Amber Leavitt-Hopson was selected by the ASNA Administration as the recipient of the 2019 Employee of the Year Award. Amber was also recognized for reaching her 5-year milestone with ASNA.

Rightfully promoted to Housekeeping Supervisor this past year Amber excelled in her new role. With her attention to detail and strong work ethic, Amber and her staff go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure excellent environmental services at the hospital for the patients and employees.

Nominated and celebrated by her peers Amber upholds the mission of ASNA and the core Inupiat Values of which ASNA is guided. Congratulations on a well-deserved honor Amber!

Amber joins a distinguished list of individuals who have received Employee of the Year Honors since its reintroduction in 2014.

KBRW’s “Drive to Thrive” is an event that takes place over the course of 2 weeks. Local organizations donate their staff and time to sing songs and tell stories to raise money for the North Slope wide radio station KBRW. KBRW is vital to residents on the North Slope for local news, entertainment, weather, and more.

During the ASNA time slot we received $2,835 in phone pledges. ASNA incentives included a hoodie, turkey, thermos, measuring-tape and a tote bag.

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The American Academy of Ophthalmology and the staff of SSMH would like to encourage holiday shoppers from buying toys that could potentially cause serious eye injuries. Toys with projectiles, laser/light beams and sharp edges are better left on the shelf. Damages to the eye can have life-long effects including blindness.

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission an estimated 226,100 toy-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms in 2018.

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Everyone is at risk of falling, and as we grow older, the risk increases. A few medical conditions that may occur with aging include arthritis, cataracts, or hip surgery. Here are some fall prevention and home safety tips:

  • Eat foods rich in Calcium and Vitamin D.

  • Be active. Walk often and excercise.

  • Have your vision checked annually.

  • Always have a clear path in each room.

  • Be sure to keep wires tight along the walls.

  • Put a non-skid mat in the bathtub.

  • Use a sturdy step stool.

  • Wear ice grippers or ice cleats on the ice.

Please stay safe and make a checklist for home safety. .

Always be aware of Polar Bears in our NSB communities. We love to be active and enjoy the outdoors, but we must be alert to the possibilities of wildlife. If you see a bear please contact the NSB Police Dept. at (907) 852-6111 or the NSB Wildlife Dept. at (907) 852-0350.

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We successfully completed 2 surveys: The Joint Commission and CMS Validation survey. Both surveys were in-depth inspections of the facility, all hospital operations, medical records, human resources, medical staff credentials, dietary, infection control, environmental services, and leadership.

Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital and the staff earned validation of The Joint Commission Accreditation. This recognition means that ASNA/SSMH complies with the highest national standards for safety and quality of care and is committed to continually improving hospital care.

“We had a very extensive and thorough survey by 4 surveyors in 5 days. As an organization, we did very well. Our staff can be proud of their performance and service to the community. Each of the surveyors said they would get their care here.” - Hospital Administrator, Richard Hall

The success of these surveys is a result of continuous planning, process improvement, and hard work of our organization. Congratulations ASNA!  

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On November 22nd, Traditional Day, staff expressed pride in their cultural heritage by wearing traditional regalia to work.

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ASNA Social Services Family Preservation & Development continues to host weekly activities for parents and their toddlers, ages 0-4. The activities are themed play dates centered around 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). Each week, guest speakers will share information as it relates to healthy families and early child development. We look forward to seeing you and your baby at the next "Baby and Me" event.

• The Baby and Me Program will resume in January

For information or questions, please contact Family Preservation and Program Support at Telephone: (907) 852-9196 |

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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 

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In an effort to do more community outreach and education, ASNA hosts a weekly one-hour KBRW radio show. Join us from 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on Friday mornings.

Here is the programming schedule for October:

• December 6 – Medicaid

• December 13 – Healthy Holiday Tips

• December 20 – Safe Toys Awareness

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

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The Dental Clinic Visits for this upcoming Month of Novemeber:

•  Nuiqsut: December 2-6 (Dentist)
• Point Lay: December 9-13 (Dentist)

Dates are subject to change. To see the dentist, please call your village health clinic to ensure your name is on the "dental list" with your current phone number(s).

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

• Podiatry Clinic: December 2-4

• Audio Clinic: December 2-6

• Pulmonary Clinic: December 5-6

• Stress Clinic: December 9

• Sleep Studies Clinic: December 9-11

• Pediatric Clinic December 10-12

• Endoscopy Clinic: December 16-17

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

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The Eye Clinic is open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on the following days.

• December 2-6
• December 9-12

For more information, please contact the Samuel Simmonds Memorial Hospital Eye Clinic directly at Telephone: (907) 852-9291 | E-mail: eyeclinic@arcticslope.org.

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• Point Lay: December 2–6 (Provider Visit)
• Point Lay: December 5–6 (Podiatry)
• Nuiqsut: December 16-20 (Provider Visit)

To schedule your appointment with SSMH Physician Assistant, please call your NSB village health clinic to ensure your name is on the list with your current phone number(s).

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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

• Accounting Specialist I
• Assistant Director of Human Resources
• Assistant Laboratory Manager
• Barista
• Clinical Training Coordinator
• Dental Assistant
• Elder Care Specialist On-Call
• Emergency Room Technician
• Family Preservation Coordinator
• Family Preservation & Development Program Manager
• Food Service Kitchen Helper (Temporary)
• Fleet Laborer
• Healthy Family Advocate (Nuiqsut)
• Healthy Family Advocate (Wainwright)
• Housing Housekeeper
• Housekeeper (Temporary)
• HR Generalist I
• Indian Child Welfare Act Advocate
• Lead Dental Assistant
• Maintenance Laborer
• Maintenance Specialist II
• Medical Technologist
• MTFA Coordinator I
• OJT Dental Assistant (2 Positions)
• Patient Access Rep (On-Call)
• Pharmacy Technician
• Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Night)
• Quality and Compliance Risk Analyst
• Registrar Scanning Specialist (Re-Post)
• Systems Administrator
• Travel Assistant (Temporary)

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