Cardiothoracic
Program at Harrison
Gets High Rating
BREMERTON
Harrison Medical Center’s award-winning cardiothoracic surgery
program has achieved a three-star rating, the highest category of
quality, from the Society of Thoracic Surgeons for overall
performance.
The three-star rating was for the data reporting period of July 1,
2008, to June 30, 2009, and puts Harrison’s program in the top 10
percent of nearly 900 hospitals across the nation.
Harrison’s outcomes are the result of advanced technology and a
team of experts from board-certified surgeons to specially trained
nurses who have performed more than 1,200 open-heart surgeries.
Cardiothoracic surgeons R. Christopher King and William H. Reed III
lead the team.
Olalla-Based
Face Painter
Opens Business
OLALLA
Heidi Bennett has opened Whimsy Face Painting, a business
specializing in birthday parties and celebrations.
It offers cheek and full-face art, henna tattoos for teens and
adults, glitter tattoos and prenatal belly painting for baby
showers and photography.
Bennett recently won two second-place awards and one third-place
award in the West Coast Face Painters’ Forum’s monthly face
painting contest with her original designs. Whimsy Face Painting is
based in Olalla; it serves Kitsap County and Gig Harbor.
Reach Bennett at www.WhimsyFacePainting.com.
Harrison Graduates
Its First Nurse
Residency Group
BREMERTON
Harrison Medical Center graduated its first registered nurse
residency group in January, ending an 18-week training program.
This new program provides newly-licensed RNs with evidence-based
education and training.
The hospital worked with Versant, a nonprofit corporation
consisting of expert nurse educators, nurse researchers,
statisticians, and technology experts, to centralize resident
training across the organization.
Each of the 13 RN residents in the first group gained clinical
experience in various departments and areas to better understand
the patient experience. These new nurses were paired with
experienced nurses for clinical and classroom training. The program
is designed for a seasoned nurse to take the lead in care as the
new nurse gains confidence and valuable skills.
The new nurses also must demonstrate competency at the bedside and
in the classroom.
The program is funded by the Harrison Medical Center Foundation
campaign, Great Nurses for a Great Community, which supports
efforts to boost the recruitment and retention of nurses.
Graduates include Sherry Marrero, Rhonda Daniels, Jillian Lewis,
Dev Brierley, Lindsey Gearllach, Mike Hageman, Emily Radtke, Aubrey
Loudermilk, Sara Skjelstad, Brigitte Jewell, Catherine Tatara,
Rhoda Lambright and Cynthia Parker.
On the Job
• Eunice Beachy and Connie Morrison-Hoogstede, Harrison Medical
Center nurses, recently passed the Advanced Oncology Certified
Nurse Practitioner examination administered by the Oncology Nursing
Certification Corporation. There are less than 700 nurse
practitioners nationwide who hold the AOCNP credential. Both women
work at Harrison Bremerton’s Hematology and Oncology units and are
graduates of the University of Washington master’s program in Adult
Primary Care. Beachy also works at Harrison Poulsbo Hematology and
Oncology.
• Jason Parker, president of Parker Financial LLC, recently was
accepted as a member of Kitsap Alliance of Resources for Elders.
The organization is a team of independent professionals who have
joined to better serve the needs of older adults in the community.
Members are chosen for their expertise within their respective
fields.
• Dr. Sandon “Sandy” Saffier joined Harrison Medical Center in
February as new chief quality and medical officer. A plastic and
reconstructive surgeon by training, Saffier served for the past
nine years as a vice president and medical director, and director
of medical education at St. Joseph’s Medical Center in Stockton,
Calif.
• Ed Moydell, associate director of The Bloedel Reserve since May
2009, has been appointed executive director there by the board of
trustees. He previously was associate director of the Center for
Public Horticulture at the University of Delaware. A native of
Oklahoma, he graduated from Oklahoma State University with a
bachelor’s degree in public horticulture.
• The board of trustees of Bloedel Reserve has elected new officers
with Paul Kundtz, an attorney with the Seattle firm of Riddell
Williams, chosen to serve as president. Also serving on the board
will be Alison Andrews, vice president; Andy Maron, secretary; and
Stephen Davis, treasurer. Debbi Brainerd will continue to serve as
past president.
• Terry Fessner, a Navy veteran, entrepreneur, real estate investor
and restaurateur, recently was honored for participation in his
latest venture, as a caregiver for Home Instead Senior Care of
Bremerton. He was named Care Giver of the Year for his work with
the elderly.
• Casey McGrath has been named managing broker and Randy Taplin
assistant manager in the Poulsbo office of Windermere Real Estate.
McGrath has been with Windermere since 1991 and a Kitsap resident
for a decade before that. Taplin has been with Windermere since
2002, and a Kitsap resident since 1989.
• Nathan Edwards, a graduate of Regis University in Denver, Colo.,
with a doctorate in physical therapy since 2009, has joined Kitsap
Physical Therapy at its Silverdale office. He specializes in
treatment of cervical and lumbar spine disorders.
