

The WIC program can help with:
- free, healthy food
- breastfeeding support
- personalized nutrition counseling
- healthcare referrals

Wanna know if you qualify? Call us at (253) 593-0232 to see if you're eligible!

pədkʷəxʷic is a busy time of year. Please keep these holiday hours in mind when planning health appointments and medication refills.

Friday, August 30, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, for yayusəɫdat (Work Day) Labor Day
Monday, September 2, CLOSED, for yayusəɫdat (Work Day) Labor Day
Monday, September 9, CLOSED, for yabuk’ʷəɫdat ʔə ti sčədadxʷ Fishing Wars Recognition Day
Wednesday, September 18, 8:00 am - 12:00 pm, for sǰuʔilad (A Joyful Event/Time) Puyallup Family Day

Thank you!

Last week we held our annual Pediatric day, School Days Healthy Ways, to help patients and their families prepare for the upcoming school year. Every year, we look forward to this event as an opportunity to connect with our young patients and their families. Patients received physicals, well-child visits, and dental appointments, as well as important health information from many different departments.

The main elevator in the medical/dental lobby will be out-of-service for approximately 4 weeks. Modernization is required due to outdated electronic parts.

Signs are posted, directing patients to our alternate elevator located near Same Day services. Signs are also posted downstairs, directing patients to the elevator by pharmacy.

If you need help finding the elevator, any staff member would be happy to help, please ask!

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

We will close at 12PM on Friday, August 30 and will be closed all day on Monday, September 2 in observance of yayusəɫdat (Work Day) Labor Day.

Please keep this in mind when scheduling upcoming appointments and medication refills. Also, please give 48 hours for medication refills to be processed.

We are grateful for you.

August Is National Immunization Awareness Month.

Vaccination helps us protect our Elders.
Vaccination helps us protect our children who are too young to be vaccinated.
Vaccination helps us protect immunocompromised people.

When we vaccinate, we aren't just protecting ourselves,
we are protecting our community.

Who do you vaccinate for?

Our community is seeing a spike in respiratory illness, especially COVID cases.

We want to remind you to take precautions to protect yourself and your community to prevent the spread of illness:
- test if you are experiencing symptoms
- stay home if you are feeling ill
- if you must go out, wear a mask to protect others
- avoid Elders, young children, immunocompromised people or large gatherings if you think you may be coming down with something
- ensure you are up-to-date with vaccinations
- wash your hands regularly

Thank you for doing your part to keep our community safe and healthy!

Appointments are filling fast for our School Days, Healthy Ways Health Fair.

If your child is a Puyallup Tribal Member age 4 years to 19 years, you can schedule an appointment for August 16th by calling (253) 593-0232.

Along with important information, health check-ups and vaccinations, registered children that complete their passport will receive a gift to help them start the school year off on the right foot. Children must be present to receive the gift, while supplies last.

Please note: Medical and Dental will be reserved for Puyallup Tribal Member patients age 4 to 19 years only on August 16th. All patients will still be able to access same-day appointments downstairs, pharmacy and behavioral health.

August 8-14th is Indigenous Milk Medicine Week. When we speak about traditional foods, we may think of salmon, nettle, huckleberries or many of the other foods that we have hunted, fished or gathered since time immemorial.

We must also remember our first traditional food. Indigenous milk is a traditional sacred and sustainable food passed down to us by our ancestors. Indigenous milk provides numerous physical and mental health benefits for mother and baby.

We understand that not everyone is able to breastfeed/chestfeed, but if you are able, please consider sharing this traditional food source with your baby.

Back-to-school is right around the corner, and you know what that means. It's almost time for our annual health fair: School Days, Healthy Ways!

Mark your calendars for Friday, August 16 for this important event for all Puyallup Tribal Member patients age 4-19. From sports physicals to dental checkups, immunizations and health information, we've got you covered!

Call us at (253) 593-0232 to schedule your child now!

All patients will still be able to access same-day appointments downstairs, pharmacy and behavioral health.

We had so much fun at the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey 2024!

We enjoyed 4 fun-filled youth activity days where we taught youth a variety of health and wellness skills. From learning how to process big emotions, to making medicine, to a very popular watermelon eating contest, we had a fantastic time and made memories that will last a lifetime!

All the while, our medical staff provided top-notch first aid care to anyone who needed it.

A huge thank you to all of our staff, both those who were able to work at the event and those that ensured our services were still available to our patients back at PTHA.

We're out at the Power Paddle to Puyallup Youth Canoe Journey 2024 this weekend. Our team has been providing first aid services on site, from treating sprained ankles to small cuts and bumps, since landing and through Monday.

So far we are seeing a lot of heat related injuries and we want to remind everyone to take it easy in the heat. Drink lots of water. Seek shade. Wear sunscreen. Take many breaks. Check on elders.

We want to ensure that this is a fun, safe and healthy experience for everyone.

haʔł kʷ(i) adsəslabcəbut (Watch over yourself well).
tix̌ix̌dubut čəxʷ (Take care of yourself).

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death among American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) men and women. On World Lung Cancer Day we want you to know that there are things you can do to change this statistic for the future of our people.

