2020 was a landmark year for MultiCare Pulse Heart Institute, with departments transitioning from zero virtual visit options to offering them in each specialty area. Pulse also developed a strategy focusing on increasing philanthropic support for better heart health and healthier futures.
Reflecting on this year of great change, Uma Krishnan, MD and Nathan Spence, MD share what it’s been like to provide cardiac care during COVID-19 and the impact of charitable giving on care delivery and outcomes.
Puget Sound region’s Dr. Uma Krishnan
Uma Krishnan, MD is a board-certified cardiologist and Medical Director of Cardiac Rehabilitation Services at MultiCare Pulse Heart Institute. She’s also a Prevention COE Dyad Partner for Pulse in the Puget Sound region.
For Dr. Krishnan and her team, the pandemic has meant an increased emphasis on safety across every aspect of care.
“It’s also helped us create a more unified approach,” she explains. “We identify what are the essential things we want to do right this moment, what can wait, how we consolidate and how we reduce exposure time.”
Over the past few months, Dr. Krishnan has seen more patients coming in with extreme cardiac cases. This stems from the fact that many people delayed visiting their doctor or going to the emergency department when first experiencing symptoms, fearing exposure to COVID-19.
Through the added stress of being a care provider amidst COVID-19 and experiencing an increase of patients in cardiac failure, Dr. Krishnan has kept her smile — even if you can’t quite see it behind her mask and face shield.
“I’ve always liked the word ‘attitude,’ because when you add up the percentage of each letter, you get 100,” she shares. “With a positive attitude, you can do anything.”
Dr. Krishnan also credits her colleagues’ penchant for teamwork and commitment to being good to one another — along with her personal stress management outlets of hiking and gardening — for her optimistic outlook.
Philanthropy has been an additional source of fulfillment and happiness for Dr. Krishnan. Not only is she a donor herself, but she’s also seen firsthand the impact donations can have on heart patients in need.
Take Pulse’s Community Impact Fund, for example. The fund was established to give Pulse social workers the means to provide patients with resources, such as food assistance, transportation for appointments, access to medications or help with utilities.
In addition to the resources provided by the Helping Hands fund, Pulse’s Community Impact Fund seeks to advance equity for patients and their families, addressing the social and environmental needs of vulnerable populations.
Inland Northwest’s Dr. Nathan Spence
Nathan Spence, MD joined the MultiCare Pulse Heart Institute Cardiology, CT and Vascular Services – Spokane right in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. He immediately had to adjust to the new normal of virtual visits and grappling with a mysterious new disease.
“COVID has been a bit unique for cardiology,” Dr. Spence explains. “It’s something that’s continued to evolve as far as our understanding of what it does for creating blood clots and affecting the heart muscle, along with various heart rhythms.”
Like Dr. Krishnan, Dr. Spence has also had an influx of patients presenting with issues related to heart attacks or heart failure, because people were hesitant to seek essential care during the early days of the pandemic. Despite all these obstacles, Pulse has continued to grow in the Inland Northwest, practically doubling in size over the past five months. This tremendous expansion coupled with a teamwork mentality has kept Dr. Spence energized.
“I truly feel like I work with an exceptional group of people,” he says. “There are shared values of really trying to be the best we can be for our patients, but also as team members working together.”
Dr. Spence finds centeredness by working out on his Peloton bike, practicing meditation and spending time with his wife and twin boys.
“This has given us more of an excuse to spend more time together, which as a dad has been awesome,” he shares. “We’re not having the same traditional distractions. In a lot of ways, it’s brought us even closer together as a family.”
Dr. Spence also looks forward to seeing Pulse donations in action. In fact, what really attracted him to the job was MultiCare’s mission of giving back to the community. With philanthropic dollars supporting areas like program innovation, Pulse providers can help cardiac, thoracic and vascular patients experience their best possible health outcomes.
MultiCare Pulse Heart Institute held the “Heart of Pulse Giving Campaign” in 2020.
Thanks to community generosity:
- $15,297.02 will help Pulse in Puget Sound
- $1,852.50 will help Pulse in Inland Northwest
Pulse was also able to assist local community organizations like:
• Big Table, which lifts up Spokane restaurant and hospitality industry employees in crisis
• Emergency Food Network, which provides healthy, nutritious food to food pantries, meal sites and shelters
• Nourish Pierce County, which operates 23 active food bank distribution sites
• Other areas of support included cardiac rehab and care provider education
