Our favorite stories of 2018

December 27, 2018 | By MultiCare Health System
Daze the dog provides comfort and companionship to children to give them reprieve from traumatic experiences. She turned 4 this year.

As this year winds down, we’re reflecting on the inspiring stories happening every day in our health system. Read on for our favorites from 2018.

Big gloves to fill: 5 things to know about Sheldon Arkin

Sheldon Arkin

MultiCare’s beloved horticulturalist and landscape designer Sheldon Arkin is well known for his work over the past 30 years. Here are a few facts you may not know.

Volunteer sews tiny gowns for grieving parents

Bereavement gowns - Shannon MacFarlane Photography

The children Katie Foster sews for are loved, and their short lives mattered. That’s the message she hopes to give the grieving parents whose children are lovingly clothed in her bereavement gowns.

MultiCare’s furry, four-legged companion turns 4

Daze

Daze the dog provides comfort and companionship to children to give them reprieve from traumatic experiences. This year her biggest fans celebrated her 4th birthday.

New addiction program promotes respect and understanding, not judgment

Mom and baby

The new Substance Treatment and Recovery Training inpatient unit at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital offers mothers a place to recover from addiction and a chance for a healthier pregnancy.

‘I’m a miracle’: Father who survived Amtrak derailment shares story

Donnell and Quincy Linton

One year ago, Donnell Linton and his son Quincy were heading to Eugene, Oregon, on the inaugural run of a new Amtrak route. The train derailed at a curve on an overpass in DuPont, and what followed was nothing short of a miracle.

Therapy horse provides comfort to Mary Bridge patient with rare disorder

Carmel Hartman has a rare neurological disorder that is helped in part by therapeutic horseback riding. It wasn’t covered by insurance, but a Mary Bridge social worker connected the family to a special fund that covers comfort therapies to patients.

Stroke has no age limits

Desiree

Desiree West-McCarty shares her experience having a stroke in her mid-30s — and recovering in inpatient rehab at MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital.

Q&A: Improving health care for the LGBTQ community

Dr. Joseph Angel with patient Tacoma

We talked to Joseph Angel, MD, a family medicine provider at MultiCare, about challenges faced by the LGBTQ community and what health care providers can do to create a more welcoming and accepting environment for them.

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