Anchorage EDITION Native News - Southcentral … Feature by Roy Corral First Alaskans magazine In the worldwide war against terrorism, Alaska Natives have suf-fered their first military

AnchorageNative News

Southcentral Foundation4501 Diplomacy DriveAnchorage, AK 99508

Forwarding Service Requested

Non-Profit Org.US Postage

PAIDAnchorage, AK

Permit No. 1022

Volume 11 Issue 5 January 2010

SCF is on

SPECIAL GATHERING EDITION

Dena’ina Civic and Convention Center10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Join Southcentral Foundation to learn about healthy lifestyles and enjoy games, food, bever-ages and prizes. This fun-filled event will highlight Native drumming and dancing,

original Native arts - and admission is free!Information is available at (907) 729-4953, or e-mail [email protected].

Page 2 Anchorage Native News January 2010

The Anchorage Native News is published bi-monthly by the Southcentral Foundation Public Relations Department. If you have questions, comments, want to submit articles or be added to our mailing list, please contact the editor per the information below. The Anchorage Native News reserves the right to edit all submissions for clarity, length and content. Every article will be considered for publication depending upon space available.

Southcentral FoundationPublic Relations Department

4501 Diplomacy DriveAnchorage, AK 99508Phone: (907) 729-4953

[email protected]

EditorVera Starbard

E-mail: [email protected]: (907) 729-5019

SCF Public Relations StaffDirector Kristin HelveyManager Thom Leonard

Technical Writer Jessica DorringtonAdministrative Support

Lucille Greist

Public Relations SpecialistsTammy AshleyVera StarbardKim Marcucci

Ariel Haunschild

Southcentral Foundation is an Alaska Native owned health care organization serving Alaska Native and American Indian people living in Anchorage, the Mat-Su Valley and 55 rural villages in the Anchorage Service Unit.

Incorporated in 1982 under the tribal authority of Cook Inlet Region Inc., Southcentral Foundation is the largest of the CIRI nonprofits, employing more than 1,400 people in over 65 programs.

Southcentral FoundationMission and Vision

MissionWorking together with the Native Com-

munity to achieve wellness through health and related services.

VisionA Native Community

that enjoys physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.

Southcentral Foundation President/CEO

Katherine Gottlieb

Southcentral Foundation Board of Directors

James SeguraChairman

Charles G. AndersonVice-Chairman

Karen CaindecSecretary/Treasurer

Charles AkersDirector

Roy HuhndorfDirector

Dr. Terry SimpsonDirector

Loretta ThroopDirector

© 2010 Southcentral Foundation

What is your quit day?

“Stopping smoking has been a big challenge, but the payoffs far outweigh the cost. I can tell my health has improved because I am not out of breath so easily, my lungs are stronger. I’m able to focus more on work, friends and family because I’m not anxious for a cigarette. Having a smoke-free home has improved our family life as well. My three daughters are no longer exposed to secondhand smoke; I am glad to be able to show my girls that sometimes even if it is uncomfortable and difficult, there are things that are worth struggling through. It was really hard to do and it still gets hard, especially under stress or when I have a lot going on. I’m thank-ful to be able to give them the benefit of a mom that is choosing a healthier lifestyle and influence them to not smoke either.”

-Successful Program Participant

SouthcentralFoundation

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium and Southcentral Foundation jointlyown and manage the Alaska Native Medical Center under the terms of Public Law

105-83. These parent organizations have established a Joint Operating Board toensure unified operation of health services provided by the Medical Center.

Your Body’s Amazing Healing Ways

Health Education

Smoking harms your body in many ways. Once you quit, though, your body does anamazing job repairing all of the damage caused by cigarettes.

Here are some ways that your body will heal when you quit smoking:

Remember that none of this healing occurs if you smoke even one cigarette a day!For more information, contact Southcentral Foundation

Health Education at (907) 729-2689

20 minutes after your last cigarette:• Blood pressure drops to previous levels• Heart rate drops to normal• Body temperature of hands and feet increases to

normal

8 hours after your last cigarette:• Oxygen level in your blood increases to usual

levels• Carbon monoxide (a poisonous chemical) level

in your blood drops

24 hours after your last cigarette:• Less chance of having a heart attack

2 days after your last cigarette:• Sense of smell and taste improves

3 days after your last cigarette:• Breathing is easier• Nicotine leaves your body• Lung capacity increases

1 week after your last cigarette:• Circulation improves

2 weeks after your last cigarette:• Walking is easier

3 weeks after your last cigarette:• Lungs begin to work better

1 month after your last cigarette:• Skin color and tone improve• You will have more energy

2 months after your last cigarette:• Coughing, sinus problems, and shortness of breath

are decreasing

4 months after your last cigarette:• Better physical endurance

6 months after your last cigarette:• You are sick less often

1 year after your last cigarette:• Chances of having a heart attack are the same as if

you’ve never smoked• Lungs are much healthier

5 years after your last cigarette:• Risk of stroke drops to the same as a non-smoker• Risk of dying of lung cancer drops by half

10 years after your last cigarette:• Risk of cancer to mouth, throat, esophagus,

bladder, kidney, and pancreas drops

15 years after your last cigarette:• Risk of heart disease is the same as if you’ve

never smoked

Southcentral Foundation’s Health Education

Tobacco Cessation Program is working!

