The Desimone Levee on the Green River failed and is under repair. The hospital is above the flood zone and currently in no danger of flooding. We evacuated our Time Square and Kent Station Clinics and our Lind Avenue locations. Several locations are experiencing staffing issues due to severe traffic impacts. Impacted patients are being contacted to reschedule appointments. Please be safe, do not drive or walk through standing water, and call 9-1-1 if you need emergency evacuation assistance.
Click here for King County Road Closure Real-time Tracker.
Clinician Recognition
Wayne Gao, MD, Highlighted in New York Times Article
Valley oncologist Wayne Gao, MD, was recently featured in the New York Times for his groundbreaking work using AI-assisted drug repurposing to save a patient's life.
The patient, Joseph Coates, presented with advanced POEMS syndrome at age 37. Despite multiple treatment attempts, he developed multi-organ dysfunction with pericardial effusion, renal failure, and splenomegaly, ultimately requiring ICU care with vasopressor support. With conventional treatments exhausted and palliative care being discussed, Dr. Gao explored an unconventional approach.
Working with Dr. David Fajgenbaum at the University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Gao accessed an AI program designed for drug repurposing. While the AI suggested a chemotherapy regimen, Dr. Gao recognized that his critically ill patient needed a modified approach. He combined the recommended chemotherapy with immunotherapy and steroids, tailoring the treatment to Joseph's specific clinical condition. "If you don't try, you never have a hope," Dr. Gao explained to the Times, reflecting the careful balance between risk and potential benefit that defines complex medical decision-making.
The results were remarkable. Within one week, Joseph was weaned off vasopressors and began his recovery. He subsequently underwent stem cell transplantation and remains in remission nearly two years later.
“I think that in the future, AI most likely will be incorporated into our daily practice,” Dr. Gao said. “But I don't think that it will purely replace our job and I know that.”
Kudos, Dr. Gao! Thank you for representing Valley on the national stage.
Read more in the New York Times.
Andrew Brockenbrough, MD, Named a PSBJ Health Care Hero
Congratulations to Andrew Brockenbrough, MD, with the Valley Nephrology Clinic, for being named one of 20 Health Care Heroes for 2025 by the Puget Sound Business Journal.
According to the Business Journal, honorees work in various health care fields across the Puget Sound region. This is the third year for the Health Care Heroes program, which “highlights the efforts of front-line workers who have helped improve the way patients receive care.”
The honorees will be featured in a special report on July 11 and recognized at an awards luncheon on July 8.
Read more in the Puget Sound Business Journal.
Tony Pedroza, MD, Receives Community Service Award
We are excited to share that Tony Pedroza, MD, has been selected to receive the 2025 King County Academy of Family Physician Rosenblatt Award for community service.
Join us in congratulating and celebrating Dr. Pedroza!
About the Roger A. Rosenblatt Community Service Award
Each year the Academy presents a community service award to a member of the King County Academy of Family Physician that best exemplifies service to the community over and above their normal duties as a family physician. In 2015, the award was named after the late Roger A. Rosenblatt, Professor and Vice-Chair of Family Medicine at the University of Washington School of Medicine and a truly outstanding family physician and community member.
If you or a clinician you work with has been recognized, we want to know about it! Email MarketingHelp@valleymed.org.