Qik’rtarmiut Asiitmen Kodiak Native Wellness News Kodiak Area Native Association

Promoting wellness & knowledge for Kodiak’s Native People Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Long-Term Elder Care Planning Grant awarded

KANA is pleased to announce award of an Elder facilities available to Elders in our region, Late Elder Larry Matfay at rebuilt Care Initiative and Long-Term Care planning including long-term care options. We will ciqlluaq in Akhiok, courtesy of the grant from the Indian Health Service. We look specifically at how our Elders and their Alutiiq Museum. submitted a funding proposal in response to families are being served within each of our questions and requests from Elders and their communities, identifying gaps in coverage and families through our Elder advocacy efforts. other programmatic or facility needs.

Our overall project goal is to produce a As we engage communities in our long-term plan based on documented needs, which planning process, we will seek meaningful demonstrates how development of new involvement by Elders, Elders’ families, programs and services can be part of a broader caregivers, and providers. Taking direction vision for Elder care in our region. from them, we hope to gain a better understanding of what assistance our Elders The grant will support KANA’s inventory need and what approaches or strategies will be and assessment of existing services and most effective.

The result of our Elder Phyllis Peterson in Akhiok planning process will with her son, Philip Rastopsoff. be the production of Photo by Sven Haakanson, Jr, a Kodiak Elder Care courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum. Needs Assessment Report, summarizing our findings and preparing us to implement strategies in the second year of our Elder Care needs, setting us on the path toward our vision initiative. of Elder care in the Kodiak region.

During our assessment We will be reporting on upcoming planning efforts process, we expect as the project develops. KANA is committed to to identify practical, improving the lives of our Elders and supporting achievable ways to families so that our Elders can live healthy lives, as improve or build upon independently as possible. available services. The strategies we develop Please contact Mike Pfeffer at 486-9810 for will address priority additional information about this initiative.  Iluani Questions to ask your provider Inside about your medications: KANA Beneficiaries Long-Term Elder Care Planning 1 by Community President’s Letter 2 • What does my medication do? Memorial Tributes 2-3 • How and when should I take my medication? • For how long should I take my medication? Ouzinkie (160) Old Harbor (168) Board Profiles 3 • Is it safe for me to take this medication with Port Lions (121) Village Public Safety Officer Program 4 other drugs or dietary supplements? Larsen Bay (58) • Should I expect any side effects from my Provider Profile: Margene Andrus 5 Karluk (38) medication? Student Profile: Jared Nakasone 5 • Are there any risks associated with my Akhiok (42) medication? Kodiak Health Needs Assessment 6 (1706) Provider Profile: Dr. Anne Niebler 7 Ask your doctor about your medications. Your medications can only help if you take them as prescribed. If you are actively Contact Health FAQ 7 involved in your healthcare, you will understand why you need to Provider Profile: Heather Parker 8 take a medication and how to use your medication properly. Calendar 8

Wellness News Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Page 1 Glass ball on Chirikof photo by Mark Rusk, Memorial Tribute to courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum. Verna Ann Bennett, Ouzinkie

