Business Beat
From Business Beat, August 23, 1998: Correction Dr. Jordan R. Leach has joined First Care Med Center. Leach graduated from the University of Washington Medical School and completed an internship and residency in internal medicine at Internal Medicine Spokane. An item in last week’s Business Beat column gave an incorrect affiliation.
NEW FACES:
Catherine Kleinhans has joined the Coeur d’Alene office of D.A. Davidson & Co. as a senior financial consultant. She previously worked for the leading financial planning firm in the country, and a Fortune 500 bank brokerage. Kleinhans earned bachelor’s degrees in communications/public relations and political science/international relations from Southern Methodist University.
The following people have been accepted for membership in the Spokane County Medical Society:
Dr. Hirak J. Sen has joined Inland Cardiology Associates in the practice of cardiology. He graduated from the University of Calcutta, completed an internship and residency at Beth Isreal Medical Center and a fellowship at the University Hospital of Brooklyn.
Dr. Jordan R. Leach has joined Health South-Valley. A graduate of the University of Washington Medical School, he completed an internship and residency at Internal Medicine Spokane. B Dr. Stephen P. Anthony has joined Spokane Oncology Hematology Associates. He graduated from the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine, completed an internship at St. Agnes Hospital and a residency at Hahnemann University Hospital and a fellowship at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center.
Dr. Elizabeth A. Bianchi has joined Planned Parenthood as medical director. She graduated from the University of Florida and completed an internship and residency at Family Medicine Spokane.
Dr. Steven E. Day has joined the Spokane Eye Clinic in the practice of ophthalmology. He graduated from Duke University School of Medicine and completed an internship at Mercy Hospital, a residency at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center and a fellowship at Eye Health Care Associates.
Dr. Sean W. Garman has set up a solo practice in internal medicine. He graduated from Creighton University and completed an internship and residency at the University of Arizona.
Dr. Brent M. Hjermstad has joined Pathology Associates Inc. PS in the practice of anatomic and clinical pathology. He graduated from the University of Arizona and completed an internship at Wilford Hall USAF Medical Center and a residency at the Arizona Health Sciences Center.
Dr. Terri H. Lewis has joined Inland Imaging in the practice of Diagnostic Radiology. A graduate of the University of South Carolina School of Medicine, she completed an internship at Evanston Hospital, a residency at St. Francis Hospital and a fellowship at Children’s Hospital in Seattle.
Dr. John D. Sestero has joined Spokane Internal Medicine. He graduated from Creighton University and completed an internship at Creighton University and a residency at the University of Minnesota.
Dr. Gary P. Gleason has joined Group Health Northwest in the practice of Family Medicine. He graduated from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed an internship and residency at Eastmoreland Hospital.
Cynthia G. James has joined Heart Clinics Northwest as a certified physician assistant. She is a graduate of the University of North Dakota.
Dr. Jeffrey R. Jamison has joined the medical staff of Holy Family Hospital. He graduated from the University of Osteopathy in Des Moines, Iowa, and completed a residency at Central Washington Family Medicine. He has joined Drs. Paul Piper, Ronald Krueger, Duncan Lahtinen and Lon Madsen at The Doctors’ Clinic.
MOVING UP:
Mike Wittman has been named regional vice president-financial services at Farm Credit Services. He will oversee the Seattle, Mount Vernon and Chehalis branches. Wittman, who received a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Idaho, joined Farm Credit Services in 1980. He has held several positions, most recently as branch manager/ assistant vice president in the Seattle Fisheries branch.
First Security has promoted the following employees:
Jim Walsh, manager of the bank’s Hayden Lake branch, was named assistant vice president. A graduate of the University of Montana, he joined First Security in 1986 as a consumer loan collector. He has since served as a consumer loan officer and assistant branch manager.
Carolyn Jorgensen was named assistant vice president and retail services manager for Northern Idaho Community Banking. She will oversee branch sales and service activities for retail products, and all affiliate products, in all area branches. Jorgensen, who is a graduate of the University of Idaho and the Northwest Intermediate Banking School, previously was manager of the Coeur d’Alene main office.
Group Health Northwest has appointed Bill Akers executive director of network operations. Akers will oversee key functions and business processes affecting the operation and delivery of purchased health care services to patients and providers in Group Health’s Eastern Washington, Tri-Cities, Yakima, and Wenatchee districts. He joined Group Health Northwest six years ago, and served as provider services director and process consultant for the past three years.
