MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital

10/08/2025

At the Core is a nonprofit with the mission of ensuring no child in Spokane County goes without food over the weekend. This organization is the point of connection between Second Harvest Inland Northwest — a Spokane-based food bank — and local businesses and churches to sponsor food access for school-age children via the Bite2Go weekend meal program.

Currently, At the Core has secured sponsorship at nearly every school in Spokane County — totaling more than 8,200 meal kits every Friday during the school year. And now the nonprofit is setting its focus on ensuring surrounding schools in rural Eastern Washington and North Idaho receive the same support.

Watch this video to learn more about At the Core and hear from one local business, NAI Black — a commercial real estate brokerage — that has been sponsoring Bemiss Elementary School for years.

10/08/2025

If you find yourself thinking “Another ear infection?” about your child, this article might be for you.

Cold and flu season often brings an increase of ear infections in children. In many cases, these infections are viral and resolve on their own or with a short course of antibiotics.

But are there other ways to prevent or reduce ear infections? Why do some children get them so often?

If you find yourself thinking “Another ear infection?” about your child, this article might be for you.

10/07/2025

You’re driving home from a late dinner with friends when you’re momentarily blinded by the headlights of oncoming traffic. You quickly blink away the bright spots in your vision, but notice that with each passing car it’s getting more difficult to clearly see the road. Then the rain hits, and the glare and bright spots becomes even brighter.

But everyone experiences this, right?

Seeing at night can be a challenge regardless of your vision health. What's normal and when should you talk to your doctor?

10/06/2025

As a Sumner resident for two decades, Elaine Smith had long been familiar with MultiCare Good Samaritan Foundation’s breast health fundraising walk, Come Walk With Me. But her own cancer journey gave it a whole new meaning.

“I remember saying to my friends, ‘I need to be part of that walk,’” Smith explains.

Her team, Elaine’s Rack Pack, has been a staple ever since.

“The first year, it was probably 10 or 12 of us … and over the years, our team has just gotten bigger and bigger,” Smith shares. “Now, we can hardly stay together when we walk because there’s just so many of us. I love having that problem.”

Elaine Smith participates in the MultiCare Good Samaritan Foundation's breast health fundraising walk. Read more about her experience and journey.

10/06/2025

“If you’re reading an article that raises some alarms or questions, you don’t want to put all your trust in that one article,” explains Gretchen LaSalle, MD, a family medicine provider at MultiCare Rockwood Clinic. “For science’s sake, you want to look at the overwhelming evidence, not just one piece. So, try looking it up from other sources and see if multiple people came to the same conclusion.”

That means doing some research and bringing questions to your doctor or other health care provider. When it comes to your health, though, it’s worth it.

Health literacy is the ability to conduct research and make informed health decisions. But how can you ensure accuracy?

10/04/2025

When caught early, breast cancer is very treatable. Understanding your risk factors, recognizing symptoms, and knowing when to begin screening are key to prevention and early detection.

Do you know your risk of developing breast cancer? Take our breast cancer risk assessment: https://multica.re/3VKRuHB

10/03/2025

Tossing and turning all night? Relying on a sleep aid? Or staring at the ceiling so long you’ve memorized the paint splatters?

It’s time to take a look at your sleep habits and see if insomnia might be at the root your restless nights. Because not being able to sleep isn’t just in your head.

What you call “bad sleep” might actually be insomnia — a diagnosed condition where your brain and body struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep or wake up feeling restored, even when given the opportunity to rest. https://multica.re/42mFmAi

10/02/2025

MultiCare is excited to share this milestone with Overlake Medical Center & Clinics and reflects our shared commitment to expanding access to compassionate, high-quality care in the North Sound region.

10/02/2025

Finding out you have fibroids may initially sound scary, but the reality is they’re more common than you may expect and typically don’t even require treatment.

That initial fear is largely rooted in misinformation. So, we’re breaking down what you should know about fibroids.