Verna Ann, better know to family and friends as Tudi, was born and raised in Ouzinkie to Peter Wolkoff, Jr. and Christine Shanagin. Verna Ann President’s Letter had one other sibling, Sandra Muller, also from Cama’i, Ouzinkie. Verna Ann finished grade school Here at home on Kodiak Island, change is in Ouzinkie, and then upon us. Summer has turned to fall, frost is attended Mt. Edgecumbe on the windows, and snow is in the air. high school, where she completed high school As the seasons pass, we pause to remember and graduated in 1967. two who recently passed, two who contributed greatly to our community, “Papa” George Inga, After high school, she went on to further her education and trained as a Dental Sr. and “Tudi” Verna Bennett. Papa George Assistant at Sitka. After her training, she moved on to Dillingham, AK to work and Tudi were loved and cherished Elders who at the Kanaknik hospital. During her employment in the Dillingham region, she demonstrated through their actions the traits of met and married Phillip Bennett. They had one child, Christine Zoya. our culture, a culture of caring, of community and commitment. Their loss and the loss of so many other respected and After her husband’s untimely death, Verna and her daughter moved back to honored Elders are deeply felt here at the Kodiak Area Native Association. Ouzinkie, where she continued to live until her passing. Verna was a very dedicated volunteer in the community. She usually headed community Remembering them, and applying the lessons of their words and actions in our events, telling everyone what to do or not to do. She was a very good treatment of others and in the care we provide, makes their legacy stronger. organizer. She loved to bead, even if most of it was crooked and we all had to say how pretty it was to make her feel better. She assisted with the In remembering Papa George and Tudi, we look ahead to our future. KANA regalia for the Ouzinkie Alutiiq dancers. has renewed its commitment to providing enhanced service for our Elders. In an effort to recognize and serve the specific needs of all our Beneficiaries, Verna was a very loving and dedicated grandmother to her grandchildren. She we have strengthened our practices in Elder Advocacy. We’ve applied for and would attend every one of their events and would be the loudest to cheer at their have been awarded a Long Term Care planning grant to help KANA and our sports games, even to the point where some of the people wanted her removed community more adequately meet the needs of our Elders. from the gym. Another of her favorite pasttimes was bingo. No matter where she traveled, she would find a bingo hall or someplace to play casino slot games. We recognize that KANA serves a great and diverse group of Beneficiaries. We recognize that, since KANA was formed, the needs of Verna had so many accomplishments during her life that it would take another our communities have been constantly evolving. Above all, though, we whole page to fill. She is already missed within the community of Ouzinkie. recognize that, as we plan for our future, we must never forget our past. Some of the organizations she contributed to:

Sincerely, • Ouzinkie Tribal Council Member, for over 2 decades • City of Ouzinkie • Ouzinkie Community Store • Ouzinkie Tribal NAHASDA Director, for over a decade Andy Teuber • KANA Board of Directors • SIDCO (Spruce Island Development Co.) Director • Village Response Team Member

Board of Directors Our Hearts Are Broken Forever

Speridon M. Simeonoff, Sr., Chairperson Deedee Christofferson, Member Tudi, our hearts are broken forever, Loretta Nelson, Vice Chairperson Al Cratty, Member people tell us that in time the pieces will eventually come back together. Alicia Lynn Reft, Treasurer Arnold Kewan, Member If this is true, though hard to believe now, there will always be a space, Olga M. Malutin, Secretary Alex Panamaroff, Jr., Member the piece to which has your name on its place. Phyllis Amodo, Member Margaret Roberts, Member Tears have been falling now for so long. Jill Boskofsky, Member When we think of your beautiful face, it all seems so wrong. You had so much to look forward to, and so much left to do. But God needed somebody in heaven who is as special as you. KANA’s Mission Nothing is the same now and we doubt it ever will be. You have been released from pain and suffering, you have been set free. The Mission of this tribal organization is to promote pride and self Your story has touched people, all ages, near and far. determination on the part of the sovereign and indigenous people of the On the night you were taken from us, in the sky was a long twinkling star. Kodiak Island area in their cultural heritage and traditions: Was that you telling us that you had reached home now? And from this life as we know it, it was time for you to take your final bow. • to preserve and promote their language, customs, folklore and arts; We miss your voice, your infectious laugh and hearing you sing. • to promote the educational, health, physical, and economic community; Fashion you loved and now you have new accessories, a pair of angel’s wings. The world has lost a wonderful, Mother, Grandmother, Sister, a true and amazing friend. • to prevent and overcome racial prejudice and its inequities; But maybe your goodness was needed to help and from heaven you needed to send. • and to restore effective self-government, reminding those who govern Tudi, you are always around us, engulfing us with your love. and those who are governed by their mutual and joint responsibilities. Giving us strength, keeping us close and watching over us from above....  Contributed by Sandra Muller

Page 2 Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Wellness News Memorial Tribute to George Inga Sr., Old Harbor

