Quaterly Gathering: Understanding the Competitive Bidding Ruling

Our quarterly gathering will be this Monday, May 18, at 6:30 pm.

Our featured speaker will, unfortunately, be unable to attend. However, we will still meet to discuss the recent Medicare Competitive Bidding Ruling and what it means for you.

The ruling, scheduled to take effect in 2028, will limit the number of contractors providing ostomy supplies nationwide. Because other health plans typically mirror Medicare policies, this change will likely have a broader impact.

As usual, the gathering will be held in the Snohomish County PUD Electric Building Headquarters at 2320 California St. in Everett.

You can always attend virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Quarterly Ostomy Gathering: Physical Therapist

Our quarterly gathering is scheduled for Monday, February 16, at 6:30 pm.

Our featured speaker will be Jaime McCann, PT, DPT, CLT, from Balanced Body Physical Therapy in Arlington. Jaime has extensive experience with ostomates and cancer patients.

She will cover:

• Bowel Management
• Hernia prevention strategies
• Safe return to exercise
• Pelvic health insights
• Practical, real-life tips

Because of the holiday on Monday, the gathering will only be held virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Looking Back at 2025 and Forward to 2026

Hello,

When we started North Sound Ostomy, with the goal of promoting the quality of life for people with ostomies, we never thought that 4 years later we would be reaching so many.

In 2025, we had gatherings with numerous guest speakers, social meetups at local coffee shops, and a summer picnic at the park. We also launched a new donated supply closet, and hosted the largest World Ostomy Awareness Day event on the West Coast. 

Most of you might not know that we have been self-funding the group since its inception. But a few months ago, we started accepting tax-deductible donations. As a matter of fact, we just received a donation from Coloplast, which will surely defray a portion of our operating costs for next year. Thanks for your support, any bit helps.

To round up the year, we will be having our annual Christmas party on Saturday, 2pm at The RAM in Lake Stevens. Drop us a note if you'd like to attend, so we can make sure there's enough tables set up.

What a year! And we couldn't have done it without all of you.

As far as 2026, we've already made plans. Head to the website to see all of our scheduled gatherings (one per quarter) and monthly social meetups. We'll also have a picnic in the summer and annual Christmas party, and hopefully our 4th Ostomy Awareness Fair in October.

We look forward to seeing you all in the next year, and wish you a joyful and peaceful holiday season filled with warmth, love, and cherished moments.

All the best,

Erik C. Thauvin
Co-Founder
North Sound Ostomy

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: Ostomy Fair Review

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for Monday, November 17 at 6:30 pm.

We'll be taking a look back at our highly successful Ostomy Awareness Fair which took place last month.

And please remember that our annual Christmas Party is scheduled for December 13, 2 pm, at the RAM in Lake Stevens. If you haven't RSVP'd yet, please do so now.

As usual, the gathering will be held in the Snohomish County PUD Electric Building Headquarters at 2320 California St. in Everett.

You can always attend virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Ostomy Fair Today!

Today is the day! The doors will open in a few hours. Hope to see you there!

Please visit the fair's website to learn more, get directions and parking info, etc.

Ostomy Fair: T-Minus 1 Day

Here we go! Our third annual Ostomy Awareness and Vendor Fair kicks off tomorrow morning.

We had one last minute change; Holly Vance is no longer able to attend, so Molly Price, an ostomy nurse practitioner at Evergreen, is graciously stepping in.

The doors will open at 11am sharp, and we're really looking forward to seeing you all!

Please visit the fair's website to learn more, get directions and parking info, etc.

Ostomy Fair Next Saturday

Are you ready?  Our third annual Ostomy Awareness and Vendor Fair is on October 4th…

Did you know that our little fair is the largest Ostomy Day conference on the West Coast?

And we've really outdone ourselves this year…

At 11:30 am, our Professional Panel Q&A session, will feature Dr. Samantha Quade, a colorectal surgeon; Holly Vance, an ostomy nurse practitioner at UW; Rachelle Caviness, a registered dietician and ostomate; and Megan Bannister, a social worker. 

Throughout the day, in the event room, we'll have Colostomy, Ileostomy, and Urostomy stations where you'll be able to connect with ostomates and nurses. We'll also have plenty of samples, free supplies, and resource materials.

And of course, manufacturers, and vendors stations with representatives to answer questions about their products and services

Please visit the fair's website to learn more, get directions and parking info, etc.

Ostomy Awareness Fair on October 4th

Mark your calendar! You really don't want to miss our third annual Ostomy Awareness and Vendor Fair on October 4th…

In the morning, we'll have a Professional Panel Q&A session with Dr. Samantha Quade, a colorectal surgeon; Holly Vance, an ostomy nurse practitioner; Rachelle Caviness, a registered dietician & ostomate; and Megan Bannister, a social worker.

In the event room, you'll find Colostomy, Ileostomy and Urostomy stations, staffed by nurses and ostomates. Manufacturers & Vendors. Products, Samples and Educational Material. And much more…

Please visit the fair's website to learn more, get directions and parking info, etc.

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: National Conference Report

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for Monday, September 15 at 6:30 pm.

Our own, Jim Morgan, will be talking and showing us what he brought back from the UOAA 9th Annual Conference he attended in Orlando last month.

