Help us celebrate Doctor’s Day, March 30th!
As a nonprofit, we believe that everyone — regardless of income level — deserves to live their healthiest life. Our amazing team of medical providers, mental health clinicians, dentists, and pharmacists deliver affordable care to those who might otherwise go without. This Doctor’s Day, we honor them and invite you to join us in celebrating their dedication and skill.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, but the great news is there are a variety of changes and activities that can support a strong and healthy heart as you age. February is American Heart Month and a great time to make adjustments in daily life to improve the health of the strongest muscle in your body. Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) provides support and resources that can assist you in your journey. They have a blog, CHPWConnections, which features reliable health information and tips from their trusted team of medical doctors and experts. In the CHPWConnections article “Heart Health Tips: How Lowering Your Blood Pressure Can Help,” there’s a list of tips you can adopt to help with above-normal blood pressure. CHPW also offers a helpful Health Information Library available online for anyone to use. Check out their video that shares tips and ideas on how you can choose a heart-healthy life. Did you know there are several noninvasive tests that can help give you a full picture of your heart health? Learn more about what types of heart tests are available.
Community Health Plan of Washington (CHPW) has a big heart for providing health care to Washington families, they have been doing it for more than 30 years. They are Washington’s first not-for-profit to serve Apple Health members. In 1992, Washington’s community and migrant health centers (CHCs), created CHPW to provide health insurance to people who were not being served by traditional insurance companies. From that beginning, they are governed by community organizations (Community Health Centers) like Unity Care NW which, in turn, are governed by community members. Today, they remain a not-for-profit based in Washington providing health care for Washingtonians. Here in Whatcom county, they offer Apple Health (Medicaid) and Medicare Advantage plans.
CHPW: The power of community CHPW is based in Washington State, and its staff members live and work across the state, providing care and resources grounded in the communities they serve. As a leader in whole-person care and advancing health equity, CHPW collaborates with its members and communities to identify their specific needs, remove barriers, and ensure quality care.
They are also one of Unity Care NW’s Health Care Champion sponsors supporting our work to provide affordable whole person health care to everyone. Thank you CHPW for everything you do to create stronger and healthier communities!
Unity Care NW has Switched to a New Patient Portal as of February 11th
We’re excited to announce that Unity Care NW has transitioned to MyChart—a new and improved system to keep your health information secure and accessible 24/7.
What Is MyChart?
MyChart is an easy-to-use tool that keeps all of a patient’s health information in one place. It’s much better than our previous system and will help us work together with our patients manage their care care. MyChart will make managing our patients’ health simpler and more convenient. With MyChart, patients can:
See their medications, test results, and upcoming appointments.
View medical bills.
Request appointments.
Complete pre-visit tasks from the comfort of home — and more.
A Note About This Change
Our staff is also learning to use this new system, so there may be some delays while we get used to it. Thank you for your patience as we work to provide you the best possible care.
A vibrant arts community can help increase health and wellness for all. Studies show that living in arts-rich communities and engaging with creativity can promote overall wellbeing. In fact, there is evidence that the arts may support healthy child development, help reduce the overall impact of trauma, and improve both mental and physical health. The Whatcom Community Foundation (WCF) uses this concept to guide their efforts as they work to achieve their vision that “Everyone here thrives”. Being one of our Unity Care NW Health Care Champions is just one of the many ways they are a supporting a stronger and healthier community. Check out their full Blog post on the importance of arts and culture and how their organization is contributing.
Here are a few examples of how the Whatcom Community Foundation is investing in arts and culture in our neighborhoods:
Making grants – most recently, Health and Wellness Grants went to nine arts and culture-related organizations, while 12 Whatcom arts and culture projects received Project Neighborly grants this year.
Representing our arts community – after the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation reached out to help inform WCF’s arts funding, twenty-seven Whatcom County organizations received funds!
Building the Whatcom Arts and Culture Fund. The Whatcom Arts & Culture Fund is a dedicated philanthropic initiative created to support and elevate the vibrant artistic and cultural landscape of Whatcom County. This fund aims to nurture creativity, foster community engagement and preserve the rich heritage of local arts through grants.
The Community Foundation holds endowed funds for the Mount Baker Theatre, Bellingham Symphony Orchestra, Bellingham Festival of Music, The Whatcom Museum and Bellingham Chamber Chorale. These permanent funds generate precious unrestricted support every year.
Working with donors to establish funds focused on the arts, including an inspiring idea for public works of art.
Thank you, Whatcom Community Foundation — for the many ways you support Unity Care NW and our community.
In our journey towards better health and well-being, managing chronic pain can often be a significant challenge. Whether it’s stemming from a medical condition, injury, or other factors, chronic pain can greatly impact our daily lives. At Unity Care NW, we understand the complexities of chronic pain management and the risks associated with opioid therapy. That’s why we’re committed to providing you with comprehensive support and information to empower you in your health journey.
