DECEMBER 2012

PRESIDENT’S REPORT / KAREN PERDUE

Russell makes an impact in Western Alaska Evenasayouth,JaneRussellknewshewantedacareerinhealthcare.AsYukon‐KuskokwimHealthCorporation’s(YKHC)VicePresidentofHealthServices,Russellisrealizingherdreambysupervising57programsthatimpact25,000patientsinmorethan50ruralcommunitiesthroughoutWesternAlaska.JanealsoservesontheASHNHABoardrepresentingYKHC. “Itwasalwaysanimportantcareergoalofminetobeinaservice‐orientedposition,”saidRussell,thedaughterofanAirForcemanwhosefamilymovedacrossthecountrybeforesettlinginNebraskaforherhighschoolyears.“Ihadanaturalproclivityforthehealthsciences,soitwasanaturalprogressiontopursueacareerinpublichealth.Ireallywantedtobepartofateamthathelpedimprovepeople’slivesthroughhealthcare.” AfterreceivingherDoctorofPharmacyfromCreightonUniversityinOmaha,RussellmovedtoAlaskatoworkasaPharmacistatYukon‐KuskokwimDeltaRegional

HospitalinBethelwhereshemetherhusband. “Iwasdrawntopharmacybecauseatthattime,pharmacistsdidmorethanjustcountingand illingprescriptions.Theywerevaluedmembersoftheclinicalteam,”explainedRussell.“Weparticipatedalongwithdoctors,nursesandotherhealthcareprofessionalstofullyuseourskillstoprovidethebestpossiblecare.” Withaninteresttodevelopherskillsandknowledgeinotherhealthcareareas,RusselltookasupervisorypositionattheSanCarlosIndianHospitalinArizonaforseveralyearsbeforereturningtoAlaskatostarthercareerwithYKHCasaVillageOperationsAdministerin2005.Sixyearslater,YKHC’sPresidentandChiefExecutiveOf icer,GenePeltola,selectedRusselltoworkastheInterimVicePresidentofHealthServicesbeforehiringherforthepermanentpositioninMay2011.(Continuedonpage4)

ASHNHA Office Holiday Schedule In observance of the holidays, ASHNHA will be closed December 24‐28 and January 1, so ASHNHA staff can enjoy the holidays with their families.

ASHNHA Board Sets Priorities for the New Year OnNovember8,theASHNHABoardofDirectorsidenti iedadvocacyfortheMedicaidexpansionforlow‐incomeuninsuredadultsasthehighestpriorityforASHNHAin2013.Memberswereaskedtovoteforseveralpriorities.

1. AdvocatefortheMedicaidexpansionforlow‐incomeuninsuredadults.

2. ActivelymonitorfederalbudgetandentitlementchangesandadvocateforAlaskainterests.

3. ContinueASHNHA’sroleinworkforcedevelopment.4. Promotedatareportingandtransparencytohighlighthealthcare

value(quality,patientexperienceandcost).5. SupportEHRimplementationanddevelopmentofrobusthealth

informationexchange.6. SeekadditionalMedicaidreimbursementinSNFsforspecialneeds

patientsandanincreaseinSNF/AssistedLivingbedstoaddressthecapacityproblem.

7. Participateindevelopmentofnewmodelsofcaredelivery,i.e.PatientCenterMedicalHome.

8. Otherpriorities.

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National Advisory Committee on Rural Health & Human Services TheNationalAdvisoryCommitteeonRuralHealthandHumanServices(NACRHHS)isa21‐membercitizens'panelofnationallyrecognizedruralhealthexpertsthatprovidesrecommendationsonruralissuestotheSecretaryoftheDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices.TheCommitteewascharteredin1987toadvisetheSecretaryofHealthandHumanServicesonwaystoaddresshealthcareproblemsinruralAmerica.CEO/PresidentKarenPerdueservesonthecommittee.FellowAlaskanandValdezfamilypracticedoctorJohnCullenalsoserves. AtthelastmeetingthecommitteevisitedruralcriticalaccesshospitalsinTexas,discussedCMSandHRSAsponsoreddemonstrationprojectsnewcategoriesofhospitalssuchasoutlinedintheF‐CHIPproject,anddiscussedpendingproposalstolimitthenumberofcriticalaccesshospitals.MoreinformationontheCommitteecanbefoundatwww.hrsa.gov/advisorycommittees/rural/.ThecommitteeisstaffedbyHRSA’sOf iceofRuralHealthPolicy.

