Women find community, wellness with Olympia cohort

It’s Monday morning at MultiCare Capital Women’s Integrated Primary Care, and a small group of women arrive in the donor-dedicated Marcus Family Health Education Room.

They reconnect while grabbing a nutritious snack, then find a seat in the circle. Local artwork adorns the walls, adding to the warm, upbeat atmosphere.

Each woman is here because she’s made a commitment to her health.

Allison Imel, PA-C, FNTP, a physician assistant specializing in urogynecology and lifestyle medicine, speaks up, and another women’s metabolic wellness cohort begins.

A vision for women’s health

When the clinic opened in July 2023 — made possible in part by generous community support — Imel was captivated by the commitment to Angela J. Bowen’s vision, the pioneering doctor and women’s rights advocate who helped establish Capital Medical Center in 1985.

Five months later, Imel joined the urogynecology team with the goal of creating an intentional space where community, education and health could intertwine.

Shortly after, she launched the clinic’s first women’s metabolic wellness program — focused on reaching healthy levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, cholesterol and body composition.

“The intention is to educate and empower women,” she explains. “We’re trying to decrease cardiovascular risk by addressing the foundations of optimal wellness.”

Patients join the program through a primary care referral. Over 12 weeks, eight to 10 women meet for six group sessions with personal health check-ins and a topical lecture to generate discussion. Nutrition and movement are regular themes.

On off weeks, Imel meets one-on-one with members — like Joan Francis — to discuss their goals and barriers to reaching them.

Health care in a new home

Born in Jamaica, Francis moved to New Jersey in 1986 and spent decades as a family nurse practitioner. In 2017, she retired early due to her declining health.

When Francis later arrived in Washington state to live with her daughter’s family, she had difficulty finding a primary care provider — particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

After waiting months to see family medicine physician L. Abigail Tan, MD, her routine lab work showed several potential health risks.

Francis was intrigued when Dr. Tan recommended she attend a wellness class at the clinic.

“The idea that someone would be talking to me directly about my problems and in a group setting … I was very excited,” she shares.

Lighting a fire

Francis joined the clinic’s first cohort and immediately connected with Imel’s passion and expertise.

“She’s so gung-ho,” Francis says. “You ask her about anything, and she can tell you the big picture down to the small cellular level. She gave me good advice, like ‘Don’t focus on the diagnosis’ and ‘Focus on what you can do to get better.’”

Bonding with other health-conscious women also filled a void in Francis’ life.

“As I was moving a lot, I didn’t make many new friends,” she shares. “So, to sit in a classroom with other women my age was very appealing. They can give you their perspective on something that you may not have gone through yet but will experience.”

Imel specifically prioritizes connection and openness, recognizing social isolation’s negative influence on health. Patients often bond quickly, stay late after class and remain in touch once sessions end (Francis’ cohort gathered for the first-ever reunion last month).

“There’s so much value and richness in not going at it alone, and having your experience validated through another’s and hearing someone be like, ‘Yeah, me too,’” Imel says.

As Francis incorporated Imel’s teachings throughout her cohort journey, her health kept improving. Today, she remains committed to continuing that trajectory.

“It has changed me,” Francis reflects. “It’s made me more determined to do what I need to do and given me steps to do it.”

Sustaining success 

Now hosting its third cohort, the program has already had a significant impact on participants’ lives. As indicated by routine lab work at the start and end of the 12 weeks, nearly all see immediate improvements to biomarkers like inflammation, insulin, fat and lean body mass.

“I celebrate with them, and I get excited, but I’m never surprised,” Imel explains. “You regulate your nervous system, heal your gut, clean up your diet, move your body, and you’ll reverse disease.”

Cohorts gather with Allison Imel, PA-C, FNTP, pictured, in the Marcus Family Health Education Room, where walls are decorated with donor-supported art installations.

The ultimate goal, she stresses, is to empower women to sustain what they learn beyond the cohort’s final week.

“This is not a weight-loss program,” Imel says. “This is an education program; this is a community-building program. What our success really depends on is opening people’s hearts … so they feel safe and can get to the core of why they’re not doing the things they know promote health.

“You can live well,” she continues. “You can go and hike and be with your grandchildren and you can feel joy. That’s really what it’s about.”

A community’s impact 

Community generosity has already played a large role in the Olympia clinic’s young history. Donors helped open its doors and deliver on the vision of becoming “a medical home” for local women. Philanthropy continues to power new initiatives and ensure staff can keep up with enthusiastic demand for services.

“The only reason we even have a place to gather is because of MultiCare Capital Foundation,” Imel says.

Clinic staff, leadership and patients are excited about what the future could hold for their Thurston County region with additional donor support.

“We want MultiCare to continue to be known as the hospital system that cares about people and reaches the community,” Francis shares. “So, we need donors to continue giving to this worthy cause.”

To those who already support the foundation, Imel has this message of gratitude:

“To everyone who gives — then, now and in the future — thank you,” she says. “Your support is invaluable to continue expanding health care options for women.”

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