Whatcom County Overdose facts
The opioid crisis has deeply impacted communities in Northwest Washington and across the United States. In 2022, Washington state experienced a significant increase in drug overdose deaths, with overdose deaths in Whatcom County surpassing the statewide average. The COVID-19 pandemic worsened the crisis by increasing factors like anxiety and social isolation, leading to more drug use and exacerbating the epidemic. Whatcom County Emergency Medical Services receives an average of 3 to 4 overdose calls per day.[1] It is crucial that the public be aware of what opioids are and how to prevent addiction and overdose in themselves and in their loved ones.
What is an Opioid? Natural, synthetic, or semi-synthetic chemicals that interact with opioid receptors on nerve cells in the body and brain, and reduce the intensity of pain signals and feelings of pain. This class of drugs includes the illegal drug heroin, synthetic opioids such as fentanyl, and pain medications available legally by prescription, such as oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, morphine, and many others. Prescription opioids are generally safe when taken for a short time and as directed by a doctor, but because they produce euphoria in addition to pain relief, they can be misused and can lead to addiction.
Pain Management
Physical pain is a complex sensation that serves as a signal from the body to the brain, indicating injury or potential harm. It can manifest as aches, throbbing, sharp sensations, or discomfort in various parts of the body. While pain is a natural and often necessary response to protect ourselves from further injury, managing physical pain is an important part of promoting overall well-being and maintaining functional abilities. [3]
Pain management can be done in many ways that do not include opioids. Examples include:
Physical therapy
Exercise
Nonopioid medications, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen
Certain antidepressant and antiseizure medications
Chronic Pain
Chronic pain is pain lasting three months or more. It can be caused by a disease or condition, injury, medical treatment, inflammation, or even an unknown reason. There are many possible options to treat your chronic pain. You and your doctor should work together to establish treatment goals for pain and function in your daily life. Nonopioids treatments are recommended for first line treatment of most origins of chronic pain. Opioids should be used only when other options fail or conflict with other medical conditions or treatments.
If You Are Prescribed Opioids for Chronic Pain Management
Follow up with your doctor within the first few days of starting your prescription to ensure opioids are helping. You should also discuss:
What kind of pain relief and improvement you can expect overall. Opioids can reduce pain in the short-term but will not likely relieve all your pain.
Any side-effects you are experiencing.
Develop your personal pain management plan with your doctor which may include:
Your personal treatment goals, which describe what you may achieve as you make progress.
Information about treatment options.
Referral to specialists as needed.
Side Effects of Opioid Therapy
Prescription opioids carry serious risks of addiction and overdose. Opioids can slow a person’s breathing, often a sign associated with someone experiencing an opioid overdose that can cause death. The use of prescription opioids can have several side effects as well, even when taken as directed, including:
Tolerance — you might need to take more of a medication for the same pain relief
Physical dependence — you have symptoms of withdrawal when a medication is stopped, or you take less
Increased sensitivity to pain
Nausea and vomiting
Constipation
Confusion
Depression
Sleepiness and dizziness
How to Spot an Opioid Overdose
Recognizing an opioid overdose can be difficult. If you aren’t sure, it is best to treat the situation like an overdose—you could save a life.
Signs of an overdose may include:
Small, constricted “pinpoint pupils”
Falling asleep or loss of consciousness
Slow, shallow breathing
Choking or gurgling sounds
Limp body
Pale, blue, or cold skin
Narcan/Naloxone
Carrying and knowing how to use Narcan (also known as Naloxone) can help you save someone from an opioid overdose. Narcan saves lives because it can quickly restore normal breathing to a person whose breathing has slowed or stopped as a result of overdosing on prescription opioid medications, heroin, or drugs that are adulterated and contaminated with an opioid like fentanyl (e.g., cocaine, methamphetamine).
To assist a person with an expected opioid overdose:
Call 911.
Give Narcan if possible.
Try to keep the person awake and breathing.
Lay the person on their side to prevent choking.
Do not leave the person alone while waiting for help to arrive.
Naloxone is a temporary treatment. More than one dose might be needed under some circumstances, especially if an overdose event involves illicitly manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl-related substances.[4]
Where to Get Narcan
A prescription is not needed to obtain Narcan. Narcan is covered by many insurances and is available at pharmacies, including Unity Care NW’s in-house pharmacies in Bellingham and Ferndale. Speak to your pharmacist to see if your insurance covers Narcan.
Whatcom County provides Narcan to At-Risk individuals or family members, or involved bystanders of opioid related overdose through the Narcan Leave Behind Program. Contact Steven Cohen, EMS Training Specialist, at 360-820-6157 or scohen@co.whatcom.wa.us for information on Narcan Kits and training.
You can also request free Narcan to be delivered to your home online through the Washington State Naloxone Mail Order program.
Safe Medication Return at UCNW
If you have unused or expired medications, including opioids, we offer a safe medication return program to ensure they are disposed of properly. Bring any medications you have to drop boxes at our pharmacies in either Bellingham or Ferndale to safely dispose of them. By participating in this program, you’re not only protecting your loved ones from potential harm but also contributing to environmentally responsible practices.