Regional Telemedicine Conference Set ConferenceDatesareMarch18–20,2013inBillings,Montana

Healthcareproviders,patients,administratorsandthosewhoareinterestedinlearningmoreaboutTelehealthwillhaveanopportunitytomeetandnetworkattheNorthwestRegionalTelehealthResourceCenter(NRTRC)annualconference.Theconferencefeatureseducationalopportunities,aninformationalexhibithall,nationally‐recognizedspeakersandagreatvenuefornetworkingamongproviders,patients,payersandothersnewtoTelehealthwhoneedtolearnaboutthisexcitingdeliverysystem. SpeakersscheduledtoappearincludeAmericanTelemedicineAssociationPresidentandANTHCCIO,StewartFerguson,Nationally‐recognizedpatientadvocateDavedeBronkart,knownas“e‐PatientDave,”NiravDesaiofHandsOnTelehealth,JamesBush,MD,andanumberofnationally‐andregionally‐knowpresentersinthetwoeducationaltracks,TechnologyandAdministrative/Clinical. NRTRCisasourceoftechnicalassistance,educationandresourcesforTelehealthprovidersthroughoutaseven‐stateregionintheNorthwesternUnitedStates.Forfurtherinformation,logontotheconferencewebsite,www.nrtrcconference.comore‐mailMartha@nrtrc.org.

Southeast Hospitals Strengthen Collaboration Itwasarainy,drearydayinKetchikanbutinsidetheroomenergizedCEOsfromSEAlaskaHospitalsspentanafternoontogether.HospitalCEOshavebeenmeetingregularlyforthepasttwoyearstoincreasecollaborationamongSoutheastHospitals.NewleadersfromBartlettRegionalHospital(ChristineHarff,CEO)andWrangellMedicalCenter(MarlaSanger,interimCEO)joinedCEOsfromtheotherhospitalsinSEAlaskatotalkaboutcommonchallenges.SomeprojectsunderdiscussionincludeapilotprojecttobringSEARHC’shigh idelitysimulators,technician,andfacilitatortoSEhospitalstoprovidesimulationtrainingtohospitalteams;oncologyneedsintheregionandoptionstocollaboratesuchasTumorconferenceofferedbyBartlett;andopportunitiesformentoringvisitsbetweenhospitals. TheSEHospitalNetworkisundergoingatransitionastheytakeontheroleofSoutheastAHECSteeringCommittee.PeaceHealthKetchikanMedicalCenterisnowtheleadorganizationfortheSoutheastAHECandwillbeguidedbytheSteeringCommitteerepresentingallthehospitalsintheregion.ThereisenthusiasmforAHEC’sefforttoengage,train,recruitandretainhealthcareprofessionalsinSEAlaska. OverallamongSEHospitals,thereisanacknowledgementoftheneedto indnewwaystoworktogetherasanimportantstrategyforsurvivalinthechanginghealthcareenvironment.

In this photo are commi ee members Dr. John Cullen, Valdez, Alaska; Karen Perdue, ASHNHA; and the Chair of the Commi ee Ronnie Musgrove, former Governor of Mississippi.

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Alaska Nurses honored at March of Dimes Banquet ItwashearteningtoseesomanytalentednursesrecognizedattheNurseoftheYearawardsbanquetonNovember16.

Name AwardCategory CompanyFeleciaBaker Maternal/Newborn 673rdMedicalGroup

GretaBrewster NursingManagement‐Military 673rdMedicalGroup

AmandaBergeron AdvancedPractice‐Military 673rdMedicalGroup

BrendaLamont HospitalCaseManagementCareCoordinator YKHC

KristenCaldwell NICU ANMC

JaymeSchroeder RisingStar ANMC

AngelineWashington ChargeNurse ANMC

JanetJohnson Rehabilitation FairbanksMemorial‐DenaliCenterBJ(Bjarke)Bennedsen Perioperative FairbanksMemorial