You can do it too.

Call (907) 729-2689 to sign up today!

Special Feature by Roy CorralFirst Alaskans magazine

In the worldwide war against terrorism, Alaska Natives have suf-fered their first military casualty.

The life of U.S. Marine Cpl. Gregory Fleury, 23., who died in Af-ghanistan on Oct. 26 supporting Op-eration Enduring Freedom, unfolded before his friends and family at a memorial service Nov. 4 at Anchor-age Hope Community Church.

Celebrants of Fleury’s life en-tered the church at twilight carrying their contributions to a potluck din-ner and were greeted by his mother, Donna Fleury; stepfather, Chris Flygare; and grandparents, Al and Linda Fleury. They welcomed guests and accepted their condolences.

Photographs revealing a young Fleury from the time he was a tod-dler to becoming a soldier flashed as a slide show against the church wall. It was indeed a celebration of life. Tears streaked the smiles of those watching Fleury instantly grow up before them through family snap-shots.

As each picture of a happy child with a big grin slowly dissolved

from one to the next, it was obvious that he loved being in the wilds with his family.

“He really liked being in the outdoors,” grandfather Al says, recalling happy experiences of building the family cabin on their property deep in the Klutina Lake wilderness area. It was during that time that Gregory was given his nickname, Spike.

“When Greg was 13, he helped us build a cabin at Klutina Lake up in the mountains. One of his jobs was to hand us big spikes for the walls. We’d holler down, ‘Hey, Spike, hand another spike up here,” Al says, chuckling. The name stuck.

During the memorial service, live gospel music provided by friends filled the room - “Amazing Grace” and “I’ll Fly Away” - mak-ing a fitting tribute to the corporal’s work as crew chief aboard a UH-l Huey 60 helicopter during his deployment. He also served as a helicopter mechanic and gunner.

Grandmother Linda Fleury, along with six Athabascan women friends from Interior Alaska - moth-ers and grandmothers themselves - broke into a traditional song, “Good-

bye, My Sonny,” in a capella. It was a farewell song that echoed of ancestral voices across the room.

Fleury was Atha-bascan, Tlingit and Choc-taw, born in Sitka and inter-ested in the Marines as a young boy, his grandfather says. When he attended Service High School in An-chorage, he joined the Junior Reserve Of-ficer Training Corps. He realized his dream of being a Marine when he enlisted after graduation.

“He always knew he wanted to be in the Marine Corps,” Al Fleury says. “It was something he thought he could get something out of for his future, and an opportunity to do something for himself, for his country and his people. So, he dedi-cated himself to the ROTC program in high school until he became a Marine.”

He received several awards while in the military, including the NATO Medal, Iraq Campaign Med-al, Good Conduct Medal, Afghani-stan Campaign Medal, National Defense Medal, Global War on Ter-rorism Medal, Sea Service Ribbon and Combat Air Crew Badge.

President Barack Obama held a private audience last month with the Fleury family when he made a re-fueling stop at Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage.

“He was very personable, sin-cere, and easy to talk to,” Al Fleury said. “He was sorry that he had to meet us under these circumstances, but said he was proud of the service Greg had done for his country. It

was a great honor.”

Al Fleury presented Obama with a pair of tanned and beaded moose mittens from Ahtna Corp. and his family for his support of Alaska Natives.

A formal funeral service was held Nov. 6 at First Baptist Church in Anchorage, and a private grave-side service was held at the national cemetery on Fort Richardson a day earlier, bringing some closure to his family and friends who said their farewells to an Alaska Native son.

“He was truly an Alaskan son who sacrificed his life for all Alaskans,” his grandfather says, with pride speaking louder than his words.

First Alaskans magazine is published bi-monthly by Alaska

Newspapers Inc.

Roy Corral can be reached at (907) 348-2424 or

(800)770-9830, ext. 415.

January 2010 Anchorage Native News Page 3

President Barack Obama stopped during his speech at Elmendorf Air Force Base in November to honor Cpl. Gregory Fleury and his family.

Photo by SCF President/CEO Katherine Gottlieb

Native son sacrifices life for all AlaskansFrom First Alaskans magazine: “Native son comes home: Gregory Fleury is first Alaska Native war death in Afghanistan”

Special Feature


Alaska Native Community news in briefNANA opens hotel near

universities, ANMC

University Lake SpringHill Suites by Marriott, named for its proximity to University Lake adja-cent to the Alaska Pacific University campus in midtown Anchorage, opened for business in August and is the fourth Anchorage property man-aged by the NMS Lodging Division.

NANA Development Corpora-tion developed the property to offer a moderately priced hotel located in the hub of Anchorage’s university and medical park area to serve visi-tors of the Alaska Native Medical Center, Providence Alaska Medical Center, the University of Alaska

Anchorage, and Alaska Pacific Uni-versity, as well as summer visitors preferring to overnight in a centrally located neighborhood.