Papa, as he was known to most people, died Native Corporation for 25 peacefully on September 11, 2008, of natural causes. years. He was twice nominated He was born May 3, 1925, to Alexander and Fedosia for the prestigious Elder of Inga in Old Harbor, Alaska as one of 10 children. the Year Award at the Alaska Federation of Natives, and he Papa enjoyed a very full and active life right to the received numerous regional very end. Just days before his death he was seen recognitions, including the boating with his great-grandson near Old Harbor. Kodiak Island Awakening He touched many lives and his presence will not Bear Culture-Bearer Award be forgotten. Papa loved to do so many things, he for lending his knowledge was hard pressed to sit still even at age 83. to community youth and researchers. Papa joined the Armed Services when he turned 18 and joined the 11th Air Force now known as He enjoyed storytelling, the Alaska Air Command and served in Adak teaching the Alutiiq language, until 1946 when he returned to Old Harbor. sharing, subsisting, boating, As a proud veteran of the Air Force he enjoyed WWF wrestling and bingo, talking about his days in the military. He enjoyed which he lovingly referred to sharing his experiences with students, community as “going to work.” members and friends, even buying books for family members to teach them about WWII. He was preceded in death by his parents, Alexander and Fedosia Photo of Papa George from Old Harbor by Sven Haakanson, Jr., Friends and family from the early territorial Inga; beloved wife Sophie; courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum. days of Alaska knew the humble beginnings brothers Ephrim, Semmi, Alex he came from, and how he subsisted off the and Peter; sisters Annie, Barbara land. He had great respect for nature and all and Emily; children Ernest, Jerry and George wilderness and guiding his village corporation its offerings. Papa began commercial fishing Jr.; grandchildren Illa and George III; great- in the boardroom. And he was a great teacher in 1942 when fisherman were paid 3 per fish, grandchildren Arainna, Gary, Shayln and Chelsea. in both venues, instructing countless children unlike today where commercially caught fish is in the ways of the wild, while at the same time bought by the pound. Papa commercial fished He is survived by daughters Carol and Dorothy; advising new board members to find profitable for 49 years until he retired in 1991. son Michael; granddaughters Callie, Gloria, investments without losing sight of village Annette, Georgene and Glennette; grandsons values. We will all miss him very much.” Shortly after his return from Adak, Papa met his Harold Jr. and Jerry I; many great-grandsons and soul mate Sophie and they settled in Old Harbor. granddaughters; and sisters Polly and Sophie. Papa George Inga was a treasured Elder, family They remained devoted for 53 year of marriage, until man, husband and teacher; he will be greatly her death in 2001. Together they had 5 children, 9 In addition to his many family members, Papa missed and always remembered for his kind grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. had many friends and adopted aba’s from smile, loving attitude and his ability to enjoy around the state, including Kodiak attorney life’s simple pleasures.  Papa was very involved in the community and Matthew Jamin who said, “George Inga was served as a board member of the Old Harbor equally comfortable subsisting alone in the Contributed by Annette Gatter

Board Profile: Margaret Roberts Board Profile: Al Cratty, Jr.

KANA Board Member Margaret KANA board member, Al Cratty, Jr., Roberts was born in Kodiak, but hails from Old Harbor, a community has strong ties to Woody Island: he’s devoted much time and energy her father Ronald Fadaoff, was to. He constantly seeks opportunities born there and her mother, Martha to use his skills to contribute to his Dunlap (Patarochin), has family village’s economy and well being. from Woody Island as well. He transformed the knowledge he Margaret’s connection to Kodiak and gained as a commercial fisherman, Woody Island has influenced her owning and operating the F/V community work. She was President Ashlee Christine C., into a of the Sun’aq Tribe of Kodiak for successful business: Al’s Charter thirteen years and founded the Service, providing clients with Kodiak Alutiiq Dancers, training and hunting and fishing opportunities. dancing with them herself. She is He and wife Jonetta also operate a also the cofounder and chairperson Photo by Jan Pennington. Photo by Jan Pennington. smoked seafood processing company, of the Alaska Sea Otter Commission. Old Harbor’s Finest. He is an instrumental member of Cape Barnabas, Inc., an Old Harbor corporation Margaret has devoted many years to the Kodiak Area Native Association, that owns halibut quota shares. Even in his leisure time, Mr. Cratty seeks to serving as a board member. She is particularly interested in Alaska reinforce Old Harbor’s community bond through traditional food harvest and Native health care, serving on the KANA Health Committee for fifteen distribution for Elders and neighbors. years and testifying on the topic before Congress. She is proud to have been part of gaining funding for the Alaska Native Medical Center. In In addition to representing Old Harbor on KANA’s board, Mr. Cratty also her leisure time, Margaret enjoys spending time with her husband, Gary, provides leadership for his people by serving on the boards of both the Old their children and grandchildren.  Harbor Tribal Council and the Old Harbor Native Corporation. 