CarolSwitzer FriendofNursing,Ancillary FairbanksMemorial‐DenaliCenter

JanetFroeschle AdvancedPractice SouthcentralFoundation

AndraRasmussen NonHospitalBasedNurse SouthcentralFoundation

LeslieStephensCommunityCaseManagementCare

Coordinator SouthcentralFoundation

SheronSmoyer FriendofNursing,Professional FairbanksMemorial

TeriKiss LegendinNursing FairbanksMemorial

WilmaManual LegendinNursing StateofAlaskaPHN

BonnieEzell NursingManagement ProvidenceAlaskaMedicalCenter

CaryVanDyke Education ProvidenceAlaskaMedicalCenter

DeniseScholze BehavioralHealth ProvidenceAlaskaMedicalCenter

CatherineJones Pediatrics ProvidenceAlaskaMedicalCenter

KarinEvans GeneralMed/Surg ProvidenceAlaskaMedicalCenter

EmilyStevens NursingAdministration MatSuRegionalHospital

NataliePortner CriticalCare,Adults MatSuRegionalHospital

PamCook Emergency/Flight MatSuRegionalHospital

BrandiSwanson LPN Wild lowerCourtJuneau

Gena Edmiston, Fairbanks Memorial CNO and ASHNHA CNO Commi ee Chair, gives remarks at the evening’s event

Jayme Schroeder from ANMC displays his Shining Star award for exemplifying outstanding caring leadership and professionalism within the first 18 months of prac ce.

Cary Van Dyke from Providence receives award for Educa on

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Small Hospital Update PhoenixRuralHealthCareLeadershipConference

RemembertoregisterfortheupcomingRuralHealthCareLeadershipConferenceinPhoenixonFebruary10‐13,2013.Theconferenceispackedwithexcellentsessionsandwillbeagoodopportunitytoparticipatetogetherandmeetasagroupfollowingtheconference.ASHNHAisprovidingastipendof$1200tosupporttheCEOordesigneefromeachsmallhospitaltoattendtheconference.TherewillbeanASHNHASmallHospitalNetworkmeetingonWed.Feb13thattheendoftheconference.Theconferencewebsiteis:http://www.healthforum.com/healthforum/html/conferences/13Rural/conf_ruralhealth.html

HospitalSurveyonPatientSafetyCulture

ASHNHAiscoveringthecostforAlaskasmallhospitalstoparticipateintherural‐adaptedHospitalSurveyonPatientSafetyCulture.Thesurveyisdesignedtoprovidehospitalswithavalidtooltomeasuresafetyculturebyexaminingpatientsafetyculturefromahospitalstaffperspective.ThesurveywillbeadministeredandanalyzedbytheUniversityofNebraskaMedicalCenter.Smallhospitalsshouldcompletealetterofintenttoparticipate.

Webinar‐RuralAmerica:TheRacetoRecruitPhysicians

ASHNHAisofferingfreewebinarstosmallhospitals.The irstwebinarwillbeJanuary15,2013at10:30am‐12:00pmandistitled“RuralAmerica:TheRacetoRecruitPhysicians.”HospitalsneedtosignupwithASHNHAtoreceivelogininformationforthewebinar.

ICD‐10TrainingOpportunity

ASHNHAhasnegotiatedagrouppurchaseforICD‐10onlineclasses.TheseclasseswillbeofferedfreeofchargetosmallhospitalsusingSHIPfundsandtootherhospitalsforafee.Sevenclasseswillbeavailabletargetingallhospitalstaffincludingcoders,nurses,doctors,HIMmanagers,andotherhealthcareprofessionals.Theclassesareself‐pacedandcanbecompletedoverthecourseof2013.Registrationinformationwillbeprovidedtoallsmallhospitals.Eachhospitalinterestedwillneedtoidentifytheindividualstaffthatwillparticipateinthetraining,ideallythroughacentralizedtrainingcoordinator.ASHNHAispartneringwiththeColoradoCenterforRuralHealthandtheAssociationofRuralHealthProfessionalCoderstomakethesehighqualitycoursesavailable.

ForquestionsonanyoftheaboveopportunitiespleasecallDebbieat907‐586‐1790,oremaildebbie@ashnha.com.

