Tuesday, September 24, 2013

WGU Washington Enrolls 5,000th Student

WGU Washington reached a significant milestone this week, enrolling its 5,000th student.  
The largest affiliate of Western Governors University in the country, WGU Washington is a flexible, affordable alternative to traditional higher education options, allowing adults who are balancing family, careers and other responsibilities to go back to school and earn their degrees. 

The fact WGU Washington reached this latest enrollment milestone so shortly after its founding (the school was established by the state legislature in 2011) reflects the increasing demand for non-traditional higher education options in Washington state.

WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten explained in a news release yesterday, Washingtonians “understand a degree is important in today’s job market.”  Floten continued to say WGU Washington’s model works particularly well for working adults because it offers busy students the flexibility to study on their own schedule.

WGU Washington’s competency-based curriculum affords students an increased level of flexibility and value.  Because the university awards credits based on learning, as opposed to hours spent in class, students are able to utilize existing knowledge to move through the course material as quickly as they like.  This innovative model has earned Western Governors University recognition from President Obama and, locally, serves as the model for similar programs being adopted by community colleges throughout the Puget Sound region.

Congratulations again to WGU Washington on reaching this impressive milestone – we can’t wait to see what the innovative university achieves next!    

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Overlake Medical Center Offers Free Health Screenings

Overlake Medical Center is offering free health screenings in celebration of the second annual Eastside Vitality Health Month.  All September long, Overlake Medical Clinics across the Eastside have been hosting health fairs intended to familiarize Eastside residents with primary care physicians and cardiologists in their communities.

Eastside Vitality Health Month’s final event will take place Saturday, Sept. 28 at Overlake’s main hospital campus in Bellevue from 8 a.m. – 11 a.m.  Attendees will have the opportunity to receive skin cancer spot checks, target heart rate readings and body mass index readings.  Additionally, nutritionists will be available to discuss diabetes and provide tips for healthy eating and the Bellevue Fire Department will conduct CPR and automatic external defibrillator demonstrations.

According to Overlake President and CEO Craig Hendrickson, the goal of this month’s health fairs is to provide the Eastside with the resources and opportunity to prevent serious health conditions before they occur and encourage individuals to manage conditions they may already have. 
Learn more about Eastside Vitality Health Month here, and be sure to check out the community health fair on Saturday, September 28 at Overlake Medical Center’s Main Campus in Bellevue!

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Quicker, More Precise Cancer Treatment Offered at Overlake

Overlake Medical Center is now treating cancer patients more quickly and with greater precision than ever before. The new TrueBeam radiotherapy and radiosurgery treatment system from Varian Medical Systems is an innovative, image-guided radiotherapy technology that enables a radically different approach to cancer treatment.  With TrueBeam, doctors are able to identify the optimal treatment approach and decrease treatment time – both great things for patients! 

The first patient to receive treatment with the hospital’s new system recently completed his course of treatment for lung cancer.  William Brent Reece, M.D., began treating the patient on July 2. 

With dose delivery rates that are 40 to 140 percent higher than earlier versions of similar technology, the TrueBeam system completes patients’ treatments more quickly.  This makes it possible to both improve precision and offer greater patient comfort by shortening treatment times.  “Intelligent” automation further speeds treatments by reducing the number of steps needed for image guidance and dose delivery up to fivefold.

According to James Pelton, M.D., who plays an instrumental role in patient care with TrueBeam, “Imaging is an essential part of modern-day, targeted radiotherapy.  This machine allows us to minimize the amount of X-ray needed to generate an image.”

The TrueBeam imager produces three-dimensional images with 25 percent less X-ray dose than was previously required.  These images are in turn used to fine-tune tumor targeting in 60 percent less time than older technologies.  Such efficiencies further increase treatment speed and, accordingly, improve patient comfort. 

The introduction of the TrueBeam system is just one example of the exciting and innovative ways Overlake Medial Center is promoting the health of Eastside residents - Overlake is also offering free health screenings at its clinics throughout the month of September.  Stay tuned for more details!

Monday, September 9, 2013

3, 2, 1, Liftoff!

The sun rises on Raisbeck Aviation High School's first day
The countdown is over - it's time for liftoff at Raisbeck Aviation High School!

The high school's new, state-of-the-art facility opened its doors today, welcoming students to the first day of the 2013-14 school year.

While there are many things that make Raisbeck Aviation High School unique - it's the only aviation-themed high school in the Northwest, for starters - the school's new location on campus at the Museum of Flight presents a particularly exciting opportunity for development and engagement. The Museum can function as a source of both information and inspiration for students at RAHS, offering access to archives and artifacts and providing a backdrop unlike any other.  What better place to dive in to a curriculum heavily rooted in science, technology, engineering and math?

We're excited for the students and teachers to get situated in their new home and can't wait to get a tour of the building at the official grand opening on Oct. 17! Here's to a great year!