LATE SUMMER 2024 DEVOTED TO HEALTHFUL LIVING 3 BuildCMH update: Site work begins! 6 Meet a CMH caregiver: Lauren Knutsen, RN Inside Trust your heart to CMH: Meet our Cardiology team
Keeping hearts healthy By Nicole Williams, COO A few years ago, the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic had just two providers. In 2024, the clinic will grow from our four current providers to six, welcoming two new cardiologists: Tyler Schulz, DO, and Kevin Wei, MD. In the years since Diana Rinkevich, MD, helped start the clinic in 2010, the clinic has grown immensely. Our providers diagnose, treat and manage a wide range of heart and vascular conditions. Last year, the clinic surpassed 10,000 patient encounters in one year, including nurse visits, EKGs, and cardiac imaging and monitoring. When patients need more specialized care, our relationship with Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) in Portland allows for a seamless transition of care between the two hospitals. Each month, we have Khidir Dalouk, MBBS, visit from OHSU to complete specialized procedures that can be done in Astoria. Many of our patients undergo heart surgeries at OHSU and receive follow-up care and cardiac rehabilitation here at Columbia Memorial Hospital. As the leading provider of cardiovascular care in the region, expanding with additional providers means we can get patients in more quickly and help more patients with heart conditions. Our mission statement reads, “We help people live their healthiest lives,” and this growth in our Cardiology Clinic will help us do more of that. See Astoria from new heights with the Great Columbia Crossing Have you ever wondered what it’s like to walk or run the span of the AstoriaMegler Bridge? This is your chance! The CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic has proudly sponsored the Great Columbia Crossing 10K Run/Walk for more than 12 years. The race takes place Sunday, Oct. 13, 2024. This annual event gives 3,500 participants access to cross the Astoria-Megler Bridge, which is North America’s longest continuous truss bridge. It is family-friendly and open to runners and walkers of all skill levels. 2024 marks the 42nd year of the race. We are thrilled to support the race once again, and we hope it’s an opportunity for our community to get their hearts pumping. See you on the bridge Oct. 13! SIGN UP ONLINE Register for the race at greatcolumbiacrossing.com. The cost is $50 through Oct. 9. Hurry — the race almost always sells out! 2 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SUMMER 2024
BUILDCMH UPDATE Site work begins in preparation for groundbreaking Coming soon — the BuildCMH Expansion Project! But first, we need to do some initial site work, including utility reroutes and parking lot development. Through the end of summer and early fall, you can expect to see construction around the hospital’s Astoria campus. This work is in preparation for the upcoming groundbreaking and construction for the BuildCMH Expansion Project. If you have appointments in Astoria, we encourage you to plan extra time in case you encounter construction work along the way. Some of the work includes patient experience upgrades, such as burying power lines for an improved view of the Columbia River! This will benefit patients when they are housed on the upper floors of the expanded hospital, as well as patients on the second floor of the Cancer Center. Here’s what else you can expect: • Certain buildings on campus will be demolished to make way for new parking areas and a temporary helipad. • The Cancer Center driveway entrance at 19th and Exchange will be closed for one week (date TBD) to complete utility work. Signage will be in place to direct patients to get to the parking lot via Franklin. Ambulances and the mobile PET/CT unit will still be able to access the Cancer Center. • A water main will be relocated, resulting in short, separate closures of 19th St., 20th St. and 22nd St. (dates TBD; patients will still be able to access parking, although some street parking along Exchange will be blocked for periods of time). Patients will be notified of this work via signs and flyers. Please note any new signage for traffic control and fenced utility work areas, and do not park in blocked off areas. We will continue to keep you updated as the site work progresses. Visit columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh. COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG LATE SUMMER 2024 3
May 2015: OHSU cardiologist Charles Henrikson, MD, surgically implants cardiac devices in two patients at CMH, allowing for implantable cardiac defibrillator or pacemaker surgeries to be done locally. October 2010: CMH Cardiology Clinic opens under the leadership of cardiologist Diana Rinkevich, MD, with one nurse. Timeline of CMHOHSU Health Cardiology Clinic Trust your heart to CMH Diana Rinkevich, MD Board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine for cardiovascular disease and the National Board of Echocardiography Diana Rinkevich, MD, is the medical director of the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic and the CMH Cardiac Rehab Program. She helped found the Cardiology Clinic at CMH in 2010. Dr. Rinkevich is an associate professor of medicine at Oregon Health & Science University. She received her medical degree from the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. She completed a residency in internal medicine and a four-year cardiology fellowship at Rambam Medical Center in Haifa, Israel. Dr. Rinkevich also completed a cardiovascular imaging fellowship at the University of Virginia and a residency in internal medicine at Jackson Memorial Hospital, Miami. Timothy Becker, DO Board-certified in cardiology, internal medicine and nuclear cardiology by the American Osteopathic Board of Internal Medicine Timothy Becker, DO, joined the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic in August 2020. Dr. Becker earned his doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Western University of Health Sciences in Pomona, California. He completed an internship and residency in internal medicine, as