August 15, 2006
Health Aides gather for the traditional group photo at St. Mary's.
Health Aides from across the YK Delta met at the St. Mary’s Mission July 31–Aug. 4 for the annual Community Health Aide Conference (above).
“Our Health Aides are the cornerstone of our healthcare delivery system,” said Gene Peltola, YKHC President/CEO at the annual Community Health Aide Conference. Peltola met with over 30 Health Aides at this year’s skill-building conference in St. Mary’s. “On behalf of YKHC I thank you for your dedication and commitment to our mission of Working Together to Achieve Excellent Health.”
This year’s conference featured two tracks to help Health Aides refine their skills and learn the latest procedures and techniques to provide quality care. The focus of this year’s event addressed EMS training and Diabetes, a growing concern in the YK Delta.
“Type II diabetes is on the rise,” said Sarah Jasper, a Health Aide in Tuluksak who grew up in Akiak. “People need to be taking care of themselves by not drinking too much pop, keeping active and eating their traditional foods. We need to eat less chips, pizza, and other processed foods from down states.”
The conference has become a bonding experience for many Health Aides to get to know each other and see old friends. “I see some people who I hired back when I was a supervising instructor and they are still Health Aides,” said Jasper. “It is good to see.”
Guest speakers Dr. Jody Butto and Dr. BJ Coopes taught workshops on Pediatric emergency care while Dr. Gary Ferguson taught workshops on Diabetes care, prevention and naturopathic healing.