KUDOS:
Dr. Henry Berman, former president and CEO for Group Health Northwest, has been named the 1998 Recognition Award winner by Comprehensive Health Education Foundation. The agency honors individuals and organizations which best exemplify health promotion through leadership, support and resources. Under Berman, Group Health Northwest grew to a 160,000-member HMO and developed more than 400 health education classes in 1997. Berman recently retired to become a consultant.
The following Safeco Insurance Cos.’ agents have received Awards of Excellence. The award recognizes agents who have distinguished themselves by their professionalism, knowledge of insurance and customer satisfaction:
Kim Impecoven of Blasingame Agency
Anita Koch of Sedgwick of Washington
Gary Pierce of Tom Rousseau Insurance Inc.
Bob Wilson of Korach and Wilson Insurance Inc. in Ephrata, Wash.
Dan McQuary of Stonebreaker-McQuary Agency in Lewiston.
Washington Water Power Co. ranked No. 1 in overall customer service performance in an independent survey of electric utilities conducted by the management consulting firm of Theodore Barry and Associates. WWP edged out 33 other energy providers for the lowest annual customer service expense while achieving one of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the survey group. The Spokane utility ranked second overall in a category comparing cost components in customer service such as billing, meter reading, and credit and collections.
United Coatings of Greenacres has won the 1998 Pollution Prevention Award from the Association of Washington Business. The firm was among 19 Washington businesses and schools honored for their achievements in environmental protection and education. The company was cited for its efforts since 1993 to reduce solid and hazardous waste, air emissions and water discharges and to purchase and sell less toxic products.
Four local Farmers Insurance agents have received Topper Club Honors, given to agents who achieve outstanding sales:
Hal Edwards of Edwards Agency in the Valley.
Sandra Rowe of the Rowe Agency in the Valley.
Jerry Rochelle of the Rochelle Agency in Spokane.
Rod Russell of the Russell Agency in Spokane.
VNA Home Health Care Services has named Dr. Jim Bingham as the 1998 VNA Physician Partner. Bingham, who is a family practice physician at Group Health, was honored for his compassion, expertise, teamwork and willingness to respect the choices of his patients. The 1998 VNA Supporter of the Year Award was presented to the Jones Pharmacy Medical Equipment Department for its outstanding service, responsiveness and willingness to accommodate the special needs of VNA patients and staff.
EVENTS:
Monday through Friday - The Service Corps of Retired Executives offers free counseling to potential and existing small-business owners from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Business Information Center in Room 240 of the Spokane Regional Business Center, 801 W. Riverside. For appointments, call 353-2820. Counselors also are available on Tuesdays at the Spokane Valley Chamber of Commerce, 8817 E. Mission. For appointments there, call 924-4994.
Wednesday - The Spokane office of the Washington state Department of Revenue presents a free New Business Outreach workshop from 8:30-11:30 a.m. and again from 1:30-4:30 p.m. in the eighth floor training room at 4407 N. Division. To register or for more information, call 482-3805.
Wednesday - The Small Business Development Center presents a class on “How to Evaluate the Feasibility of a Business Idea” from 6-9 p.m. at the Spokane Intercollegiate Research and Technology Institute, 665 N. Riverpoint Blvd. Cost: $50; call 358-7890 for information or to register.
Wednesday - Chuck Osterholm of Transworld Systems will discuss “Collecting Receivables” during a meeting of the Spokane Building Owners and Managers Association from noon-1:15 p.m. at Cavanaughs Inn at the Park, 303 W. North River Drive. Luncheon cost: $10; call 466-4905 for reservations.
Thursday - McFarland & Alton presents a training session on sexual harassment for employers and employees from 10-11:30 a.m. at Hotel Lusso, 1 N. Post. Cost: $35; for information or to register, call Angi Shamblin at 777-0152.
Thursday - Spokane Chapter 143 of the National Association of Women in Construction presents a job site tour and membership meeting at 5:30 p.m. at the River Park Square project downtown. Meet at the skywalk level of the Burlington Coat Factory store. For reservations, call Sharon Harkrader at 535-4688.
Thursday - The American Society for Training and Development presents a program on “Adventure Based Training: A Different Way to Build Teamwork” from 11:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at the MiVoden Retreat Center, 12295 E. Hayden Lake Road, Hayden Lake. Call 625-3843 for more information or to register.
Thursday - Associated Industries of the Inland Northwest presents a class on “A Look at Human Resources Information (HRIS) Systems” from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at 920 N. Washington. Cost: $17; call 326-6885 for more information.
Thursday - The Spokane Area Chamber of Commerce presents “Business After Hours” from 5:15-7 p.m. at WindStar Group Inc., 2607 Southeast Blvd, Building A. Cost: $5; for information or to register, call 459-4111.