ASNA July 2020 Newsletter
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Iñuuniaġniq: The Art of Living
July 2020 Issue
CONTENTS
ASNA Staff Announcements
Welcome to the July Issue of Iñuuniaġniq
Homegrown Talent
Daisy Award Winner 2019
Sunshine Award Winner 2019
ASNA Campus Cleanup
Stop the Pop
Nalukataq 2020
UV Safety Awareness
Guiding Principles
COVID-19 Safety
Medical Travel and Funeral Assistance (MTFA)
Social Services Outreach
Tribal Child Care
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 July is Iñukkuksaivik. It is the month when people hunt caribou, bearded seal, and walrus
In this issue, we have an update regarding COVID-19 in the ASNA service area, Daisy/Sunshine 2019 award winners, UV awareness and much more.
Homegrown Talent
Isabel Edwardson-Nay is from Utqiaġvik. She previously lived in the beautiful interior community of Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska and returned home in September of 2019.
Isabel is a Registered Nurse. She received her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Isabel currently serves as Nurse Manager in Primary Care, which she assists our providers and helps with patient care coordination and navigation.
Daisy Award Winner, 2019
The DAISY Award is a nation-wide program that recognizes nursing excellence and the compassionate care given by nurses every day. Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital is proud to be a DAISY Award hospital to honor the extraordinary work nurses do for patients and their families.
Stacey’s nomination from a patient included, “Her lovely voice was very calming. She was very gentle with me. Because of her, I am not afraid to be admitted anymore.”
Sunshine Award Winner, 2019
The SUNSHINE Award recognizes the care team that supports nursing staff and works closely with them to provide patients with the compassion and care they need. The Samuel Simmonds Sunshine Award is dedicated to non-nursing caregivers, including patient care technicians and other vital team members.
Sarah became a Certified Nurse Assistant so that she can work in the medical field while working towards her Nursing Degree. She works full-time during the day and goes to school at night. In the mean-time, Sarah really enjoys being able to work with and learn from the nurses and providers here at SSMH.
Sarah’s patient nomination stated, “Sarah might be a tech or a trainer, but she has all it takes to go far in her chosen profession. We did not interact for very long, but my status as someone beyond my current bundle of symptoms, was very important to her. I felt like a human person and a special individual. Thank You, Sarah.” Congratulations Sarah!
ASNA Campus Cleanup
The City of Utqiaġvik declared July 10 as “City-Wide Cleanup Day”. In partnership of this declaration ASNA encouraged all employees to take part in a voluntary campus cleanup. Depending on how many bags of trash was collected, participants were rewarded with a coffee voucher or a meal voucher.
Thanks to our volunteers, in 2 hours of work, over 25 bags of trash were collected around our campus.
Stop the Pop
Drinking pop in excess is harmful to the human body. A single 12-ounce can of pop satisfies up to 92% of your daily value intake for sugar, and most contains caffeine them.
Though caffeine is largely used as a flavor profile in most soda drinks it is still classified as a drug because it stimulates the central nervous system, causing increased alertness. If you drink too much caffeine, it can lead to jitters, anxiety, headaches, dizziness and problems sleeping.
Because it is high in fructose sugar a can of soda does nothing to relieve the feelings of hunger or thirst. Soda has no essential nutrients. Drinking too much soda high in sugar content can also have some devastating side effects as well:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Tooth Decay
- Joint Pain
- Kidney Health Issues
- Behavioral Problems
- Cardiovascular Disease
- High Blood Pressure
So please reconsider your refreshment options the next time you are feeling parched.
Nalukataq 2020
July is UV Safety Awareness Month
Summer months brings 24-hour sun and more outdoor activities. It’s important to protect the skin and eyes from the damaging effects of the sun, even on the Arctic Slope.
Here are some protective measures to prevent the skin from sunburn, skin cancer, early skin aging and other risks of overexposure to the sun. Some key sun safety tips include:
- Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.
- Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun, such as long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.
- Use broad spectrum sunscreens with SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.
- Reapply sunscreen at least every two hours, and more often if you’re sweating or jumping in and out of the water.
