April 15, 2008
YKHC's Krystal Henry works with Ivan M. Ivan of Akiak to determine health care priorities.
Tribal Gathering XV focuses on healthy children
By Danielle Dizon, Public Relations Staff
Nearly 100 tribal leaders gathered for the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation's 15th annual Tribal Unity Gathering held April 1 and 2 at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center in Bethel.
The conference is hosted in Bethel each year, uniting Tribal representatives and YKHC management to discuss health related topics and priorities. Based on a health care priority session held on the last day, YKHC plans program and service improvement efforts for the coming year.
Special opening presentations by Bethel High School's JROTC Color Guard and Ayaprun Elitnaurvik (Bethel's Yup'ik immersion school) highlighted the conference theme: "Our Children, Their Future," or, in Yup'ik, "Irniamta Ciunerkaat."
The theme, developed by YKHC President/CEO Gene Peltola, focused the two-day conference on raising the healthiest children. "Children of today are the leaders of tomorrow," said Peltola in his welcome address. "We can make a significant positive impact on the health and wellbeing of our people."
Peltola also announced the acquisition of the CT (Computer Axial Tomography) Scanner, which is set to be operational July 1, and an $8 million legislative appropriation being sought by Senate Finance Committee Co-Chairman Lyman Hoffman for a Long Term Care facility. "We need to take care of our Elders and we need to take care of them here at home," said Peltola.
Lastly, Peltola revealed YKHC's intent to invest the nearly $33 million federal court-case settlement from the Indian Health Service (IHS). "This investment will lock in financial viability for our organization to address the ever growing health care needs in the future," said Peltola.
Senator Murkowski joins delegates through video teleconference
Among the special guests, Senator Lisa Murkowski joined delegates through a live video teleconference from Washington D.C.
She commented on several rural issues facing the YK Delta people, including sanitation projects, behavioral health and immunization programs, and new scholarship programs to encourage more children into health careers.
"Our children will only be able to participate in this economy if they receive an education and stay healthy," said Murkowksi, who delivered encouraging words focused on health disease prevention. "We would not have FAS if women did not drink during pregnancy. We need to teach our children good habits such as more exercise and less pop."
Senator Murkowksi assured tribal leaders that she would dedicate efforts to bring more funding to IHS. "We know that IHS needs more funding and Senator Stevens, Congressman Youngman, and I will work with you to try to secure the funding."
Priority Report Highlights
YKHC leaders delivered the annual priority report based on the top 10 priorities voted by delegates in 2007. The reports included accomplishments and challenges addressing the following issues: CT Scan, Long Term Care, Sanitation, Alcohol and Substance Abuse, and Outpatient Clinic Operations.
Liz Lee, Senior and Developmental Disabilities Administrator, informed delegates of the exploration of a "Green House" model dwelling for elderly care.
"We had initial plans to build and operate an assisted living home," said Lee. "However, due to construction and operation dollar shortfalls, more viable options such as the Green House model are being considered," and with Senator Hoffman's help during this legislative session, the $8 million request is now on Governor Palin's desk for approval."
Green House living facilities are self-contained dwellings for 7-10 residents that are constructed to look like a private home, with specific design elements that include an open kitchen and dining area and private bedrooms and bathrooms. "The model supports independent living and may be what best fits our Elders' needs," added Lee.
Greg McIntyre, Vice President for Support Services, announced completion of two new village health clinics this fall and various construction projects underway, which include the Hooper Bay Subregional Clinic, set to open in January of 2009, and the new Prematernal Home, which has an identified site and 95 percent complete architectural drawings.
A special report by Laura Baez, Behavioral Health Administrator, and Bob Herron, Public Relations Director, addressed the alarming number of alcohol-related visits to the Emergency Room (ER), currently challenging staffing and wait times in the ER.
"The ER at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital has had more than 1200 alcohol-related admits each year over the last four years," said Herron. "Twenty percent are minors, the youngest being 10 years old."
"YKHC is currently working with the Yukon-Kuskokwim Correctional Center and with the Alaska Department of Correction's Commissioner Joe Schmidt to explore a jail expansion that would include a 15-bed sleep-off detoxification center," said Herron. Highlights from a comprehensive report entitled Detox Alternatives outlines the need for more effective space and a new treatment model.
Children's Health Concerns
The second day of the conference focused attention on nutrition and traditional diet, tobacco use and iqmik, and respiratory infections. Well Child and Adolescent Exams were promoted to bring attention to a unique holistic examination that can be provided by Health Aides.
"Obesity among school-age children is increasing, nearly all children contract Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) by the age of two, 44 percent of Alaska Native youth use tobacco or iqmik, and just last year over 200 youth visited the Emergency for alcohol-related issues," said Peltola. "Our children face serious health risks that we must address within our communities and work together to improve." Special presentations by Dr. Rosalyn Singleton of ANTHC and Douglas Kernak, of Tuntutuliak, addressed respiratory infections and traditional diet and dance to increase health and wellness.
An exclusive presentation on RSV by Singelton cited a new vaccine that could prevent 75 percent of the Pneumo meningitis and blood infections in children. "YKHC is working on a proposal to offer a new pneumococcal vaccine, called Prevnar-13, that has been shown to be safe and responsive in hundred of children," said Singleton.
If approved by YKHC's Research Review Board and Board of Directors, the project will start this fall.
Alaska Native Workforce Development
Eva Malvich, Employee Relations Manager, discussed barriers to employment, which include drug, alcohol, assault and other criminal offenses.
Lauri O'Brien, Executive Director of YKHC's Area Health Education Center, spoke of the various opportunities available through YKHC for youth to gain exposure to health careers or health related jobs. "We are currently focusing efforts on expanding the Job Shadow Program to subregional clinics, targeting recruiting for Nursing, Physician Assistants and Dental Health Aide Therapists."
"We must encourage our youth to successfully finish high school or earn their GED and plan for more education and training, encourage children to avoid drugs and alcohol, and related legal issues, and lastly, model health choices," said O'Brien.
Highlighting the development of the Dental Heath Aide Program, Lillian McGiltton, DHAT, spoke about her training and experience as a DHAT at Toksook Bay's subregional clinic.
The four students enrolled in the DHAT Program, in their last stage of clinicals in Bethel, also joined McGilton to recognize the training opportunity for future Alaska Natives. The four current students, Danielle Boston, Sheena Nelson, Christopher Evan, and Daniel Kennedy, received loud applause from delegates.
Top 10 Priorities
Each day, Tribal Council members collaborated within their units to discuss health prevention and workforce development, voting lastly on health priorities. The number one priority was Alcohol & Drug Abuse Concerns, with five units voting it as their top concern, followed by Elder Issues.
The conference ended in high spirits with various Tribal members emphasizing the need for community action and partnership.
