Archived Speakers-Meetings

Member Meeting-December 11, 2025 at 12 pm

Member Meeting-November 13, 2025 at 2 pm

Zoom Meeting Link

Meeting Summary

Powerpoint Presentation

Gillian Bailey

Gillian Bailey is a local yoga teacher and presenter who focuses on teaching yoga that is accessible to people of walks of life. After retiring from a career in IT, she earned her YA Yoga Teacher Training certification in 2019. Since then Gillian has taught in a local studio and at her 55+ community, where she teaches today. She currently leads an active vinyasa-style yoga as well as a very accessible Yoga-for-all class that uses chair poses to replace floor work. Gillian appreciates the positive changes that becoming a student of yoga has brought to all aspects of her life, and loves to share the power of yoga with others.

Member Meeting-October 9, 2025 2 pm

Zoom Meeting Link

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Ahn Tran, Pharmacy Resident

Graduated from University of Washington
Fun fact: I love cross-stitching, cooking and practicing my handwriting

Jiyoung Park, Pharmacy Resident

Graduated from Idaho State University Fun fact: I love roller-skating and hiking

Both from St Peter Hospital Pharmacy.  They will present information on the various types of Cardiac Medications and I have asked them to focus on some of the questions members have asked about their medications. I’m sure we will have time for plenty of other questions and answers about medications.

Member Meeting-September 10, 2025 at 6 pm

Heart Disease Question and Answer session with Dr John Waggoner

Dr. John W Waggoner is an Interventional Cardiology Specialist in Olympia, Washington. He graduated with honors from Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine in 1999. Having more than 19 years of diverse experiences, especially in INTERVENTION CARDIOLOGY, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CARDIOLOGY). He currently supervises the Providence St Peter Cardiologists, and Cardiac Surgeons.

Member Meeting-August 21, 2025

Chapter Picnic-BBQ Tumwater Historical Park

Member Meeting-July 8, 2025 at 6 pm
ARNP/PA Panel Cardiac Care-Issues

Zoom Member Meeting Link to online Zoom Session

PowerPoint Presentation by Speaker

Abril Henry, ARNP 
I am a nurse practitioner with Providence Cardiology, specializing in electrophysiology. I earned my degree from Gonzaga University in 2023 and spent a year in primary care before joining the cardiology team in January. Prior to becoming an NP, I worked as a registered nurse in cardiac care and emergency nursing.

Member Meeting-June 12, 2025 at 2 pm

Zoom Meeting Link

Paying it forward (Volunteer)

Merrit Reed

Hi! My name is Merrit Reed. I’m the Senior Manager of Volunteer Services at Providence Swedish South Puget Sound. I oversee the volunteer programs at St. Peter and Centralia Hospitals, the Cancer Centers in Lacey, Centralia, and Aberdeen, and the Abuse Intervention Center in Lacey.

Prior to my time with Providence, I served as a volunteer coordinator at other nonprofits including, Emergency Food Network in Lakewood and the Pacific Crest Trail Association in Sacramento. With more than 15 years of experience (7 with Providence), I’ve coordinated thousands of volunteers, leading their efforts to fulfill their passions to help others. I love to be surrounded in the positivity of volunteers. In a world of uncertainty, volunteers embrace their communities with kindness, warmth, and generosity. Volunteers are the goodness and the hope that we need to make this world a better place.

PowerPoint Presentation

Member Meeting-May 8, 2025 at 2 pm
Cardiac exercises

Hi, my name is Matt Olnick. I am a personal trainer here at the South Sound YMCA. I am on a constant journey to help people reach their fitness goals! I am a corrective exercise specialist, nutrition, strength and conditioning coach that helps people build regiments and useful diet and exercise programs for their certain needs/goals. I have a wide variety of background through sports, powerlifting and bodybuilding. I am excited to meet all of you thanks! 

Member Meeting-April 10, 2025 at 2 pm
Topic: Collaboration between the Doctor and Patient

Graduated from Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon. There are many important factors that contribute to a person’s overall health, including individual life circumstances. She is a well-read practitioner who believes there is always room for improvement. Dr. Dean is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine. She is uncompromising in her dedication to the well-being of her patients. She is committed to giving the best care and establishing long-lasting relationships with them.