As usual, the gathering will be held in the Snohomish County PUD Electric Building Headquarters at 2320 California St. in Everett.

You can always attend virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: Physical Therapist

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for Monday, August 18 at 6:30 pm.

Our returning featured speaker will be Dr. Rachel Doza from Empowered Physical Therapy.
As usual, the gathering will be held in the Snohomish County PUD Electric Building Headquarters at 2320 California St. in Everett.

You can always attend virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: Physical Therapist

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for Monday, June 16 at 6:30 pm.

Our featured speaker will be Dr. Rachel Doza from Empowered Physical Therapy.
As usual, the gathering will be held in the Snohomish County PUD Electric Building Headquarters at 2320 California St. in Everett.

You can always attend virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Help Plan the 2025 Ostomy Awareness Event

We need help planning our next Ostomy Awareness Event

Hi Community,

We’re excited to plan the 2025 Ostomy Awareness Event this October to celebrate and support our ostomy community! But we need you to make it happen. Join our planning committee to help organize activities, spread the word, and create a meaningful day.

No experience is needed, just your passion and a few hours a month from June to October. Roles include event logistics, outreach, fundraising, and more.

RSVP by June 2, 2025, via email.

Without a committee, we will not hold the event this year, so your support is so important.

Questions? Please contact me via email.

Let’s make this event unforgettable!

Thank you,

Christine Mullen
chris@northsoundostomy.org
North Sound Ostomy
northsoundostomy.org
Co-Founder
425-312-3101

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: Coloplast

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for next Monday, March 17 at 6:30 pm.

Our featured speaker will be Michelle Montgomery from Coloplast.

As usual, the gathering will be held in the Snohomish County PUD Electric Building Headquarters at 2320 California St. in Everett.

You can always attend virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: Awestomy Active

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for Monday, February 17 at 6:30 pm.

Our featured speaker will be Symeria Hudson from Awestomy Active.

As it falls on a holiday, the gathering will only be held via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: Happy New Year

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for next Monday, January 20 at 6:30 pm.

Please join us to discuss ideas and plans for the new year.

As the gathering falls on a holiday, we'll only be meeting via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Monthly Ostomy Gathering: Bruce Wayne Davis

Our monthly gathering is scheduled for next Monday, November 18 at 6:30 pm.

Our featured speaker will be Bruce Wayne Davis, your Medicare Super Hero.

And don't forget to mark your calendar for our annual Christmas Potluck Party on December 15 from 2 to 6 pm at the Lake Ballinger Center. 

As usual, the gathering will be held in the Snohomish County PUD Electric Building Headquarters at 2320 California St. in Everett.

You can always attend virtually via Zoom:

• Video
  Join via Zoom
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: zoomostomy
• Phone/Audio
  253-215-8782
  Meeting ID: 818 0251 7929
  Password: 7216698069

We hope to see you there!

Ostomy Fair: Thanks!

We had a great time on Saturday for our second annual Ostomy Awareness Day and Vendor Fair.

Thanks to all the attendees, speakers, vendors, nurses, and all who helped make this event a great success.

Click the collage below to view all the pictures we took at the Fair.

Our next get-together will be in November. Stay tuned.

Ostomy Fair: Parking and Directions

Are you ready for our second annual Ostomy Awareness and Vendor Fair on Saturday?

Here are the parking instructions and directions for when you get there…

Parking Garage

The parking garage entrance is on the opposite side of Providence, north side from the Medical Office Building, at 1800 13th Street, Everett, WA 98201. From Broadway, turn west onto 13th Street. The hospital parking garage will be ahead on your left, at the corner of Oakes Ave and 13th Street.

On the third level (P3) of the garage is the south-end pedestrian walkway; follow this into the Medical Office Building; the brick building with green glass triangular windows.

Parking in the garage requires walking up to 800 feet; about two city blocks. There is disabled parking.

Street Parking

There is also street parking on 13th and Colby, but there is a 2-hour time limit during the day.

Disabled Parking

There is a disability-only parking lot at street level with direct access to the elevators that lead to the basement conference rooms. The parking lot is located on 14th Street, right across from Wetmore Ave.

Directions

Once in the Medical Office Building, proceed to the Basement Level via the elevator or staircase. Follow signage to the Rainier & Cascade Rooms.

Ostomy Fair on Saturday. Be there or be square!

You really don't want to miss our second annual Ostomy Awareness and Vendor Fair on Saturday!

Please visit the fair's website to get directions and parking info…

We hope to see you there!

Ostomy Awareness Fair on October 5th

Mark your calendar! You really don't want to miss our second annual Ostomy Awareness and Vendor Fair on October 5th…

Rachel Caviness, a register dietician and ostomate, will speak in the morning about Healthy Eating Habits for Ostomates.

In the afternoon, we'll have a Q&A session with Dr. Sandra Lopez, a clinical psychologist and ostomate, Holly Vance, an ostomy nurse practitioner and our own Jim Morgan, a life-long double-bagger ostomate. 

In the vendors room, you'll find an ask-a-nurse and ask-an-ostomate stations, vendors and manufacturers, products and educational materials.

Please visit the fair's website to learn more, get directions and parking info, etc.