December 15, 2008
President/CEO Gene Peltola.
A Message From the President/CEO
To all of our families, enjoy the happiest and safest holiday season ever.
In review of 2008 and looking forward to 2009...
With the year about to change, the Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation can proudly reflect on the services that YKHC has provided to its customers in 2008 and look forward to the continuation of delivering quality health services in 2009.
First, I want to recognize the outstanding efforts by YKHC employees, specifically, the Toksook Bay Subregional Clinic for receiving the Quarterly Patient Satisfaction Award twice in a row in 2008 and the Inpatient Department for being presented the Monthly MVP Award for Patient Satisfaction four times in 2008.
Following the example of these positive employees and departments, we can reach or surpass our 2009 Napartet Patient Centered Excellence goal of increasing Press Ganey scores of "Very Good" to 50 percent. Improving patient satisfaction is the key driver in realizing our mission of Working Together to Achieve Excellent Health.
Second, I truly appreciate the YKHC staff for believing in the other Napartet goals of maintaining a focus on our employees, in energizing our Alaska Native workforce, in strengthening the resolve to increase our community and partner satisfaction, and, especially, turning around the financial viability of our organization.
In 2008, we did indeed solve the puzzle of working together to provide excellent health while not over-spending, resulting in a small surplus at the end of the fiscal year.
Can we relax in 2009? No, in fact, we need to continue doing a better job more efficiently and effectively.
As in 2007, together we opened two more village health clinics - in Kotlik and Tuntutuliak. We are finishing the construction of the fifth subregional clinic in Hooper Bay that is scheduled to open this coming year and the start-up construction of two additional clinics in Mountain Village and Nunapitchuk in the spring of 2009.
Let's welcome the 2009 challenges that will bring us new rewards.
-Gene Peltola, YKHC President/CEO
