Once Brian Price learned that one of his twins would be born with leukemia, he changed career directions and headed home.
But work didn’t stop there.
Chip Kohrman, CEO of Telesaur, tells Brian’s story.
By Peg Hopkins, Executive Director
Community Health Association of Spokane
Community Health Association of Spokane (CHAS) currently serves over 30,000 patients each year, providing a health care home for the Spokane-area population. For more than four decades, Federally Qualified Health Centers have been providing quality care accessible to the entire population, regardless of insurance or ability to pay. CHAS is one of several other federally qualified health care clinics and systems in the region who are about to experience significant growth in the coming years due to an increase in demand. With our rate of growth and health care reform, CHAS anticipates to double in size over the next five years in order to provide care to an increased number of patients. This will lead to more jobs for the Spokane community and bigger picture, an overall healthier community.
What you may not have considered is that health care reform could have an impact on employment options for the entire population. It goes beyond the hiring of more medical professionals; it affects everyone from your local barista to your children’s teacher. Individuals, who previously needed to select employment based on the benefits they receive, can now choose to work in the profession of their choosing without needing to consider the corresponding level of health care coverage. The newly changed employment landscape has the potential to create a healthier community on many levels – socially, emotionally, physically and more.
These conversations are happening more frequently in our region. I recently participated in a Health Care Reform 101 panel with other health care and community leaders. This non-partisan discussion brought several individuals to the table for an exchange on the implications of health care reform in eastern Washington. With eastern Washington’s vitality connected so closely to the health care sector, there is a unique opportunity for our health care providers and businesses to come together on this issue. Ultimately, these partnerships will pay off in creating an overall healthier community and creating significant positive economic impact.
About CHAS
The mission of CHAS is to improve the overall health of the communities we serve by expanding access to quality health and wellness services. Check out our web site (www.chas.org) to learn more about the services and facilities offered by CHAS.
By Sandra Jarrard, Public Policy Coordinator, GSI
May 14, 2010
The Eastern Washington/ Northern Idaho delegation traveled to Washington D.C. to present the Eastern Washington/Northern Idaho regional priorities. The regional priorities were developed in collaboration with Greater Spokane Incorporated, Greater Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, the West Plains Chamber of Commerce, the Coeur d’ Alene Chamber of Commerce, and the Post Falls Chamber of Commerce. This year’s regional priorities included transportation, Health Education/ Health Care, Environment and Water Quality, Fairchild Air Force Base, and Small Business Capital Access.
Jobs and the economy are the main focus of congress. Congressional representatives are working to introduce small business liability reform legislation, and legislation that will create jobs. Our delegation met with members of congress, the Department of Commerce, and the Small Business Administration (SBA).
Our delegation relayed the messages that have been given to us by our members… the need for access to capital to start or grow an existing business. We expressed the necessity for members of congress to endorse federal regulatory reform that will provide stability to the SBA Loan Program and legislation that will create access to capital.
The Department of Commerce, through the International Trade Administration is working to support two million jobs and double the amount of exports in the next two years. This will be done by increasing governmental focus on the barriers that prevent U.S. companies from getting free and fair access to foreign markets.
At Greater Spokane Incorporated, we work with our federal lobbyist, members of congress, and governmental agencies to discuss the issues that are affecting our regional businesses. Contact me at 509-321-3622 or via email at sjarrard@greaterspokane.org for more information.
Greater Spokane Incorporated is currently in Washington D.C. leading a delegation of Spokane Regional businesses and organizations in an effort to advocate on behalf of our region.
Q: Rich – What’s been the highlight of the trip so far?
A: There has been unanimous and enthusiastic support for a 4 year medical school in Spokane.
Q: What’s the most interesting piece of information you’ve received?
A: Met the new Wing Commander for 92nd ARW at FAFB Col Paul Guemmer and wife Cyndi. They will be in Spokane in late June.
What day is it?
GSI China Trip – Day 10
Wall Street of the East
By Maria Vandervert
Yesterday we landed in Shanghai. I haven’t had such big hair since the 80’s. The humidity is very high. Shanghai is known as the “Wall Street of the East,” and it’s truly a spectacle, an international metropolis – tall buildings, lights, giant advertisements, whistles, bikes, and people – lots of them. Shanghai is the second largest City in China, and has a population of 20 million. In May, Shanghai will hold the World Expo and will host more than 55 million in its city. April is a good time to be here.