Prominent Alaska contractor joins forces with local Alaska

Native village corporation

Richard Weldin, an Alaska Na-tive leader and president of Weldin Construction, Inc., and Eklutna Ser-vices, LLC., a subsidiary of Eklutna, Inc., have been awarded a $2.2 mil-lion contract at Elmendorf Air Force Base. The project involves instal-lation of a new storm drain outfall piping system at the base of the bluff

adjacent to the Port of Anchorage. The project is designed to elimi-

nate the erosion issues associated with Gaylor Gulch, and will greatly reduce the amount of sediment en-tering the Port.

Quyana Clubhouse participates in Child and Adult Care Food

Program

Southcentral Foundation Quy-ana Clubhouse announced its partici-pation in the USDA Child and Adult Care Food Program administered by the State of Alaska Department of Education and Early Development. Meals will be made available to

eligible adults at no separate charge without regard to race, color, nation-al origin, sex, age, or disability.

The Pathway Home participates in the National School

Lunch Program

Southcentral Foundation an-nounced the renewal of its policy to provide free breakfasts, lunches and snacks to The Pathway Home youth under the USDA National School Lunch Program administered by the State of Alaska Department of Edu-cation and Early Development.

The meals meet the applicable recommendations of the 2000 Dietary Guidelines for Americans, including the choice of a diet that is low in sugar, saturated fat and cholesterol.

Most of the support USDA provides comes in the form of a cash reimbursement to The Pathway Home for each eligible meal served. The Pathway Home has a copy of the policy, which may be reviewed by any interested party.

Doyon Foundation awards $232,460 in scholarships

Doyon Foundation awarded more than $232,000 in scholarships to 238 students at a scholarship award ceremony held Aug. 28.

Doyon Foundation’s scholar-ships, which are funded through corporate and individual donations, as well as fundraisers, are awarded to Alaska Native students pursuing higher education. This year’s schol-arships went to a diverse range of students attending school all over the Doyon region, across Alaska and throughout the U.S.

President hosts Tribal Nations Conference

On Nov. 5 President Barack Obama hosted the White House Tribal Nations Conference. As part of Obama’s sustained outreach to the American people, this confer-ence provided leaders from the 564 federally recognized tribes the op-portunity to interact directly with the president and representatives from the highest levels of his administra-tion. Each federally recognized tribe was invited to send one representa-tive to the conference.

In the opening remarks of the conference, Obama said, “More than half of all Native Americans and Alaska Natives, especially those in remote areas with limited access to care, rely on the Indian Health Ser-vice for their most basic needs. And that’s why we invested $500 million under the Recovery Act in strength-ening and modernizing the IHS, and that’s why my budget proposes a increase of 13 percent in IHS fund-ing.”


By the National Institutes of Health On the face of it, controlling

your weight is simple: eat less and exercise more. But it’s much harder than it sounds. Researchers have re-cently found several factors influenc-ing your weight that you might not be aware of. Here’s how to recognize and take control of the things that may be tripping up your efforts at weight control.

You may have a pretty good idea what a healthy diet is. Unfortu-nately, studies show that Americans are not eating enough fruits, veg-etables and whole grains. And we’re eating too much fat and salt. So where are we going wrong?

Part of the problem, according to Dr. Andrew Rundle of Columbia University, is that so many things around us influence the seemingly simple balance between how many calories we eat and how many we burn. “I’ve often thought that the obesity epidemic is an epidemic of a thousand paper cuts,” he says. “So many things prod us throughout the day to raise our calorie intake and lower our energy expenditure.”

Once you recognize what these things are, you can take control of your surroundings to make healthy habits easier.

Learn how to read nutrition labels and ignore the rest of the packaging. Phrases like “low-fat” don’t necessarily mean anything if you’re concerned about calories. Some low-fat and non-fat foods actually have more calories than the normal versions.

“It’s not enough just to have the perception that something’s healthy,” says Dr. Susan Yanovski, co-director of the Office of Obesity Research at NIH’s National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. “You actually have to look at what’s in it.”

Make sure to look at the number of portions, too, she says. That muf-fin might seem like it has 150 calo-ries, but if the serving size is 1/3 of a muffin, it really has 450 calories.

Did you know that the size and shape of what’s holding your food can affect how much you eat? “Peo-ple basically eat what’s put in front of them,” Yanovski says. It’s the amount of food you eat that counts, not what it looks like. So try serving food on smaller plates and bowls if you’d like to eat less.

One of the reasons eating out has become such a challenge is that restaurant food portions have gotten larger. Super-sized dishes may seem like a good value, but not if they get you to eat more than your body needs. Order smaller dishes and plan to share larger ones. Or set aside a portion to take home with you before you even put a bite in your mouth.

It’s easy to fool yourself about how much you’re eating—and, it turns out, about how healthy the food is. Marketing researchers have found that when restaurants claim to be healthy, people are more likely

to underestimate the calories in their main dish and order higher calorie side dishes. One study found that when there’s healthy food available, people actually make more indulgent choices. Remember, it’s what you eat that counts, not what you think about eating.

