Welcome to the September Issue of Iñuuniaġniq
Employee Spotlight
Scholarship Recipients
ASNA Spirit Days
COVID-19 Update
Suicide Prevention Month
Guiding Principles
Elder Primary Care
Social Services Outreach
Tribal Childcare
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 September is Amiġaiqsivik. It is the month when people continue to hunt and fish at traditional camp sites. Fall whaling also begins for Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, and Utqiaġvik.

In this issue, we have information on the COVID-19 Update, Guy Okakok Sr. Scholarship recipients, Suicide Prevention Month and more. Enjoy!

Employee Spotlight

Pharmacist, Angela Tapa Smith

Angela Smith has been hired as a new Pharmacist.  Angela grew up in Utqiaġvik and is the granddaughter of Rex and Leona Okakok and the great granddaughter of the late Samuel Simmonds and Guy Okakok.

In 2008 she received a Bachelors of Science degree in Technical Management with a concentration in Health Services.  Then eventually completing her Doctorate of Pharmacy at South University in Columbia, South Carolina.

Her hobbies include reading, hiking and playing card games with her husband and two daughters.  Currently, she is reading a book authored by her Aaka (grandmother), Leona Okakok, about conversating in the Iñupiaq language.

Please join us in welcoming Angela Smith to the ASNA Team.

The Guy Okakok Sr. Leadership Award was established in 2015, in recognition of ASNA's 50th Anniversary. It was named after one of the ASNA founders, Guy Okakok Sr., who championed the rights of Alaska Natives. The purpose of the award is to provide academic scholarships to eligible North Slope tribal members who are interested in post-secondary health care, social services, or health-related certificate programs. Scholarship awardees will receive up to $2,500 per semester or $5,000 per academic year, based on financial need.

After extensive review, ASNA is proud to announce the recipients of the 2020 Guy Okakok, Sr. Leadership Award, Jenessa Oviok and Paige LaFountain.  ASNA would also like to thank all of the other applicants.

In the last 4 weeks there have been over 50 positive North Slope Borough resident cases.  According to data provided by The State of Alaska Coronavirus Response Hub.

A majority of cases are in Utqiaġvik have been determined to be caused by community spread.  In an effort to slow the spread of the COVID-19 disease  we encourage our people to be more mindful of protecting ourselves and others by taking simple preventative measures.

The 3 most effective ways at containing and stopping the spread of COVID-19 are the following:

The SSMH Drive-thru testing site will be relocating near the airport.  For now the site remains operational by the Emergency Room Entrance; open Saturday & Sunday, 8a.m. – 7p.m. tests are available with no out-of-pockets costs, and may be repeated every seven (7) days.

Suicide rates among Native American and Alaskan Natives are 3.5 times higher than other racial/ethnic groups.  During the month of September, mental health advocates, prevention organizations, survivors, allies, and community members unite to promote suicide prevention awareness.

To promote Suicide Prevention Awareness, click on the follow links for additional resources.

Suicides Among American Indian/Alaskan Natives

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

Caring for Our Elders

Qiksiksrautitiqaġniq Utuqqanaanun

(Primary Care Appointments)

SSMH dedicates time to care for our elders.  Schedule Primary Care appointments Monday - Friday 10AM -12PM by calling 907-852-9156.

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

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

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

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).

Resources

ASNA/SSMH Press Releases

Understanding COVID-19

ASNA 2019 Annual Report

Suicide Prevention Resource Center

NURSING

• Clinical Supervisor
• LDRP Registered Nurse
• 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 (PRN) On-Call

PROFESSIONAL HEALTH - CARE

• Diabetes Coordinator and Educator
• Laboratory Manager
• Mammographer X-Ray Technologist
• SFL Case Manager – LPN
• Staff Dentist (Available 8/2020 & 12/2020)

SKILLED/SUPPORT SERVICES

• Certified Coder
• Clinical Laboratory Assistant
• CT Technologist (3-Positions)
• Elder Care Specialist On-Call
• Family Preservation Coordinator
• Family Preservation Development Program Manager
• Floor Care Technician
• Food Service Kitchen Helper (Temporary)
• Healthy Family Advocate – revised AKP or BRW or KAK
• Healthy Family Advocate – revised Nuiqsut
• Housekeeper
• Housekeeper (PRN)
• Housekeeper (Temporary)
• Information Services Technician
• Laundry Attendant(Temporary)
• Maintenance Specialist I
• Maintenance Specialist II
• Medical Technologist
• MTFA Coordinator I
• OJT Dental Assistant (2 Positions)
• Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Night)
• Quality and Compliance Risk Analyst
• Van Driver On-Call

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

• Alaska Day     October 19, 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.