After landing at the international airport, we got the chance to ride the Maglev Train. The Maglev is currently in the Guiness Book of Records as “the fastest ground transport tool in the present world.” The train travels approximately 300 miles an hour, and is magnetically levitated above the tracks. We sat on the right-hand side waiting for the other train to pass, and it came at us so fast, it startled everyone.
We also took a tour of the Huangpu River by boat to see the city lights, went shopping at the Bazaar, and visited the silk factory. Shanghai and the city nearby, Suzhou is known for silk production. Lili’s (our tour guide) grandmother raised silk worms. Silk comes from the saliva of the silk worm. Hold on, my other notes say: there are 48 different types of silk, the worms feed off of the mulberry tree, it takes 600 silk cocoons to make one tie, and silk poo-poo is good for the eyesight. Yes. My notes say this. Every part of the worm and the cocoon is used for medicinal purposes.
After dinner, we went to the ERA show, which is like a Chinese Cirque du Solei, with contortionists, acrobatics, live music and entertainment. It was spectacular and amazing.
More about Shanghai:
There are more than 5,000 (if my notes are correct) buildings
French and British influences can be seen in the architecture
2 airports – one international and one domestic
Extensive subway system and bus system (1,000 lines or routes)
On another subject, there are still many passengers stranded due to the volcanic eruption in Iceland. I heard on the news that over 7 million passengers are affected.
April 18, 2010
GSI China Trip – Day 8
Warriors of another kind
By Maria Vandervert
We had another busy day today visiting the Banpo Site and the Terra Cotta Warriors. The Banpo was a matriarchal clan community of the Yangshao culture in the Neolithic age. I’ve now heard of the countryside in southwest China and would like to see Guilin, Yangshuo, Dali, Lijang, and Xishuangbanna, and I think Lily, our Xian tour guide said there is a matriarchal society in the southwest.
The life size Terra Cotta Warriors were a sight to see. Built during the Qin Dynasty 221 – 206 BC, over 700,000 workmen built the soldiers over the course of 38 years. One of the eight wonders of the world, and discovered in 1974 (by farmers drilling wells), only one soldier was found completely intact. There are approximately 6,000 to 8,000 soldiers and horses, and of those, 4,000 are still buried for preservation. Originally, the soldiers were very colorful, but after excavation the color disappeared. Each soldier has a different face and expression.
The soldiers were built to protect the emperor in his afterlife (in the earth, not the heavens). The emperor and his palace are still buried under a hill nearby completely preserved and undisturbed. They don’t have the technology currently to excavate the site and preserve it without destroying essential elements.
April 17, 2010
GSI China Trip – Day 7
Nihao (hello) Xian, Zaijian (goodbye) Beijing
By Maria Vandervert
Leaving Beijing early this morning (4:30 wakeup call) was bittersweet. I’m excited to experience new adventures, but will miss Beijing and Julia, our tour guide who now has a place in my heart. Julia said, “There are six billion people in the world. It was fate that we meet.” Thank you for having us Beijing. Xiexie.
As we stepped onto our domestic flight to Xian, a Chinese version of John Lennon’s song ‘Imagine’ was playing over the loud speaker, followed by ‘I want to know what love is.’ The flight is only one hour and forty minutes. In the meantime, we watch a little piggy cartoon about Swine Flu accompanied by music singing, “Swine flu comes from America, what a shame…” la la la.
We met our new tour guide Lily in Xian and we were off to see the Wild Goose Pagoda. During the Tang Dynasty in 629, the monk XuanZang traveled from Xian to India to obtain Buddhist Scriptures. When he returned, he built the Big Wild Goose Pagoda.
More facts about Xian:
The city has a population of 8.3 million
It’s about 75 degrees today and very humid
No rice grows here – main crop is winter wheat
Xian is home to the dumpling and the noodle. We had a wonderful dumpling dinner tonight.