Some areas have enacted laws requiring restaurants to list calories on the menu. “When people actu-ally have calorie values staring them in the face, they may make better choices,” Yanovski says.

Unfortunately, in most places, you have to do some work to check calories when you eat out. Some restaurants may have nutrition infor-mation available if you request it, or might have it posted on their Web site.

You may not think about sleep when you’re concerned with weight, but studies show that people who get less sleep have a higher risk of obesity (along with other health problems). Lack of sleep can disrupt the normal chemical signals in your body and lead you to eat more. So try to get enough sleep. And make sure not to snack mindlessly when

you’re sleepy, like late at night. Your neighborhood and com-

munity can affect your weight as well. A research team led by Rundle found that access to produce mar-kets, supermarkets and health food stores is associated with lower rates of obesity in New York City.

“It’s also an issue in rural areas because the very small towns don’t have supermarkets,” says Dr. Mad-eline Dalton of Dartmouth Medi-cal School. “Sometimes you need to drive 15 to 20 miles to get to a store that has fruits and vegetables. Clearly, that’s a problem.”

Wherever you live, Dalton says, you need to plan to eat well. “It’s re-ally a matter of getting to know your environment and figuring out how to get healthy food on a regular basis.”

Your surroundings can also affect how active you are. Studies show that people in neighborhoods without sidewalks, or who live far from a recreational facility or a walking or biking trail, are more likely to be obese. People who per-ceive their community as unpleasant or unsafe are also more likely to be obese. Recognize your particular

challenges and figure out how to add exercise and physical activity to your daily routine.

Once you identify the things that affect your weight, you can start changing them. Set modest goals and gradually improve your habits. “Pick one or two things in your life that you think you can change,” Dalton says. “Just walk a quarter of a mile a day to get started. Cut out one soda every day.” You may have to try a few times, but when you meet each goal you can move on to the next one.

NIH-funded research has found that people who are close influence each other’s weight. You may be more likely to lose weight if you work with friends, relatives and co-workers to develop healthier lifestyles. Get the family together to make nutritious meals. Form walk-ing groups with co-workers. Take a dance class with friends.

“What you really want to do is make the healthy choice the easy choice, the default choice,” Yanovs-ki says.

Shape your surroundings: Make it easier to control your weight

Southcentral Foundation

Health Education & Wellness Center

LOSE to WIN!Lose to Win is a weight loss program that focuses on a healthy, active lifestyle that supports long term and successful weight loss. Lose to Win provides you with a variety of behavior change tools that help you fi nally win at weight loss.

This fun and motivating program that provides participantswith useful information to take home and share with the entirefamily like traditional recipes, fun ways to be active, plus you can be eligible to win prizes.

Participants of Lose to Win receive a great support system of:• an exercise specialist• a health educator• a dietician• a behavioral health specialist

Maintaining a healthy weight is key to preventing manydiseases like coronary heart disease, type II diabetes,cancers (including breast and colon), hypertension,

stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, respiratoryproblems and many others.

You can start Lose to Win anytime, so what are you waiting for? Come join us today! For more information or to schedule your orientation, please call the Health Education department at (907) 729-2689 or the Valley Native Primary Care Center at (907) 352-6000 or 1-(800) 478-3343.


The six smaller Primary Care clinics in the new wing of the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center were built in accordance with Southcentral Foundation’s integrated model of care. Primary care services include health education (such as registered dieticians), pharmacy consultation, behavioral health, family health resources as well as other primary care operations.

The birch design theme runs through the entire new wing. Supervisor stations, pictured above, were specifically designed to be central and open.

Talking rooms are a unique feature of the new wing of the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center. Customer/owners may talk to their provid-ers in a more comfortable atmosphere than a typical examination room. Other new features include family rooms and group rooms, more acces-sible for families or large groups to relax or hold educational meetings.

Welcome to the new Primary Care!

A pictorial introduction to the new wing of the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center.Photos by Benjamin Benschneider


The Anchorage Native Primary Care Center expansion is part of a decade-long plan for primary care at the Alaska Native Medical Center. Southcentral Foundation leadership brought years of planning and expertise to the table at each of the three phases of the ANPCC, as well as the adjoining parking garage. The goal was a building that would best serve the needs of the Native Community through integrated care.


The integrated care team office areas allow teams to work more closely together in an open-office setting.

A striking architectural feature in the new wing of the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center is the staircase connecting all three floors in the center. A sun disk is located directly above the staircase. At certain times of the year, this disc will reflect the sun into a ray of light, changing colors with the winter and summer solstices.

The design of the new Anchorage Native Primary Care Center wing took into account both customer/owner and employee needs. The six smaller clin-ics each house their own Behavioral Health, Pharmacy Consult and Family Rooms.

Southcentral Foundation

For more information, please call the Health Education & Wellness Center at (907) 729-2689.

Eat healthy.

Play healthy.

Stay healthy.

Small Steps to Wellness

- Eat breakfast seven times a week!

- Eat fruit and vegetables fi ve times a day!

- Cut screen time to two hours a day or less!