well as a fellowship in cardiovascular medicine, at Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, Oregon. In addition to his board certifications in internal medicine, cardiology and nuclear cardiology, Dr. Becker is boardeligible for echocardiography. Heather McLean, FNP-C Board-certified by the American Association of Nurse Practitioners Family nurse practitioner Heather McLean joined the CMHOHSU Health Cardiology Clinic in June 2020. McLean earned both her master’s and bachelor’s degrees in nursing from Oregon Health & Science University. She has over 14 years of experience as a nurse practitioner and has spent more than 11 years working in cardiology. Prior to earning her master’s degree, she worked for nearly 20 years as a nurse. Dave Cantrell, PA-C Board-certified by the National Commission on Certification of Physician Assistants Physician assistant Dave Cantrell has been a full-time provider in the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic since November 2022. Meet our Cardiology team 4 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SUMMER 2024
Cantrell earned his master’s degree in physician assistant studies from the University of Nebraska Medical Center. He has more than 20 years of experience as a physician assistant in cardiology, providing care in busy referral centers in the Pacific Northwest. During his career, he has also worked at health care organizations in Washington state and Idaho as a physician assistant, registered nurse, paramedic and flight paramedic. Kevin Wei, MD Board-certified in cardiology by the American Board of Internal Medicine Kevin Wei, MD, joined the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic in August 2024. Dr. Wei went to medical school at the University of Toronto in Canada, where he also completed a residency and fellowship. He has a special certification in echocardiography from the National Board of Echocardiography and is especially interested in how it helps providers see the structure and pumping function of the heart better. Dr. Wei sees patients who have a variety of heart problems, including heart valve conditions. Tyler Schulz, DO Board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine Tyler Schulz, DO, will join the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic in early September 2024. Dr. Schulz earned his medical degree from Pacific Northwest University in Yakima, Washington. He completed a residency in internal medicine and a fellowship in general cardiology with Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Corvallis, Oregon. Today: The clinic now has six providers. 2023: The CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic surpasses 10,000 provider and ancillary encounters in the clinic. July 1, 2021: The CMH Cardiology Clinic is renamed the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic in an expansion of the collaboration between CMH and OHSU. 2019: Two providers serve patients at the clinic. Patient receives new heart, participates in CMH Cardiac Rehab For 50 years, Janet Hansen had no idea she was born with a heart problem. In September 2022, she noticed that, physically, she wasn’t doing well. At her first appointment with the Providence Advanced Heart Failure team in Portland, the doctor took her hands and said, “You need a heart transplant.” “That was kind of the beginning,” Hansen says. Hansen was referred to CMH Cardiac Rehab before and after her transplant. She took a look at the exercise machines in the Cardiac Rehab gym and was a little intimidated. She had never been able to be a physically active person, and, looking back, she now understands why. This time, she knew she had to do the hard work for the transplant to be successful. The caregivers she encountered in Cardiac Rehab were friendly and matter-of-fact, showing her which machines and settings to use. She previously had trouble using her arms while exercising, because her heart couldn’t take the stress. In Cardiac Rehab, she worked to build up her arm and leg strength. “They really care, and when you have to come, this isn’t just a gym — if you’ve been referred here, there are a lot of emotions that go along with that,” Hansen says. “They are so caring, and they’re never judgmental about anything. The other people with you are pretty much in the same boat, and it’s nice to have people that understand what you’re going through. “I just want to say a huge thank-you to the people I’ve worked with here. They’ve been awesome,” she says. GET STARTED Patients need a referral from a physician to participate in Cardiac Rehab. If you’ve had a heart problem, ask your primary care provider or your cardiologist if Cardiac Rehab is right for you. To learn more, visit columbiamemorial.org/cardiac-rehab. COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG LATE SUMMER 2024 5
Meet a CMH caregiver Lauren Knutsen, RN, is dedicated to heart health Lauren Knutsen is a registered nurse in the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic. Knutsen has been with CMH for more than six years and has enjoyed working with and learning about the many devices used in the clinic. The main parts of her day consist of interrogating patients’ devices and routine checks. “Interrogating” devices means to “look into” them to ensure they’re functioning properly. As a nurse in the clinic, she visits with patients to address hypertension, atrial fibrillation, heart failure and whatever patients need, she says. She also helps with a full array of testing, including stress echoes, nuclear medicine tests and exercise testing on the treadmill. In between appointments, nurses receive triage calls to support the patients and team. “I’ve been at the Cardiology Clinic for a while, so I’ve been able to see it evolve to what it is now,” Knutsen says. “One of the things I’ve learned and felt appreciative for is that I’ve been able to learn about devices and electrophysiology. That is what I found I love and enjoy. I mainly have device appointments where I interrogate patients’ devices, and a lot of those appointments are scheduled with the providers. I do a lot of follow-up device checks after