| Dr. Mark Levy is Honored with the KCMS Lifetime Achievement Award
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We were excited to bring our community together and honor Dr. Mark Levy with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his dedication and lasting impact on healthcare. ❤️
🍷 What an unforgettable evening at our Baskette wine tasting and awards celebration! Thanks to Stephan and Kelly at Baskette and KeyBank for your generous sponsorship. We were thrilled to spend the evening with our KCMS members and Mark’s wonderful family. We even celebrated member Dr. Matthew Grierson’s birthday with a delicious Pavlova cake for everyone to enjoy! Thanks to everyone’s support, the event raised valuable funds for the KCMS Community Foundation, which provides grants to medical students, helping shape the future of healthcare. 💙
Did you miss the event? You can still contribute! Support the KCMS Foundation by CLICKING HERE to donate.
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We're excited to share that KCMS actively participates in the National Academy of Medicine's (NAM) Accelerating the National Climate and Health Movement initiative. This collaborative effort brings together leading health organizations nationwide to address climate change's impact on public health and accelerate meaningful solutions.
Recent Highlights from NAM's Climate Initiative
Launch of the Climate Action Showcase: This resource amplifies the collaborative accomplishments of all participants. Click the photo below for more information.
Webinar Series on Health Care Decarbonization: NAM is initiating a series of webinars to explore practical pathways for healthcare decarbonization, empowering organizations with tools and insights to take impactful climate action.
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MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST KCMS MEMBERS
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Ashwani (Ash) Rajput, M.D., FACS(press release)
After an extensive nationwide search, Swedish Cancer Institute has appointed Ashwani (Ash) Rajput, M.D., FACS, as its new regional executive medical director. Dr. Rajput, who brings a wealth of experience from his previous role at Johns Hopkins University, will officially step into the position on Sept. 9, 2024.
In his new role, Dr. Rajput will lead the strategic vision for the Swedish Cancer Institute, fostering collaboration across the region and working closely with medical directors and the senior director of operations to ensure excellence in cancer care. He succeeds Sara Jo Grethlein, M.D., MBA, FACP, who has led the institute since 2021 and will continue as the Chief Medical Officer of Institutes for Providence Swedish.
Dr. Rajput previously served as director of the Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center in Washington, D.C., and was a professor of surgery and oncology at Johns Hopkins University. His academic and professional journey spans prestigious institutions, including Miami University, Case Western Reserve University, and the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, where his research focused on colorectal metastases. He also held leadership positions at the University of New Mexico, where he established a fellowship in Complex General Surgical Oncology (CGSO) and advanced initiatives for cancer care and health equity.
Outside of work, Dr. Rajput enjoys tennis, piano, the arts, and traveling with his wife and their four children.
About Providence Swedish
Providence Swedish has been a cornerstone of healthcare in the Puget Sound region since 1877, now encompassing 22,000 caregivers, eight hospitals, and 244 clinics. Together, Providence Swedish provides over $545 million in community benefit annually, offering specialized care in cancer, cardiovascular health, neurosciences, orthopedics, and more.
About Swedish Cancer Institute
Since 1932, Swedish Cancer Institute has been at the forefront of cancer care in Seattle, providing innovative diagnostics, treatments, and recovery programs. With locations at First Hill, Ballard, Edmonds, and Issaquah, the institute continues to pioneer cancer research and clinical trials, contributing to global advancements in cancer care.
For more information, visit swedish.org/cancer.
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Rene Caro
My name is René Caro, and I am a fourth-year medical student at the University of Washington School of Medicine (UWSOM). I was born and raised in Mount Vernon, WA, and earned a Bachelor of Science from Saint Martin’s University, where I also captained the Men’s Soccer program. During six gap years before attending UWSOM, I played professional soccer, discovered a passion for teaching and coaching, and, most importantly, fell in love with medicine.
In medical school, I have been deeply committed to serving underserved communities. I volunteered to provide health screenings to migrant farm workers, founded groups focused on supporting underrepresented individuals, and co-led a medical Spanish course. My 30-week experience in an underserved, rural, and primarily Spanish-speaking community allowed me to foster a sense of belonging and support within the academic community. These initiatives have been pivotal in creating an inclusive environment where diverse voices are heard and valued. By embracing the principles of inclusive excellence, I aspire to help create a more equitable healthcare system that serves all individuals with dignity and respect.
Outside of medicine, I remain active in the community by playing soccer and training for a marathon. I cherish spending time with my family, girlfriend, and dogs.
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Gabriela Leon My name is Gabriela León. I was born at UWMC on a "beautiful fall day more suited for a picnic than being trapped inside a hospital having a baby," my mother told me. She also told me she wished the baby would graduate from the same school she had just graduated from a few months before. And eventually, I did--wearing her cap and gown.
I got my B.S. in Physiology while working as a CNA in assisted living and then in neuroscience labs, doing research at the V.A. and the Allen Institute. I relished the close work with others a laboratory setting can offer—some very close friends (and being able to perform patch clamp electrophysiology) have been some important residual benefits.
I am an MS3 at WSU's College of Medicine, thoroughly enjoying my clerkship year at clinical sites around Puget Sound. I am bilingual and passionate about helping increase the number of Latino healthcare workers in Washington state. Since starting medical school, I have been active in youth mentorship in the Columbia Basin. My goal is to become a psychiatrist and help reduce mental health care disparities.
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Free Toolkit for Healthcare Professionals: Opioid Misuse Prevention Resources
We’re excited to share an important and free resource from the Washington State Health Care Authority (HCA) and the Washington State Hospital Association (WSHA) to support healthcare professionals in their efforts to engage with patients about safe and responsible opioid use.
As part of the Starts with One statewide prescription opioid misuse prevention campaign, HCA and WSHA have created a free toolkit designed to help providers educate patients about the risks of opioids and promote responsible use.
The toolkit includes:
1) Posters for waiting rooms and exam rooms
2) Informational rack cards for patients prescribed opioids
3) A prescribing guidelines checklist featuring the latest CDC guidance
4) Wallet-sized cards about alternative pain management options
Healthcare professionals play a critical role in preventing opioid misuse. By encouraging patients to take simple steps—such as locking up medications or disposing of unused prescriptions—professionals can help safeguard communities from opioid misuse. For questions, you can reach out to estherb@wearedh.com
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Neuromodulation Co-management in the Primary Care Setting
(from the UW)
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Most patients with depression can be effectively managed in primary care settings using evidence-based, first-line interventions like antidepressant medication and psychotherapy. However, some patients may not respond adequately to first-line treatments necessitating consideration of alternative options. It is essential to recognize when to make this decision and to understand the array of possible interventions.
This article by Randall Espinoza, MD, Director of the Garvey Institute Center for Neuromodulation, describes neuromodulation co-management in primary care with a specific focus on Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) and Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT). TMS and ECT are FDA-approved for Major Depressive Disorder, as well as for several other behavioral health diagnoses.
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