- Get at least one hour of physical activity a day!

- Restrict sodas and sugar sweetened drinks!



Game Day 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

(Every first, second and third Friday

of each month)

OR

Movie Day1:30 p.m.

(Fourth Friday of each month)

Game Day is Elder directed, with a vari-ety of games offered.For movie day, pop-corn and juice are

provided.

Health Education on

Nutrition and Exercise

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Located at the Wellness Center

4201 Tudor Centre Dr.

Suite 315

Please call the Southcentral Founda-tion Health Education

department at (907) 729-2689

for more information.

Bingo12:15 to 1 p.m.

Begins directly after lunch in the Elder Program activity

room

Sew andBead Group

9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Located in the Elder Program activity

room

Shopping12:30 to 2 p.m.

Value Village Northway Mall

Fred Meyer Sears Mall Wal-Mart

Please call (907) 729-6500

for transportation.Space limited!

SCF Elder Program Event Hotline: (907) 729-6588Alaska Native Medical Center: (907) 563-2662Cook Inlet Housing Authority: (907) 793-3000Senior Benefits: (907) 352-4150Anchor Rides: (907) 343-2550People Mover: (907) 343-4536Food Bank of Alaska: (907) 272-3663

Division of Public Assistance: (907) 269-6599 American Association of Retired Persons (AARP): (907) 272-1444Salvation Army Meals on Wheels: (907) 349-0613Anchorage Police Department (non-emergency): (907) 786-8500

WEDNESDAY FRIDAYTHURSDAYTUESDAYMONDAY

Important Phone Numbers

Elder Drum

Participants at the 2009 Elder Christmas Party dance to the music of the fiddling group.

Photo by SCF Public Relations

There was plenty of food and fun at the annual South-central Foundation Elder Fall Potluck, held this year at ChangePoint Church.


Mary Immigin takes a mo-mentary break while picking vegetables in Palmer.


Marie Tyson and a Southcentral Foundation RAISE intern walking through a vegetable garden in Palmer.


Harold and Betty Alsworth McCarty on a fishing trip to Kenai.

Photo courtesy of the SCF Elder Program

Two participants of the Elder Christmas Party.Photo by SCF Public Relations

NEWMonthlyActivity

Talking Circle Support Group for Heart Disease and Stroke SurvivorsLast Monday of every month12:45 to 2:30 p.m.Snacks and door prizes

Valley Native Primary Care Center acquires new INR monitor

By Valley Native Primary Care Center Staff

Southcentral Foundation (SCF) customer/owners in the Matanuska-Susitna Valley taking medication for cardiovascular conditions now have a more accurate, time-saving piece of equipment at their disposal.

The SCF Valley Native Primary Care Center (VNPCC) recently acquired a new International Nor-malized Ratio (INR) monitor, which

tests the blood of customers who are taking the anti-coagulation medication Coumadin (also known as warfarin). Warfarin suppresses the body’s ability to form blood clots, so it is necessary to ana-lyze the customer’s blood to ensure the medication is within a therapeu-tic dose, not a toxic dose. This range can be different for every customer, so close and regular monitoring is necessary.

Blood can be tested either with a quick finger stick using an INR

machine, or with a blood draw that is processed through a lab. The finger stick is much quicker, easier, and less painful for the customer, and the machine provides immediate results.

Previously, Valley customers with a predisposition to blood clots or who have had heart valve replace-ments, survivors of heart attacks and other cardiovascular issues, and customers with lupus who were also taking Coumadin had only two options. They could get their blood drawn at VNPCC, or drive an hour into Anchorage for the finger stick. Some customers had their blood drawn at VNPCC, but found the blood draws so unpleasant they were willing to drive to Anchorage for the finger stick.

After listening to customer needs, SCF purchased the INR machine for VNPCC. Weekly, or monthly, trips to Anchorage can

now be prevented, saving time and money for the customer, and the clinic has immediate results, rather than waiting for a lab to process the results.

With the help of Brian Schil-ling, a pharmacist who coordinates the anti-coagulation clinic for SCF, VNPCC was able to obtain the needed equipment. Schilling trained all certified medical assistant staff in the Valley on the use of the machine and offered himself as a resource for any questions. The anti-coagulation clinic staff in Anchorage monitor the test results.

The VNPCC acquiring a new INR monitor was a direct result of customer feedback and input. So far, feedback from Valley customers has been positive. They are happy not to have to drive to Anchorage for the finger-stick test option and are excited to see their test results instantaneously.


The Valley Native Primary Care Center is located at 1830 East Park Hwy., Ste. A134.


By SCF Physician Assistant Ingrid Carlson

My name is Ingrid Carlson and I have been a Physician Assistant since August 2003. I am proud to work with Southcentral Foundation (SCF) customer/owners.

My scheduled work day is from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. with my last cus-tomer being scheduled at 4:30 p.m. The early morning time is nice to get caught up on labs, e-mails and other desk duties that inevitably seem to pile up. During the busier months I may see upward of twenty patients a day, but on average I see 12-15 at a steady pace of 15-30 minute appoint-ments.

