May 15, 2005
Brown and Pavila saying goodbye
Health Education will bid sad farewells this May to two long-serving staff.
Julia Brown, who has been with the health education department since 1989, will retire at the end of May. She has seen myriad transitions the department has undergone through the years, but never despaired of the changes. She embraced them and increased her skills and knowledge to serve the people of the Delta faithfully for nearly 16 years.
The announcement of imminent retirement seems to spur final requests for Julia's services. She will be participating in the Kipnuk Family Spirit Gathering at the end of April. She will also travel with other Health Education staff to Shageluk in the beginning of May before she begins the bittersweet process of closing out her office, informing her service area of her retirement, and perhaps most difficult for Julia, saying goodbye as the local health educator in her beloved Kongiganak. It was always a joy for Julia to gather students together for activities. Both she and the students looked forward to these times to learn about how natural and fun health can be.
YKHC's Health Services will miss her invaluable contributions. Julia enjoyed actively participating in the annual YKHC Tribal Gathering, displaying information about traditional foods of the Delta at the Bethel Health Fair, and lending her services as a translator or presenter to other departments requesting these talents.
Patrick Pavila, since 2001, has performed admirably in his native Tuntutuliak and surrounding villages. He will be leaving the Health Education Department in mid-May.
Patrick felt especially comfortable working individually with beneficiaries as such situations occurred. His background in social work and Rural Health Services training made him the ideal Community Health Representative for those focused opportunities to impart health prevention and awareness information.
Patrick received requests for tobacco cessation, inhalant abuse, and suicide talks, among several topics, in schools and communities. His reputation preceded him, often bringing requests and invitations to Family Spirit Gatherings in communities throughout the Delta.
Patrick's commitment to the YKHC family showed in his willingness to share his mastery of his native language with other departments and for corporate functions. Patrick would gladly interpret at Behavioral Health periodic trainings and tirelessly serve as interpreter at the YKHC Annual Tribal Gathering.
Patrick, good luck and Godspeed.
Legacy of Learning
Lest this seem a hopelessly sad good bye, please know that Patrick has left a legacy of learning:
Good Morning Patrick,
Thanks again for traveling all the way out here to talk to us. The information you gave to us was very interesting. I never new anything about the historical background which I found interesting as well as the stats on Alaska and the YK Delta. Thanks again for everything... Good luck, and thanks again for bringing us further knowledge on Tobacco!
--Denise Sherrill and Napaskiak Head Start