 

Snohemish Valley Holistic Medicine

 

 

May 22, 2024

To Whom It May Concern:

RE: Veronika Goodnight, DOB: 2/15/1982

lam writing this letter to support Veronika Goodnight in her request to be granted full medical decision-
making authority for her children, Elora, Aidan and Raina Ralidak. | have known Veronica for over 5 years
since she established care with me as a primary care provider for herself and her children in November 2018.

Veronika has consistently demonstrated responsibility and attentiveness in managing her children's
healthcare needs. She has been the primary parent who schedules medical appointments, seeks medical
advice, and communicates and coordinates care plans with their father, Mathew Ralidak, as well as others
involved in their care. She is quick to seek clarification from me for treatment her children have received
outside of my office and has been diligent in following through with my recommendations as well as the
recommendations of other doctors or healthcare professionals involved in her children’s care. Here are some
examples that illustrate why | believe Veronika should have full medical decision-making authority:

The last time | saw all three children with both parents present was October of 2022. At this appointment,
there was a recommendation to follow up after 6 weeks due to concerns about one of the children’s exam
findings. The follow-up appointment for November 2022 was scheduled immediately after the appointments
in October; however, Veronika was the one to bring the children back for follow-up. Notes were provided to
Mathew as he claimed he did not know about the appointment. Additionally, there were concerns that part
of the treatment plan pertaining to dietary elimination of dairy, dyes, and restriction of sugar, was not being
adhered to while the children were with Mathew.

In June of 2023, antibiotics were prescribed for Elora and Aidan due to Elora having symptoms along with a
positive strep test with instructions to treat Aidan, should he develop symptoms given his history of Scarlett
fever caused by Strep earlier that year. Veronika contacted me after the children returned from Mathew’s
house needing a new prescription for Aidan since the antibiotics had been left at their dad’s. She was
additionally concerned because Aidan reported to her at the time that he had not been given the medication
as prescribed, despite having very enlarged and red tonsils (one of the symptoms | told Veronika to watch for
and treat—an instruction that was communicated to Mathew as well).

 

110 Cedar Avenue, Ste.101 Phone: 360-282-4014
Snohomish, WA 98290 Fax: 360-282-4017
Web: www.snovalleyholistic.com Email: drbowker@snovalleyholistic.com

 

Snohemish Valley Holistic Medicine

 

 

Earlier this month, Raina was having urinary tract symptoms while at school and Mathew reached out to me
for advice. Due to it being the weekend, | recommended she be seen at an Urgent Care or Walk-In clinic.
Veronika contacted me the following Monday after picking up her children from school and learning from the
school nurse that Raina’s medication was at the school. Veronika had been told about Raina’s symptoms by
the school nurse, but was never told by Mathew that Raina was seen and prescribed an antibiotic by urgent
care. | was able to retrieve the prescription information and instructions and informed Veronika that Raina
would need to continue the medication as prescribed. The lack of communication from Mathew about this
important health information was concerning to me, especially given the fact that the Urgent Care had not
sent me notes, so | had no idea until Veronika reached out to me that Raina had even been seen.

Finally, Veronika has voiced concerns to me about the need for her children to receive professional
counseling. This has been recommended by teachers at the school as well; however, Veronika has not been
able to proceed with this recommendation as it requires consent and coordination with Mathew. Elora did
recently begin therapy after having an assessment at Dawson’s Place due to a molestation incident earlier this
year, which was documented in a police report. The first time Mathew was contacted to schedule the
therapy, he declined to schedule. Fortunately, Elora’s advocate reached out to Veronika who was then able to
make sure Elora was scheduled for the therapy she needs.

Veronika is frustrated that her hands are somewhat tied when it comes to making important health related
decisions for her children and believes it would be better for all involved if she had full medical decision-
making authority. Based on my experience, | recommend to the court that this request is granted, as it will
allow Veronika to act expeditiously in the best interests of the children. She has always been consistent in her

communication both to me and to their father and will continue to ensure that Mathew is included in all
communications of treatment plans and healthcare related appointments.

| declare, under penalty of perjury under the laws of the State of Washington, that the statement made above
is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.

Sincerely,

Inbonby AD Signed on 5/22/24 in King County, WA
La J /

Stacy Bowker, ND

License # NT00001309, WA

 

110 Cedar Avenue, Ste.101 Phone: 360-282-4014
Snohomish, WA 98290 Fax: 360-282-4017
‘Web: www.snovalleyholistic.com Email: drbowker@snovalleyholistic.com