There are many benefits avail-able to staff working at SCF. While working here at SCF Family Medi-cine I’ve had the opportunity to see a variety of customers from prenatal to Elders facing end-of-life care.

Additional benefits to work-ing at Primary Care are the avail-able supportive resources: on-site laboratory and radiology, specialty clinic consultation at a phone’s reach, on-site behavioral health providers, dieticians, complementary medicine, traditional healing and health educa-tion. These resources make my job much easier, and I am able to give my customers state-of-the-art care through a multi-disciplinary team approach.

I am proud to work for SCF, and my family and I appreciate the health care we receive here. This job al-lows me to pursue more educational and personal interests, and continue to work fulltime alongside many talented, dedicated professionals. I am very happy with the decision and opportunity I took to become a Physician Assistant. You can e-mail directly at [email protected] for more information on this great career opportunity.

Administrative support program exceeds goalsWith the latest round of graduates, the Southcentral Foundation Adminstra-tive Support Training Program met all the actual and over-hire needs for the organization this fall.

Said Brenda Metrokin, ASTP trainer and supervisor. “This is the first time in the history of the program that we have people waiting to get in the program months down the road—it has become a competitive application process which is exciting to see happen.”

Photo courtesy of the SCF ASTP Program

Proud to be an SCF physican assistant


Photo Reflections

Southcentral Foundation employees Mary and Jane Awalin complete donation forms to benefit the SCF Employee and Community Assistance Fund and United Way of Anchorage.


Former Alaska Governor Walter Hickel and his wife Ermalee Hickel speak to a Southcentral Foundation Elder at the grand opening celebration for the Anchorage Native Primary Care Center’s new wing.


Southcentral Foundation’s Wellness Center offers daily fitness classes, such as cardio box-ing.

Photo by SCF Public Relations.

Southcentral Foun-dation’s (SCF) Family Wellness Warriors

Initiative cut the ribbon to their new building in December. Photo by SCF Public Relations

From left, South-central Foundation (SCF) Vice President of Medical Services

Dr. Douglas Eby, Anchorage Mayor Dan Sullivan and SCF President/CEO Katherine Gottlieb tour the new wing of the Anchorage Na-

tive Primary Care Center shortly before

the grand opening.Photo by SCF Public

Relations.

Southcentral Foundation’s RAISE interns head to Spirit Lake each summer. This year they had the opportunity to participate in a traditional blanket toss.

Photo by SCF Public Relations.

By Alaska Native Justice Center Staff

The Alaska Native Justice Cen-ter (ANJC) is pleased to announce the hiring of Mera Matthews as staff attorney. The hiring marks the first time ANJC has had an attorney on staff, and allows ANJC to expand the services offered to clients.

As ANJC’s staff attorney, Mat-thews will provide legal representa-tion and counsel to ANJC clients on civil legal matters arising from-domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking.

“The addition of an attorney on our staff is a milestone for ANJC,” said ANJC President/CEO Denise R. Morris. “For the first time, we will have an attorney on staff providing direct services to victims. We are so pleased to have Mera as part of the ANJC staff.”

Matthews, who was born and raised in Anchorage, obtained a bachelor’s degree in English lit-erature from Smith College, and earned her JD from the University of

Washington. Following graduation from law school, she worked as a law clerk to the Honorable James K. Singleton and the Honorable Timo-thy Burgess. She has also worked as an assistant public advocate at the Office of Public Advocacy.

“In my new position, I am look-ing forward to joining forces with other service providers to stop the epidemic of domestic and sexual violence in our state,” Matthews said.

The Alaska Native Justice Center was founded in 1993 to serve the unmet needs of Alaska Native people within Alaska’s civil and criminal justice system. ANJC’s mission is to promote justice through culturally based advocacy, preven-tion and intervention initiatives to restore dignity, respect and humanity to all Alaska Native people.

For more information, visit www.anjc.net

or call (907) 793-3550.

ANJC expands client services with hiring of first staff attorney

The Alaska Native Justice Center’s new staff attorney, Mera Matthews.Photo courtesy of ANJC

Native Community

By Best Beginnings Staff

Guides describing activities that help build babies’ and young children’s brains are now available in Yup’ik. Copies of “Mikeln-guut Ayagmek Elluarrluki Anglivkallrat” are available free of charge from Best Beginnings, an Alaskan early learning orga-nization, at (907) 297-3300 or www.BestBeginningsAlaska.org.

The activity guides contain fun, culturally relevant activities to help babies’ brains grow in ways that will help them succeed in school and in life. There are three guides: infant (birth to 18 months), toddler (18 months to 3 years), and preschooler (ages 3 to 5).

Activities for the Yup’ik ver-sion were reviewed by Yup’ik edu-cators from RurAL CAP for cultural relevance, with many new activities added and others modified or ex-changed. All translations were done by Marie Meade, a Yup’ik translator originally from Nunapitchuk, who now lives in Anchorage.

The guides were funded by grants from the Alaska Children’s

Trust and the Alaska Department of Education & Early Development, with additional support from BP and ConocoPhillips Alaska.

