The Hippocratic Oath states that “I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures required.” As a practicing neonatologist at Salmon Creek that commitment is embedded in our practice and service to every family and newborn in our care.
At Salmon Creek, we care both for newborns that will go home with their excited (if exhausted) family in a few days, and also for premature babies during their first several weeks or months of life. Our focus is on helping them achieve their best potential when they are eventually discharged to go home.
To ensure families and parents of fragile babies have access to neonatologists and pediatric intensivists who specialize in their care, I am encouraged that both the state House and Senate budget proposals contain an adjustment to our Medicaid system in Washington that I hope remains included in the final budget signed by Gov. Inslee.
Originally from the East Coast, my husband and I were drawn to the Pacific Northwest after living around the country as I pursued my medical training. My practice is based at Salmon Creek, which is where both my kids were born.
Living and practicing medicine locally means that I see children out and about with their parents who, at one time, were fragile babies in need of intensive care who may have been threatened with breathing problems, feeding difficulties, vision problems or general developmental delay. Today, they are thriving. The annual Salmon Creek reunion that we host for families is a joyful celebration.
How Medicaid helps fund medical care does not affect by any measure how we treat children. But it does impact the ability to attract and retain the physicians we need for their leadership and experience in caring for these patients.
We are proud of our care providers in Washington, but our state’s Medicaid system does not prioritize funding the work of neonatal intensive care at the same rate as other states. This can make it tough to compete for experienced medical professionals who may be more attracted to facilities in neighboring states.
Medicaid is a critical health care program and we should advance proposals to help ensure that it will support critical services, like our Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Salmon Creek, in the best way possible.
Some years ago, I was pregnant while helping care for twins who were born very early with significant breathing and eating problems. Eventually, we sent those babies home with their incredible family and I went on to give birth to my own daughter at Salmon Creek.
Our children are the same age and when I run into that family today, there is no difference between those babies that were born into neonatal intensive care and my daughter who was not. That’s my hope for every kid in our care. I hope the Legislature delivers this simple adjustment to Medicaid to Gov. Inslee for his support so Washington can best serve our most vulnerable patients and their families.
Dr. Kara Stirling of Vancouver is the Corporate Medical Director of Northwest Newborn Specialists and a practicing neonatologist at Salmon Creek.