New device at Overlake Hospital helps cure atrial fibrillation

Overlake Hospital Medical Center's electrophysiology program is using new pressure feedback technology to increase success rates in a procedure to cure atrial fibrillation.


Atrial fibrillation is the most common type of heart arrhythmia and currently affects 2.5 million American adults. In a heart suffering from atrial fibrillation, irregular electrical signals are produced in the heart, creating a fast or irregular heartbeat.


In the 1990s Doctor Michael Haissaguerre and his team identified electrical signals from the pulmonary veins as the cause of atrial fibrillation. Haissaguerre then originated the technique of isolating signals from the pulmonary veins as a cure.


This procedure is now commonly conducted surgically by a catheter device inserted up an artery in the leg which allows the surgeon to map the interior of the heart. After this is completed, the surgeon uses radio frequency to create lesions around the pulmonary vein, creating a barrier to unwanted electrical signals. This surgery provides a less invasive alternative to an open-heart procedure.


To perform this procedure accurately, surgeons need to apply the perfect amount of pressure with the tip of the catheter on the walls of the heart. If too little pressure is applied lesions will not form effectively and if too much pressure is applied the tissue could be perforated. Previously surgeons had to perform this procedure somewhat blind in terms of the pressure applied, causing a 10 to 20 percent error rate where surgeons applied too little pressure.


Today, Overlake is the first hospital to use the ThermoCool SmartTouch, a catheter that provides computer feedback on the amount of pressure being applied during atrial fibrillation procedures. According to the Bellevue Reporter, before the introduction of the TermoCool SmartTouch, surgeons with Overlake had been able to achieve an 80 to 90 percent success rate of non-recurrence in patients. The new catheter improves accuracy in the amount of pressure applied and has the ability to create 3D maps of the interior of the heart.


Earlier this month, Overlake Hospital demoed the new technology for reporters. Check out Daniel Nash's piece from Monday's Bellevue Reporter here!

Reflections from WGU Washington Grads

WGU Washington's commencement ceremony is fast approaching and, in the lead up to the big day, the state-endorsed online university has taken a moment to ask its graduates to reflect on what it took to earn their degrees.

From parenthood to full-time employment, it seems just about every WGU grad has something else on their plate in addition to earning his or her degree.  "By going to WGU, I could get a degree the way I wanted, the way I needed, and at the pace that was right for me," said soon-to-be graduate Erica.

To read more student stories, check out WGU Washington's Blog and stay tuned for updates about next month's commencement ceremony, scheduled for May 17th at McCaw Hall!

Overlake Bandage Ball Gala Raises nearly $1 million

Overlake Medical Center’s 2014 Bandage Ball gala and auction held on March 29 at the Bellevue Hyatt’s Grand Ballroom raised nearly $1 million to help fund a new, $15 million comprehensive, state-of-the-art cancer center.

“This year’s Bandage Ball was hugely successful and exceeded our expectations,” said Molly Stearns, Overlake’s vice president of fund development and executive director of the foundation & auxiliaries. “We are eternally grateful for the continuing support of this generous community and are committed to ensuring our patients receive the best possible care here at Overlake.”

Nearly 1,000 people attended the event to raise funds for the new cancer center that will reconfigure cancer outpatient services for more seamless coordinated care, and expand integrative and supportive services for patients and their families.

The new center is part of Overlake’s ongoing efforts to enhance patient-centered care and increase the hospital’s capacity to meet the growing needs of the Eastside community.

Holden Family Plays Benefit Concert to Save Washington Hall

This Saturday, the Holden Family and special guests The Teaching will perform a benefit concert for the campaign to restore and revitalize Washington Hall.

Jerry Large explains in his column in today's Seattle Times, "Washington Hall is in the midst of a rebirth, and that's good for Seattle's connection to its history.  The building, at 14th Avenue and East Fir Street in Seattle's Central Area, is more than a structure with a little nostalgia attached, yet it could have been torn down years ago."


In 2009, Historic Seattle bought Washington Hall and, today, the organization is making a final fundraising push to raise $2.6 million by June.  The money will be used to complete renovation of the Hall, creating spaces for resident groups like Hidmo, 206 Zulu, Voices Rising and other community organizations that call Washington Hall home.

The campaign to save Washington Hall has already raised enough money to replace the roof, complete necessary seismic stabilization work and install an elevator inside the building.

Restoring and revitalizing the Hall represents a crucial component of preserving the city's musical and cultural history.  In a piece that aired this Wednesday, KPLU's Florangela Davila interviewed Dave Holden, who will be performing at Saturday's benefit concert, about his family's history and connection to Washington Hall.

"Holden and his family grew up right across the street from the two-story brick building in the Central District," reports Davila.  "The club ... was one of the places where black musicians could play consistently."