Russell continued... “Ihavebeenveryfortunateinmycareertoworkwithpeoplewhohavebeenwillingtotakeachancewithme,”saidRussellwhoearnedherMastersofBusinessAdministrationfromWesternGovernor’sUniversityin2010.“YKHCreallyrewardspromiseandhasprovidedmewithwonderfulmentoringandgrowthopportunities.ItwasGene’sfaithinmeandhismentoringthatledmetothisposition.Ifhehadn’taskedme‐andpushedme‐Iwouldhavestayedinmyotherjob.” Inhercurrentposition,Russellsupervises1100ofYKHC’s1500employees,overseesmorethana$100millionbudget,andisresponsibleforthehealthcorporation’supcomingconversiontoanelectronichealthcaresystem. “OurelectronicrecordsystemgoesliveatallofoursitesonJanuary28,”saidRussell,whosupervisesprogramsthatimpactcommunitiesthatsprawlacrossa75,000squaremileradius.“We’rereallyexcitedandthinkthiswilldramaticallyimprovepatientsafetyandthequalityofcaresinceallofourhealthcareproviderswillhaveaccesstothesameinformation.” Otherplansfor2013includetwonewhealthcarefacilitiesinBethel–analcoholtreatmentcenterthatwillbreakgroundnextyearandthecompletionofan18‐bednursinghome. “RightnowwesendourelderstoAnchorageorSeward,”saidRussell,themotheroftwoelementaryschool‐ageddaughters.“It’sveryimportanttoourBoardofDirectorstohavetheireldersclosetohomeandhaveaccesstoaNativedietandpeoplewhospeaktheirlanguage.” AlongwithherdutiesatYKHC,RussellisaCaptainintheUnitedStatesPublicHealthService.SherecentlyreturnedfromNewJerseywhereshewasdeployedafterHurricaneSandy.AspartofaRapidDeploymentForceTeam,sheserved110peopleinaspecialmedicalneedsshelter.HerunitwasawardedanOutstandingUnitCitationfortheirexemplaryperformancefortheirtwoweeksofservice. Backathome,Russell’scontributiontoYKHCcontinuestohelpimprovethequalityofhealthcareandpatientsafetyinSouthwestAlaskaonadailybasis–justlikesheenvisionedinheryouth–exceptbigger.

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Norton Sound Health Corp. appoints Angie Gorn as President/CEO TheNortonSoundHealthCorporation(NSHC)BoardofDirectorsannouncedAngieGornasitsnewPresident/CEO.Mrs.Gornhasmorethan15yearsofexperienceatNSHC. Priortoacceptingthenewposition,AngieservedastheVicePresidentofHospitalServicesandNursingHomeAdministratorforsevenyears.WithAngie’sintenseinvolvementinNSHCandthecommunity,itisnosurprisethattheBoardofDirectorsplacedfullcon idenceinherleadershipandcommittedtoa iveyearterm.BoardChairwomanEmilyHughesstated,“OnbehalfoftheBoardofDirectors,wearelookingforwardtothetransitiontothenewhospital,workingtowardsvillageclinicimprovements,andworkingcloselywithourdedicatedstaffwithAngieinhernewrole.” GornstartedtheDiabetesPreventionProgramandSummercise,nowanationallyrecognizedprogram.UnderGorn’sleadership,QuyannaCareCenterhasreceivedtwoqualityachievementawardsandmadethe2012HonorRollforbeingoneofthebest39nursinghomesintheNationamong15,000surveyedforqualityandsafety.Mostrecently,NortonSoundRegionalHospitalreceivedtheTopQualityAchievementAwardforclinicalmeasuresamong

theirhospitalpeersintheStateofAlaska.GorncreditsthededicatedstaffatNSHCforthesesuccesses. Gornhasauthoredover7milliondollarsingrantfundingoverthepast ifteenyears,mostrecentlya$1milliontelemedicinegrant.GornalsocontributestotheBeringStraitHealthConsortium,whichpioneeredNome’s irstNursingprogramthroughtheUniversityofAlaskaAnchorage. Angie’scommitmenttoNSHCwouldnotbepossiblewithoutthesupportofherlovingfamily.SheismarriedtoTonyGorn,theAreaBiologyDirectorfortheAlaskaDepartmentofFishandGameandhastwoamazingchildren,Colton(7)andTaylor(5),whoattendNomeElementarySchool.

