MultiCare Health System

10/30/2025

When Crystal Ossello arrived at the MultiCare Deaconess Hospital labor and delivery unit for her scheduled cesarean section, she walked into a room decorated in celebration of her daughter’s birthday.

As the only baby born that day on the floor, Harlow had everyone’s attention regardless of how different her life looked. Ossello was 12 weeks pregnant when Harlow was diagnosed with a fatal and untreatable birth defect.

The day Harlow was born, though, was magical, she says. Harlow spent 15 hours surrounded by family and visitors, receiving constant love and attention, and hospital staff reminded everyone it was OK to celebrate her life.

“Her life is important, just different,” Ossello says.

After Harlow’s death, the family was given the option of using a CuddleCot to spend more time together. The cooling bassinet provides continuous temperature management to extend the time families have with their infant after death, explains Anissa McCrum, Deaconess Hospital mother-baby unit nurse manager.

“Each grieving parent has their own length of time they want to bond with their baby after they pass,” McCrum says. “It could be half a day or a few days, depending on their needs. The CuddleCot keeps their bodies in better condition … and allows them more time to say special goodbyes.”

For Ossello, those three days with Harlow in the CuddleCot were life-changing.

After using a CuddleCot with her own daughter, a MultiCare employee donates one to Deaconess Hospital to help support grieving families.

10/29/2025

Today is World Stroke Day, do you know the BE FAST signs of stroke?

Calling 911 to get quality treatment fast for someone having a stroke is crucial. The sooner they get treatment, the better their chances of survival and avoiding serious disability. multicare.org/stroke

10/28/2025

Although the term midwife was historically defined as a person who assists women during childbirth, modern midwives specialize in both obstetric and gynecologic care.

“We provide routine gynecologic care throughout a patient’s lifespan, from adolescence to postmenopause, with a focus on having a healthy lifestyle,” says Alyssa Martsching, CNM, ARNP, a certified nurse-midwife with MultiCare Rockwood Clinic OB/GYN & Midwifery Center.

Everyone has their own unique needs. Midwives understand that and are known for personalizing a patient’s care around those needs.

From adolescence to postmenopause, midwives specialize in both obstetric and gynecologic care

10/27/2025

Pacific Northwest winters spell shorter days, dreary skies and plunging temperatures, yet for many the changes that accompany “The Big Dark” go beyond the weather.

Millions of Americans live with seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of clinical depression related to the change of seasons.

If you find yourself experiencing the winter doldrums from year to year, it could be SAD. Whether you just feel a little down or your symptoms are more serious, there are treatments available and lifestyle changes you can make to stabilize your mood and support your mental health year-round.

Millions of Americans experience seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of clinical depression related to the changing of seasons.

10/25/2025

The flu season has started, and cases are expected to ramp up in the coming months. The best time to get a flu shot is now, says Gretchen LaSalle, MD, a family medicine physician at MultiCare Rockwood Clinic – Quail Run.

“Don’t wait till Halloween. Get your flu shot as soon as you can, because it takes a couple weeks to start protecting you,” she said.

While prepping Halloween costumes, Spokanites should also get a flu shot while stopping by their local pharmacy, according to local health experts.

10/24/2025

You’re invited to join us for the grand opening event of MultiCare Emergency – Union Gap. Enjoy free food, family activities, and more as we celebrate good health together.

📅 Saturday, November 1, 2025
⏰11 am – 2 pm
📍38 Adelyn Way, Union Gap, WA

RSVP: https://emerus.co/MTC_UnionGap_CommunityEvent_RSVP

10/24/2025

When Elaine Smith's mammogram initially revealed a mass, her care team moved quickly, led by surgeon Eunice Cho, MD, at MultiCare Cancer Institute – Tacoma General Hospital. Within a few weeks, she was undergoing surgery.

Facing her fears head-on, she drew strength from her strong support network of family, friends and colleagues, as well as her team of providers.

“The minute I’d walk into the clinic or hospital, I just felt supported,” Smith reflects. “Even in the midst of something as awful as it was, I never once felt alone and only felt care and love from the MultiCare team.”

When caught early, breast cancer is very treatable. The keys to prevention or catching it early: knowing your risk factors, symptoms to look for and when to start screening.

10/23/2025

When we think of a person having a heart attack, the image is often of someone experiencing crushing chest pain that radiates down the arm.

But not everyone has these classic symptoms. In fact, some experience what’s called a silent heart attack — where there are no symptoms at all, mild symptoms or symptoms that are not commonly associated with a heart attack.

There are no routine screenings available that detect blockages in the heart, so your best protection against heart attacks is to follow a healthy lifestyle. Read our article about what steps you can take to nurture your heart health.

Women and diabetics have an increased risk of silent heart attacks, which have symptoms that are subtle, atypical or not present.

10/22/2025

Did your son's voice just drop an octave? Is your daughter suddenly dealing with more pimples than usual?

The telltale signs of puberty are showing.

Here, we break down what you should look for and when to get support for your child as they navigate the many changes that come with maturing.

Wondering if your child is hitting puberty? Learn the signs and get simple tips to support them through this big change — without the awkwardness.

10/22/2025

Car seat safety requirements changed recently — let’s catch you up.

Learn how to check that children's car seats

10/21/2025

If you’re dealing with persistent shoulder pain that’s affecting your sleep and daily activities, you might be surprised to learn that shoulder replacement could be an option for you.

Although not as well-known as hip or knee replacement — which most people are familiar with through friends or family members who have had one — shoulder replacement is equally transformative.

MultiCare orthopedic surgeon Rufus Van D**e, MD, discusses when shoulder replacement surgery is appropriate, how it works and what recovery looks like.

10/20/2025

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?