Welcome to the May Issue of Iñuuniaġniq
Daisy Award Winner
Sunshine Award Winner
SSMH Service Spotlight
Mental Health Awareness
Guy Okakok SR., Leadership Award
COVID-19 Update
Guiding Principles
Elder Care(Primary Care Appointments)
Social Services Outreach
Tribal Child Care
Medical Travel and Funeral Assistance (MTFA)
ASNA Radio Hour

Dental Clinic Village Schedule
Eye Clinic Schedule
Specialty Clinics
SSMH Medicaid/Medicare Outreach Schedule
Medical Provider Village Schedule

Welcome!

The Iñupiaq translation for May is Suvluġvik. It is the month when whaling continues, geese are hunted inland, and ducks are hunted on the ice.
In this issue, we have information about Daisy/Sunshine Award Winners, a COVID-19 update and much more.

2020 Daisy Award Winner

Dee Fletcher, Registered Nurse

The DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award is an international recognition program that honors and celebrates the skillful, compassionate care nurses provide every day.

Dee Fletcher, RN, an employee with ASNA for four years, has been selected as the 2020 Daisy Award winner.

Dependable, knowledgeable and helpful are shared descriptions of Dee in her nominations from her peers and patients alike.  Dee helps train staff, clean/disinfect the ambulance bay, comforts patients and their family, assists in the Emergency Department, and helps deliver babies in SSMH Labor  and delivery unit.  Considering her hard-work and dedication to our patients, it is easy to see that Dee’s accolades are well within merit.  Congratulations Dee!

“I am grateful for her.  She is definitely an asset to the community.” a patient recalled.  Keep up the good work, and congratulations on the well-deserved honor Kayla!

Our Wayfinder, Josephine Smith, welcomes patients into the facility, offers translation services, assists with collecting patient surveys and receiving feedback.

The Infection Control and Employee Health Nurse, Beverly Oden provides surveillance and employee health services, and has been instrumental in COVID-19 infection control and reporting for the organization.

The Director of Quality, Caitlin Montague, provides oversight, works hand in hand with other departments to facilitate regulatory readiness, continual process improvement, and ensures state and federal quality reporting measures are continuously monitored and submitted.

For patient/customer service concerns or feedback, please contact SSMH Quality department at (907) 852-9155 or e-mail: quality@arcticslope.org. Our Quality Assurance Associate, Inah Malijan, would be happy to assist you.

The Patient Feedback Form can be requested from Josephine or at the front desk.

Mental Health is a medical condition similar to diabetes or high blood pressure.  Some people may need medical help to get well and its important to recognize when help is needed.  According to Mental Health America, almost 1 out of every 5 people in the US will have a diagnosable mental health condition in any given year. There are many mental health conditions, such as: substance use disorder, depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, and  attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD).  When they first begin to experience symptoms such as loss of sleep, feeling tired for no reason, feeling low, feeling anxious, or hearing voices, they should take action right away.

Stages of Mental Health Conditions

Stage 1: Mild Symptoms and Warning Signs

                At Stage 1, a person begins to show symptoms of a mental health condition, but is still able to maintain the ability to function at home, work or school—although perhaps not as easily as before they started to show symptoms. Often there is a sense that something is “not right.”

Stage 2: Symptoms Increase in Frequency and Severity and Interfere with Life Activities and Roles

                At Stage 2, it usually becomes obvious that something is wrong.  A person’s symptoms may become stronger and last longer or new symptoms may start appearing on top of existing ones, creating something of a snowball effect. Performance at work or school will become more difficult, and a person may have trouble keeping up with family duties, social obligations or personal responsibilities.

Stage 3: Symptoms Worsen causing disruption in Life Activities

                At Stage 3, symptoms have continued to increase in severity, and many symptoms are often taking place at the same time. A person may feel as though they are losing control of their life and the ability to fill their roles at home, work or school.