What are fibroids and how do they affect women? Learn about causes, symptoms and signs of fibroids, and treatment options.

10/01/2025

Many of us love an extra-spicy meal from time to time … but maybe not the feeling after. As the heartburn hits, so does the regret of upping that spice level.

But when does heartburn change from a temporary annoyance over one meal to something more serious?

Wondering if your heartburn is typical? Learn what's normal, what's not and when it's time to talk to a doctor.

09/30/2025

Today is neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) Awareness Day.

A stay in the NICU can be a stressful and emotional period. The experience is different for every family — knowing that it could be a long stay, parents should think of it as a marathon, not a sprint.

With everyone’s focus on caring for the newborn and postpartum mother, it’s easy for things like meals or other responsibilities to slip through the cracks. That’s where families and friends can make a difference.

Every NICU stay is different, but all families need support. Some ways to help include transportation, lodging, child care and meal prepping.

09/30/2025

Health goes beyond medicine — it’s about empowering individuals and strengthening communities to building a stronger, more resilient region for all.

09/01/2021

Matt Thoms has had low back pain and numbness in both of his legs off and on since he was a child. In 2018, he became completely dependent on a wheelchair.

After spending a month in the MultiCare Good Samaritan Inpatient Regional Rehabilitation Center, followed by outpatient rehab with his physical therapist, Lauren Christianson, he is now able to walk again.

“Lauren has been persistent with me and has pushed me. Because of her, I am no longer stuck in a wheelchair.”

By Kim Coleman, Manager, MultiCare Inpatient Rehabilitation Services Matt Thoms had been dealing with low back pain and numbness in both of his legs off and on since he was a child. At age 16, he underwent a lumbar fusion and then went a number of years without pain and numbness. But, in the past [....

07/16/2021

Exciting news –– Come Walk With Me will be happening in person this year on October 2! Head to comewalkwithmenow.org to sign up today.

Come Walk With Me is the largest breast cancer walk in Pierce County. Funds raised stay local and support breast health programs at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.

06/30/2021

This is your yearly reminder to be careful when using fireworks on the Fourth of July 💥
Check out our tips for celebrating safely this weekend:

Emergency rooms across the state are urging caution and awareness as we approach the Fourth of July.

06/17/2021

We are excited to announce that four MultiCare Pulse Heart Institute locations, including Good Samaritan Hospital, are among the nation's top performing hospitals for treatment of heart attack patients.

“This really is an impressive achievement for the entire team and it reflects all our efforts to provide the highest quality care…it's nice to see our efforts recognized by the American College of Cardiology.”
–Daniel Guerra, MD, Coronary Artery Disease COE Physician Leader

The award recognizes Good Samaritan Hospital, Auburn Medical Center, Tacoma General Hospital and Deaconess Hospital for their commitment to and success in implementing a higher standard of care for heart attack patients and signifies that they’ve reached an aggressive goal of treating these patients to standard levels of care as outlined by the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association clinical guidelines and recommendations.

06/12/2021

Taking care of our health is important. During Men's Health Month, we asked our physicians what are some common mistakes men make regarding their health (and how to fix it!).

What are the most common health mistakes men make? We asked our doctors.

06/08/2021

MultiCare's Pulse Heart Institute is the Pacific Northwest's destination for heart health, offering a comprehensive range of the most advanced cardiac, thoracic and vascular services available.

05/28/2021

The third and final part of our mindfulness series addresses why we should consider mindfulness as a way to manage stress and find clarity in our sometimes

The awareness practiced through mindfulness breaks the spell of running on autopilot and pulls us into a new way of being.

05/26/2021

Summer is just around the corner in the Pacific Northwest – are you giving your body the fuel it needs? Check out these tips to help keep you and your family going during your outdoor activities.

Being even slightly dehydrated during a workout can make a significant difference in how you feel and how well you perform. Tips to stay hydrated before, during and after your workout.

05/21/2021

MultiCare is now providing COVID-19 vaccines to those 12 years and older in the Puget Sound Region.

