April 15, 2005
Harvey Anvil, Grant Case Manager for Developmental Disability Services, records priorities for Unit 11.
Tribes gather to set healthcare priorities for coming year
The Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation held its 12th annual Tribal Unity and Traditional Medicine Gathering on April 5-7, 2005, at the Yupiit Piciryarait Cultural Center in Bethel.
The purpose of the gathering is three-fold: First, it is for YKHC to provide reports of its activities in the time since the last tribal gathering; second, it is to determine where tribal priorities lie within the health corporation's health service delivery; and thirdly, to present Traditional Medicine practices by tribal doctors and other Native healers.
The theme of this year's gathering centered on the Napartet program, which was developed by YKHC to benefit its customers. The Napartet project mirrors the Malcolm Baldrige National quality program, which assists U.S. organizations in achieving competitiveness, quality and productivity for the benefit of all citizens.
During the first day of the gathering, YKHC's President and CEO Gene Peltola spoke on the topic of the Napartet excellence program. "YKHC is seeking a higher level of excellence in health care delivery," he said. "Our employees, with the guidance of the Board of Directors, are what will make YKHC successful in meeting its goals."
After giving a brief rundown of YKHC's overall activities, including its present financial issues, Peltola encouraged the delegates to work with a purpose in the next few days to help YKHC find the excellence it is seeking. "Your input is critical," he said. "Without your help, we will not be as successful as we need to be."
Other speakers included the YKHC Board of Directors, Bethel City Manager Bob Herron, and Bethel Traditional Council President Ray Watson (also a YKHC employee). "YKHC is a huge economic engine in this region," Herron said. "The city of Bethel appreciates what YKHC is doing."
Herron is also soon to work in Bethel as Liaison for Alaska's Congressional Delegation in Washington, D.C. "Sen. Lisa Murkowski sends her regards and appreciates YKHC's work on their road to excellence."
On the second day of the Gathering, delegates from the Y-K Delta villages pulled their sleeves up and worked together to determine what were the greatest health concerns in their subunits. The following highest priorities are the results of those huddles.
Unit 1 - For a CAT scan in BethelOn the final day, Tribal doctors Ernie Frankson from Point Hope, Leora Kenick of Nome, and Mary Melovidov presented their talents and saw clients as well. Native foods expert Mary Gregory and Native Medicine herbalist Gloria Simeon, who manufactures lotions and creams for healing common ailments, also presented. Gregory and Simeon are from Bethel.
Unit 2 - Expand services in unit:
a. Youth alcohol/drug treatment/suicide prevention
b. Elder home care services
c. Access for St. Mary's SRC for Marshall
Unit 3 - For a CAT scan in Bethel
Unit 4 - For cancer tests or CAT scan to be in Bethel not Anchorage
Unit 5 - For development or improvement of sanitation systems in:
a. Oscarville - water and sewer system, improve solid waste mgmt.
b. Napakiak - Improve water quality, improve solid waste mgmt.
c. Napaskiak - Improve water quality
d. Bethel - Dust control, improve solid waste mgmt.
Unit 6 - For a CAT scan/MRI in Bethel
Unit 7 - For specialty clinics to be available at hospital year-round
Unit 8 - For more injury prevention
Unit 9 - Improve drinking water in Chevak
Unit 10 - More Health aide training and floats
Unit 11 - Water and sewer system for Shageluk
This year's event saw only two delegates from each village that chose to attend the Gathering, less than the usual three or four, said Allen Joseph, Director of YKHC's Public Relations. "But the enthusiasm and attendance by our delegates was great up to the very end," he said.
"Of all the tribal gatherings I've attended in the last few years, this one is probably the best one I've been to," said Charlie Paukan, a tribal delegate from St. Mary's. Paukan and his wife, Maggie, were one of about 100 delegates from YKHC Delta villages that attended this year's gathering.