Petersburg Medical Center Newsletter |
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▲ Progress on the new PMC facility site is steady and going well. The new site is steadily being backfilled with rock from the City quarry. Project updates are available on the PMC website under the “New Facility & Planning” tab.
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▲ Over 200 community members attended the biennial Health and Resource Fair in March.
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▲ Medical Techs Ally Shimuk and Levy Boiter working hard behind the scenes to process over 2,000 blood tests over the three weeks of the health fair blood draws.
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NEWSLETTER BANNER PHOTO: Ben Coon, Dawson Construction's Project Manager presenting progress and next steps for PMC's New Facility project at the Community Open House event in January.
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As we reflect on the first quarter of 2024, we’re grateful for the progress made across finance, workforce support and community engagement. Together, we're shaping a healthier future for Petersburg and beyond.
Workforce:
The PMC family mourns the loss of Rodney Anderson, a valued team member since 2018. Rodney's contributions to our community through alternative healing chiropractic treatment were profound, and he will be deeply missed. Recognizing that our employees are the cornerstone of PMC, we remain committed to supporting their well-being through initiatives such as covering health fair labs, addressing childcare needs through an employee survey, and providing many training opportunities to continue staff education. Our dedication to employee wellness services, including partnerships with Betterhelp and the Bravo Wellness Incentive Program, remains steadfast. Additionally, monthly CEO Office Hours serve as a platform for staff engagement and feedback.
Community Engagement:
At PMC, fostering community dialogue and collaboration is paramount to our success. In January, we hosted an open house on the new hospital and long term care project, drawing approximately 80 community members. Our annual work session with the Borough/Hospital covered key operational milestones and provided updates on the new building project. PMC leadership actively engaged in legislative meetings in Juneau, advocating for the PMC replacement project, mental health initiatives, childcare support and addressing healthcare challenges.
The biennial Health and Safety Fair was a huge success; nearly 500 community members received blood tests and preventive screenings and about 200 attended the in-person resource fair that followed. The event brought together local and regional organizations to share health information and resources with the public and included fitness class demonstrations and presentations from PMC providers and other specialists. Events like these underscore PMC's commitment to promoting public health beyond our facility walls.
Finance:
I am pleased to share that financial performance is steadily improving, aided significantly by a $1,000,000 Medicare cost report settlement. This injection of funds is crucial for replenishing our short-term reserves, which were depleted by post-pandemic financial strains. Notably, the Borough Assembly reaffirmed its support for the PMC Replacement project, again designating it as the top capital project request and the number one federal priority for FY25. To rally community support, PMC launched a postcard mailer urging Petersburg residents to reach out to legislators and advocate for the new hospital and long-term care project. PMC is actively pursuing various funding avenues, including requests to the State delegation, Senator Stedman and Representative Himschoot, Governor’s capital request as well as the federal delegation of Senator Murkowski and Representative Mary Peltola.
— Phil Hofstetter, CEO,
Petersburg Medical Center
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▲ Three Youth Mental Health First Aid trainings were held for the community and schools thanks to grant funding from the Petersburg Community Foundation. . |
▲ PMC worked with Middle School students to create a "Wall of Hope" at school during Mental Health Awareness Month.
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▲ Childcare providers, school staff, and other community members attended the Youth Mental Health First Aid training to strengthen the local support net for our youth.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Enhancing Mental Wellness: PMC's Community Efforts
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In the past year, Petersburg Medical Center has made significant strides in enhancing mental wellness and addressing mental health struggles within our community through collaborative efforts.
One standout accomplishment is the certification of PMC's Community Wellness Department staff, Katie Holmlund and Becky Turland, as facilitators of the Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) curriculum by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Over the last six months, they trained over 70 community members in YMHFA, including about 70% of Petersburg School District staff. YMHFA equips parents, caregivers, educators, and health professionals with tools to recognize and respond to mental health and substance use challenges in adolescents aged 12-18. This initiative was supported by a grant from the Petersburg Community Foundation.
