Welcome to the March Issue of Iñuuniaġniq
Daisy Award Nominee
Sunshine Award Nominee
COVID-19 Update
Nutrition Month Awareness
National Kidney Month
Flu Shot Awareness
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 March is Paniqsiqsiivik. It is the month when women continue sewing ugruk (bearded seal) skins for the skin boats used in whaling.

In this issue, we have information on Daisy and Sunshine Award Nominees, a COVID-19 Update, and nutrition month awareness.  Enjoy!

Daisy Award Nominee

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 has been selected as the 2020 4th quarter Daisy Award nominee. April would mark her 4-year anniversary with the ASNA/SSMH team.

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 Labor  and Delivery.  Taking into account her hard-work and dedication to patient care, it is easy to see that Dee’s accolades are well within merit.  Congratulations Dee!

Sunshine Award Nominee, Sarah Hopson, Certified Nurse Assistant

Sarah’s latest nomination is a testament to her incredible caring nature, empathy, patience and kindness.  One patient recalled “She has such a beautiful heart, and helped me every step of the way.”  Please join us in congratulating Sarah for the well-deserved recognition!

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.

On March 12, 2020 the State of Alaska reported its first confirmed positive COVID-19 case.  Now we are a year removed, the State of Alaska has now reported over 58,000 cases, and 302 deaths of the COVID-19 disease.  The bulk of these cases were identified between November 5 and December 15, 2020 when case counts would regularly eclipse 500 cases per day.

Alaska has administered over 137,000 full vaccinations since the vaccine rollout in December 2020.  According to COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker, Alaska currently leads the nation with 18% of the total population of the state fully vaccinated after being among the first states to open the vaccine enrollment to persons aged 16 and over in early March 2021.

State of Alaska Coronavirus Hub

United States COVID-19 Vaccine Tracker

On March 1, 2021 ASNA reported the absence of an active case in the ASNA Service Area.  The last time there was zero active cases in the service area was July 13, 2020, a streak that lasted 230 days.  However just 4 days later on March 5, 2021 a positve case was identified in the ASNA Service Area.

To date ASNA has reported 941 cumulative cases, 4 deaths and 40 hospitilizations due to the COVID-19 disease.  Similar to how cases spiked in the State of Alaska we experienced a majority of the cases in the month of December 2020 and another spike in January 2021.  While it is important to monitor cases identified it is equally important to take into consideration how many tests are being conducted.

As made clear by the graph, for the last four weeks we are conducting around 475 tests/week.  This number is a huge difference considering that in 4 weeks of December 2020 we conducted 1048 tests/week.  Although it is remarkable to see such a steep decline in cases identified, we would like to see testing numbers rise as well to draw more accurate comparable conclusions.

For the safety of our communities ASNA/SSMH is accepting appointments for any interested individuals ages 16 & up.  Please call 907.852.9156 or e-mail covidvaccine@arcticslope.org to schedule an appointment.

For those awaiting appointments please CLICK HERE to be directed to our online form for the COVID-19 Vaccine.

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

For press-release announcements CLICK HERE.  Thank You and stay safe.

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. 

CLICK HERE for the Online Registration Form

Visit the ASNA WEBSITE for updates regarding the impact of COVID-19 in the ASNA service area

A key piece of research on the importance of traditional foods can be found in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). From 2008-2014, the Traditional Foods Project highlighted the benefits of traditional foods as a way to prevent Type 2 Diabetes in Alaska Native and American Indian communities. As Valerie Segrest (Muckleshoot Tribe) states, “The land is our identity and holds for us all the answers we need to be a healthy, vibrant, and thriving community.” The importance of land is in the food, traditions, stories, language, climate, economic development, and culture. This sovereignty and effort to improve the health and well-being to the people of the Arctic Slope is where ASNA finds its roots and is part of our mission.

Through this research on Nutrition and the Value of Traditional Foods, several key findings and shared themes emerged that bind Native American and Alaska Native communities together.