Wellness News Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Page 3 KANA Village Public Safety Officer (VPSO) Program

Training held in August 2008. This training, in collaboration with the Bayside Fire Department’s Bob Himes, helped support community interest in a volunteer fire department. Larsen Bay Roy Jones has served Larsen Bay as their VPSO for many years and remains a longtime resident of Larsen Bay. In many instances VPSOs act in the VPSO Roy Jones role of teacher and mentor, as depicted in the photo in Larsen Bay. at left of Sgt. Jones with community members. Ouzinkie In the village of Ouzinkie, we have a relative If you live in a village on Kodiak Island, newcomer to the program. Joining us from chances are that you are familiar with the the lower 48, VPSO Glen Farmer and his wife VPSO program. You may even have personally have moved to Alaska allowing Glen to serve called upon a VPSO officer for assistance in in the VPSO program. Given the recent fierce an emergency. In many instances VPSOs are competition for quality VPSO candidates, we are not just a valuable resource—they can be a vital happy to have VPSO Farmer in our program. necessity. Living in a remote location, fraught The Alaska State Troopers are a key component with often turbulent weather conditions, can of the VPSO program. They offer technical limit outside responses to emergencies. For oversight in matters of law enforcement, this reason, having a Village Public Safety provide training, mentoring and also respond to Officer increases the safety and support rural emergent situations in the villages. residents have within their communities. Old Harbor We would like to take a moment to formally No stranger to residents of Old Harbor, introduce and acknowledge our village VPSO Mike Dobbins has returned to the role VPSOs for the often challenging work they of VPSO. Though he was not acting in the do on behalf of their communities: role of VPSO over the past few years, he did Sgt. Maurice Hughes with VPSO Glen Farmer continue his community service in many roles, inspecting the Karluk holding cell. Port Lions including serving as Old Harbor Fire Chief. Brad Ames has served as the long-standing Tool Time in the Villages VPSO in the village of Port Lions. Sgt. Ames Akhiok & Karluk has been with the program for over a decade. Pictured at right are Glen Farmer and Sgt. You may have also noticed some construction He currently holds the longest tenure with Maurice Hughes of the Alaska State Troopers taking place in your village. Recently, the KANA’s VPSO Program and is certainly a during a recent routine site visit. Currently, VPSO program was granted construction face recognizable to the residents of Port Lions. we are recruiting for VPSOs in Akhiok and funding for use in the renovation of our VPSOs offer a wide range of services. In Port Karluk. KANA hopes to have officers on sometimes dilapidated VPSO facilities. Each duty soon within both of these communities. Lions, he supported a Basics of Firefighting VPSO office on Kodiak Island has undergone renovation to improve functionality, solidity and aesthetic.

Port Lions VPSO/Public Please feel free to pay a visit to your local Safety Building. VPSO office when work has been completed. The VPSO project in Port Lions is pictured below. The Port Lions City Council designated their old water treatment facility as the new VPSO/Public safety building, shown at left. Renovations followed that transformed a building once used to treat water to a functional and centralized location for village public safety. The VPSO program was exceedingly fortunate to be able to utilize a building so full of potential. We have come a long way from where we began. Off Duty Hours Contact

During the off duty hours of your VPSO, residents should call 1-877-486-4121 in accordance with the Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Call Out and Reporting Policy to have the VPSO dispatched in an emergent situation. 

