Arcitc Slope Native Association
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Iñuuniaġniq: The Art of Living
January 2020 Issue
CONTENTS
ASNA Staff Announcements
Welcome to the January Issue of Iñuuniaġniq
New Staff Dentist
New Nurse Case Manager
Polar Bear Awareness
National Glaucoma Awareness Month
Samuel Simmonds Day
Iñupiat Values Spotlight
ASNA Spirit Days
Medical Travel and Funeral Assistance (MTFA)
Social Services Outreach
Baby and Me
Tribal Child Care
Medical Imaging
ASNA Radio Hour
Dates To Remember
Dental Clinic Village Schedule
Eye Clinic Schedule
Specialty Clinics
SSMH Medicaid/Medicare Outreach Schedule
Medical Provider Village Schedule
Job Openings
ASNA Staff Announcements
Welcome!
The Iñupiaq translation for January is Siqiññaatchiaq. It is the month of the new sun. When skin boats are built and repaired. Also, the time for natchiq and nanuq hunting.
In this issue, we have information on the New Faces around SSMH, National Monthly Awarenesses, and more. Enjoy!
Welcome Anjanette Walsh, DDS
Anjanette Walsh, DDS, was hired as a staff dentist in August 2019. She has lived in Alaska for 25 years and worked as a dental hygienist in Girdwood and Anchorage before attending dental school.
Dr. Walsh graduated from UAA with a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene and the University of Utah School of Dentistry with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery.
Anjanette loves Alaska, especially in the winter months, and knew she wanted to come to Barrow even before starting dental school. Dr. Walsh is thrilled to be here and looks forward to serving the North Slope communities. Welcome to the ASNA Family!
Welcome Isabel Edwardson-Nay
Isabel Edwardson-Nay returned to Utqiaġvik in September of 2019 with her girls from the beautiful interior community of Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska.
Isabel, a Registered Nurse, received a Bachelors of Science degree from the University of Alaska-Anchorage in Nursing Science. Isabel is currently the Nurse Case Manager in Primary Care which assists our providers and patients’ care coordination and navigation.
Isabel is proud to return home and serve the community as a nurse. Welcome Home Isabel!
Polar Bear Safety/Awareness
Always be aware of Polar Bears in our NSB communities. We love to be active and enjoy the outdoors, and with 24-hour darkness we must be alert to the possibilities of wildlife. If you spot a polar bear please contact the NSB Police Dept. at (907) 852-6111 or the NSB Wildlife Dept. at (907) 852-0350.
Glaucoma Awareness Month
January is National Glaucoma Awareness Month. Glaucoma is one of the many causes for blindness and it happens when the optic nerve gets damaged from high eye pressure. The eye pressure can build up in one of two ways: when the eye secretes too much eye fluid, and when the eye can’t properly drain the eye fluid.
It’s important to get regular eye exams every 2 to 4 years -- after the age of 40 -- so that the condition is caught early before it does noticeable damage. There is no reversible cure to glaucoma, but there are ways to prevent it from getting worse. Treatment may include eye drops, oral medication, and/or surgery.
Samuel Simmonds Day
Please join us in celebrating Samuel Simmonds Day on Friday, January 27 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Lobby.
There will be refreshments, information on preventative health, and other healthy activities. For more information contact Katie Akpik at 907-852-9360.
Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital was named after the late Samuel Simmonds, who served as a Presbyterian minister and Native rights advocate. He was also a well-known ivory carver.
Iñupiat Values Spotlight
Respect For Elders
ASNA Spirit Days
Ugly Sweater Day
In observance of local and national awareness's, ASNA shows their support celebrating and identifying those awareness's as Spirit Days.
On December 20th, Ugly Sweater Day, SSMH staff got into the holiday spirit by wearing there ugliest holiday sweater for a chance to win an ASNA Sweater!
Medical Travel & Funeral Assistance
Patient Travel Information
ASNA administers the Medical Travel and Funeral Assistance (MTFA) program serving the Arctic Slope communities of Anaktuvuk Pass, Atqasuk, Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, Point Hope, Point Lay, Utqiaġvik and Wainwright. Below you will find some important tips for applicants.
For medical travel:
- MTFA provides aid to eligible Arctic Slope Regional Corporation shareholders and residents of the North Slope Borough with medical or funeral crisis when no alternative funds are available.
- Applications MUST be turned into the MTFA office five (5) days prior to departure day. MTFA staff cannot control waiting periods. This includes waiting on the applicant's employer to provide income verification or receiving health information.
The applicant is responsible for providing the referral or medical referral appointment letter to the MTFA staff. MTFA staff are available to provide assistance seven days a week from 8:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Main Line: 907.852.9114 | On Call: 907.331.9495 | Fax: 907.852.9152
E-mail: mtfa@arcticslope.org
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.