Member Meeting-March 13, 2025
Nurse Panel Cardiac Care (Facebook Link)

Erica Palmer, RN–Cath Lab
Erica is a highly skilled Cath lab nurse who also has had experience in the Progressive Care Unit (PCU), and the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU). She has been a nurse since 2009 and has worked with Providence for 14 years. She enjoys exercising, the ocean, and listening to music – especially going to concerts with her son.

Ann Staley, RN-Intermediate Care Unit
I was raised in Alaska and moved to Washington when I was 16 years old.  I moved to Olympia to attend The Evergreen State College in 1993. I have degrees in Psychology and Nursing.  My first careers were as a Social Worker, working with Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault survivors and at-risk youth.  I took a ten-year hiatus from the workforce to be a stay-at-home mom to my three children.  Jackson (23), Lucas (21), Natalie (17).  I went back to school in 2015 and graduated from South Puget Sound Community College in 2017 with my nursing degree.  I accepted a residency on the 11th floor IMCU at St. Peter Hospital and have worked there ever since.  I work as a Charge RN the majority of my shifts and have grown to love the patient population on our floor, finding it to be challenging and inspiring.  There’s nothing better than the therapeutic relationship between a nurse and their patient.  Olympia is the perfect place to live, in my opinion. This area is the place where I have found a strong community and is the epicenter of all of my favorite hobbies.  In my spare time I enjoy hiking, reading, running, hot yoga, eating food with friends, playing with my cats and travelling.  I am looking forward to this summer, as my youngest child will graduate high school and we plan to celebrate with a trip to Europe. During that trip, I will hike the Dolomite Mountains in Italy with my significant other!

Kimberly Hart, MSN, RN-Critical Care Unit and Rapid Response
Nursing is my third career. I started my career in accounting, joined the Army, then became a nurse in 2007.  I have been with Providence for 17 of my 18 years as a nurse. The majority of my time I have worked in the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit (CVICU) as a Charge nurse, Rapid Response Nurse and an open-heart recovery instructor. I made a 3-year detour into management and worked as a sepsis nurse before returning to the bedside in 2022.  I love to travel, read non-fiction, and go on hikes with my 3-year-old Rottweiler Maximus. I’m passionate about nursing and patient education.  It’s a pleasure to speak with you today!

Michelle Thomas, RN–Cardiopulmonary Rehab
Michelle is one of our stellar RN, BSN in our Cardiopulmonary Rehab department at Providence St. Peter Hospital. She has worked with Providence for 20+ years in various areas including the Emergency Department, Intermediate Care Unit (IMCU), Neuro Intensive Critical Care (NICU), the short stay unit, the Critical Care Unit (CCU), and a nursing supervisor. She enjoys spending time with her family, which includes her husband and 2 children who are busy in sports. She also loves to travel.
Mystery Nurse….??

February Member Meeting
Matters of the Heart: Evidence-Based Nutrition strategies for Optimal Care

Breann Hogie RDN, CD is a Registered Dietitian who has been passionate about helping others lead healthier lives since 2018. She brings her expertise from clinical nutrition and five years of outpatient education serving Mason County residents.  Now, she leads the Clinical Nutrition team for Providence South Puget Sound.  She promotes science-based nutrition and supports this through her continued education in this evolving field of study.  She volunteers her time by serving as the current president of the Olympia Area Dietetic Association and with Oly Trail Runners by managing aid stations for their local races.  When she’s not at work or volunteering, you can find her social dancing, hitting the trails for a run, biking, kayaking or backpacking in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. 

Files from Nutrition Meeting…Mediterranean Diet Food List Eating Patterns for Heart Disease

Member Meeting-January 9, 2025

Speakers: Heart Transplant

Robin Bevis

In 1974, Robin was diagnosed with IHSS (Idiopathic Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis), now called HOCM.  Robin had a cardiac arrest in 1980 and was then transported to NIH (National Institutes of Health) in Bethesda, MD, for surgery.  At that time, the researchers at NIH were successfully performing the ventricular septal myectomy operation for HCM. From 1980 until 2016, Robin worked as a corporate controller, living in Coeur d’Alene, ID, and then in Everett, WA.  Her heart disease was well-controlled, although she had permanent atrial fibrillation. In 2016, she had a second cardiac arrest, followed by surgery to install an ICD, which resulted in a blood clot and a stroke.  By the end of 2020, after an unsuccessful mitral valve surgery, she was diagnosed with advanced heart failure, and it was recommended that she consider a heart transplant. She had a heart transplant in September 2021 and now lives in Lacey, WA, with her husband, Mike, and their dog, Ruby.