Growing up in Hoquiam, Lisa Nelson witnessed firsthand the struggles of her parents to navigate a healthcare system that seemed designed against them. Her mother’s battle with health issues, exacerbated by the lack of affordable care options, left an indelible mark on Lisa’s life.
“I saw my mom suffer unnecessarily because of lack of health care and how that impacted her. She didn’t have an option, she had to work no matter how sick she was,” Lisa recalls.
Driven by this experience, Lisa pursued a career in pharmacy, earning her Doctor of Pharmacy from Washington State University. However, it was her transition into community health that ignited her passion for advocacy and brought her closer to effecting real change in the lives of underserved communities.
“Working in Community Health Centers, we can solve these problems, so people have access regardless of their ability to pay,” Lisa affirms.
As Chief Pharmacy Officer at Unity Care NW, Lisa recognizes the pivotal role that affordable medication plays in ensuring comprehensive healthcare. She became deeply involved in initiatives like the 340B program, which helps low-income and other vulnerable patients access more affordable medicines, leveraging it to bridge the gap between medical care and financial constraints.
“Specifically with the pharmacy and 340B, it’s a mechanism that we at the Community Health Center can utilize to make an impact on affordable medications. Because for many people, maybe they can afford to go to the doctor, but they can’t afford their prescriptions,” Lisa explains.
“With community health centers we can have a pharmacy that, instead of saying no to these patients, can say yes so at the end of the day you walk away with your medication, and you get the health outcomes you deserve,” Lisa says.
Driven by her belief in equity and fairness, Lisa is committed to streamlining processes to ensure that everyone receives the care they need without bureaucratic hurdles.
“I’m such an advocate for treating everyone the same. I want to make a system where everyone can get everything they need and if cost is an issue, we’ll figure that out without you having to fill out 14 pages of forms,” Lisa asserts.
This advocacy extends beyond the walls of Unity Care NW. As a nationally recognized expert on 340B, Lisa works with colleagues and law makers across the country to fight for fair drug pricing. She remains actively involved in various organizations, serving in leadership roles on committees and councils, engaging law makers, strategizing with other community health centers, and drafting model legislation aimed at advancing pharmacy practices and healthcare policies.
Lisa’s tireless efforts and dedication have not gone unnoticed. The National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) recently honored her with the Elizabeth K. Cooke Advocacy MVP Award during their 2024 Policy and Issues Forum in Washington, D.C. This prestigious award recognizes Lisa’s exceptional advocacy work and her unwavering commitment to expanding access to affordable healthcare.
Lisa Nelson’s journey from witnessing her mother’s struggles to becoming a stalwart advocate for healthcare equity exemplifies the transformative power of personal experience and unwavering dedication. Her story is echoed across the experiences of many health care advocates in the community health center movement across America. As she continues to champion accessible healthcare, her impact reverberates far beyond the confines of Washington State, resonating with communities across the nation in their pursuit of health and well-being for all.
October 12 is National Savings Day. A time to encourage everyone to consider their saving (and spending!) habits. According to Time, 60% of adults live paycheck to paycheck and in 2020 the Federal Reserve reported that only 64% of Americans had enough money on hand to cover a $400 emergency. Saving money is challenging, but it can be crucial to help meet life goals and to be ready when unforeseen situations happen. Even saving small amounts each month can add up to big outcomes over time. And special accounts for health related expenses (like FSAs, and HSAs,) can be crucial to support a healthy life.
As we raise awareness of National Savings Day, we want to shine a light on our partners at Umpqua Bank. Since Umpqua Bank opened their doors back in 1953 they’ve grown a lot. Today, they are the third-largest publicly traded bank on the West Coast, but their values of supporting communities have stayed strong.
At Umpqua Bank, they believe in a shared responsibility to make this world a better place, starting with how they help neighbors thrive every day. They exhibit these principals by being one of Unity Care NW’s Health Care Champion Sponsors, and giving back to the communities they serve. Recently the Umpqua Bank Charitable Foundation awarded community grants to 56 local nonprofits across its footprint totaling $337,500. Recipient organizations were selected for demonstrating a shared commitment to improving economic opportunities for under-resourced individuals, families, and small businesses.
In addition to supporting Unity Care NW and many other non-profits, Umpqua Bank also provides information and resources on their website. So with National Savings Day in mind, check out their site to find out how to Make time for a regular financial check-up and How to get your finances under control in 6 easy steps.Thanks for all you do for so many communities Umpqua Bank and thank you for being one of our amazing Health Care Champion Sponsors!
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America, but the great news is there are a variety of changes and activities that can support a strong and healthy heart as you age. February is 
for Washingtonians. Here in Whatcom county, they offer Apple Health (Medicaid) and Medicare Advantage plans.
County organizations received funds!
Growing up in Hoquiam, Lisa Nelson witnessed firsthand the struggles of her parents to navigate a healthcare system that seemed designed against them. Her mother’s battle with health issues, exacerbated by the lack of affordable care options, left an indelible mark on Lisa’s life.
habits. According to 
As we raise awareness of National Savings Day, we want to shine a light on our partners at