• Significance of land: Sustaining on nature’s bounty; leveraging and strengthening tribal self-governance; preserving subsistence practices and traditions; creating sustainability of Native foodways; fostering intergenerational relationships; and providing opportunities for Native youth interested in cooking, hunting, gathering, fishing, and environmental stewardship are all part of the land’s significance.
• Community engagement: Community-wide traditional food dinners; activities, symposiums, trainings and seminars around native food preparation and gathering are beneficial in strengthening community bonds.
• Community-driven planning: Conducting community needs assessments and formative research; community-based approach in program development; employing a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach to guide programs; engaging tribal stakeholders to help identify traditional foods experts; and creating a community advisory council to guide and inform program development.
• Sharing of traditional foods recipes and cooking/preparing demonstrations: Sharing of food, preparation and recipes strengthens the family and intergenerational ties as we educate others on the nutritional value and wonderful flavors of traditional foods.
• Emphasis on education: Educating the public as to the nutritional value of traditional foods that include protein, vitamin A, most B vitamins, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, phosphorus, iron, niacin, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids (Walch, 2016).
• Elder involvement: Learning traditional ways of food preparation and healing properties of locally grown foods from elders, strengthens community bonds and builds intergenerational relationships.
• Funding sources and community partners: Creating and sustaining partnerships helps support advocacy, education, research and funding for furthering the importance of traditional foods.
• Well-being: Collective consensus is that traditional foods and practices are an important and viable alternative approach to well-being and health.

Sources: https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndwp/pdf/Part_IV_Traditional_Foods_in_Native_America.pdf

https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/ndwp/traditional-foods/index.html

Walch, A. (2016). Traditional food security and diet quality in Alaska native women (Doctoral dissertation, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 2016).

Link to kidney video: https://www.kidney.org/yourkidneysandyou

Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses.  The influenza viruses spread in much of the same way as COVID-19 spreads but less contagious.

The best way to prevent the spreading of the seasonal flu virus is to get vaccinated every year.  Because the compounding effect of the seasonal flu and the coronavirus (COVID-19 disease) may strain our healthcare systems it is more important than ever for everyone to get vaccinated this flu season.

Adults over the age of 65 years and adults with chronic health conditions such as: asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and kidney disease are considered high risk of developing complications from the flu.  SSMH is scheduling influenza vaccinations at the transit station in Utqiaġvik.

Please Call 833.852.4622 to schedule an appointment and CLICK HERE for online Flu Shot Consent Form

For more information about similarities and differences of COVID-19 and Influenza CLICK HERE

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

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. 

All dates subject to change.  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

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.

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

CDC Quarantine Guidelines

State of Alaska Vaccination Guidelines

FLU v COVID-19

State of Alaska Coronavirus Hub

ADMINISTRATION

• Director of Information Technology
• Laboratory Manager

NURSING

• Clinical Supervisor
• Nurse Case Manager (2 Positions)
• Patient Care Technician (PCT)
• Registered Nurse – Emergency Room
• Registered Nurse – Inpatient
• Registered Nurse – LDRP
• Registered Nurse – Primary Care
• Respiratory Therapist
• Respiratory Therapist (PRN) On-Call
• SFL Case Manager – LPN

PROFESSIONAL HEALTH - CARE

• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Mammographer X-Ray Technologist Revised
• Staff Dentist (Available 8/2020 & 12/2020)

SKILLED/SUPPORT SERVICES

• Certified Coder
• Clinical Applications Coordinator of EHR
• CT Technologist (3-Positions)
• Elder Care Specialist (On-Call)
• Family Advocate
• Floor Care Technician
• Food Service Kitchen Helper 
• Food Service Kitchen Helper (Temporary) 
• Healthy Family Advocate
• Healthy Family Advocate – AKP or BRW or KAK
• Healthy Family Advocate (Nuiqsut)
• Housekeeper
• Housekeeper (PRN)
• Indian Child Welfare Act Advocate (ICWA)
• Licensed Clinical Social Worker
• Maintenance Laborer
• Maintenance Specialist II (Offsite Facilities)
• Manager of Customer Experience & Risk
• Medical Technician/Medical Technologist
• Pre-Maternal Residential Assistant On-Call (Nights)
• 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!

• Memorial Day:  May 31, 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.