Kaci Lynn Comstock

My name is Kaci Lynn I was born in 1986 with a rare form of VSD. I had my first open heart surgery at the age of two and multiple surgeries through out my life. After over a decade living with heart failure on January 2, 2023 I received the most precious gift a strong healthy heart.

Member Meeting Power Point on Exercise

Register for December Holiday Luncheon

November Member Meeting
Providence Pharmacists
November 14th at 2 pm

Pharmacist Handout
Pharmacist answers to questions from member meeting

Kathy Ng (Resident): “Hi, my name is Kathy. I am from San Francisco, CA. I attended University of the Pacific, Thomas J. Long Pharmacy School in Stockton, CA. My professional goal is to work in a pharmacist-led clinic with an interest in cardiology or primary care”

Sara Lei (Resident): “”My name is Sara Lei, and I am currently a PGY1 resident at Providence St. Peter Hospital on my Cardiology rotation. I was born and raised in Los Angeles, CA, where I earned my Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Pharmaceutical Sciences from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), followed by my Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.) from the University of Southern California (USC) Alfred E. Mann School of Pharmacy. My areas of interest include cardiology, transitions of care, and family medicine. My goal is to become a practicing clinical pharmacist who provides evidence-based recommendations in disease state management while working closely with patients to bridge gaps in their healthcare”

Zarina De La Cruz (Intern): “My name is Zarina de la Cruz, I am a 4^th year pharmacy student going to WSU, and am currently on my Transitions of Care rotation. I grew up in the Lakewood area and currently moved up to Lacey to live with some of my other family, where I also completed my undergraduate at Saint Martin’s. I enjoy listening to music and playing video games, have a Samoyed named Theo, and am pursuing work either in an ambulatory or inpatient setting”

Ahn Tran (Intern): “Name: Anh Tran”
School: University of Washington
Where I come from: Olympia, WA
Current rotation: Cardiology
Career goals and interests: I plan to pursue a one-year residency program after graduation and work in the in-patient setting in the future. Though I don’t have a particular specialty area that I am interested in yet”

October Member Meeting
Dr. Jason Reese-Heart Devices
October 15th at 5:45 pm
Timberline Baptist Church

Dr. Jason M. Reese, a cardiologist, received his medical degree from Edward Via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine and has been in practice approximately 20 years. He has worked in the Tacoma area. Dr. Jason M. Reese has expertise in treating heart valve surgery, coronary artery disease, chronic high blood pressure, among other conditions. More recently Dr. Reese started practicing at Kaiser Permanente Clinic in Olympia and has privileges at St Peter Hospital.

September Member Meeting
Dr. John Waggoner–Q&A Heart Disease
DATE: Rescheduled to September 12th at 5:45 pm
Timberline Baptist Church

Dr. John W Waggoner is an Interventional Cardiology Specialist in Olympia, Washington. He graduated with honors from Oregon Health Sciences University School of Medicine in 1999. Having more than 19 years of diverse experiences, especially in INTERVENTION CARDIOLOGY, CARDIOVASCULAR DISEASE (CARDIOLOGY). He currently supervises the Providence St Peter Cardiologists, and Cardiac Surgeons.

Mended Hearts Chapter 130 Picnic

DATE: Thursday, August 8 TIME: 5 – 7 PM
LOCATION: TUMWATER HISTORICAL PARK, 777 Simmons Rd. SW
Please bring a dish according to your last name Food: A-H: Salad I-P: Main Dish Q-Z: Dessert

July No Member Meeting

Speaker:
Bruce Silverman, MD, MS (Human Nutrition)

Date: June 13, 2024 2 pm

Topic: Diet, the Microbiome and Health

View PowerPoint Presentation from June 13, 2004-converted to pdf file so all can view

Snacks: Baba Ghanoush, Hummus, Guacamole, Bruschetta, 3 Seed Bread, Tabouleh Salad, Blue Corn Chips, Vegetable plate.