Page 4 Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Wellness News Provider Profile: Margene Andrus, Student Profile: Community Health Director Jared Nakasone

Margene Andrus, KANA’s new Community Health Director, has long loved watching the ocean. While in college, she’d often drive to the Pacific coast to be near the waves. For Margene, Kodiak was an obvious and rewarding choice, as was the field of psychology.

Born and raised in Idaho, Margene found her calling early. “I have always been a counselor for friends and neighbors in my 20s and there was never much of a question when I went to college what field I would go into.” Margene holds a BS in Psychology from Idaho State University and an MS in Community Mental Health from South New Hampshire. With her initial degree, Margene worked as a mental health case manager for a rehabilitation program, eventually returning to school to Margene Andrus welcomes Beneficiaries to visit. receive her Masters. Margene describes her career path as a natural progression. “I found that I was not able to provide the level of service that I wanted to be able to, for my And, the CHA program has always been clients, with just a BS.” Her Masters degree something I have held in high esteem and feel “provided an emphasis on diagnosis, therapy, privileged to be a part of it.” Congratulations to Jared Nakasone, Old being an effective change agent on a legislative Harbor Tribal Council member! Jared recently level and substance abuse therapy.” Margene specializes in suicide prevention and graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Biblical treatment for Borderline Personality Disorder, Studies from The Master’s College in Santa Possessing a penchant for adventure, Margene substance abuse and Post Traumatic Stress Clarita, California. He has expressed his desire accepted a counseling services supervisory Disorder. She hopes these skills will be helpful to work with youth. We wish him the best in position in Kotzebue. She enjoyed working in supporting the behavioral health team. “My his endeavors. with the people there and felt a connection to favorite things about this job are finding ways the Native people. “Native cultures have always to support the incredibly dedicated staff in Jared writes, “Receiving the KANA been dear to me because I was raised near/on both programs. Their jobs are challenging and scholarship for all four years of college was a the Shoshone Bannock Reservation in Idaho often overwhelming. I love what I do.” huge blessing in my life. Although it can go with very close friends that are Native.” unsaid, college hits the pocket book very hard, For now, Margene is delighting in both her job and even though I worked full-time during the However, in Kotzebue, Margene and her and the landscape. An avid rock collector, she’s summer and part-time during the school year, partner, Daniel Woitel, found themselves too far adding Kodiak’s unique rocks to her collection, it still wasn't enough money. That's why I am from family. Their seven children (Dan’s four which spans from Idaho gems to Arctic stones so thankful for KANA's financial scholarships and Margene’s three) convinced them to look “twisted with glacier marks.” She also keeps a because they believe in investing in the next at alternatives. Kodiak was a natural choice, as glass cutter and grinder in her workshop, where generation, and for that I am very grateful”.  Dan had lived here years earlier, and when the she enjoys creating stained glass artwork. KANA offer presented itself, they were thrilled. “The opportunity to expand my education and Above all, she’s happy to call Kodiak her new home. understanding of the Community Health Aide “I love getting to know the Alutiiq culture. I’m Program was a major selling item for taking this fascinated and honored to be allowed to support job at KANA. I am delighted for the challenge. [Beneficiaries’] goals and independence.” 

Photo of Sven Haakanson, Jr. in a traditional gutskin parka and kayak Summer 2008, courtesy of the Alutiiq Museum.

Wellness News Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Page 5 New Kodiak Island Health Needs Assessment identifies community health challenges

Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center when asked to brainstorm services that Kodiak Kodiak lags behind in this state trend, with recently published its 2008 Community Health needs, 13.1% of survey respondents suggested Kodiak’s teen births accounting for 4% - 7.5% Assessment, calculating the quality of health ways to decrease health care costs, such as of all births. However, in 2004 and 2006, care and major community health issues on financial assistance or the availability of free Kodiak surpassed the state average with Kodiak Island. The assessment was based on clinics. The next most frequently suggested 10.8% and 10.5% teen births, respectively. both firsthand and secondhand sources, with services were increased Elder care or assisted the former including self-administered written living and women’s health care, particularly Additional health issues included in the surveys of nearly 1,000 Kodiak residents, and increased availability of Ob-gyns. survey were physical activity levels, tobacco telephone surveys, and the latter incorporating and alcohol use and teenage drug use. data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the State Women’s health care is of primary concern Approximately 60% of Kodiak adults reported of Alaska Bureau of Vital Statistics and a during pregnancy. Kodiak women are being physically active for 30 minutes or more Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS), among increasingly receiving appropriate prenatal three to seven times per week. Still, 65% others. The resulting information was care in the first trimester of pregnancy, of the adult population in Kodiak is either categorized and presented under key topic up from 80.6% in 2000 to 88% in 2008. overweight or obese. 50% of Kodiak High areas: demographics, housing and basic needs Possibly as a result, the number of women School students were physically active for 60 and health issues. who reported smoking cigarettes during minutes or more at least 5 days a week. Of pregnancy has decreased from 36 women in these students, 58% were male and 43% were Demographic information confirms that 2000 to 13 women in 2006. The number female. 13% of Kodiak high school students Kodiak residents are experiencing many of the of women who consume alcohol during are classified as overweight. same problems as citizens nationwide, namely pregnancy, while less than those who smoke high costs of housing and health insurance. cigarettes, continues to fluctuate. One of the surveys health officials drew from The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban to develop this report was the Youth Risk Development (HUD) considers affordable The birth rate of Kodiak residents is on par Behaviors Survey. This is a national survey, housing to be less than 30% of take-home pay. with that of other Alaska residents, on average developed by the Center for Disease Control In Kodiak, 69% of residents pay 30% or more 15-16 live births per 1,000 people. In Kodiak, and administered at Kodiak High School in of their take-home pay for housing, while at a quarter of all births are Alaskan Native: 2007. Results show that teenagers in Kodiak the same time, 11% were unable to meet all of with Alaskan Natives making up 15% of the engage in adverse health behaviors, from their basic needs in the past year—with the population. With the majority of Kodiak’s tobacco to alcohol and marijuana use. Over majority of these foregoing dental (53%) or population Caucasian (approximately 61%), half of Kodiak’s teenagers have tried smoking health (44%) care. While most of Kodiak’s most babies in the past few years have been cigarettes and 17% of them had smoked population is medically insured (85%), nearly a born to Caucasian families (between 56% within a week of being surveyed. fifth of Kodiak’s children are not (19%). This is and 62%). However, compared to Alaska as a higher than the national average of 12% and a whole, Kodiak has a much higher non-White, Further, nearly a quarter of Kodiak’s problem that the Healthy Alaskans 2010 report non-Alaskan Native birth rate: 31% of Kodiak teenagers tried alcohol before the age of 13, is seeking to eradicate in the next few years. babies have a mother who is neither White nor 70% had consumed alcohol at least once in Native. Statewide, this number is 14%. their lives and over a third had consumed While approximately 95% of Kodiak residents alcohol in the thirty days previous to the are either very or somewhat satisfied with Alaska-wide, teenage births account for survey. 39% percent have used marijuana hospital and doctor services on the island, approximately 10% of all births. Generally, at least once, with a quarter of them using within the past 30 days. Despite these revelations, the majority of Kodiak’s teenagers (89%) knew adults in the community, other than their parents, they would feel comfortable turning to with an important life issue and 79% said they did not feel isolated or alone in their lives.

Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center seeks to use the results of this survey to inform and collaborate with the community in order to better address the health needs of Kodiak’s residents. In partnership with other community health agencies, like KANA, they are beginning to develop strategies to begin to address Kodiak's community health issues.

Donald Rush, PKIMC Director, explains that the hospital will conduct a similar survey every three years to help guide development efforts through an action plan in response to survey findings. A full copy of the report is available from Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. 

Photo of PKIMC by Heather Johnson.