O’Neil named as Interim Administrator for Providence Valdez JeremyO’NeilhasbeennamedInterimAdministratorforProvidenceValdezMedicalCenter.Jeremy,athird‐generationAlaskan,joinedProvidenceValdezapproximately15monthsago,inwhichtimehehasfullyintegratedwiththehospitalteamsandenhancedPVMC’sinancialviability.Hewillcontinuetoful illhisresponsibilitiesasFinanceManagerinadditiontothoseoftheInterimAdministrator. PriortojoiningProvidence,Jeremypracticedlawandinstructedcollegeaccountingcourses.Healsoservedasasenior inancialanalystforFairbanksMemorialHospitalandtheDenaliCenter.JeremyisaCerti iedPublicAccountantandattorney,andhasaMaster’sdegreeinBusinessAdministrationandBachelor’sdegreeinAccounting. SeanMcCallister,formerAdministratornowCriticalAccessHospitalOperationsAdministratorsaid,“Iamcon identthathewillleadourstellarhealthcareteamtocontinuedsuccessduringthistransitionalperiod.”CongratulationsJeremy.

Workforce Update C.N.A.TrainingRegs ChangestotheAlaskaBoardofNursingC.N.A.regulationswillbe inalizedDecember27,2012.TheBoardexpandedeligiblesitesthatcandelivertheentirepracticumtoincludehospitalsandcertainassistedlivingfacilities.JenniferBrynercontinuestoleadtheCNO/DONworkgrouptoaddressotherconcernswiththecurrentC.N.A.trainingregulations.LoanRepayment/Incentives DHSSregulationstoimplementthenewlawarebeing inalizedandshouldbepublishedbythe1stofnextyear.AlaskaHealthcareWorkforceCoalition KathyCraftandKittyFarnhamconductedinterviewswithcoalitionmembersontheirperspectivesontheworkofthecoalitionandhowthecoalitionwillsustainitsoperationgoingforward.Kathyisintheprocessofupdatingalloftheprogramactivities.AreportshouldbeavailabletoASHNHAsoon.

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ASHNHA hosts CNO/DON Meeting

Le to right—Back row: Sandi Crawford, Sue Nelson, Shannon Updike, Jennifer Bryner, Grace Roller, Raine Clarke, Ginger Sharrow, John Bardsley, Beverly McClendon, Monique Summers, Deb Hanson, Lisa Peterson, Barbara Jacobson, Lynn Grass, Venessa San Pedro, Amy McDaniel, Dennis Murray. Front Row: LeeAnn Horn, Gena Edmiston, Shara Sutherlin.

OnDecember7ththeASHNHACNO/DONcommitteemetattheAlaskaRegionalcampus.GenaEdmiston,CommitteeChair,wasverypleasedwiththeattendance.Itwasafulldayofbrie ingsandcommitteework.NancySanders,executivedirectoroftheAlaskaBoardofNursingsharedupdatesontheworkoftheboardandtheinformationavailablethroughtheboard’swebsite[http://www.dced.state.ak.us/occ/pnur.htm].SandiCrawford,DONatHeritagePlace,sharedtheexcellentsuccesswithnursescompletingtheGeroPrepnursingprogram[www.geronurseprep.org]andcerti ication.ThecommitteehadadiscussionwithDr.BarbaraBerner,DirectorUAASchoolonNursing,JanHarris,ViceProvostforHealthcareProgramsandKatyBranch,DirectorofAHEC.Dr.BernerupdatedthegroupontheeffortstoenhancetheA.D.N.toBSNprogram,theworkandfundingfortheDoctorateinNursing.Thegroupdiscussedwaystofurtherenhancestudentinterestsinperioperativenursingcourses. AfterlunchDebbieThompsonbriefedthegroupontheeffortsofAlaskatoformaNursingActionCoalition.KarenPerduejoinedthegroupbyphonetoshareseveralbrie ingpapersandupdatesonASHNHABoardactivities.GretaWade,ASHNHA,andTeriKiss,RNmanageratFMH,sharedinformationonASHNHA’sHospitalEngagementNetworkqualityprojects.Teriprovidedalotofgreatinformationaround indingwaystoreduceanddiminishtheimpactoffallsatFMH. TheAlaskaPerioperativeNursingConsortiumhas12studentsgraduatingonJanuary14,2013.ThenextcohortwillbeginFebruary25.Aneffortisunderwaytoincorporatesurgerytechtrainingwiththeperioperativetraining.GenaaskedthatasurveybesenttoCNO/DON’stodeterminethenextfocusareaofsub‐specialtynursingandgetfurtherinputonfacilitypriorities.ThegroupwillmeetwiththeCFO/QualityDirectorsMarch6andhaveaface‐to‐facemeetingAprilorMay,2013.ASHNHAwouldliketothankAlaskaRegionalHospitalforuseoftheirmeetingroomandSt.EliasSpecialtyHospitalforprovidingfoodandbeverages.