Originally from Chicago. I retired from 37 years of practice in Gastroenterology in Olympia in January 2023. Undergraduate degree BS from Grinnell College in Iowa. Masters degree in Human Nutrition Columbia University. Medical degree from Rush University in Chicago. Residency Internal Medicine Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in California. Fellowship in Gastroenterology University of Washington.

Exercise Presentation at the Chapter Member Meeting on May 9, 2024, 2 pm.

I’m Heather! I’m a certified personal trainer at the South Sound YMCA. My favorite thing about the Y is the diversity of our membership. I’ve had the opportunity to work with clients from age 12 to age 90. I strive to create enjoyable, sustainable exercise programs for individuals of all walks of life. I specialize in weightlifting, and take great pleasure in supporting people in becoming confident in the weight room or other areas that fit their goals!

Member Meeting-April 11, 2024 at 2 pm
Topic: CPR Training

Worked 20 years as RN, 15 of those in the military.
Worked 15 years as nurse practitioner.
Worked 15 years as a volunteer EMT/firefighter.
Have been teaching a variety of topics since 1978, to include CPR, nursing inservice, EMT and firefighter skills.

Member Meeting-March 14, 2024 at 2 pm
Topic: Preventative Cardiac Care

Graduated from Oregon Health & Sciences University, Portland, Oregon. There are many important factors that contribute to a person’s overall health, including individual life circumstances, prevention, and available evidence-based treatments. I believe in working together with patients to examine these factors and determine a path to better health. The establishment of a physician-patient relationship built on a foundation of trust, understanding, and continuity makes this possible. I enjoy spending time with family and friends, going for day hikes, and reading. Health care policy and reform are of particular interest to me. Works at Providence Hawks Prairie Family Medicine 2555 Marvin Road Northeast Lacey, WA 98516.

Member Meeting-February 8, 2024 at 2 pm
Topic: Spirituality and cardiovascular health

After working for Presbyterian churches and camps in a youth director role, I felt a tug toward pastoral ministry. I graduated from San Francisco Theological Seminary in 1990, was ordained and served churches in Oregon, Washington and California as a Pastor, Associate Pastor, Designated Pastor and Interim Pastor. In 2007 I finished my Doctor of Ministry at Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA.
Over the years I finished my Clinical Pastoral Education units and became a Board Certified Chaplain. I have served full time at our local hospital in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit and the Neuro Intensive Care Unit, and currently work part time for Puget Sound Hospice.
I am married with grown children and grandchildren. I enjoy walks with my big dog Ziggy, cooking and friends.

(Click Picture for Speaker Link)
Member Meeting-January 11, 2024 at 11 am

Janet Moody, JD received her Bachelor of Arts degree from The Evergreen State College and her Juris Doctor degree from the University of Washington School of Law. She served as a public defender for Thurston County District Court, and has been in private practice since 2003.
The focus of her practice is Elder Law, including Guardianship, Trust and Estate planning, Medicaid planning, Special Needs Trusts and Vulnerable Adult issues.
Janet is a member of the Thurston County Bar Association, the Washington State Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. She is a member of the Board of Directors of the Thurston County Bar Association and is a Past President.
She also served as President of the Board of Directors of Thurston County Volunteer Legal Services. She is a member of the Thurston Mason Senior Action Network, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.