Take these steps to reduce your lung cancer risk, and reduce the risk of lung cancer to others in your community.

• Keep To***co Sacred - Avoid the use of commercial to***co products like smoking ci******es and va**ng e-ci******es.
• Reduce Minors’ Access - Limit access to commercial to***co products and e-ci******es to help protect future generations. Do what you can to limit their exposure to second-hand smoke/va**ng too.
• Get Screened - Get regular check-ups and talk to your doctor to see if a screening for lung cancer is recommended.
• Test Your Home for Radon - Reduce exposure to radon by testing and making modifications to your home to prevent radon from accumulating.

If you need help quitting smoking, give us a call at (253) 593-0232 to schedule an appointment.

***coSacred

Due to staff shortage, the PTHA Lab will close for lunch between 12:00pm and 1:00pm this week, Wednesday, July 31 through Friday, August 2.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

This Sunday is World Hepatitis Day. Did you know American Indians/Alaska Natives are twice as likely to die from viral hepatitis, as compared to non-Hispanic whites?

Viral Hepatitis comes in many different strains. You can help prevent the spread of Hepatitis A and B by ensuring you and your children are up-to-date on your vaccinations.

Hepatitis C does not currently have a vaccination, but there is treatment available that can cure this previously-incurable infection, so testing is very important. Check with your doctor to see if a Hepatitis C test might be a good idea based on your medical history.

You can help prevent the spread of viral hepatitis to your family and community!



Source: US Department of Health and Human Services

We're excited to announce that we've brought on Dr. Mariam Savabi, MD, MPH to our team. Dr. Savabi is an Obstetrician and Gynecologist Specialist who will help us expand our access to OB/GYN care to patients in many different areas. She plans to begin offering expanded care in:
- Surgeries such as hysterectomy, hysteroscopy, tubal ligation
- Complex pap smears management
- Complex obstetric care
- Ultrasound
- Complex birth control
- Menopause management
- Initial infertility management
- Urinary issues
- Breast examination

🏳️‍🌈 Over the weekend Puyallup Tribal Health Authority participated in the Puyallup Tribe's annual Pride Event.

🏳️‍🌈 PTHA is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all of our patients. Eligible American Indians and Alaska Natives, living in Pierce County, can receive medical, dental, and behavioral health services regardless of their sexuality or gender.

PTHA continues to be impacted by global networking issues concerning Microsoft and CrowdStrike.

Due to the impact on patient care, MEDICAL, MEDICAL LAB and BEHAVIORAL HEALTH will CLOSE to patients at 3:00 PM today, Friday, July 19, 2024.

PHARMACY and DENTAL will REMAIN OPEN.

Please reach out to us if you have questions or concerns.
Thank you for your patience!

⏱ The clock is ticking!

Have you scheduled your children's annual wellness exams and sports physicals yet? Before you know it, summer will be over and fall sports will be underway. Call (253)593-0232 to schedule today!

Earlier this year, our Nurse Home Visitor Program celebrated a special milestone as Nacie, the youngest member of the Sam family turned two. Around the time her older brother Kalum turned two, Nacie came along, which means the Sam family received the care and support of our dedicated Nurse Home Visitor, Colrain Fragoso BSN, RN, for over 4 years.

PTHA’s Nurse Home Visitor program is for any PTHA eligible pregnant mom who would like extra support during pregnancy and until the baby turns two. Nurse Home Visitors provide care coordination, health and parenting education, resources, and a single point of contact with a nurse via text or call. Visits may be in-clinic, at home, virtual, or even at a community park, with flexible schedules to fit every family's unique needs. Some families meet very regularly with their nurse, while others find occasional visits offer the perfect amount of support for their needs.

If you are a PTHA eligible patient who is pregnant or has a child under two, and you could use the support of our Nurse Home Visitor Program, give us a call at (253) 593-0232 to schedule today!

The National Weather Service is predicting moderate to extreme heat for much of Washington by the end of this week. Be sure to keep an eye on the temperature and pay special attention to people with health conditions, elders, and infants, to prevent heat exhaustion, heat stroke, or other heat-related illnesses.

Last week, we celebrated the arrival of our new residents Dr. Supreet Ghumman, Dr. Alec Joshongeva-Petersen, Dr. Shelby Koch, and Dr. Alexandria McLearen.

While they are with us, they will use their extensive knowledge of medicine and learn to apply it under the guidance of their advisors, mentors and teams.

After introductions from Dr. Alan Shelton, David Tonemah, and Dr. William Chythlook, the residents were presented with hand-beaded stethoscopes. These stethoscopes will help them stand out as Puyallup Tribal Health Authority doctors as they make their way through rotations around area clinics and hospitals.

We are so excited to welcome these new doctors as they help further excellence in healthcare for Native people.

On Saturday, June 22, we celebrated our 2024 graduating residents:

Craig Wolfe, DO MA
Thomas Morello, DO
Nicole Labban, DO
Austin Rubinson, DO

Please help us congratulate them on the completion of their residency at PTHA. We are grateful they will each carry the teachings, traditions, and experiences they gained from PTHA, and our patients, wherever they go. We are so excited to see where their future takes them!