Jack Nielson retires after decades of service JackNielsonisretiringfromstateservicethisDecember.Jackhasbeeninstrumentalinthehealthcareworldwithdecadesofcommitmenttohelpinghealthcarefacilities.InhisroleasExecutiveDirectorforMedicaid,Jackwasalwayswillingtolistentofacilitypositionsandconcerns.Heconductedhimselfwithdedicationandprofessionalism.It’struethathisdecisionsdidnotalwaysfavortheindividualfacility’sperspective,buthewasfairinhisdealingswithmembers. Hisleadershipanddedicationwillbemissedgoingforward.DennisMurrayrecalledJack’sinvolvementandleadershipwithCommissionerGilbertsoninfacilitatingthefundingtobridgethechangeinownershipofHeritagePlacefromBannerHealthtoCentralPeninsulaHospital.Thatfundingwascrucialtothesuccessfultransition.KarenPerdueservedwithJackfornearly20yearsandrecalledhewasalwaysgettingheroutofstickysituations.Onbehalfofthemembers,theassociationthankshimforhispublicservicetoAlaskans.Ifyouwouldliketocallorsendapersonalnoteofthanks,Jacksharedhisphoneandaddress.

JackNielsonP.O.Box241834Anchorage,AK99524Phone:344‐9250

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ASHNHA Website Updated, More features for members Weareupdatingourwebsite,ashnha.com,tomakeinformationeasilyaccessibleandmoreusefultoourmembers.Wewillbeaddingnewinformationandofferingamemberloginarea.ThiswillallowASHNHACommitteestopostmeetingagendas,minutes,andresourcesinasecureareaavailableonlytoASHNHAmembers.Wewelcomeyourinputoninformationyouwouldliketohaveavailableonthewebsite.Ifyouhavetrouble indingsomething,letusknow.DebbieLowenthalisourcurrentwebmasterandcanbecontactedatDebbie@ashnha.com.

Alaska Quality Stars Shine Bright in Indianapolis TwentyAlaskanswerepartofthe900individualswhoattended“HENWeek”inIndianapolisinmid‐November.Onmanyafternoonsaftertheconferenceended,theAlaskatablehostedafullcrowdofpeerscontinuingtolearn,shareandnetwork. SponsoredbyHRET,theeducationaleventwaspartoftheHospitalEngagementNetworkeffortstoachievetheambitiousgoalsofreducingharmby40%andpreventablereadmissionsby20%.HRETPresidentMaulikJoshidiscussedprogresstodateandthenextstepstocontinuetoaccelerateimprovementandresultstowardreachingour40/20goals.Therewereexcellentspeakersanddiscussionsthroughouttheweekonimplementationandbestpracticesonall10clinicalareas.Hospitalstoriesweresharedineachoftheclinicalareas.StateHospitalAssociationleadsmettodiscusstoolsforacceleratingchangeandbuildingimprovementcapacity. Agreatamountofpeer‐to‐peersharingtookplace.Manyhospitalsuccessstorieswerepresentedthatgaveothersinsightintohowtoengagecolleaguesfromdifferentdisciplinesaswellascooperationfromleadership. Thirty‐threeprogressreportpostersweresubmittedbyhospitalstoillustratesomeoftheamazingimprovementeffortshappeningacrossthetenclinicalareas.Amongtheposters,FairbanksMemorialHospital’ssubmissionstoodoutforitsuniqueandcaptivatingdisplayoffallsdata.RodPerduepresentedtheworkonbehalfofhisteaminFairbanks,standingbythepostertoanswerquestionsandwelcomefeedbackfrominterestedonlookers.Itisthistypeofsharingandcollaborationthatisthemostexciting!