Mo	Day	Yr	Topic	Speaker	Business	Type	Notes
1	12	22	Cardiology	Dr Charles Rossow	Providence Cardiology	Zoom
2	10	22	Meds	Laura Carpenter (Interns)	St Peter Hospital	Zoom
3	14	22	Diet	Cathy Visser	True For You Nutrition	Zoom
4	28	22	Nursing Cardiology	Suzzane Upfield	St Peter Hospital	Zoom
5	12	22	Exercise	Cullen Crowe	YMCA	Zoom
6	16	22	Diabetes	Video	Chapter	Zoom
7	14	22	COVID	Dr. Dimyana Abdelmalek	Thurston County Health Dept	Zoom
8	11	22	Picnic	National Mended Hearts	Tumwater Historical Park	In Person
9	8	22	Cardiology	Dr Charles Rossow	Providence Cardiology	Zoom
10	13	22	Yoga	Fred Wright	True Self Yoga	In Person	Link
11	10	22	Meds Brown Bag	Laura Carpenter (Interns)	St Peter Hospital	In Person
12	15	22	Holiday Luncheon	Members Gospel Church	Chapter Jacob Smith House	In Person	Register
1	12	23	Visitor Program	Diane Caputo	Chapter Member	In Person	Visitor Page
2	9	23	Heart Attacks	Carolyn, Jeanne, Sonia	Chapter Members	In Person
3	9	23	CPR	Beverly Wright	Medic One	In Person
4	13	23	Exercise	Their Stories Darld, Larry, John	Chapter Members	In Person
5	11	23	Long Term MH Membership	Ernie Ong	Chapter Members	In Person
6	8	23	Cardiac Arrest	Kristi, Nick, Julie	Chapter Members	In Person
7	13	23	Recovery Discussion	Kristi, Diane, Darld	Chapter Members	In Person
8	10	23	Picnic	All Members	Chapter Members	Tumwater Historical Park
9	12	23	Cardiology	Dr. Waggoner	Providence Cardiology	In Person
10	12	23	Plant Based Diet	Rachel Akins	Boldt Diabetes and Nutrition Education	Zoom
11	9	23	Medicare Insurance	Doug Kernutt	SHIBA	In Person
12	7	23	Holiday Luncheon	Members	Chapter Jacob Smith House	In Person	Register

Speakers

Mo	Day	Yr	Topic	Speaker	Business	Type	Notes
1	11	24	Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning	Janet Moody	Elder Law with Care	Hybrid	Changed time to 11 am
2	8	24	Spirituality and cardiovascular health	Tammy Stampfli	Puget Sound Hospice	Hybrid
3	14	24	Preventative Cardiac Care	Kathryn Dean, MD	Providence	Hybrid
4	11	24	CPR Training	Bev Wright	Medic One	In-Person Only
5	9	24	Exercise	Heather Sundean	YMCA	In-Person Only
6	13	24	Diet, the Microbiome and Health	Bruce Silverman, MD, MS	Retired	Hybrid	Mediterranean Diet
7	11	24	No Member Meeting
8	8	24	Chapter Picnic				TUMWATER HISTORICAL PARK
9	12	24	Heart Questions and Answers	John Waggoner, MD	Providence	Hybrid
10	15	24	Heart Devices	Jason Reese, DO	Kaiser	Hybrid
11	14	24	Heart Medications	St Peter Hospital Pharmacists	Providence	Hybrid
12	12	24	Christmas Luncheon	Jacob Smith House		In-Person Only	11 am-2 pm
01	09	25	Heart Transplant Panel	Robin & Kaci Lynn	Members	Hybrid	2 pm
02	13	25	Matters of the Heart: Evidence-Based Nutrition strategies for Optimal Care	Breann Hogie, RDN, CD	Dietitian	Hybrid	2 pm
03	13	25	Nurse Panel	Four St Peter Hospital RNs	Providence	Hybrid	2 pm
04	10	25	Collaboration with MD	Kathryn Dean, MD	Providence	Hybrid	2 pm
05	08	25	Cardiac Exercises	Matt Olnick	YMCA	Hybrid	2 pm
06	12	25	Volunteer	Merrit Reed	Providence	Hybrid	2 pm
07	08	25	Cardiac Care-Issues	ARN P-PA	Providence	Hybrid	6 pm
08	21	25	Chapter Picnic	Members	Tumwater Historical Park	In-Person Only	Tumwater Historical Park
09	10	25	Question and Answer Session	John Waggoner, MD	Providence	Lacey City Hall	6 pm
10	09	25	Cardiac Medications	Ahn Tran, Pharmacy Resident and Jiyoung Park, Pharmacy Resident	Providence	Hybrid	2 pm

Volunteer Visitors Visits, Patients, Families, TAVRs, and new Members