• Shelli Cates has joined Cobalt Mortgage, a Port Townsend lending
center, as a residential mortgage banker. She has more than 20
years experience in residential and construction lending, and
previously was employed by American Marine Bank, now Columbia Bank,
in the Port Ludlow branch. Reach her at (360) 379-6425 or e-mail
her at kelley@cobaltmortgage.com.
• Peter Taafe, a financial adviser and a certified financial
planner professional with Ameriprise Financial, recently was named
a 2010 Five Star Best in Client Satisfaction wealth manager in
Seattle Magazine. The award recognizes the top seven percent of
qualifying wealth managers in the Puget Sound area.
• Dawn Leibold of the Kitsap Sun, Debbie Stewart of KPS Health
Plans, Geoff Grindeland, a Bainbridge Island attorney, and Jane
Woodward of John L. Scott Poulsbo have been chosen to serve on the
board of United Way of Kitsap County. The board still needs
interested individuals who want to become involved in the community
and are interested in serving on the United Way board. For
information call David L. Foote, executive director, at (360)
377-8505 or e-mail him at dfoote@unitedwaykitsap.org.
Calendar
wednesday
What: A Homebuyers Seminar will cover everything from why to buy to
financing options. It will be presented by Tom Fletcher, Century
21; Gary Tapley, Republic Mortgage; Ted Benson, Lawyers Title; and
Joan Cartier, Vista Financial Planning Group.
When: 6 to 8 p.m.
Where: Century 21 Anchor Associates Office, 3608 Wheaton Way, next
to McDonalds.
Cost: Free.
Info: Call Tom Fletcher at (360) 551-2423.
April 6
What: The Kingston Chamber of Commerce will host Kitsap County
Sheriff Steve Boyer at its April 6 luncheon meeting. Send your
questions and concerns to the Kingston Chamber to be delivered to
the sheriff early, so that he can be prepared with information.
When: Noon
Where: Kingston Cove Yacht Club.
Cost: $15
RSVP: Call (360) 297-3813 no later than April 5.
April 6 & 10
What: Two no-cost homebuyers seminars, sponsored by
NWHomepartners.com, will be April 6 in Silverdale and April 10 in
Bremerton.
When: 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. April 6; 10 a.m. to noon April 10
Where: John L. Scott, 2244 NW Bucklin Hill Road in Silverdale, next
to Taco Del Mar, April 6; Kitsap County Fairgrounds Events Center
Training Room, downstairs and across the street from the Kitsap Sun
Pavilion, April 10.
Reservations & Info: Call (360) 698-8144, (360) 698-8106 or e-mail
Info@NWHomepartners.com
April 10
What: The Waterfront CPA Group is hosting a “CPA Shredfest” April
10. The public is invited to bring personal documents to the firm’s
parking lot for shredding by AllShred’s new mobile shredder. The
first 20 pounds are free; any amount above that will be 25 cents
per pound. All shredded waste will then be used to produce compost.
Participants also can also bring old computers, monitors,
televisions and laptops to be recycled through Washington State’s
ECycle program. The electronics will be accepted free.
Time: 9 a.m. to noon.
Place: 9657 Levin Road, Suite 250, in Silverdale.
Info: Call (360) 692-9000 or e-mail Melinda
April 14
What: The Greater Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce will host Kitsap
County Commissioner Steve Bauer.
When: 11:30 a.m. networking; noon luncheon
Where: Kiana Lodge, 14976 Sandy Hook Road NE in Poulsbo
May 20
What: The Port Orchard Chamber Business Showcase featuring the best
of SK Awards and business after hours is planned for May 20 in Port
Orchard. It is open for businesses, groups and associations to
showcase their businesses before hundreds of consumers, chamber
members and other business representatives.
When: 5 to 8 p.m.
Where: SK8Town Event Center in Port Orchard.
Voting: The public is encouraged to vote for their favorite SK
businesses. Best of SK Ballots are available at various Port
Orchard locations including the chamber office, Printing Services,
Port Orchard Independent and Port Orchard Kitsap Bank branches.
Ballots must be returned by April 23.
Registration: $100 for Port Orchard Chamber members; $200 for
nonchamber members; to register visit www.portorchard.com or call
the Chamber office at (360) 876-3505.
May 25 & Oct. 19
What: A workshop, “Business Success When Times are Tough,”
sponsored by the Kitsap Economic Development Alliance. It is
designed for small business owners and managers who need answers on
how to best navigate the current economy.
When: 7:30 a.m. to noon.
Where: Oxford Suites in Silverdale May 25, and Port Orchard
Pavilion Event Center in Port Orchard Oct. 19.
Registration: $20; visit www.kitsapeda.org.
Info: Call Kathy Cocus at (360) 377-0180 or e-mail
cocus@kitsapeda.org
Kitsap Sun staff
