Medical Telemetry Unit at Snoqualmie Valley Health
Expert care, close to home
Welcome to the Medical Telemetry Unit, part of our Acute Care Services at Snoqualmie Valley Health. Here, we combine advanced technology with compassionate care to support your health and recovery. Our highly skilled team provides continuous, real-time heart and breathing monitoring, ensuring we can respond quickly to any changes in your condition.
What is medical telemetry?
Medical telemetry is a safe, noninvasive way for us to closely watch your heart and breathing. Small, wireless sensors are placed on your chest, sending information to a monitor at the nurses’ station. This lets our team track your heart rate, rhythm, and vital signs in real time—and act fast if needed.
Conditions We Commonly Treat
In our Medical Telemetry Unit, we care for patients with a variety of medical needs, including but not limited to:
- Cardiac conditions such as heart failure
- Respiratory conditions such as COPD and asthma
- Sepsis and other serious infections requiring hospital-based treatment
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
- Mild strokes or neurologic changes that do not require intensive or specialty-level care
When needed, we coordinate with specialty centers to ensure patients can access higher levels of care seamlessly.
“As ill as I was, in the beginning, I experienced patience, understanding, extraordinaire care by everyone!! Abundant THANKS!!”
-Patient testimonial
More Than Medicine
Beyond the monitors and machines, we believe healing also comes from connection. That’s why we offer therapy dog visits to brighten our patients’ days and support emotional well-being.
A Team Approach to Your Care
You’ll be cared for by a collaborative, multidisciplinary team that may include:
- Medical Doctors (MDs)
- Advanced Registered Nurse Practitioners (ARNPs)
- Registered Nurses (RNs)
- Physician Assistants (PAs)
- Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs)
- Unit Coordinators
- Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists
- Pharmacists
- Social Workers
Every member of our team is committed to supporting you physically and emotionally, from diagnosis through recovery. Research shows that early, coordinated rehab in telemetry settings speeds recovery, lowers complications, and improves long-term function. By integrating rehab from your first day on the unit, we help you regain independence sooner. Our goal is simple: to help you feel better, faster, with care that’s centered on you.
What to Expect During Your Stay
Your health, comfort, and peace of mind are our top priorities. Here’s what you can expect when you’re with us:
- Daily provider visits – You will be seen every day by a medical provider (MD, ARNP, or PA) who works closely with the rest of our care team to create and adjust your personalized care plan.
- Clear, ongoing communication – We will regularly update you and your family, explaining your plan of care, reviewing your progress, and answering any questions.
- Coordinated care – If you have outside providers, we’ll communicate with them to keep your treatment seamless and consistent.
- Safe transitions when needed – If your condition requires a higher level of care, we will arrange a prompt and safe transfer to the facility best equipped for your needs.
Meet Our Care Team
Sriranjini Ramaswamy, MD
Megha Shah, MD
Katherine Thompson, PA-C
Kevin Trippe, ARNP
Hospitalist
Sriranjini Ramaswamy, MD
Dr. Sriranjini Chilkunda Ramaswamy is a board-certified hospitalist who brings a deep commitment to compassionate, individualized care. Originally from Mysuru, India, she earned her medical degree from Mysore Medical College and Research Institute before completing her Internal Medicine residency at Ohio’s Western Reserve Health Education.
Before joining Snoqualmie Valley Health, Dr. Ramaswamy served in hospitalist roles within Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and the CHI system. She is recognized for her excellence in patient care and has earned multiple clinical and professional honors, including the Gold Star Physician Award in December 2024.
Dr. Ramaswamy is passionate about creating meaningful connections with her patients, guiding them through diagnosis, treatment, and prevention with empathy and clarity. Her philosophy of care goes beyond curing illness—it centers on healing the whole person by promoting physical, emotional, and mental well-being.
She chose to join Snoqualmie Valley Health because of its community-centered mission and growth potential. As part of a critical access hospital, she is excited to help overcome rural healthcare challenges through innovative, experience-driven solutions.