Schedule your first-dose vaccine appointment through our online vaccine scheduler (available for ages 13 and older) or by calling our toll-free vaccine line at 833-770-0530 (available for ages 12 and older).

Learn more:

COVID-19 vaccine appointments are in high demand and it’s important to understand that, even if you are eligible for a vaccine, appointments may not always be available.

05/21/2021

Is mindfulness for me? The answer is probably yes.

In part 2 of our 3-part mindfulness series, we debunk common myths and learn about the benefits of mindfulness, including reducing stress and anxiety, decreasing pain, and it's even been found to help with quitting smoking and eating healthy.

You may have a specific picture of someone who practices mindfulness, but the truth is that it is for everyone to use.

05/15/2021

You may have heard the term “mindfulness” before – but what does that really mean? In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, we are sharing our 3 part series on mindfulness and the benefits the practice can have for your daily life and any challenges you may face.

This three-part series is a brief intro to what mindfulness is and how to get started.

05/14/2021

For the continued safety of our staff, visitors and patients — many of whom are high-risk — all individuals, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a mask when they come to a MultiCare building. The CDC and state of Washington's recent updated guidance on masking for vaccinated individuals does not apply to health care settings, including hospitals, ambulatory clinics and skilled nursing facilities.

For more information about what to expect when you come to a MultiCare facility, please visit https://www.multicare.org/visitor-restrictions/

05/11/2021

Facilities Manager, Steve Prideaux is part of the outstanding team at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital. He gives thanks for the hospital’s dedication to stroke education — it’s the reason he is still here today.

During National Stroke Month, you can hear Steve’s full story at Corks & Crush on May 15, where 100 percent of donations will benefit stroke care training and education.

Register today at corksandcrush.org

05/11/2021

"Our hospitals have been the source of hope and help through the whole dark journey — open through long, difficult days and nights, staffed with committed teams doing their jobs, the bulwark from which we confronted an unprecedented challenge. It is not exaggerating when we describe hospitals as indispensable community assets, providing critical support for the entire nation as we have slowly made our way through the COVID-19 crisis."

Read more of Bill Robertson's reflections on our hospital staff during National Hospital Week:

May 9-15 is National Hospital Week. In this column, MultiCare President and CEO Bill Robertson shares his gratitude with MultiCare's hospital teams.

05/09/2021

Like mother, like daughter. For Mother's Day, meet mother daughter duo Traysi Montgomery and Amber Nelson. Traysi works as an executive assistant, and her daughter Amber is an ICU nursing assistant.

"My mom inspired me to work in health care. She started at Tacoma General Hospital and I used to go with her to “take your child to work days” or just go visit her, so I met a lot of people, talked to a lot of people and saw a lot that happens at hospitals. That’s where I found my passion, and it has led me to working in a hospital, in the ICU as a CNA and a future RN."

The best part of working together? "We get to have breakfast together every other omelette Wednesday!"

05/04/2021

MultiCare partners with Medical Teams International to offer free dental services for individuals on Medicaid, people experiencing homelessness or those that are uninsured.

Learn more about the services provided and pop up clinic dates and locations:

MultiCare and Medical Teams International are bringing free dental care to several South King County locations, thanks to a grant from HealthierHere.

05/03/2021

Many families are understandably excited about the idea of gathering in person on Mother's Day this year. We asked two MultiCare experts what to keep in mind when deciding whether to visit your mother or grandmother for Mother’s Day.

04/30/2021

At the MultiCare Changing Minds Virtual Luncheon on May 13, you’ll meet Jaclyn.

Having experienced suicidal thoughts for decades and challenges such as Substance Use Disorders and houselessness, Greater Lakes Mental Healthcare — part of the MultiCare Behavioral Health Network — helped her find a new beginning. With help from donors, Jaclyn and her husband started their recovery journeys through Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness, peer counseling and more.

Learn more about Jaclyn’s story at multicare.org/changing-minds/program-speakers.