March 15, 2004
by Virginia Rhodes, Health Aide Support Coordinator, Aniak SRC
The Health Aides of the Yukon Kuskokwim Delta are dedicated, courageous, hard- working and determined in their care for the people of their villages. These days our Health Aides not only provide healing to their patients, but also do so within the restraints of the ever-growing rules and regulations governing the health industry.
| Dear Fellow Health Aides, Like our troops overseas who are fighting and defending and helping the people over there, I think of health aides like our own private troops in the YK Delta. They are in the trenches getting dirty tired, at the cost of loss of sleep, fighting to save and maintain and stabilize the patients, doing all they can until relief troops come to relieve them. Most of the time the only reward they get is the "good" feeling inside at having saved the patient. Other times we health aides have to assume different multiple hats to deal with whatever arises. I think the hardest issues the CHAs have to deal with are the expectations of the people in the communities where the CHAs live. The unrealistic expectations and demands, being called upon at all hours for non-emergent things. Privacy and family times suffer, thus comes the feelings of doubt, unappreciation and low self esteem. CHAs need to have positive strokes, which is sometimes worth more than gold. They need to hear it. So from me to all the health aides-- "You are doing a wonderful job out there. I feel priveleged to be one of you." I have experienced what and how it is--keep up the good work with happy hearts and wisdom given by the Creator. --Pahnem Kinegak, CHP Pahnem Kinegak is a Shon'i Bannock from Fort Hall, Idaho, who came to Alaska in August, 1963. She came to Bethel in October, 1977 and worked in the Maternal Child Health Program for YKHC. She moved to Red Devil in 1998 and within month was asked to be a CHA/P. Pahnem is a very caring and inspiring CHP, always willing to give a helping hand. Patients trust her sincere care. She is one person who will go the extra mile for the well being of others. Her motto is, "Don't be afraid to try something different." Thank you, Pahnem, for the wonderful gift that you are to us. --Helen Kvamme, Supervisor/Instructor, Aniak SRC |
YKHC is the only Health Corporation in the state of Alaska to employ Health Aide Support Coordinators. There are two of us and our job is to provide support, de- briefings, education about emotional health and well-being (including things like depression, grief, anxiety, substance abuse and relationships), and occasional consultation and assistance in locating resources for the Health Aide's patients. We provide the support by hosting teleconferences, individual phone calls, e-mail, and visits to the clinics. With 48 clinics to cover it is very difficult to be where we are needed at all times.
With thoughts first and foremost about the needs of the Health Aides who give so much, work in isolated conditions and faithfully follow the dictate to maintain confidentiality, the Health Aide Support Coordinators began searching for other ways to make sure the Health Aides have what they need when they need it. Paula Ayunerak, Clara Morgan and Mary Phillip recently joined our teleconferences, and from that came the idea of a volunteer mentoring program. Retired health aides would be paired with either a single health aide or a village clinic, to offer encouragement, problem solving assistance and perhaps some good tales from the past. Since this program is in the infant stage, those Retired Health Aides who are interested in participating will be instrumental in how we structure it.
We welcome your ideas and suggestions and most especially your support on behalf of our very hard-working Health Aides. Anyone interested in finding out more and helping to turn the idea into reality, please call the Health Aide Support Coordinators. We will take your names and phone numbers (and, of course your ideas) and include you in a meeting as soon as possible. We are looking forward to your participation and assistance and to giving our Health Aides the very best chance to grow and learn and to continue to love their jobs.