Health Care

Surgeon inspired in breast cancer practice

Guthrie awed by courage, resilience of her patients

June 4, 2015

Dr. Carol R. Guthrie, founder of the Spokane Breast Center, located on the ground floor of the Sacred Heart Doctors Building, at 105 W. Eighth, readily acknowledges that she develops a personal connection with her patients.

Don't lose sight of heart health in fad-rich world

For parents, setting early good example is essential

June 4, 2015

Cherie Skager

Now, more than ever, it appears as though a new climate of health trends is sweeping the nation. Whether it be the latest cleanse, food elimination, or quick-fix fads, it's easy to get caught up in the diet of the day. But let's keep sight of our long

Women caring for women: A new model for Rockwood

Seven midwives, five docs emphasize choice in care

June 4, 2015

Judith Spitzer

Obstetricians and midwives both provide care to women during childbirth, and both work together at Rockwood OB/GYN & Midwifery Center, in a department that, by design, offers health care by women for women.

Northwest MedStar bucks trend

Nearly half of medical flight staff is women, despite more men entering field

June 4, 2015

Female nurses and respiratory therapists working for Northwest MedStar constitute nearly half the organization's in-flight staff, this despite the fact that across the country men tend to outnumber women by a wide margin.

Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute buys land in Spokane Valley for new center

Predevelopment info mulls new medical office building

May 21, 2015

Mike McLean

Pacific Cataract & Laser Institute Inc., a Chehalis, Wash.-based eye care center, has bought 2 acres of land at 16818 E. Desmet Court, where it plans to construct a medical office building for its Spokane-area operations, according to preliminary planning

Reducing preventable visits to emergency rooms

State coalition cites gains, attracts national attention

May 7, 2015

Staff Report

A coalition that has been working for several years to reduce preventable emergency room visits in Washington state claims it has improved utilization and quality of care, and created savings, while also drawing national attention for its efforts.

Taking a healing approach to opiate dependency

New practice here seeks to treat addiction causes

May 7, 2015

Kim Crompton

Dr. Randall Riggs, a psychiatrist, and Kimberly Stankovich, a veteran chemical dependency counselor, have opened an outpatient clinic east of downtown Spokane that they say is using an empathetic and healing approach to treat opiate-dependent patients.

WSU Spokane pharmacy students wins national research award

WSU effort seeks ways to slow, eradicate arthritis

May 7, 2015

Judith Spitzer

A Washington State University Spokane pharmaceutical sciences student has received a national award from the Rheumatology Research Foundation to fund research into slowing or eradicating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

Laser technology enhances cataract surgery, doctors say

Device is said to make more precise incisions

May 7, 2015

Two doctors at a Spokane Valley eye-care clinic say a laser device now aids them in the process of performing cataract surgery.

Pertussis rise triggers local call for vaccinations

Whooping cough outbreak boosts concerns by SRHD

May 7, 2015

Staff Report

Whooping cough (pertussis) is on the rise in Washington state, and people are being urged to get vaccinated against the disease, especially pregnant women, as infants are very susceptible to severe illness and even death from pertussis, the Spokane Region