Outside of work, Dr. Ramaswamy enjoys road trips, board games, gardening, puzzles, writing poetry and songs, and diving into science fiction novels. She lives with her husband and two daughters.
Nephrology
Megha Shah, MD
Dr. Megha Shah is a physician leader with extensive experience in hospital medicine, healthcare leadership, and ethics. She currently serves as Snoqualmie Valley Health’s Medical Director of Hospital Services.
Dr. Shah holds a Master’s in Medical Management from the Marshall School of Business at the University of Southern California. She is currently pursuing a Master’s in Arts, Bioethics, and Health Policy at Loyola University, with a special interest in organizational ethics. She completed her medical training at Lady Hardinge Medical College in Delhi, India, and completed her residency in Internal Medicine at Unity Health System Hospital in Rochester, NY. She also completed a fellowship in Nephrology at Johns Hopkins University.
Throughout her career, Dr. Shah has led numerous initiatives to improve patient care and hospital operations. She has been recognized for her leadership and nominated as one of the Top 25 Emerging Leaders in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare for her contributions. In addition to her leadership roles, Dr. Shah is actively involved in medical staff leadership, resource management, and cost-control innovation. She is also a clinical ethicist with a passion for promoting ethical decision-making in healthcare.
Outside of work, Dr. Shah enjoys spending time with her family, including her husband, daughter, and their pets. She finds solace in outdoor activities like hiking and camping, practices yoga, indulges in singing, and cherishes quality family time.
SAFE Program Manager/Hospitalist
Katherine Thompson, PA-C
Master of Clinical Health Services – University of Washington MEDEX 2016
Katherine Thompson, PA-C, is a dedicated healthcare professional serving as part of the Snoqualmie Ridge Urgent Care team. She is committed to delivering exceptional care and contributing to the mission of providing thoughtful, holistic, patient-centered healthcare to the Snoqualmie Valley.
What truly excites Katherine about being a part of Snoqualmie Valley Hospital is the opportunity for growth and the ability to build new resources within the health district. She believes in constantly improving healthcare services and finding innovative ways to better serve the community. Katherine’s passion lies in trauma-informed care, particularly for survivors of sexual assault, intimate partner violence, child abuse, and human trafficking. Her focus on this niche area demonstrates her deep commitment to supporting and advocating for those who have experienced trauma.
Outside of her professional life, Katherine finds joy in living in the picturesque Snoqualmie Valley. The proximity to nature and a wide range of outdoor activities provides her with a perfect balance to her work. She appreciates the easy access to hiking trails, scenic views, and the opportunity to engage in her favorite pastime: competitive rowing as a masters rower for Lake Sammamish. When she’s not rowing or immersed in her work, Katherine enjoys spending time with her one-and-only grey tabby cat, who keeps her company and brings joy to her life.
Hospitalist
Kevin Trippe, ARNP
Meet Kevin Trippe, Hospitalist Nurse Practitioner at Snoqualmie Valley Health. Kevin earned his degree from the Mass General Hospital Institute of Health Professions, showcasing his dedication to high-quality education and training. His decision to treat the community he lives in is driven by a desire to contribute to the well-being of his neighbors, fostering a sense of accountability that motivates him to provide excellent care on a daily basis.
As a dedicated member of the Snoqualmie Valley community, Kevin Trippe brings a wealth of experience and a commitment to providing exceptional healthcare to his neighbors. Living in North Bend, Kevin chose SVH as his professional home because of his strong belief in the importance of small, local healthcare options that prioritize patient-focused care.
Kevin’s philosophy of care revolves around practicing evidence-based medicine aligned with individualized patient goals. He places a high priority on ensuring that patients and their families fully understand the care provided, fostering transparency and trust in the healthcare journey.
Originally from Michigan, Kevin is happily married with one dog. Beyond his professional commitments, he enjoys skiing and fly fishing, taking full advantage of the outdoor opportunities the valley has to offer.