Health Equity
Health Equity at PacMed
Good health is not equally available to everyone. Past and present prejudice and institutions have cut many off from what it takes to stay healthy in our society, such as financial stability, health insurance and access to healthy food, neighborhoods, doctors and more.
At PacMed, we push for equity in health care by acknowledging the barriers to preventive screenings, treatments and health outcomes that affect many racial, social, economic and ethnic groups—and we work harder to deliver our care across these barriers.
We believe that our collective efforts can help bring good health within everyone’s reach. Addressing health equity is core to our mission to provide “Simply the right care.”
Taking Action
In 2021 the Health Equity Team was formed at PacMed as a sub-department of the Population Department that analyzes data and provides care management services. The Health Equity Team identifies health disparities in our patient population, strategizes solutions and conducts outreach to help bring health to all.
The Health Equity team works in consultation with and receives oversight from two specific groups at PacMed:
- The PacMed Health Equity Council is a group of PacMed employees that represent the diversity of our organization patient population. This council oversees and advises how PacMed can continue to provide equitable clinical care to all our patients and creating an environment where all caregivers and patients feel included and supported.
- PacMed’s Quality and Care Coordination Committee (QCCC) which is a group of PacMed providers and caregivers that oversees to the clinical quality functions of PacMed. This committee evaluates the effectiveness of the quality management program and reports its findings to the Board of Directors through the Quality Committee of the Board. Several members of QCCC provide subject matter expertise and actively involved with the Health Equity Project.
Currently, our Health Equity team is focusing on these outreach measures:
- Colonoscopy screening among both Latinx and African American/Black patient populations, in particular those patients who have not had an opportunity for this screening. Regular screening for colon cancer saves lives.
- African American/Black patients who have a history of high blood pressure (hypertension). Blood pressure control is important to reduce a person’s risk of stroke or heart attack over their lifetime. One element of this outreach has been to distribute blood pressure cuffs to patients.
Meet the Team
Our Health Equity team members have strong backgrounds in social work, clinical pharmacology and community navigation—and a demonstrated track record and passion for caring for the most vulnerable in our communities.
This team works closely with patients’ personal PacMed primary care doctors to tailor interventions and help ensure access to care for improved outcomes. They communicate directly with patients and meet them where they are at to encourage their active participation in their care.
Together, we are striving to find strategies to improve health for particular medical issues within specific populations.
Ambulatory Surgery Center
PacMed’s Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) offers surgical services, diagnostics and preventative procedures that do not require an overnight stay.
Location:
We are conveniently located on First Hill, in the heart of Seattle’s medical community:
1101 Madison St
4th floor
Seattle, WA 98104
Please note, we are different from the First Hill Surgery Center, located on the 2nd floor of the same medical complex. Please confirm your destination before departing.
ASC Specialties and Services:
- Colonoscopies and other GI procedures
- Interventional Pain Management
Nuclear Cardiology
Our Nuclear Cardiology Department is at our First Hill Clinic and is led by Dr. Philip Massey with Dr. Keiko Aikawa.
“We are very excited to offer our patients a state-of-the-art stress test lab to aid in the detection and management of heart disease” stated Dr. Massey. “Our nuclear cardiology lab allows us to have an accurate method to diagnose ischemic heart disease and to measure heart function. Now we can perform both treadmill and non-treadmill stress testing with the latest imaging techniques. This will improve patient care by giving us a sensitive method to detect coronary artery disease and will streamline patient care by allowing referring providers more rapid access to cardiac stress testing.”
To make an appointment with one of our cardiologists, please call 206.505.1300 or use our online appointment request.Our nuclear cardiology laboratory has been granted accreditation by the Intersocietal Commission for the Accreditation of Nuclear Medicine Laboratories (ICANL). This accreditation recognizes PacMed for its commitment to high quality patient care and its provision of quality diagnostic testing. The ICANL, a non-profit organization, provides a peer review mechanism to encourage and recognize the provision of quality nuclear cardiology and nuclear medicine diagnostic evaluations by a process of voluntary accreditation.
Travel Clinic
If you are traveling overseas for work, for a leisurely cruise, to visit family or for an outdoor adventure, PacMed’s physicians can keep you healthy and safe on your trip. The PacMed Travel Clinic offers comprehensive travel services for adults and children.
PacMed providers can offer you:
- Complete pre-travel exams
- Immunizations
- Malaria prevention tips and medications
- Country-specific travel advice
- Jet lag and sleeping adjustments
- Safe food and water suggestions
- Injury prevention and what to do when you’re away from home
- Medication suggestions
Our PacMed Beacon Hill, Canyon Park and Renton clinics offer all the services you will need for your travel exam:
- On-site pharmacy, lab and X-ray
- Free parking (valet available at Canyon Park)
- Early-morning, evening and weekend (Renton only) clinic hours
- Online appointments
To make an appointment at Beacon Hill, call 206.621.4504. Hours and driving directions for Beacon Hill.
To make an appointment at Canyon Park, call 425.412.7200. Hours and driving directions for Canyon Park.
To make an appointment at Renton, call 425.227.3132. Hours and driving directions for Renton.
