Update for Week ending
June 20, 2009
- Sitka Tribe of Alaska Visit. On Wednesday, I visited the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s (STA) Tribal Council meeting. STA was provided with a brief update on our activities including the completion of our 2009-2010 Annual Funding Agreement (AFA) negotiations, stimulus funds, ultrasound, urgent/emergent patient triage in Sitka, and the monthly update from Sitka Community Hospital on their recruitment efforts.
- ANTHC Board Meeting. The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) held its board meeting in Sitka last week. STA and SEARHC co-sponsored a dinner and dance performance at the Sheet'ka Kwaán Naa Kahidi. On Friday morning, we were able to provide the ANTHC Board with a program overview of Raven’s Way (a statewide program), Telepharmacy, Telebehavioral Health, Short-Term Housing, and the Mt. Edgecumbe High School Clinic.
- Dental Health Aide Update. We have recently trained several new Dental Health Aides. They have completed their training and their preceptorships. These Dental Health Aides join Brian James, DHAT, who is at our Sitka Dental Clinic.
- Two Dental Health Aide Therapists (DHAT), Daniel Kennedy (POW) and Sheena Nelson (Yakutat, employee of Yakutat Tlingit Tribe) have completed their two year training and four month preceptorship. A DHAT is able to do fillings and simple extractions. They are considered a mid-level provider in the dental health profession. Daniel is working at ARMC. SEARHC provided Sheena with her four month preceptorship and will provide her clinical oversight while she practices in Yakutat.
- Five Dental Health Aide I's (DHA I), Tony Stevens (Hydaburg), Sandra Demmert (ARMC), Shannon Spud (Klukwan), Kimberly Moler (Kake) and Kyla Westcott (Pelican) have completed their training and preceptorship. A DHA I helps maintain the dental schedule, does follows up for high risk patients, is able to provide fluoride varnish treatments and patient education.
- One Dental Health Aide II, Alexis Olsen (Juneau) was up for recertification. Alexis is responsible for high risk patient follow-up, she is able to provide fluoride varnish treatments, sealants and patient education. Alexis also works with all of the Headstarts in Juneau. Last year she visited all of them once a month to provide oral health instructions.
- Chris Tatham, DHA II (Juneau). Chris is responsible for high risk patient follow-up, she is able to provide fluoride varnish treatments, sealants and patient education. Chris is the dental advocate at the Ethel Lund Medical Center (ELMC). Her main focus at ELMC is to work with the Obestetric patients.
- Tina Gamble, DHA I (Angoon). Tina helps maintain the dental schedule, does follows up for high risk patients, is able to provide fluoride varnish treatments and patient education.
- Community Health Policy Conference. SEARHC is participating and inviting others to Juneau's first ever Community Health Policy Conference. The event will be August 12 – 14 at Centennial Hall. This conference will provide participants with tools to help their workplaces, schools and communities become models of healthier living. Through policies, we will create sustainable change that helps people live healthier lives. Harness the power of policy through interactive sessions, thought-provoking speakers, opportunities to share innovative solutions, and learning to tell your story.
- Follow the link for registration and scholarships information: http://www.chipolicy.org/doc.asp?id=6131.
- Motivate. Engage. Change: Harnessing the Power of Policy: http://www.chipolicy.org/doc.asp?id=6131.
- Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care (AAAHC). This last week we received notice of accreditation with AAAHC for the Alicia Roberts Medical Center, Haines Health Center, and the Mt. Edgecumbe High School Clinic. The reviewers were on site in Sitka, Haines, and Klawock in late April and early May. The AAAHC standards are found in the Handbook for Ambulatory Healthcare. The accreditation will last three years.
Just a reminder. . . SEARHC frequently brings in traveling medical specialists to hold specialty clinics at our various facilities. Please click here to view our upcoming specialty clinic schedules.
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