All activities described in the books are based on

the State of Alaska’s Early Learning

Guidelines, de-veloped by the Alaska Depart-ment of Education & Early Devel-opment and the

Alaska Department of Health and Social

Services.Last year, Best

Beginnings published activity books in Spanish, and an English version came out earlier this year.

The guides are designed to assist parents, and other adults who work with babies and young chil-dren, in understanding child devel-opment and offering fun activities that encourage healthy brain devel-opment.

Research shows that children’s brains develop at an incredible rate from birth to age 6 and that the type of learning that takes place in the early years has a profound effect on how children fare later in life.

Suggested activities in multiple languages are posted regularly on Best Beginnings’ Web site: www.BestBeginningsAlaska.org.

March 6-27Yup’ik Mukluks with Eva Bryant The traditional making of mukluk soles is an endangered art form.

March 16-27Aleut Bentwood Visor with Patty Lekanoff-Gregory Participants will carve the wood and bend it into its final shape.

March 16-27Haida Cedar Hat with Della Cheney Della Cheney will be teaching plaiting in Tlingit style. This weaving technique is for the novice and advanced participant. Projects can be a hat, basket or rattle.

Winter Season Master Artist Classesat the Alaska Native Heritage Center

Now in its 10th year, this popular series of workshops of varying lengthoffers instruction from Alaska Native master artists.

from around the state.

For more information, please call (907) 330-8000 or visit www.alaskanative.net.

Classes include:

Early learning activity guides in Yup’ikFun, culturally relevant activities to help build babies’ brains



Color in this 2010 Census coloring page, and send it in to the Southcentral Foundation Public Relations office. Your page will be entered into a drawing for a $25 Toys “R” Us gift certificate!

Entrants must be under the age of 15.

Send page to:SCF Public RelationsATTN: Vera Starbard

4501 Diplomacy DriveAnchorage, Alaska

99508

Name: ___________________________Age: ____________________________Address: __________________________________________________________Phone Number: ____________________

Win a $25 gift

certificate!

2010 Census Coloring Contest!

CONGRATULATIONS! ...to the winner of last edition’s coloring contest:

Jake, age 12and the other contest winners!

Three more reasons to complete the 2010 Census

1.For Elders

The census helps to determine funding for se-

nior housing, food programs and

assistance.

2.For childrenBesides school-age

populations, the census helps to determine funding for college grants and loan

applications.

3. For yourself

Health services (including Native wellness), transportation and roads, Title 1 allocations and public services are just some of

the many important items determined by the census.

Beginning this January, the 2010 Census will begin in rural areas of Alaska. In April, census crews will be out in full force, and everyone should receive a form in the mail. Please take a moment to complete the census, and here are just a few reasons why:

Improvement Specialist

This position is responsible for working with the department leadership administrators to develop and redesign systems and processes to improve the overall effectiveness within SCF. This position requires a BA/BS de-gree or equivalent training or experience with two years of experience in an improvement role.

Administrative Support Training Program

(ASTP)

Are you interested in becoming an administrative support? Are you already an administrative support, but seeking additional training, growth or career opportunities? Join SCF’s award-winning and interna-tionally recognized Administrative Support Training Program! Selected applicants are hired as temporary, full-time employees and receive eight-and-a-half weeks of hands-on, interactive training: three weeks in the classroom, plus another five weeks of on-site training in one of SCF’s 65 departments or clinics.

Upon successful completion of this training program, trainees will transition into a full-time position with benefits. Learn about customer service, conflict resolution, Micro-soft Word and Outlook, medical terminology, strategic planning, creating personal vision and mission statements, effective communication and holistic wellness, among many other skills.

•Paid leave•Paid holidays•Employee health coverage•Retirement plan

•Opportunities to advance•Employee child care•Wellness Center•Educational leave

Brought to you by Southcentral Foundation (SCF)

Human ResourcesSee full job description and apply online at

www.scf.cc, or email [email protected]

Southcentral FoundationJob Opportunities

Morris K. Udall Native American Congressional Internshipswww.udall.gov

Deadline Jan. 29A 10-week summer internship and a $1,200 stipend in Washington, D.C., for Alaska Native and American Indian students who wish to learn more

about the federal government and issues affecting Indian Country.

Truman D. PicardIntertribal Timber Council Scholarship

www.itcnet.orgDeadline Jan. 29

$1,500 - $2,000 for Alaska Native and American Indian graduating high school students and college students pursuing degrees in natural

resources.

Get Ur Good On Grants(Youth Volunteer Grants)

www.GetUrGoodOn.orgDeadline Feb. 22

Miley Cyrus is partnering with Youth Service America (YSA) to create Get Ur Good On, a social network that brings together youth to support

each other in their mission to do “good” in their communities. YSA now launches Get Ur Good On Grants to support

youth-led service initiatives on April 23-25.Available to children and youth around the world, YSA’s Get Ur Good

On Grants will award 100 $500 grants to projects addressing important community needs such as poverty, education, and environmental

sustainability.