For information or questions, please contact Rebecca Harris, healthy family advocate, at Telephone: 907.852.9180 | Cell Phone: 907.367.6237 | E-mail: rebecca.harris@arcticslope.org
Baby and Me
ASNA Social Services Family Preservation and Development Program continues to host weekly activities for parents and their toddlers, ages 0-4. The activities are themed play-dates centered on child development. Play-dates are scheduled every Wednesday from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the old hospital large commons (entrance C). We look forward to seeing you and your baby at the next “Baby and Me” event.
For information or questions, please contact family preservation and development program support, at Telephone: 907.852.9196
Tribal Child Care
ASNA Social Services is sponsoring the Tribal Child Care program for children ages 13 and under whose parents are employed and/or actively taking classes. The child must be enrolled or eligible to enroll into a federally recognized tribe. Eligibility is also based on family size and income.
For information or questions, please contact Daphne Leavitt, family preservation and development program coordinator, at 907.852.9379
E-mail: stephaniegail.leavitt@arcticslope.org
Medical Imaging
The Samuel Simmonds Medical Imaging staff use technological devices to create visual images for diagnostic and prevention purposes.
CT Scans can be scheduled
Monday-Friday 9am-5pm
Saturday-Sunday 9am-3pm
Ultra Sound Scans can be scheduled
Monday-Friday 9am-11pm
ASNA Radio Hour
In an effort to do more community outreach and education, ASNA hosts a weekly one-hour KBRW radio show. Remember to join our host, Trina Paul, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm every Friday morning.
January Radio Schedule
January 3
Health Safety Tips
January 10
Eye Clinic
January 17
Breastfeeding and Diabetes
January 24
Samuel Simmonds Day
January 31
Children's Dental Awareness
This schedule is subject to change at any time due to changes with KBRW scheduling or any unforeseen medical emergencies.
Dates to Remember
Dental Clinic Village Schedule
· Kaktovik: January 13-24 (Dentist)
To schedule an appointment, please call your NSB Village Health Clinic to ensure your name is on the “dental list” with your current phone number(s).
Eye Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik
The Eye Clinic is open for patients from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following days:
- January 6-16
For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Eye Clinic directly at Telephone: 907.852.9291 E-mail: eyeclinic@arcticslope.or
Specialty Clinic Schedule in Utqiaġvik
Specialty Clinic appointments are only for those who receive a referral from a Primary Care Provider.
- Podiatry Clinic: January 6
- Diabetes Clinic: January 6-9
- Arthritis Clinic: January 8-10
- ENT/Audio Clinic: January 21-23
- Nutrition Clinic: January 24
- Sleep Studies Clinic: January 27-29
- Endoscopy Clinic: January 30-31
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
Outreach staff is available on weekday's from 8AM to 5PM at the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital for those who would like to apply for Medicaid benefits and other public assistance programs such as Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program or SNAP, which was formally known as food stamps, Temporary Assistance Program, Adult Public Assistance, and General Relief. The outreach department travels to the villages of Atqasuk, Wainwright, Pt. Lay, Kaktovik, and Nuiqsut, and the staff can be reached at the village clinics. Please stop in and see us or call 852-4611 for more information.
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:
- Atqasuk: January 6-8 with Faye Serrano
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
- Atqasuk: January 6–10 (Provider Visit)
- Wainwright: January 20–24 (Provider Visit)
To schedule your appointment with the SSMH Physician Assistant, please call your NSB Village Health Clinic to ensure your name is on the list with your current phone number(s).
Job Openings
NURSING
- Nurse Case Manager (2 Positions)
- Nurse Manager-Primary Care
- Patient Care Technician I (PCT) PRN
- Patient Care Technician I (PCT)
- Primary Care Nurse (2 Positions)
- Registered Nurse Case Manager
- Registered Nurse Emergency Room
- Registered Nurse Inpatient
- Registered Nurse – LDRP
- Registered Nurse Primary Care (2 Positions)
- Respiratory Therapist
- Respiratory Therapist (PRN) On-Call
PROFESSIONAL HEALTH - CARE
- CT Technologist X-Ray Technologist
- Mammographer X-Ray Technologist
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacist (Temporary)
- Staff Dentist
- TDY/On-Call General Dentist
SKILLED/SUPPORT SERVICES
- Assistant Laboratory Manager
- Elder Care Specialist On-Call
- Emergency Room Technician
- Family Preservation Coordinator
- Food Service Kitchen Helper (Temporary)
- Fleet Laborer
- Healthy Family Advocate
- Healthy Family Advocate (Nuiqsut)
- Healthy Family Advocate (Wainwright)
- Housing Housekeeper
- Housekeeper (Temporary)
- Maintenance Laborer
- Maintenance Specialist II
- Medical Technologist
- OJT Dental Assistant (2 Positions)
- Patient Access Rep (On-Call)
- Pharmacy Technician
- Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Night)
- Quality and Compliance Risk Analyst
- Systems Administrator
- Travel Assistant (Temporary)
Please visit us at https://arcticslope.org/careers/job-openings/ to find out how to apply online, Thank You!
Upcoming ASNA Holiday
- Martin Luther King Jr. Day January 20, 2020
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.