Download a printable flyer:
- Dr. Ari Gilmore (Beacon Hill)
- Dr. Sonja Maddox (Renton)
- Dr. Alex Hamling and Dr. Ruchi Sharma (Canyon Park)
Please note that the Travel Clinic charges patients directly for services. Some insurance providers will pay for travel vaccines and medications.
Cardiovascular Lab
Your Heart Health is Our Primary Concern
Every heart has a story to tell. Our cardiologists at Pacific Medical Centers will work with you every step of the way to prevent heart disease as well as develop a treatment plan to manage your ongoing healthcare needs.
Cardiovascular Laboratory services are available at several of our clinics. We offer patients noninvasive diagnostic ultrasound procedures that help diagnose various forms of heart and blood vessel, or vascular, disease.
So that patients may live their best lives, the PacMed Cardiovascular Laboratory is committed to excellence in screening, diagnosis and monitoring of cardiac and vascular disease. Our laboratory is accredited by the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) in Echocardiography and Vascular Studies, and all of our sonographers are active registrants of the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography (ARDMS). By pursuing excellence, we ensure the highest standards of quality and commitment to superior clinical care for our communities.
Breast Surgery
Comprehensive Breast Care
A chronic breast issue or a new diagnosis can be concerning. At PacMed, we take the time to answer your questions and help you understand your diagnosis and treatment options. Sometimes, your care will require a breast surgical procedure, which may be for diagnosis or treatment.
All breast surgeries are done by highly qualified and experienced general surgeons. They have a strong commitment to the evaluation and care of patients with diseases of the breast and breast malignancies.
Services and Types of Conditions Treated
- Atypical Breast Lesion/High Risk Breast Lesions
- Breast Cancer
- Breast Masses
- Breast Ultrasound
- Carcinoma in situ
- High Risk Screening for breast cancer/Genetic Disorder
- Nipple Discharge
- Other Breast conditions
Breast Surgery
- Axillary Lymph Node dissection
- Breast Biopsies
- Lumpectomy/Partial mastectomy
- Mastectomy, including skin and nipple sparing techniques
- Oncoplastic reconstruction
- Treatment of nipple discharge/disorders
- Sentinel Node biopsy
Integrated Care
Our surgical team works closely with other PacMed specialty services, including our hematology and oncology doctors, and with Inland Pacific Imaging for dedicated breast radiology expertise. We also work with Swedish Cancer Institute for genetic testing, radiation oncology and plastic surgery for reconstruction. Before treatment begins, your PacMed team will work together to discuss your care.
You can feel confident that the care at PacMed is personalized and second to none in Seattle.
Contact Us
Call 1.888.4PACMED (1.888.472.2633) to schedule a convenient appointment.
Infusion Therapy
Infusion Suites Focused on Comfort
Infusion is nothing like it used to be. At our fully accredited infusion centers, we offer a wide range of outpatient infusion services. Our dedicated pharmacists and registered nurses (RNs) oversee the delivery of treatment. Our infusion centers offer a warm and bright environment with reclining chairs for your comfort. Friends and family are welcome to join you during treatment sessions.
You can download a printable flyer for our infusion center to help prepare you for your visit.
Infusion Center Locations
PacMed First Hill
- 1101 Madison, Ste 301
- Seattle, WA 98104
- 206.505.1300
- Hours: 8:00AM–4:30PM
- PacMed is on the third floor. You must check in on the third floor before going to the infusion suite. Please bring current insurance information.
PacMed Canyon Park
- 1909 214th Street SE, Ste 300
- Bothell, WA 98021
- 425.412.7200
- Hours: 8:00AM–4:30PM
- PacMed is on the third floor. You must check in on the third floor before going to the infusion suite. Please bring current insurance information.
Our infusion centers serve adult patients (18 and over).
Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections
What is platelet-rich plasma (PRP)?
PRP is plasma (the non- cellular fluid of blood) with a high concentration of platelets and low concentrations of red and white blood cells.
What are the potential benefits of a PRP injection?
In the literature, patients have shown significant improvements in pain and function after PRP treatment for conditions including osteoarthritis and degenerative tendons such as in chronic tennis elbow. Other common areas of injection include the Achilles tendon, rotator cuff, hamstring tendons, and elbow ligaments. Definitive research studies still need to be performed for these specific areas, but many sports medicine physicians are reporting successful outcomes after treating injuries to those areas with PRP.
How does PRP work?
Platelets are best known for their role with blood clotting. However, the alpha-granules of platelets contain large amounts of growth factors, which are proteins known to initiate and assist in the rebuilding and remodeling process of healing tissue. These growth factors include platelet-derived growth factor, vascular endothelial growth factor, and transforming growth factor. Placing a very high concentration of these growth factors near injured areas is thought to accelerate the body’s natural healing response. Additionally, PRP can be formulated to have an apparent anti-inflammatory effect when used in osteoarthritis.
PRP has been in clinical use since the late 1980s for dental, orthopedic, and plastic surgery procedures. Very recently, growing evidence has been published showing promise in treating osteoarthritis and tendon, ligament and muscle injuries.
To learn more, download our informational flyer.