• BBRC WEEKLY NEWSLETTER • VOL 22, NO 16, OCTOBER 27, 2009 •

IN THIS ISSUE

"Creating An Extraordinary Vision for Medicine in the Pacific Northwest," Tim Morris, Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences & Stanley L.K. Flemming, DO, MA, President, Pacific Northwest University | Prelims | BBRC Member Rotary Flag Presentations | Rotary First Harvest | Anniversary Dinner - November 13th | Preserve Planet Earth Project | Gearing Up for the Bellevue 5K Run/Walk | Rotarian of the Month: Bob Holert | Golfing With the Elves | 2nd Annual Rotary Night with the Thunderbirds | Web Fun

NEXT WEEK

"In the Company of Crows and Ravens—A Halloween Special Report," Professor John Marzluff, University of Washington. From the cave walls at Lascaux to the last painting by Van Gogh, from the works of Shakespeare to those of Mark Twain, there is clear evidence that crows and ravens influence human culture. Yet this influence is not unidirectional. People profoundly influence crow culture, ecology and evolution as well. UW Professor John Marzluff examines the surprising ways that crows and humans interact. He contends that these interactions reflect a process of "cultural coevolution." They offer a challenging new view of the human-crow dynamic, a view that may change our thinking, not only about crows but also about ourselves. [Johnson]

THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK

I believe that if life gives you lemons, you should make lemonade ... and try to find somebody whose life has given them vodka, and have a party. ~ Ron White

Opener

In opening the meeting, President Margie Burnett began with an announcement regarding Bill Rambo's health condition. He is currently in the University of Washington Hospital. Margie asked us to hold Bill in our prayers.

The Invocation was given by Bob Bowen, and introductions of visiting Rotarians and guests were made by Tom Smith. Bob recited an Irish prayer, which is good for all of us to reflect upon.

An Irish Blessing

May the road rise up to meet you,
May be wind be always at your back,
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
And the rains fall soft upon your fields,
And, until we meet again
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

BBRC Member Rotary Flag Presentations

Colleen Turner presented a Rotary flag from a Barcelona, Spain, Rotary club, which she received in a recent visit there. Chuck Kimbrough also presented a flag from a Rotary Club visit in Texas.

Rotary First Harvest

Howard Johnson shared with us that work parties are needed every month in order to meet our 2010 target of 175 participant days. He reported that on October 10th, there were 120 people in the work party, with 15 of those from BBRC. Howard encouraged all of us to step up on our personal goals this year, bringing ourselves, kids, family members and neighbors to participate.

There is also a fund raiser of Harvest Partners, with a goal of $3,500. Howard supplied envelopes to use for ordering apples for your employees, which would be a great gift, while being beneficial for First Harvest. He and Tim Leahy auctioned off fruit baskets during the meeting.

Anniversary Dinner - November 13th

Wendi Fischer, John Martinka and Chris Ballard presented a thought provoking skit they titled: Squeal of Fortune. After much hard thinking, many vowels and consonants unveiled, we discovered that the solution was: Anniversary Dinner - Good Times.

Please register soon for this November 13th event being held at the Woodmark Hotel in Kirkland.

Preserve Planet Earth Project

Ryan Scharnhorst and Jenny Andrews invited BBRC members to participate in a Preserve Planet Earth project this Saturday, October 31, at Berntsen Park in Issaquah, from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm. Participants will be clearing invasive species and spreading mulch in a new City of Issaquah park. Jenny's son, Ben Lawry, is working on receiving his Eagle Scout designation, and this project will complete his requirements.

Jenny would like you to consider participating. Donuts and Starbucks for breakfast and pizza for lunch will be provided. Bring others to help!

Gearing Up for the Bellevue 5K Run Walk

Imagine this: a small singing group of five, calling themselves the Rotettes, entertained us, while delivering the first "postcards" announcing the Bellevue 5K Run/Walk next spring, on April 25th. The rendition of the song "Please, Mr. Postman" was sung by Chip Erickson, Andrew Face, Jane Kuechle, John DeWater, and Katherine DeStephano. We were invited to participate by taking cards to send or personally deliver about the event, with the goal of 2,000 runners/walkers.

Rotarian of the Month: Bob Holert

Bob Holert has been on the Program Committee for more than eight years and has been credited with providing some of the best speakers ever, which is a vital part of our meetings each week.

Margie presented Bob with the Rotarian of the Month Award to acknowledge his ongoing dedication to our meetings.

John Mix Sighting

On a recent vacation loop for golf and wine in Eastern Washington the travels of Norm and Carolyn Johnson took them to Moscow, ID, and allowed a rare sighting of BBRC Alum John Mix. John is doing well and continues to promote the BBRC as the "Best Darn Club in the World" to the members of his new club in Moscow. The pizza is also pretty darn good at Gambino's!

Golfing With the Elves

The annual BBRC "Golfing with the Elves" will be held on Thursday,  December 24th, with a 9:00 AM tee time at Mt Si Golf Course. Greens fees will be $19 if you bring an unwrapped stuffed toy or non-perishable food items for the Mt Si Helping Hand Food Bank.

Take a break from the sound of the holiday with some fresh air and fellowship as we celebrate the Winter Solstice. Guests and family members are always welcomed.

RSVP to Norm Johnson.

