Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced new regulations that extend its authority to include new products that meet the definition of “tobacco products.” The new regulations now include the sales and health evaluation of e-cigarettes, cigars and hookah, among others. More information on the new regulations can be found in this article from the FDA: “Extending Authorities to All Tobacco Products, Including E-Cigarettes, Cigars, and Hookah”. These new regulations go into effect on August 8, 2016. ...
For years, Alaska Native leaders negotiated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture for permission to serve traditional foods to those who could really benefit from their healing and comforting effects. ANTHC has long been at the forefront of advocating for the positive aspects of harvesting and eating traditional foods- and permission to serve them to our patients and visitors at the Alaska Native Medical Center. In 2013, a bill from former Alaska U.S. Sen. Mark Begich, named the “The Traditional ...
ANMC is constantly working on improvements to our processes and procedures, especially those focused on the safety of our patients. The ANMC Pharmacy recently updated all Pyxis stations located in our clinics and inpatient areas, almost 80 stations throughout Anchorage and the Valley. The old systems were replaced by The Pyxis ES system, an automated medication dispensing system supporting decentralized medication management. The Pyxis ES will help ANMC clinicians safely and efficiently dispense medications, while minimizing risk of medication errors. ...
When water treatment facilities are upgraded or improved, it gives Environmental Health and Engineering staff and leaders a great sense of pride when people are appreciated and recognized by a community. This happened in Igiugig, Alaska when the upgrades to the community’s water treatment plant were completed. Jim Dullinger, ANTHC Senior Journeyman Plumber, was recognized by the Igiugig Village Council for the care and attention he gave to the water treatment plant project. AlexAnna Salmon of the Igiugig Village Council ...
Luminary Award Spotlight: Mike Williams, Sr.
Our Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation Luminary Award winners are individuals recognized for their exceptional dedication and contributions to the Alaska Tribal Health System. Awards were presented April 2, and we are highlighting the winners. The Community Spirit Award was presented to Mike Williams Sr., Native Village of Akiak, in recognition of his advocacy for sobriety and subsistence rights. Mr. Williams is often recognized in state and national Tribal gatherings calling for a life of sobriety and fighting for subsistence rights. ...
Routine breast cancer screening is one of the most powerful tools health care providers have to protect our people from death from the disease. Timely access to care for breast cancer treatment is another indicator that lowers the risk of death, with a nationally recommended standard of treatment starting within 60 days following a cancer diagnosis. Knowing this, researchers from ANTHC’s Cancer Program conducted a study to look into the average time it takes Alaska Native women with breast cancer ...
Our Healthy Alaska Native Foundation Luminary Award winners are individuals recognized for their exceptional dedication and contributions to the Alaska Tribal Health System. Awards were presented April 2, and we are highlighting the winners. The Distinguished Provider Award was presented to the Savoonga Community Health Aides and Practitioners of the Norton Sound Health Corporation for their dedication to their community’s health. They are Rosemary Akeya, Jordan Annogiyuk, Brianne Gologergen, Dorothy Kava, Danielle Reynolds, and Mary Ann Seppilu. As the only ...
April is National Volunteer Appreciation Month, and ANMC celebrated by recognizing our robust team of volunteers who work throughout the ANMC hospital. The vision of ANMC’s Volunteer Services is that ANMC Volunteers will be a comforting and resourceful presence to support the highest-quality patient care, and they do just that. Last year, more than 193 volunteers dedicated over 30,000 hours of support to the ANMC hospital in a variety of ways: staffing the ANMC Craft Shop, assisting clinical staff and ...
The State of Alaska recently approved $740,000 of funding for upgrades and energy efficiency improvements for the Holy Cross, Kiana and Noorvik water and sewer systems. The funding will be used to improve sustainability and lower water system operating costs in these communities. Many of the upgrades and energy improvements were identified by energy audits completed by the ANTHC Rural Energy Initiative. The savings from these energy efficiency improvements can be significant; the Noorvik energy audit expects an annual savings ...
At ANTHC, we recognize the critical link between the health of our environment and the health of our people. Our Environmental Health and Engineering programs have helped improve environmental health in communities across the state, and now we are bringing that spirit to improve the environment at the Alaska Native Health Campus. To celebrate National Earth Day and promote smoke-free air and cigarette butt litter prevention, the ANTHC Tobacco Prevention Team helped clean our campus of cigarette butt litter. Current ...