Stage 4: Symptoms are Persistent and Severe and Have Jeopardized One's Life

                By Stage 4, the combination of extreme, prolonged and persistent symptoms and impairment often results in development of other health conditions and has the potential to turn into a crisis event like unemployment, hospitalization, homelessness or even incarceration. In the worst cases, untreated mental illnesses can lead to loss of life an average of 25 years early

Common treatment types include therapy, medication, peer support, community-based services, self-care, and/or complementary and alternative medicine. Just know that it’s going to take time to be able to see someone for help. Statistically there is 1 mental health provider for every 790 adults in the nation. Mental Health America is trying to solve that problem at the national, state and local levels.

For additional resources please CLICK HERE.

The purpose of this award is to provide an academic scholarship to eligible North Slope tribal members who are interested in post-secondary health care, social services, or health-related certificate program.  Scholarship awardees will receive up to $2,500 per semester or $5,000 per academic year, based on need. This is a one (1) time, non-continuing scholarship for the 2021-2022 academic year.

across the world causing a global pandemic and societal norms to be upended.  The deadly disease is spread by droplets from an infected persons mouth or nose being expunged into the air by breathing or sneezing.  Then those droplets could either be breathed in by another person or the droplets land on a surface and that surface is touched by another person before touching their face.

infection to reach herd immunity.  It is also believed that a person who has previously been infected with COVID-19 has up 8 months of protection from reinfection.  Potentially, up to 44% of Alaska’s population could have some form of protections against the novel coronavirus.  Right now, many more Alaska residents need to receive their vaccination in order to reach herd immunity.

State of Alaska Coronavirus Hub

United States COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

-ASNA Service Area

There has been 972 reported cases 4 deaths and 42 hospitalizations on the North Slope.

Testing still remains a critical element in containing the spread of the COVID-19 disease and is encouraged for all travelers into the region and symptomatic persons to request a test to keep our communities safe. 

over 30% of our population fully vaccinated.  

Since vaccination rollout there has been a decrease in participation amongst residents in our communities.  Vaccines have been proven safe and effective and are the greatest tools at ending any pandemic.

For the safety of our communities ASNA/SSMH is accepting appointments for any interested individuals ages 12 & up.  Please call 907.852.9156 or e-mail covidvaccine@arcticslope.org to schedule an appointment.

Together we can protect ourselves and help slow the spread of COVID-19 in our community.  The most effective ways at slowing and stopping the spread of COVID-19 are the following:

• WEAR A FACE MASK
• STAY SIX-FEET APART FROM OTHERS
• WASH HANDS FOR 20 SECONDS, FREQUENTLY

Testing is available at the NSB Transit Station in Utqiaġvik.  Tests are available with no out-of-pockets costs, and may be repeated every seven (7) days.  Please call 833-852-4622 to schedule an appointment. 

For the Online Testing Registration Form CLICK HERE.

For press-release announcements CLICK HERE. 

For those awaiting appointments CLICK HERE to be directed to our online form for the COVID-19 Vaccine.  No out-of-pocket costs for COVID-19 vaccination.

Caring for our Elders

Qiksiksrautitiqaġniq Utuqqanaanun

(Primary Care Appointments)

Social Services Outreach

The Social Services Department administers programs for residents throughout the North Slope, including job placement, higher education scholarships, adult vocational training, family preservation, Indian Child Welfare assistance, preventative behavioral health services, tribal childcare, medical and burial assistance. If you need assistance with applying for any of these programs, please schedule an appointment with social services.  Social Services will be hosting summer activity camps in each of our surrounding communities for children ages 5-18 years old.

Summer Camp Schedule

• Anaktuvuk Pass:               May 18-20
• Nuiqsut:                               May 25-27
• Point Lay:                            June 14-17 

For information or questions, please contact Qiilu Yazzie, ICWA Program Manager  at

Cell Phone: 907.367.6237 between 8am to 5pm or email:  Qiiluu.Yazzie@arcticslope.org

ASNA Radio Hour

This schedule is subject to change at any time due to changes with KBRW scheduling or any unforeseen medical emergencies.