Le to right: Liz Woodyard, Amanda Hays, Shanna Rust, Lynn Gras, Donna Woodkey‐Dinsmore,Kim Vermedal, Shara Sutherlin, Pat Johnson, Shelley Hjort, Michelle Cur s, Kathy Inman, Lindsay Duckworth, Rod Perdue.

Rod Perdue showcases Fairbanks Memorial Hospital's progress on reducing falls at the Indianapolis HEN Week.

From the ASHNHA team

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Alaska Regional Hospital raises funds for United Way Lastweek,AlaskaRegionalheldastaffPieTossContest.Staffplacedbids,atadollarapiece,withthehighestvote‐gettersreceivingapieintheface.AnnieHolt,AlaskaRegionalCEOandASHNHAChair,wasamongthetopthreewith156votesor$156bucks.AllproceedsfromthecompetitionwenttosupportUnitedWay.HereCFOLynnKenningtondoesthehonors.WonderwhatLynnwasthinking.WaytotakeoneforagoodcauseAnnie!

Better health through coordinated care CongratulationsareinordertoPeaceHealthKetchikanMedicalCenter(PHKMC)!Theywererecentlyawardedathree‐year$3.1millionHealthCareInnovationChallengeGrantfromtheCentersofMedicareandMedicaidServices.TheprojectBetterHealththroughCoordinatedCareseekstoadvancepatientcarecoordinationandimprovehealthmaintenanceandchronicdiseaseoutcomesinsouthernSoutheastAlaska.Thishighlycompetitivegrantwasawardedtolessthan4%oftheapplicantsandPHKMCwastheonlyrecipientinAlaska. “ThisgrantisthelargestsinglegrantreceivedbyPHKMCandwillincrease

accessbyputtinginplaceamodelofcarethatwillreducebarriersthatkeepourpatientsfromachievingoptimumhealthoutcomes,”saysPatBranco,CEO. Thegrantwillfundkeypositionstoexpandaccesstoprimarycare,andfocusonpreventativehealthandmanagementofdiabetesandchronicheartfailureforpatientsseenbyPeaceHealthMedicalGroup.Anotherkeycomponentofthisgrantwillfocusonworkforcedevelopment,throughthedesignanduseofcorecurriculumandtrainingtoolsforMedicalOf iceAssistantsthatsupportphysiciansintheirdailywork. “Thisisahugebene itforourcommunityandPHKMC,”saidMicheleBudd,VPofAmbulatoryCareServicesandexecutiveinchargeoftheprogram.“Healthimprovementisoneofthekeyinitiativesthatwearepursuingasanorganization,andwiththisgrantfundingwewillbeabletoadvancetheprogramanddelivertheservicesinamorecomprehensivemanner.” Theeventualgoalistoshiftcarefromatraditionalhospitaloracutecaresystemtoonethatfocusesonprevention,earlyriskidenti ication,carecoordination,problemanddiseasemanagement.Itisanticipatedthatthiseffortwillimprovetheoverallhealthofourpatients,reducetheriskoffurtherhealthcomplications,andultimatelysavecostsbyavoidingunnecessaryhospitalizations. ASHNHAlooksforwardtolearningmoreaboutthisprojectandtheoutcomesachievedoverthenextthreeyears.ThechangestestedandlessonslearnedinKetchikanmaybene itotherhospitalsaroundthestateastheprojectprogresses.TolearnmoreabouttheprojectcontactMicheleBuddat(907)228‐8300ext7884ormbudd@peacehealth.org

Kim Poppe-Smart leaves DHSS for Warmer Climates KimPoppe‐Smart,DeputyCommissionerforMedicaidandHealthPolicyintheDepartmentofHealthandSocialServiceshasleftherposition.ShehastakenajobinArizona.Kim,anurseandalawyer,providedtheCommissionerwithin‐depthknowledgeofMedicaid.