VMC Provider Recognition Corner

3/18/2019

We want to recognize the awards and achievements of our remarkable clinicians.

Please send announcements to provider_outreach@valleymed.org

Nick Dang, DPM, Podiatry and Wound Care Clinics
February Provider of the Month

Despite Dr. Dang's busy schedule at both the Podiatry and Wound Care clinics, he takes time to educate his patients—his professionalism and kindness to patients and staff are apparent with the care he provides to each one of them. Nominated for Provider of the Month multiple times, each of Dr. Dang's nominators pointed out his passion for and dedication to his work. Always willing to go out of his way, Dr. Dang goes above and beyond to make sure his patients are cared for, which sometimes involves staying late, triple booking his schedule, or working through lunch.

Samira Farah, MD, Kent Primary Care
2019 Recipient of Valley Medical Staff Tom Giuliano Award

From her residency application personal statement, Samira Farah, MD, wrote, "I have seen firsthand the impact of inadequate healthcare and have made a mission to become a great physician who will be able to make a difference." Originally from Somalia, Dr. Farah moved to Kent as a young girl. Now a family medicine physician at Kent Primary Care, Dr. Farah attended the UW School of Medicine and graduated from our Valley Family Medicine Residency program.

Dr. Farah helped start the UWSOM Al Shifa student-run clinic which provides care for the medically-underserved population in South Seattle. She also created and implemented a health education program at two Refugee Women's Alliance locations serving the Burmese, Ethiopian, Eritrean and Somali communities. A provider who is truly dedicated to our community, Dr. Farah is amazingly kind and gentle, an excellent listener and has a smile that puts all at ease. Congratulations and thank you to Dr. Farah for her initiative and service to our community as she receives the 4th annual Medical Staff Tom Giuliano Award.

About the Medical Staff Tom Giuliano Award

The VMC Medical Staff Tom Giuliano Award is presented annually in honor of Tom Giuliano who served on the VMC staff for 25 years. His persistence in caring for his patients, his family and himself in the face of hardship is inspirational. His balanced outlook on life was highly valued among his peers and his good humor is sorely missed. The award is presented to a Valley Medical Center medical staff member whose life and practice best captures the spirit of Dr. Guiliano.

Lama Alameddine, PsyD, Neuropsychologist, Neurosciences Institute
Alzheimer’s Champion Award Winner: Community Partner of the Year 2018

Congratulations to Lama Alameddine, PsyD, Neurosciences Institute (NSI). She is the recipient of Alzheimer’s Champion Award: Community Partner of the Year 2018 by the Alzheimer’s Association Washington State Chapter. Lama was presented this award at the Discovery Conference on March 8, 2019.

Dr. Alameddine is a clinical neuropsychologist who specializes in movement disorders and dementias. She developed a multidisciplinary program at NSI to extend care above and beyond diagnosing and medication management, to assist dementia patients and their families with other aspects of life She promoted this plan to the Alzheimer’s Association because they are the most established organization expertise for this patient population, they have access to resources, and they agreed to provide the support of social worker.

The program is the called the Cognitive Health and Memory Patient Clinic (CHAMP) and it focuses on the needs of patients and their families in a variety of different ways. For example, they enroll patients in grant-funded programs through the Alzheimer’s Association that helps them get in-home care, access to respite care, meals, transportation, etc. This clinic is the first of its kind in the state and is helping bridge the gap between families caring for loved ones with dementia who need support, while also fulfilling the mission of the Alzheimer’s Association in gaining access to those patients.