St. Joseph Medical Center

Yesterday, we teamed up with the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park for a special Prostate Cancer Awareness Month event. Fans and Mariners staff stepped up to the plate for their health, receiving free prostate cancer screenings via a simple blood draw.

Early detection saves lives. Thank you to everyone who participated and a special shoutout to the Moore in Common Alliance and Fans for the Cure for helping us spread awareness.

Learn more about prostate cancer screenings at https://ow.ly/iVLn50TloZO.

Today, we reflect on the courage and compassion that emerged in response to unimaginable tragedy. We honor the memory of those we lost and the strength of those who endured. Together, we hold onto hope, unity, and compassion, ensuring their legacy lives on.

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!

St. Joseph Medical Center’s new internal medicine residents enjoyed a night at a Mariners game where they were able to kick back and relax after a busy first few weeks!

Today the St. Joseph Medical Center NICU Reunion hosted over 75 NICU graduates and their families at Cheney Stadium. The NICU team had a great time reconnecting with patients during the BBQ buffet in right field. We couldn't have asked for a better summer day to celebrate babies and baseball. Thank you to all who took part in making this special day a home run!

In fall 2022, St. Joseph Medical Center received approval for a cardiovascular fellowship, becoming the second ACGME-accredited cardiovascular fellowship program across Washington, Montana, Idaho and Alaska. The three-year fellowship is led by Gopi Dandamudi, MD, MBA. The fellows have completed their postgraduate internal medicine residency training and will join our 160 providers at The Center for Cardiovascular Health (CCH) at VMFH on July 10. Please welcome Dr. Pakanati and Dr. Mishra! Pictured: Keerthana Pakanati, MD and Kunal Mishra, DO with Program Director Gopi Dandamudi, MD, MBA and Program Administrative Assistant, Marie Killmer

Marc Goldman, MD, from St. Joseph Medical Center's neurosurgery team, is our latest Gold Star Award honoree. He was recognized by his colleague for his willingness to provide assistance to other providers requesting guidance, for being kind, professional, thoughtful and compassionate, and for his support of our patients. Thank you, Dr. Goldman! You deserve 10 gold stars!

Recognizing St. Joseph Medical Center's Megan Crouch, RN for serving with compassion and empathy. A patient recently shared that it meant a lot to him that Megan had taken the time to connect with him and his wife in a meaningful way, making him feel safe and like he was seen as a person. Thank you, Megan, for your positivity and support and for delivering excellent care to our patients!

Congratulations to St. Joseph Medical Center’s Employee of the Quarter, Johanne Pozas. Nominated by her peers in Dietary, Johanne “has been the glue that has held the department together.” From her nomination: “Johanne goes above and beyond in every way possible. I don’t know how to put into words how valuable Johanne truly is. She somehow gets everything done and always puts the patient's safety first”. Her team would like her to know how important and valued she really is. Thank you, Johanne, for the incredible work you do here at St. Joseph Medical Center!

St. Joseph Medical Center’s Food and Nutrition Services (FNS) donated catering equipment to various community schools, churches, and community centers. Their supplies reached many organizations within our community including Peace Community Centers, Life Christian Academy, Bryant Neighborhood Center, and Multicultural Child and Family Hope Center. Thank you, FNS, for your generosity, thoughtfulness, and commitment to our community!

We'd like to give a special shoutout to St. Joseph Medical Center's Cook Lead Jai Gupta and Manager Nutritional Services, Beth Lowe pictured here.

Racquel Navarro, RN, is St. Joseph Medical Center's latest DAISY award honoree. From her nomination: "Racquel was my nurse last night on the 9th floor, D Quad. It takes a special person to be a nurse and to do it so effortlessly. It was apparent the first hour of her shift that she loves being a nurse. She loves making people feel better and continues to do all she can no matter what the situation is.

Yesterday was an extremely hard day for me. Pain level stayed around a 9 the entire day...Racquel took the time to listen to me making sure I understood what was happening while assuring me I was in good hands....Her communication skills were outstanding and her warm caring personality shined brightly. Her encouraging words left me with peace in my heart and hope for a better day...It was truly an honor to have you as my nurse."

Celebrating St. Joseph Medical Center's 9th floor Med/Surg team for their excellent work with Multipledisciplinary Rounding (MDR). Thank you for the care and compassion you provide to our patients and their families, and for your commitment to helping them get better and back home. We couldn't be more grateful!

Ashley Lemay, RN, 2 South, is St. Joseph Medical Center's most recent DAISY Award honoree. From her nomination: "I was admitted to the hospital after I was two days away from discharge from my rehab facility. My boyfriend was sick, and my best friend was helping him and us in many ways. To say I was stressed is an understatement.

I met Ashley, the RN, and she is the best nurse on the floor. She is sensitive to the needs of others, follows through quickly on what I needed, and she made me feel so comfortable...Ashley was an advocate for me, getting me additional help from the manager, and making sure she was my nurse so that I could be confident and comfortable with my care. Ashley has great attention to detail, and she takes the time to explain things so that I can know how to move forward in my care. She took the time to explain my oxygen saturation to me in a way that I could know how to make a difference so that I could get to where I need to go and focus on my sick loved one.

Ashley should get this award because when she walks into a room, you can see she cares, she takes the time to teach other nurses to care like her, and I am thankful for her. Please recognize her impact on the lives of the patients she works with."