"When Dad would put on a tuxedo and head off to a gig, the kids used to follow him to work," Holden told Davila.  "We snuck in the side door and we'd go to the back of the stage and look at out dad playing the piano."

No need to sneak in the side door to see the Holden Family play this Saturday - tickets for the concert are available at http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/591745.

Event Details:
Washington Hall Benefit Concert: The Holden Family and Special Guests The Teaching

Saturday, March 29th, 7:30 p.m.

Washington Hall, 153 14th Ave., Seattle, 98122

$20 general admission, $15 Historic Seattle members, $10 students and seniors

Sclater Architects Announces Key Promotions

Sclater Architects announced yesterday the promotions of Senior Associate Scott Kunnanz to associate principal and Architect Robert Estep to associate.  Both staff members are currently working on the Lincoln Square and Bellevue Square expansion projects in Bellevue, Wash.

"This is an exciting time for our firm, with a number of major projects underway including the Lincoln Square expansion," said Alan Sclater, principal at Sclater Architects.  "Our greatest asset is the talent we have here and I congratulate Scott and Rob on their success."

Scott Kunnanz

Scott Kunnanz has more than 20 years of architecture experience and has worked for Sclater Architects since 1997.  While at Sclater, Kunnanz has worked on a number of major projects including the award winning 2020 5th Avenue Data Center in Seattle and the original Lincoln Square complex in Bellevue, Wash.

Kunnanz is the director of building information modeling for the firm and has been instrumental in the adoption of BIM technology as well as the development and implementation of BIM standards.  He is currently a project manager for the garage portion of the Lincoln Square expansion project, a new mixed-use development that will feature more than 700,000 square feet of office space, three levels of retail and entertainment space, a 244-room luxury hotel and 250 residential units.  The development will also include 2,120 parking spaces in a six-level underground garage.

Rob Estep

Rob Estep has more than 30 years experience in retail, mixed-use and residential architecture and has been with Sclater Architects since 2007.  While at Sclater, Estep has worked on a variety of retail and mixed-use projects including Bellevue Square and the Bellevue Square renovation.  He is currently serving a critical role on the design team for the Bellevue Square expansion project, a new mixed-use development with 175,000 square feet of retail space and 280,000 square feet of hotel and residential space in two towers.  The development will also have five levels of below-grade parking and pedestrian connectivity to adjacent properties.

Congratulations again to both Scott and Rob!

WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten on Seattle Times' Education Lab Blog

WGU Washington Chancellor Jean Floten traveled to Austin, TX earlier this month to participate in a panel discussion on the merits of low-cost degrees at the annual SXSWedu conference.

While some critics argue Texas Gov. Rick Perry and Florida Gov. Rick Scott's call for the creation of a $10,000 bachelor's degree represents the "Walmartization" of higher education, Floten offered an alternative perspective in an interview with Seattle Times Higher Education Reporter Katherine Long.  "To me, it's not so much the $10,000 degree as it is that higher education needs to find better ways to deliver its content," Floten said, according to a post on the Seattle Times' Education Lab Blog this morning.  "What can we do to be cheaper, faster, better?"

Check out the full Education Lab Blog post here.

Overlake Medical Center Names New CEO

After conducting a national search, Overlake Medical Center's Board of Trustees announced today the appointment of J. Michael Marsh as the medical center's new President and CEO.

"We are pleased to have a progressive, visionary health care leader to guide Overlake into the future delivery of health and wellness services to the Eastside community," said John Hayhurst, Chairman of the Overlake Board of Trustees.

Marsh comes to Overlake from Providence Health & Services, an integrated health care system that includes 32 hospitals in five states.  He has served in a number of senior executive positions during his 28-year career, including Chief Strategy Officer/Chief Operating Officer for the Washington/Montana region that included accountability for 10 hospitals, home health, hospice, skilled nursing facilities, outpatient centers and physician clinics.  Most recently he served as Chief Administrative Officer for the Western Washington region that included eight hospitals, more than 1,000 employed physicians and 18,000 employees.

"I'm excited to join Overlake and work alongside their group of amazing leaders, physicians and staff," Marsh said.  "Overlake's emphasis on quality, customer service, and its position as an Eastside community asset were compelling reasons for me to join this team.  They treat their patients with care, dignity and understanding.  They live that commitment every day."

Marsh was chosen after Craig Hendrickson announced his retirement last summer.  Hendrickson has served as the Eastside non-profit health system's CEO since 2001.

"Our hospital has been fortunate to have incredible leadership from the very start," said Cecily Hall, immediate past chair of the Overlake Medical Center Board of Trustees and leader of the board's executive search committee.  "We want to thank Craig Hendrickson for his leadership, service and commitment for the past 13 years and welcome Mike to our Overlake family."

Marsh starts on April 7, 2014.