Xian is home to 56 nationalities
American’s are referred to as “big nose persons”
The City is divided into two sections by a complete wall. 2 million live inside the wall, and is considered the old part of town. Everyone else lives outside the wall. 20 years from now, everyone will live outside the wall while the government makes the inside more of a tourist attraction. The City Wall is 36 ft. high and was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1372.
Major industries include coal power stations, printing, chemical factories, textile factories, Peaches – peach juice factory.
Once you turn 18 you can get your driver’s license
Also found out that the earthquake took place in Qinghai, which is 5,000 miles away from us. 10,000 are injured. Many soldiers and Lama monks are helping to get people out of the rubble. 90% of the houses are made of clay and wood.
April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 4
Yes – A Very Busy Day, and Pray
By Maria Vandervert
After our wonderful lunch, we traveled by bus to the Lama Temple, constructed during the 17th century and converted into a Tibetan lamasery in 1744. We went through three? halls. One contained three very large Buddha’s greeting us on each side (not allowed to take pictures inside). Each represents prosperity, happiness, and longevity. Many people come to the temple to pray and burn incense. Three incense: heaven, earth, people.
One of the most famous Buddha’s is astounding. It holds a world record and is carved from one single white sandalwood tree. It stands 78 feet high and 24 feet in diameter. Built in 1694, the tree came from Nepal (how?). The fourth empress’ (or emperor?) mother made the picture on the wall 300 years ago by sewing 4,000 pieces of silk together.
After the Lama Temple, we were off to learn about Porcelain at the Porcelain Factory and from Gary – ‘Mr. Discount.’ After shopping with Mr. Discount, we went to the “Most Exciting Kungfu show in the world,” The Legend of Kungfu. It really was spectacular-spectacular. Kungfu, dancing, singing, and six? year olds flipped from head (not hands) to foot. The show travels to Las Vegas to perform. “In an ancient temple we encounter a little boy. Through practicing Kungfu and Zen he becomes a master and finally reaches the sacred goal of enlightenment.”
Peking Duck is up next, with an assortment of other odds and ends like bird wing and something else I don’t know.
April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 3
Most Heart Warming Experience
By Maria Vandervert
Our group was privileged to take a tour of the Hutong countryside by Rickshaw. This is one of the oldest areas of Beijing. Hutong homes are created by the walls of courtyard houses, which are now state-owned. If the house had 4 beams, it meant you were rich, 2 – you were middle class, and 1 – poor. Our Rickshaw ride took us to Mr. and Mrs. Lee’s home. We were honored to have a home-cooked meal prepared lovingly by Mrs. Lee. Currently, she hosts a group in her house every day. The food was remarkable, the house small, and her kitchen a closet. I now know that I love lotus root and fresh green bamboo shoots. I also loved Mr. and Mrs. Lee and the countryside.
April 16, 2010
China Trip Day 6 – Part 2
70% Prevention, 30% Cure
By Maria Vandervert
“Warm Congratulations: Tong Ren Tang Pharmacy Culture of Traditional Chinese Medicine has been approved as China National Grade Non-material Cultural Heritage.”
Today our group went to a famous TCM or Traditional Chinese Medicine Pharmacy. The Chinese philosophy is that prevention is better than a cure. TCM was established in 1669 and is known for its unique recipes and remarkable effects. The Dr. or Pharmacist that greeted the group told us to drink more tea – it’s the traditional Chinese herbal medicine. Also, eat celery for high blood pressure.
After some history and background, we all got check-ups. The Dr.’s 1) look at you, 2) smell you 3) ask you your age, 4) look at your tongue, and 5) check your pulse. We all got prescriptions, and some purchased herbal medicine. Julia, our tour guide said, “Every day is a gift, and we thank God our heart is beating.” Herbal medicine is needed for balance, and to raise your yin or yang. Western medicine treats disease fast. Chinese TCM can cure disease, but can take a long time. A balance for treatment is best. If we are unbalanced, we get sick. Our bodies are like the universe with 5 elements: wood, fire, earth, metal, and water. Liver = wood, heart = fire, kidney = water. TCM protects the meridians of our bodies and the relationship between our internal organs. A TCM Dr. requires 5 years of study, and 3 years of internships to start practicing.
