On Jan. 1, Alaska’s Cleft Lip and Palate Program at ANMC became a designated cleft palate team by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association (ACPA). ANMC’s program is the only one in the state to receive this designation. The Commission on Approval of Teams voted to fully approve the ANMC’s Cleft Lip and Palate Program as a Cleft Palate Team (CPT) for a period of five years. Alaska’s Cleft Lip and Palate Program at ANMC has a long history, going back ...

The Alaska Native Medical Center was recently reverified as a Level II Pediatric Trauma Center by the Verification Review Committee (VRC), an ad hoc committee of the Committee on Trauma (COT) of the American College of Surgeons (ACS). This achievement recognizes ANMC’s dedication to providing optimal care for injured pediatric patients. Established by the American College of Surgeons in 1987, the COT’s Consultation/Verification Program for Hospitals promotes the development of trauma centers in which participants provide not only the hospital ...

When Eek Elder, Elias Keyes, turned on his new faucet for the first time and watched the water flow down his sink, he saw his relative’s prophetic words come to life. “My grandfather used to say a time would come when we could push a button and everything would happen. Now, I see that it is,” Keyes said. “When I’m gone, I won’t have to worry about my grandchildren having safe water.” In March, workers on the project to bring ...

One of ANTHC’s top priorities is increasing access to care for our people. As more than 60% of our patients travel from outside the Anchorage area for care, increased patient access also means increased demand for travel and housing services. ANTHC is working on key initiatives around travel management and housing. These are important to ANTHC’s strategic goals to increase coordination and access to care within the Tribal health system.  ANTHC’s Travel Management Office (TMO) was established in July 2016 ...

ANTHC’s Sleep Center was recently accredited by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) after a site visit in February. This accreditation reflects a commitment to ensure that sleep disorder patients receive the highest quality of care and serves as an indicator to patients, referring physicians, other providers and insurers that the facility meets optimum quality of care demanded by AASM Accreditation. “The Sleep Center receiving AASM accreditation enables us to comprehensibly treat sleep disorders and provide the highest quality ...

This story appeared in the Jan.-March edition of the Mukluk Telegraph. Healthy homes and communities are the foundation for improving the health of Alaska Native people. Rural communities lack adequate sources of water to meet health and hygiene needs, and facilities that can safely dispose of their wastewater. Today, 33 Alaskan communities still use the honey bucket. For some of these communities, the possibility of eliminating the honey bucket and the health hazards that go with it seem to be ...