Hospice of Kitsap County has announced that Lisa Bukata has joined the organization as the Veterans Program Coordinator to further develop the growing portfolio of veteran-related programs. 

Bukata spent the past six years in the funeral service field, specializing in fostering positive relationships with veterans’ families and organizations to ensure proper memorialization of their loved ones. A veteran herself, she spent six years as an officer after graduating from the Air Force Academy. read more »

When patients come to see Dr. Kate D’Archangel at her Kingston office, they typically spend an entire hour with her. The naturopathic doctor not only talks with them about the concerns that brought them in, but tries to get a complete picture of what’s happening with them physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I look at the whole person, not just at the symptoms, to figure out a treatment plan,” she said. “I talk to patients a lot and ask a lot of questions to get the full range.” read more »

There’s no doubt in the mind of the business community that when Harrison Medical Center moves its Bremerton hospital to Silverdale, it will create a positive ripple effect on other businesses. But how much impact remains speculation. read more »

Harrison Medical Center has announced that Joe Kortum has been appointed interim president of Harrison Medical Center, part of Franciscan Health System.  He will replace Scott Bosch, Harrison’s president and CEO who is retiring at the end of July. read more »

The science and best practices in prenatal care is evolving, as in any other medical field, and one of the latest tools is noninvasive prenatal testing, or NIPT. It’s a blood test used to screen for chromosome-related conditions such as Down syndrome, and it can be performed at 10 weeks of pregnancy. read more »

The Washington Health Benefit Exchange has finished the certification process for insurance carriers that will be able to sell individual insurance plans on the Washington Healthplanfinder exchange, starting Jan. 1. Individuals will be able enroll in plans starting Oct. 1, while finding out what kind of federal government subsidies they may qualify for.

In Kitsap County, six carriers were approved: BridgeSpan, Community Health Plan of Washington, Coordinated Care, Group Health Cooperative, LifeWise Health Plan of Washington and Premera Blue Cross. In total, eight carriers will be offering 38 health plans for families and individuals in the state through the exchange, which was testing its new system in September. read more »

More than 1,000 people are expected to flow through Gateway Fellowship in Poulsbo on Oct. 19 — not for worship services but for a special outreach event called Operation Day of Hope.

Now in its fourth year, Day of Hope is a way for the congregation to extend a helping hand to people with a variety of needs, ranging from winter clothing and haircuts to legal assistance and groceries.

Local medical professionals are also part of the event, offering medical and dental clinics. read more »

Darrell Rice loves dogs and has always owned one. But since living at Martha & Mary’s long-term care facility in Poulsbo for the past five years, he’s missed having a pet around.

That’s why Tuesdays are special. He gets regular visits from Poncho, a golden retriever owned by volunteer Kari MacKenzie.

“Poncho rubs me the right way all the time,” Rice said. “He’s so kind and an easy dog to be around and enjoys being with people.” read more »

Rear Adm. Michael Anderson has served all around the country and the world during his 34-year career with the Navy and Marine Corps, moving every three years on average. But when it came to retirement, it was the Kitsap Peninsula that he and his wife, Paula, wanted to call home.

In fact, it was a position with Harrison Medical Center that convinced Dr. Anderson to retire as the medical officer and health services director for the Marine Corps. read more »