Health Care

Next IT spins off health care unit

Company plans to develop disease-specific programs

October 22, 2015

Next IT Corp., the natural language software company that recently moved its operations to Spokane Valley from downtown, has launched a new entity called Next IT Healthcare. Next IT develops software-guided avatars that companies and organizations use t

Dentist merge practices, become Downtown Dental

Plaster, McKennon expect to offer added convenience

October 8, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Dentists Corey Plaster and Rudyard McKennon are in the process of combining their dental practices into one, which they plan to call Downtown Dental. The two dentists have spent the past 11 years working down the hall from one another on the eighth floo

Women are more likely to talk about pain, study finds

WSU researchers say new approach reduces pill use

October 8, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Dr. Marian Wilson, a second-year assistant professor at Washington State University Spokane, found in a study on chronic pain that women seem more open than men to participating in studies and sharing their symptoms.

Shriners hospital's countersuit against fired worker fails

Appellate court upholds Superior Court's dismissal

October 8, 2015

The Washington state Court of Appeals has rejected a counterclaim filed by Shriners Hospitals for Children here after it was sued by a woman it fired for allegedly altering time cards. In a 3-0 ruling, the appellate court panel here affirmed a Spokane Co

Birthing center readies for debut in Coeur d'Alene

Ancient Paths also will offer massage, lactation services

October 8, 2015

Mike McLean

Sarah Dunn, a longtime North Idaho-based midwife, plans to open Ancient Paths Birth & Wellness LLC, a multidiscipline birthing center, in Coeur d'Alene next month.

Susan G. Komen chapter updates community role

Nonprofit hopes to expand screening-program access

October 8, 2015

Mike McLean

One of the first big tasks for Becky Duffey, the new executive director of Susan G. Komen Eastern Washington, will be to oversee an extensive update of the organization's role in the community.

Childbirth and Parenting Assistance program moves to larger space

Childbirth, parenting agency says space is suited to meet growing demand

October 8, 2015

The Childbirth and Parenting Assistance program has found a spacious new home in the lower level of St. Anne's Children and Family Center, at 25 W. Fifth.

EWU takes reins of program promoting rural health care careers

AHEC previous operated by WSU

September 24, 2015

LeAnn Bjerken

Eastern Washington University has taken over management of the Area Health Education Center programs on its Spokane campus this fall as part of an effort to promote exposure and exploration of health professions for students in rural areas. AHEC is a n

Job-loss lawsuit reinstated on appeal

Judges say clinic didn't accommodate worker

September 24, 2015

The Washington state Court of Appeals has overturned a prior ruling and reinstated a discrimination lawsuit filed by a woman fired from her job as a health care worker because the employer feared she herself was a potential health risk. A Spokane County

WSU pursues sustainability in nursing school curriculum

Two professors helping to push for sustainability

September 10, 2015

Washington State University's College of Nursing, now based in Spokane, is working to educate future medical professionals on the importance of reducing the extraordinarily high volume of waste generated by the health care industry.