2nd Annual Rotary Night with the Thunderbirds

November 6, 7:30 pm • Thunderbirds vs. Spokane Chiefs

It's a great hockey game at sparkling new ShoWare Center in Kent. More than that, it's a fantastic fundraiser for your club's Dictionary Project. A hefty portion of each ticket will be returned to your club ... and it's a Rotary party! Come join the fun. Contact Sean Runnels [Ph 253-856-6833] or click here to download a ticket order form.

Friday Program

"Creating An Extraordinary Vision for Medicine in the Pacific Northwest," Tim Morris, Chief Operating Officer, Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences & Stanley L.K. Flemming, DO, MA, President, Pacific Northwest University

Bob Holert introduced the two speakers, Dr. Tim Morris and Dr. Stan Flemming.

Dr. Morris is the Vice-President/Chief Operating Officer at Pacific Northwest University. He is a successful organizational development consultant and leadership facilitator who works effectively at all levels of organizations. Dr. Morris has provided consulting services and held administrative positions within Fortune 500 hospital facilities, while operating a successful consulting company. As a former Special Agent with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Internal Revenue Service, Dr. Morris possesses the business, financial, and process skills necessary to effectively manage the operations of the University.

Dr. Flemming, D.O., M.A., is the President, Pacific Northwest University and a 1985 graduate of Western University of Health Sciences at Pomona, California. He completed his Residency in Family Medicine at Pacific Hospital of Long Beach in California and a Fellowship at Children's Hospital of Los Angeles and the University of Southern California School of Medicine. For the past 20 years, Dr. Flemming has been active in academic, public health, military and private practice medicine.

The Pacific Northwest University, over the last few years, has made great progress in addressing a strong need in the Yakima Valley, and Washington State in general, for more primary care physicians and health care practitioners. In 1995 they identified the following:

• Fifty percent percent of the physicians in the valley were 55 and over.
• There were not enough new doctors in the pipeline to replace them.

So, they chose to build a new university, designed to train and educate physicians and health care workers to meet this need. According to Dr. Morris, "What irrigation did for Yakima Valley, Pacific Northwest University has transformed the valley in technology, bringing health professionals and educators to the valley, thus driving change there."

In 2007 their first dream became a reality with the opening of the first building, which houses the Medical School and Resource Center. PNWU wanted to create a system that would apply to underserved areas, while also operating in a paperless approach. Every student has the same kind of laptop with availability of docking stations, same books, and the same opportunities. "Equitability was one of our highest priorities with everyone having the same advantages," Morris said. All classes are done electronically to encourage a problem solving learning system.

The building was built with a high tech/high touch philosophy. The building has 28 miles of cabling in a 45,000 square foot building.

Their second vision was to serve the greatest area of need — the underserved areas of the states of Washington, Alaska, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon. PNWU is the first university medical school to be built in 62 years. Their intent is to inspire students to be more than just a physician, but to be passionate about their work, and to be caring, committed and competent in doing so.

PNWU's mission of service is to increase capacity in health care delivery systems, to reduce costs, to recruit and retain good doctors, and to strengthen the economic and intellectual capability in the region.

"We believe in educating students in the area you want them to serve" said Dr. Flemming. "When they come here to study, they will generally do their residency close by. This new medical school will make a significant contribution toward solving the region's health care crisis."

PNWU is approved for a total number of 75 students each year. The national average for applications is 20 students per seat. PNWU received more than 27 applications per seat. The average GPA of students beginning classes is 3.44, which is above average and indicates the high quality of students being accepted. Eighty percent of students are from the 5-state region being served. The ratio of female students to male students the first year was 49% females and 51% males. Dr. Morris indicated that during the interview process for applicants, they look for students who have been involved in their communities, serving others over themselves, which makes much better doctors.

The school will have both medical doctors and osteopathic doctors practicing together and not in direct competition with each other. The quality of faculty will be all doctoral level. They will come from all areas around the nation, wanting to serve and shape the culture.

PNWU's community engagement involves working with Rotary for an adopt-a-student mentoring program. The students can have one or two rotary members involved in their lives, including support for housing.

According to Dr. Flemming, "What started as a conversation around a table as solutions to addressing a critical need for more healthcare professionals grew into a world-changing vision. Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences has welcomed its second class of students as of August 4, 2009. Upon graduation from medical school, these students will serve the Pacific Northwest Region."

Web Fun

Being a Grandparent
Courtesy of John Armenia

1. She was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But Gramma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!"

2. My young grandson called the other day to wish me happy birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, "62." He was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"

3. After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"

4. A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like: "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I"d gotten to know you sooner!"

5. My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?" You're both old," he replied.

6. A little girl was diligently pounding away on her grandfather's word processor. She told him she was writing a story. "What's it about?" he asked. "I don't know," she replied, "I can't read."

7. I didn't know if my granddaughter had learned her colors yet, so I decided to test her. I would point out something and ask what color it was. She would tell me and was always correct. It was fun for me, so I continued. At last she headed for the door, saying, "Grandma, I think you should try to figure out some of these yourself!"

8. When my grandson Melvin and I entered our vacation cabin, we kept the lights off until we were inside to keep from attracting pesky insects. Still, a few fireflies followed us in. Noticing them before I did, Billy whispered, "It's no use Grandpa. Now the mosquitoes are coming after us with flashlights."

9. When my grandson asked me how old I was, I teasingly replied, "I'm not sure." "Look in your underwear, Grandpa," he advised. "Mine says I'm four to six."

10. A second grader came home from school and said to her grandmother, "Grandma, guess what: we learned how to make babies today." The grandmother, more than a little surprised, said, "That's interesting. How do you make babies?" "It's simple," replied the girl, "You just change y to i and add es."