Page 6 Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Wellness News Provider Profile: Contract Health Dr. Anne Niebler, Frequently Asked Questions

Medical Doctor Are patients able to see other private/ Certain medications and prescriptions are not medical/dental physicians in Kodiak, and available to the patient because of the “high cost”. send the bill to KANA? Can KANA contract health approve this? Do we need approval by KANA contract health? KANA uses a portion of its Contract Health funds to maintain its approved inventory of KANA receives limited Contract Health pharmaceuticals (“formulary”) as a supplemental funds from the IHS. The purpose of service to our Beneficiaries. KANA’s formulary this funding is to purchase only certain is similar to those of other Indian Health Service services that are not available at KANA pharmacies, insurance drug coverage plans and or reasonably available at the Alaska many private facilities. KANA’s Pharmacy and Native Medical Center (ANMC). Because Therapeutics committee manages this formulary. Contract Health funds are limited, there are Changing patient needs and cost control are spending guidelines in place that KANA driving agenda items at the Pharmacy and must follow. Many of these guidelines come Therapeutics committee meetings because of Dr. Anne Niebler has a ready smile for her directly from Federal regulation. These the extraordinary cost of many pharmaceuticals. patients and colleagues. guidelines determine who is eligible for Great effort is made to ensure that a variety of services and which services can be purchased quality choices are available to our patients from with Contract Health funds. most major drug classes. Anne Niebler didn’t plan on being a doctor. An avid reader and outdoors woman, she In order to maximize the use of these KANA’s limited Contract Health funds do majored in English and physics at the Contract Health funds, KANA relies on not allow for extended coverage of additional University of Notre Dame and thought she’d its physicians for referrals and requires pharmaceuticals from private pharmacies or write about science. advance authorization from the Contract other providers. KANA has made strides in Health department for all non-emergent improving its billing and collections process While volunteering to rehabilitate homes services purchased with Contract Health for pharmacy services in an effort to expand its in West Virginia, her career path took an funds. Retroactive authorization may be buying power. Unfortunately, the increasing unexpected turn. She realized she liked, “to granted for emergency services, provided cost of pharmaceuticals limits the ability to help people in a very tangible way; I like to use the treatment qualifies for Contract Health rapidly expand the current formulary. my hands as well as my brain.” She found she payment and the patient meets established also enjoyed working with all types of people, eligibility criteria. Are patients entitled to a second opinion from of all ages and backgrounds, and “hearing the private physicians without any cost to the patient? stories of people’s lives and putting it together Contract Health regulations do not prevent in a way to try to help them. I decided I patients from independently seeking services Second opinions are available from any of wanted to live in a small town and be a small from private providers. However, Contract KANA’s medical staff providers or through town doctor.” Health funds may not be used to purchase KANA’s referral process. Second opinions by these services that are otherwise available physicians outside of KANA or its referral Having grown up in a small town, Menomonee at KANA or ANMC. Therefore, Contract system are not authorized for Contract Health Falls, Wisconsin, with a doctor in the family Health funds may not be used to pay bills payment.  (her maternal grandfather), the idea wasn’t for unauthorized visits to private providers. farfetched. Also contributing were the ideals and lessons of Anne’s parents, who emphasized the importance of working hard and using one’s talents to help others. Consequently, Anne returned to school, took the biology and We want to hear from you! chemistry classes required, and entered medical school at the University of Wisconsin. Comments & Suggestions After completing her residency at the If you have a comment or suggestion for the KANA administration, please write it down and put it in the University of Wisconsin Madison Family KANA Suggestion Box, located under the bulletin board just before the elevator. We welcome the opportunity Medicine department at their Rural Training to better serve the needs of our Beneficiaries. Thank you. track in Baraboo, she accepted a job offer from KANA and moved to Kodiak in September Name (optional ) of 2006. “I love the snowy winters since I’ve moved here,” Anne confesses. She indulges her love of snowshoeing and cross country skiing in the winter and hiking, fishing and berry picking in the summer.