OHSU Electrophysiology sees them as well, so patients don’t have to go back and forth to Portland.” Growing and evolving Knutsen is glad to see the Cardiology program expanding, enabling more implant device appointments right in the office. She has learned a lot about general cardiac health, especially while working with Khidir Dalouk, MBBS, an OHSU cardiologist who has a great deal of experience with devices. “We’re very lucky to have Dr. Dalouk here a couple of times a month,” Knutsen says. “Having the ability to work with some awesome providers, team members and their experience with electrophysiology and devices is amazing. They are all knowledgeable and very willing to help, and I learn from them daily. “We have a great leadership team. [My manager and supervisor are] very supportive and always want me to learn and make sure I can watch a device implant in the OR. They want to keep the Cardiology Clinic growing and evolving to be the best it can be.” Knutsen looks forward to the continued growth of the clinic and also the future hospital expansion. She hopes to see more cardiac device implantation on the coast, making it easier and more accessible for patients to receive them. “I know that’s what we’re working toward, and we’re doing that more often. Making those procedures more accessible for patients is a huge thing, and, luckily, we have OHSU’s influence,” Knutsen says. “I even had the opportunity to spend a day with the electrophysiologist at OHSU. We’re expanding on our device side, and there is so much that we offer with our great team and knowledgeable providers. That’s the biggest thing — being able to expand and provide more for a rural community.” Knutsen is glad to see the Cardiology program expanding, enabling more implant device appointments right in the office. 6 HEALTH COMPASS LATE SUMMER 2024
Inspired to serve CMH Board member donates $100,000 to expansion project Constance Waisanen has spent her life giving back to others. In May 2023, she became the BuildCMH Expansion Project’s first donor with a gift of $100,000 toward the project. Waisanen has served on the CMH Board of Trustees for 16 years and is a former board president. “I feel like I am blessed to live in one of the best communities on earth,” she explains. “My part of trying to keep that as one of the best communities on earth is the work I do with the Board.” Waisanen is a member of Peace First Lutheran Church, has worked on Habitat for Humanity projects in many countries and has volunteered for the Astoria Scandinavian Midsummer Festival, among other volunteer work. This summer, she was the admiral’s aide for the Astoria Regatta festival. Family values Growing up, Waisanen was inspired by her parents’ community service. Her grandparents were Finnish Lutheran immigrants. Her father was a farmer, and her mother was a teacher. “Both of them were very active in our community in groups like the 4-H, the PTA, the school board, and our church,” Waisanen says. “I come from a family where we’ve always been dedicated to giving back to our community.” Her father served as chairman of their local Moose Lake, Minnesota, area hospital’s Board of Trustees during its expansion. After graduating from the University of California, Waisanen moved to Knappa, Oregon. For 27 years, she worked as a chemical engineer at the Georgia-Pacific Wauna Mill. Since 2006, she has worked as a financial advisor for Thrivent Financial. Waisanen looks forward to the improvements that CMH’s expanded facility will bring the community. “I can’t even imagine how amazing it will be to have the new facility and be able to keep more people here at home for their treatment,” Waisanen says, noting the importance of local care. “The costs to families to get care elsewhere can be tremendous — paying for things like childcare, gas, time off of work — it all adds up. To have a 15-minute ride home from the hospital and be able to get back into your own bed to recover — that’s priceless. “I was honored to be the first giver to our capital campaign, and I hope you’ll join me.” GIVE TODAY FOR A BRIGHTER FUTURE To learn more about the BuildCMH Expansion Project or to make a donation, visit columbiamemorial.org/buildcmh-campaign. COLUMBIAMEMORIAL.ORG LATE SUMMER 2024 7
COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL 2111 Exchange St. Astoria, OR 97103 Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Salem, OR Permit No. 86 Find us on social media! @cmhcommunity @cmhcommunity linkedin.com/company/ columbia-memorial-hospital @cmhcommunity Walk with the Doc Over the summer, Diana Rinkevich, MD, cardiologist in the CMH-OHSU Health Cardiology Clinic, led two “Walk with the Doc” events along the Astoria Riverwalk and at Fort Stevens State Park. Participants were encouraged to reduce their risk of heart disease by joining the walks and exercising at least 30 minutes a day. Visit columbiamemorial.org/ events to find future “Walk with the Doc” and other health-focused events. Cover photo by Austin Miller, CMH videographer and graphic designer. CMH HEALTH COMPASS is published as a community service by COLUMBIA MEMORIAL HOSPITAL, a Planetree Gold-Certified Person-Centered Care Facility. 2111 Exchange St., Astoria, OR 97103, telephone 503-325-4321, website: columbiamemorial.org For information about CMH HEALTH COMPASS: Sarah Bello, MBA, Marketing Manager Robert Holland, MD, PhD President, Board of Trustees Erik Thorsen, MBA, CPA, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Nicole Williams, MPA, FACHE Chief Operating Officer Christopher Strear, MD, FACEP Chief Medical Officer Information in CMH HEALTH COMPASS comes from a wide range of medical experts. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. 2024 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Jarrod Karnofski, DPT, ATC, MSHCA Vice President, Ancillary and Support Services Judy Geiger, RN, MBA Vice President, Patient Care Services Christopher Laman, PharmD, MBA Vice President, Strategy Brandon Parker, MBA, CPA Vice President, Finance Nicole Perez, BSHA, MSITM Vice President, Health Information Services
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