November 15, 2008
Lena Bell-Joe, right, and her supervisor Andrea Jones.
Health Aide of the Month
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation's Community Health Aide Program recognizes Lena Bell-Joe of Hooper Bay as the October 2008 Health Aide of the Month.
Lena originally began working for YKHC in December of 1995. She has been an essential member of the Health Aide team in Hooper Bay and is certified as a Community Health Practitioner.
It is Lena's knowledge and quick thinking in emergency situations that make her a standout Health Aide. After receiving a call to see a severely sick patient in their home, Lena notified a visiting physician and contacted an on-call doctor in Bethel to ensure Aeromed was standing by in case the patient needed further emergent treatment.
"Lena had the instinct and reaction to get advanced help immediately," said Andrea Jones, Supervisor Instructor. "She and her co-workers did everything they were trained to do despite the advanced illness this patient was suffering. Both Dr. Hartman and Dr. Hodges called Lena and commended her for the excellent team work."
"Lena is my hero," said Dan Hartman, MD MPH, YKHC Infection Control, "I have worked with her on too many critical care cases to remember, and she has always shown exemplary clinical decision making, decisiveness, wonderful judgment, and a warm heart. She truly sets an example for excellence in health care, and YKHC is lucky to have her."
Lena's quick actions ensured her patient received immediate care and advanced life support.
YKHC appreciates and recognizes Lena's care and thoughtfulness. YKHC representatives will honor her during a special luncheon at the Hooper Bay Clinic.
The Health Aide workforce represents the sustainability of health care in the YK Delta. Each month, YKHC awards special recognition to an outstanding Health Aide.
If you would like to recognize a particular Health Aide, contact the Field Supervision Instructor by calling 543-6160.
