Healthy Living Blog

Island Health Holiday Pop-up Market—Shop Local, Support Wellness

Island Health and WSNA Reach Tentative Agreements on Several Contract Items

Island Health and the Washington State Nurses Association (WSNA) met for our sixth bargaining session on October 16. We want…

Quarterly DAISY Award Recognizes Exceptional Care by Labor and Delivery Nurse Eileen Sablan, BSN, RN

Congratulations to our most recent DAISY honoree, Eileen Sablan, BSN, RN, from Labor and Delivery. Eileen was nominated for her…

Food of the Month – Sweet Corn

Sweet corn is a variety of corn grown specifically for human consumption. It was developed by Indigenous peoples of the…

A New Way to Stay Informed About Your Prescriptions

Starting August 10, Island Health is introducing RxInform, a free, secure text service that keeps you informed about your prescriptions.…

Big News: Island Surgeons is Now Island General Surgery and Gastroenterology

We’ve grown, and our new name shows it. We now have two more doctors on our team to make it…

Don’t Wait for a Reason: Why Now’s the Time to Find Your Primary Care Provider

Building a relationship with a primary care provider (PCP) does more than help when you’re sick. It’s like knowing your…

Back-to-School Immunizations: What Families Need to Know

School’s almost back in session, so now’s a great time to check that your child’s vaccinations are up to date.…

Food of the Month – Avocados

Avocados are nutrient-dense, pear-shaped fruits native to the Americas. Botanically, they are classified as large berries that grow on the…

Food of the Month – Fiber

Nutrition: Soluble Fiber: Dissolve in water and are non-digestible plant fibers. These fibers create a gel like mass in the…

Early Detection, Opening a Door to Life-saving Treatment

One of the most rewarding parts of my job as a general surgeon is caring for patients with cancer, especially…

Quarterly DAISY Award Recognizes Exceptional Care by Acute Care Nurse Yossarian Day, RN

Congratulations to our most recent DAISY honoree, Yossarian Day, RN, from Acute Care. Yossarian received four nominations during the course…

Levy Funds Fuel Facility and Equipment Upgrades

With the passage of the 2025 Maintenance and Operations Levy, the Anacortes community has taken a major step in securing…

Get to know Dr. Thomas

          As a nephrologist, Dr. Thomas diagnoses and treats kidney-related conditions, such as chronic kidney disease,…

Expanding Cardiology Services with Heart & Courage

Q&A with Cardiologist Rajesh Bhola, MD Heart disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women, with…

Get to know Dr. Brad Watkins

        Dr. Watkins provides care for issues involving the abdomen (gallbladder, appendix, hernias, stomach, intestines), skin and…

Food of the Month – Peas

Nutrition: Peas contain vitamins, A, C, K and folate. Peas also contain many minerals and are a good source of…

Connected Health Records Improve Care Across Systems

Island Health is proud to be an early adopter of TEFCA—the Trusted Exchange Framework and Common Agreement, a nationwide effort…

Get to Know Dr. Simon Shapiro

        As an interventional spine and musculoskeletal physiatrist, Dr. Shapiro collaborates with patients to help optimize function…

Putting People at the Heart of Healthcare Innovation

In many hospitals, innovation is often discussed in terms of new devices and software upgrades. The most meaningful transformations happen,…

What to Expect During Your Emergency Department Visit

A trip to the Emergency Department (ED) is rarely planned—and it can often feel stressful or uncertain. Understanding what happens…

Get to Know Dr. Dempsie Morrison

          Dr. Morrison treats a broad range of general gastrointestinal conditions. He performs EGD (upper endoscopy),…

Comprehensive, Team-based Care—Without Sacrificing Choice

One of the greatest advantages of a hospital-based birth center is access to a multi-faceted care team working collaboratively in…

Food of the Month – Herbs

Plan to plant your herbs in early spring, the longer days and mild weather makes great conditions for these plants.…