Dental Clinic Village Schedule

• May 17-21, 2021:    Nuiqsut, Dr. Walsh
• May 24-28, 202:    Atqasuk, Dr. Dean
• June 21-25, 2021:    Kaktovik, Dr. Walsh

This is an evolving situation and village travel schedules are subject to change.  Contact your NSB Village Health Clinic for any updates.

Eye Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik

For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Eye Clinic directly at Telephone: 907.852.9291 | E-mail:  eyeclinic@arcticslope.org

Specialty Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik

Specialty Clinic appointments are only for those who receive a referral from a Primary Care Provider.

For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Specialty Clinic directly at Telephone: 907.852.9284 | Toll Free: 888.525.7764

Medicaid/Medicare Outreach

SSMH Outreach and Enrollment staff will be traveling to the following villages to help patients with enrollment in Medicaid and/or Medicare, senior benefits, and other public assistance programs:

• Due to COVID-19, Village Travel is cancelled until further notice

Medicaid can also help pay for medical travel including flights, hotels, and food. If you are pregnant, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Patient services paid by Medicaid or Medicare will allow SSMH to invest in new services.  If you have questions, please contact

SSMH Patient Benefits at Telephone: 907.852.9365 | Toll Free: 888.525.7764

Medical Provider Village Schedule

Subject to travel limitations due to COVID-19, ASNA is very sensitive to the needs and wishes of our member villages and with the approval of the village, we continue to provide patient urgent care needs through Village Health travel.

All dates subject to change.  To schedule your appointment with the SSMH Provider, please call your NSB Village Health Clinic to ensure your name is on the list with your current phone number(s).

ADMINISTRATION

• Laboratory Manager

NURSING

• Clinical Supervisor
• Nurse Case Manager (3 positions)
• Registered Nurse – Emergency Room
• Registered Nurse – Inpatient
• Registered Nurse – LDRP
• Registered Nurse – Primary Care
• Registered Nurse Village Health Coordinator
• Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist (PRN) On-Call
• SFL Case Manager – LPN

PROFESSIONAL HEALTH - CARE

• Lead Physical Therapist
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Mammographer X-Ray Technologist Revised
• Physical Therapist
• Staff Dentist

SKILLED/SUPPORT SERVICES

• Certified Coder
• Clinical Applications Coordinator of EHR
• Clinical Laboratory Assistant
• CT Technologist (3-Positions)
• Elder Care Specialist (On-Call)
• Floor Care Technician (Temporary)
• Food Service Kitchen Helper (Temporary)
• Healthy Family Advocate
• Healthy Family Advocate – AKP or BRW or KAK
• Healthy Family Advocate (Nuiqsut)
• Housekeeper (PRN)
• ICWA Case Manager
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Maintenance Laborer (Offsite Facitlies)
• Maintenance Specialist I
• Maintenance Specialist I (Offsite Facilities)
• Maintenance Specialist II (Offsite Facilities)
• Medical Technician/Medical Technologist
• Off-site Facility Maintenance Foreman
• On Job Training for Dental Assistant
• Patient Care Technician – (PCT) Temporary
• Physical Therapist Assistant – Office Manager
• Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Nights)
• Quality and Compliance Risk Analyst
• Summer Intern
• Systems Administrator
• Travel Assistant
• Van Driver On-Call
• Wainwright Child Care Program Manager

Please visit us at https://arcticslope.org/careers/job-openings/ to find out how to apply online, Thank You!

• Memorial Day     May 31, 2021
• Independence Day     July 3, 2021

In observance of the upcoming holidays, the ASNA and SSMH offices will be closed with exception of the ER/emergency department and all other staff essential for emergency medical care.

The front entryway of SSMH will be closed; please enter through the ER, or southeast end of the building.