August 15, 2008
Secretary Leavitt meets (from left) Dr. Ellen Hodges, Chief of Staff, and Martha Olick, Kwethluk’s lead Health Aide at the Betty Guy Memorial Clinic.
HSS Secretary impressed with YK healthcare
by Tiffany Zulkosky, Public Relations Staff
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Michael Leavitt visited western Alaska July 23, touring YKHC's McCann Treatment Center (MTC) in Bethel and the Betty Guy Memorial Clinic in Kwethluk.
MTC Program Director Jamie Kassman described McCann's programs, highlighting the subsistence activities available to clients through a program-operated fish camp.
Leavitt learned about the YK Delta region and YKHC's history of health care service as well as current developments surrounding a long-term care facility for local elders, Behavioral Health Telemedicine/Telepsychiatry, and the progress of the Prematernal Home project.
In Kwethluk, Secretary Leavitt got an up-close look at how heatlh care is delivered in the villages at the new Betty Guy Memorial Clinic with Village Operations Administrator Jane Russell, Chief of Staff Dr. Ellen Hodges, and lead Health Aide Practitioner Martha Olick.
"I'd like to thank YKHC for their commitment to the health of residents within this region," said Secretary Leavitt. "You do a great deal of work to ensure health care is accessible for all residents."
Leavitt has been Health and Human Services Secretary since January, 2005. He manages more than 67,000 federal employees to ensure health and human services are available to those in need. Leavitt formerly served three terms as the Governor of Utah.