The sun emits radiation known as UV-A and UV-B rays. Both types can damage the eyes and skin:
• UV-B rays have short wavelengths that reach the outer layer of skin
• UV-A rays have longer wavelengths that can penetrate the middle layer of skin
The UV Index measures the damaging effects of the sun. UV index ratings have nothing to do with the weather, and will not necessarily be higher just because it’s hot outside or lower because it’s cloudy.
The shadow rule:
An easy way to tell how much UV exposure there is, is to look for your shadow:
- If your shadow is taller than you are (in the early morning and late afternoon), your UV exposure is likely to be lower.
- If your shadow is shorter than you are (around midday), you are being exposed to higher levels of UV radiation. Seek shade and protect your skin and eyes
Enjoy the sun responsibly by wearing protective clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen.
ASNA/SSMH Guiding Principles
COVID-19 Safety
The Arctic Slope of Alaska is seeing an increase in confirmed cases of COVID-19. Curbing the spread of the novel coronavirus will be a community effort. ASNA would like to remind the residents we serve on these easy steps that have proven to be effective on slowing the transmission rate of COVID-19.
- Wear A Face Covering
- Wash Hands Frequently
- Practice Social Distancing
- Limit Errands
- Stay Home if you Feel Sick
ASNA Press Releases will be posted HERE as they are produced.
For State of Alaska daily updates please visit
Medical Travel & Funeral Assistance Patient Travel Information
ASNA is the Medical Travel and Funeral Assistance (MTFA) program administrator 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:
1. 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 to pay for services.
2. 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 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (except for Holidays).
Main Line: 907.852.9114 | On Call: 907.331.9495 | Fax: 907.852.9152 | E-mail: mtfa@arcticslope.org
While at ANMC contact Community Health Representative 907.297.8382 or 907.602.9243
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 Qiilu Yazzie, ICWA Program Manager at
Cell Phone: 907.367.6963 between 8am to 5pm or email: Qiilu.Yazzie@arcticslope.org
Tribal Child Care
Become a Childcare Provider Today!
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, Program Manager, at 907.852.9379
E-mail: childcare@arcticslope.org
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.
- July 10 - Boating Safety
- July 17 - Alzheimer's Disease
- July 24 - COVID-19 Update
- July 31 - Social Services
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
- Point Lay: July 27-31 (Dentist) - POSTPONED
All dates subject to change. 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 will open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following days:
- July 13-23
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.
- Sleep Studies: July 1-3
- ENT/Audiology: July 7-9
- Pediatrics: July 14-15
- Pulmonolgy: July 15-16
- Nutrition: July 17
- Podiatry: July 21
- Daibetes: July 21-23
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 weekdays 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 (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:
- 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.
- Point Lay:July 9-10 (Family Medicine)
- Kaktovik: July 13-16 (Family Medicine)
- Nuiqsut: July 20-23(Family Medicine)
- Atqasuk: July 23-24(Podiatry) - POSTPONED
- Wainwright: July 27-29(Pedtrics) - POSTPONED
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).
Resources
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 Emergency Room
- Registered Nurse Inpatient
- Registered Nurse – LDRP
- Registered Nurse Primary Care (2 Positions)
- Respiratory Therapist
- Respiratory Therapist (PRN) On-Call
PROFESSIONAL HEALTH - CARE
- Diabetes Coordinator & Educator
- Mammographer X-Ray Technologist
- Pharmacist
- Pharmacist (Temporary)
- Staff Dentist (Available 8/2020 & 12/2020)
SKILLED/SUPPORT SERVICES
- Certified Coder
- Clinical Laboratory Assistant
- Clinical Supervisor
- Elder Care Specialist On-Call
- Family Preservation Coordinator
- Facilities Administrative Assistant
- Healthy Family Advocate – Barrow
- Healthy Family Advocate – revised AKP or BRW or KAK
- Healthy Family Advocate – revised Nuiqsut
- Housing Housekeeper
- Housekeeper
- Housekeeper (PRN)
- Manager of Customer Experience & Risk
- Maintenance Specialist I (Offsite Facilities)
- Maintenance Specialist II
- OJT Dental Assistant (2 Positions)
- Optometric Technician & Receptionist (Temporary)
- Pharmacy Technician
- Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Night)
- Quality and Compliance Risk Analyst
- Registrar
Please visit us at https://arcticslope.org/careers/job-openings/ to find out how to apply online, Thank You!
Upcoming ASNA Holiday
- Labor Day September 7, 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.