Opportunities for American Indian and Alaska Native people

Middle and High School Student Opportunity: Video Storytelling Contestwww.reconnectingthecircle.com

Deadline: February 15The first eight students between grades six and 12 will win $50 prizes, and winning videos will be showcased on Reconnecting the Circle’s Web site. The topic of the videos is

“Tell us why you think reconnecting the circle with Native Americans is important today.”

Clinical Associate

Seeking experienced Clinical Associates to work in our behavioral services programs. Various programs provide health care services to Na-tive and non-Native children, ado-lescents, adults, and families. The programs offer a culturally based, customer-centered model of care by combining the strength of traditional beliefs with contemporary clini-cal practices. Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related social science field, or equivalent combination of education and experience required.

Managers

Health care experience not re-quired for managers. Must be able to work as a team with division leader-ship, and advance upward in posi-tion. SCF offers great career paths, scholarships and college assistance programs, educational leave and management training through our Development Center. BA/BS degree or equivalent academic training and work experience required.



SEE CLEARLY WITH NEW CONTACTS

CALL SCF OPTOMETRY TODAY TO SCHEDULE YOUR NEXT APPOINTMENT AT (907) 729-8500.


Congratulations!Southcentral Foundation is proud of the accom-

plished employees serving Alaska Native wellness.

Summer CuttingPrimary Care Nurse

Practitioner

2009 Alaska Nurse Practitioner

Association Nurse of the Year

Chanda Aloysius

Behavioral Services Division Vice

President

RurAL CAP Community

Recognition Award

Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association President Martha Her-riot (left) presents Southcentral Foundation Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Summer Cutting with the ANPA Nurse of the Year award. Photo courtesy of Summer Cutting

Join us in connecting Anchorage’s homeless community with services.

Wednesday, 27 January 2010 9 AM - 5 PM

Egan Convention Center 555 W 5th Ave (Lower Level)

Volunteer Shifts Available: www.alaskanaids.org/ProjectHomelessConnect.html

Project Homeless Connect (PHC) is a national model that originated in San Fran-cisco in 2004. PHC has been implemented in over 200 cities across the United States. The goal of PHC is to provide a one stop shop that offers easy access to services to individuals and families who are homeless. This approach eliminates barriers and ensures the homeless receives services that have an immediate impact. Services include medical, mental health, substance abuse, housing, dental, benefits, legal, free eyeglasses, ID, food, clothing, wheelchair repair and more. Come help us help the homeless!

Volunteer Opportunities Available

• In-Take • Security • Mental Health / • Crisis Intervention • Runners • Food Servers • Check-In / Check-Out • Set Up / Take Down

VOLUNTEER TODAY!

793-3457 [email protected] Chanda Aloysius was also a 2009 recipient of the Anchorage

Chamber of Commerce’s and Alaska Journal of Commerce’s “Top 40 Under 40” award. Photo by SCF Public Relations

Anchorage Native Primary Care Center 729-3250ANHRAP (253) 835-0101ANPCC Pharmacy 729-2150Audiology 729-1400Behavioral Health Services 729-2500Children’s Clinic 729-1000Complementary Medicine 729-4320Customer Service Representatives 729-3299 Dental 729-2000Elder Program 729-6500Health Education Department 729-2689Home-Based Services 729-2490Nilavena Subregional Clinic – Iliamna 729-5400Office of the President 729-4955Optometry Clinic 729-8500Primary Care 729-3300Public Relations and Communications 729-4953Quyana Clubhouse 729-6550RAISE Program 729-5015Traditional Healing Clinic 729-4958Tribal Relations and Village Initiatives 729-4975Valley Hospital Emergency Room (907) 861-6620Valley Native Primary Care Center (907) 352-6000Women’s Health Clinic 729-3100

4501 Diplomacy DriveAnchorage, Alaska 99508

www.southcentralfoundation.com

Phone (907) 729-4955 Toll-free (800) 478-3343

Southcentral Foundation contact information

A N C H O R A G E N A T I V E C O M M U N I T Y C A L E N D A RJan. 23Southcentral Foundation’s 13th Annual Gathering10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.Dena’ina Civic and Convention CenterFamily fun with healthy activities, informational and Native art booths, face painting, wagon rides, entertainment, refreshments and more - all free! For more information, call (907) 729-4953.

Jan. 23Native Theater Festival and ECHO Performance Art10 a.m. to 5 p.m.Alaska Native Heritage CenterFor more information visit www.alaskanative.net.

Feb. 5 and 66th Annual Indigenous World Film FestivalTimes TBAAlaska Native Heritage CenterFor more information visit www.alaskanative.net.

Feb. 19 to 21Junior Native Youth Olympics GamesTimes TBABegich Middle SchoolFor information about Junior NYO, visit www.citci.com.

March 27 and 28Senior Native Youth Olympics - TryoutsTimes TBAUAA Wells Fargo Sports ComplexFor information about Senior NYO, visit www.citci.com.

Do you have an event to add to the Anchorage Native Community Calendar? Send a short description to [email protected].


Documents

Anchorage EDITION Native News - Southcentral … Feature by Roy Corral First Alaskans magazine In the worldwide war against terrorism, Alaska Natives have suf-fered their first military