And she finds the practice of medicine as rewarding as she imagined it would be. “I enjoy working with my patients. I try to treat each patient as an individual and listen to their own stories, rather than try to apply a medical formula to them. My favorite part of practicing is still delivering babies, and then seeing the Clip and drop this card in our drop box or mail to:  families and babies as they grow!” Kodiak Area Native Association Photo of PKIMC by Heather Johnson. 3449 East Rezanof Drive, Kodiak, AK 99615 Quyanaasinaq!

Wellness News Fall - Uksuaq 2008 Page 7 changes. Ienjoy the public health opportunities, schools and motivating people to make healthy like the prevention things—visiting“I end of and enjoys her much job as ever. as their two children, Dylan, 7, and Hadley, 3½, wedding anniversary with her husband, John, and at KANA. She recently celebrated her tenth pleasure working of with over her 13year career and enjoyed thehadshe has dentalthe staff she amazing.” was Heather respected has for ten years my in early career at KANA and work ethics. Iworked with Dr. Rebecca Neslund models—people who were committed with good fortunate“how to Iwas have such role good She returned to Kodiak and KANA, recognizing, Dental Hygiene. an AssociateApplied of Science degree in hygiene program, and graduated 1995with in Community College, well known for its dental would well. as She transferred to Portland health field and Heather came believeto she nurse Sharon Reft, enjoyed working the in naturally nurturing personality. Her mother, elsewhere. She liked helping people and had a major, Heather realized her real interests lay University and considering abusiness marketing While attending college at Seattle Pacific Parker, whose family from is Afognak. member John Reft, and she married is to John long way back: she born was to Kodiak tribal hygienist at KANA. Her ties to Kodiak go a opportunity to her serve community adental as her entire life and greatly appreciates the Heather Parker called has Kodiak home Dental Hygienist Heather Parker, Provider Profile: courtesy Alutiiq ofthe Museum. Sturgeon River valley by Patrick photo Saltonstall, Calendar Cisllat information about KANA’s Specialty Clinics. Contact KANA at 486-9800for more Mental Health Orthopedics Rheumatology Mental Health Ophthalmology Pediatrics Audiology Mental Health Specialty Clinics December 22&23 December 9&10 December November 24, 25&26 November 24 &25 November 18, 19&20 November 4&5tentative 28&29 October 27&28 October but afield it is ripe with possibility. She is health field to give it serious consideration, she finds, youth don’t know enough about the youth into the health care profession. Often, headingis ateam effort to recruit interested goals and work towards them. Currently, she her position the is freedom to create new different needs.” Another exciting of aspect working be with an Elder withat the next I’ll old, making it afun, positive experience, and meeting be with atwo-year-appointment I’ll different day,” every Heather explains. “At one different age groups different in settings. “It’s present—meeting vastly the needs of profession the is variety and the challenges Perhaps the most rewarding her of aspect theminstead always of traveling here.” “It’s to fun seepeople their in own community to travel to the and provide villages dental care. career fairs.” She savors also the opportunities Start and participating community in health and such providing as fluoride applications for Head TBA -look for more details soon Cosponsored with RurAL CAP June 2-5,2009 Rural Providers Conference

Kodiak Area Native Association facea familiar to help answer them.” spoken and not askmany questions—it’s nice to be she finds rewarding. culture “Our tends soft be to she between aliaison dentists is and patients, arole with patients that being ahygienist offers. Often dentistry.” Heather especially enjoys the extra time their primary concerns and practicing good and energy commitment that they need, addressing family. Iwant to ensure my patients get the time, hersustains it would be, “Treat patient every like she had to describe the career philosophy that Still, she always is glad to come back to work. If the cold winter season. lovesalso traveling, especially to Hawaii during questions at Safeway!” she jokes. Her family community. tend to dental answer alot of “I picnicking and spending time with family the in activities, especially fishing,berry picking, During her leisure time, Heather enjoys outdoor with their talents. seeking ways to spark their interest and work Presorted Standard 3449 East Rezanof Drive U.S. Postage PAID Kodiak, Alaska 99615 Kodiak, AK 99615 PERMIT NO. 41 Return Service Requested Heather Parker. courtesyPhoto of Hadley &Dylan. Johnny and children family,her husband Heather Parker with 