Additionally, PMC and SEARHC Behavioral Health underwent training in "Question, Persuade, Refer" (QPR) suicide prevention curriculum in Juneau. Since then, Turland and her SEARHC counterpart have conducted four community sessions, benefiting over 50 individuals, including many PMC staff members. This training led to a partnership between PMC and the Juneau Suicide Prevention Coalition (JSPC), with JSPC offering comprehensive suicide prevention training at PMC's biennial health fair.
PMC also delivers annual presentations to middle and high school students titled "Mental Health Matters" and "Signs of Suicide," aiming to reduce stigma and encourage students to seek support for themselves or their peers.
While PMC continues critical care for mental health challenges and crises, it increasingly emphasizes prevention and wellness promotion. PMC sees mental wellbeing as essential to overall health, striving to ensure mental health resources are accessible.
Through proactive initiatives, partnerships, and ongoing education, PMC is committed to fostering a mentally resilient community. Together, we prioritize and support mental health, enriching the lives of all community members.
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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
PMC's New 3D Mammography: Better Detection, Better Care
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Petersburg Medical Center recently upgraded its mammography capabilities with the installation of a state-of-the-art Hologic 3Dimensions Unit. This advanced machine provides patients with better, earlier, breast cancer detection by utilizing 3D technology, also known as Digital Breast Tomosynthesis. Improved imaging enhances breast cancer detection and diagnostic accuracy.
Unlike traditional 2D mammography, this technology captures multiple x-ray projections of the breast, which are then reconstructed into detailed 3D images with 1mm slice thickness. This innovative approach allows radiologists to visualize breast tissue more comprehensively, particularly in women with dense breasts where overlapping tissue can obscure abnormalities.
Studies have demonstrated remarkable benefits of 3D mammography over 2D imaging. The Hologic 3Dimensions Unit has been shown to detect 20–65% more invasive breast cancers compared to 2D mammography alone. PMC’s Radiology Manager Sonja Paul says, “It is exciting to see how different these exams are in comparison to our other studies. It has been a project that I have wanted to complete for a while and I am so happy it has finally happened.”
The standard recommendation for mammographic breast screening is to begin at the age of 40, unless specific risk factors indicate earlier screening. Screening mammograms are typically covered by women's insurance under the Affordable Care Act. Alaska residents without insurance can apply for the Alaska Breast and Cervical Screening Program, which covers the cost of mammograms for eligible individuals.
Regular annual mammograms are crucial in the early detection of breast cancer when treatment options are most effective. The addition of the Hologic 3Dimensions Unit at Petersburg Medical Center highlights our commitment to providing the highest standard of care to our community. We encourage women to take advantage of this advanced technology for their breast health and well-being.
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▲ PMC's Radiology Manager, Sonja Paul, shares information about the new mammogram technology at the 2024 Health & Safety Fair.
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▲ PMC began using the new Hologic 3Dimensions Mammography Unit with patients in March, after a two month installation, inspection, and training process.
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▲ LTC Activities staff Fe Englund and special guests Joelle and Gail got to host KFSK's High Country radio show in the first ever Long Term Care Special.
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▲ Community volunteers from the Pioneers of Alaska served delicious treats and lots of smiles in the Ice Cream Parlor they set up in the newly renovated LTC Solarium.
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▲ Residents love getting young visitors! Here Lauren Thain and her two children Libby and Beckett visit with residents Helen and Gail during the Ice Cream Social.
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▲ Visitors singing to residents during the St. Patrick's Day celebration.
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LONG TERM CARE UPDATE
Spring has Sprung at Long Term Care
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Spring has brought a refreshing burst of sunshine to Long Term Care, delighting both residents and staff. Our residents have been savoring the outdoors, whether it's relaxing on the patio, enjoying van rides, or diving into gardening activities. We're eagerly awaiting the blooming of flowers and the harvest of vegetables from our garden beds.
Looking ahead to summer, Long Term Care is excited about collaborating with the Petersburg School District to contribute to the community garden. Additionally, as we enter picnic season, Long Term Care Activities is thrilled to announce our Memorial Day Picnic at Sandy Beach on Monday, May 27th, from 12-2 pm. We invite the community to join us for picnic delights and enjoyable moments with our residents.
Over the past quarter, Long Term Care has organized several engaging events for our residents. In February, we hosted a delightful Valentine’s Day Luncheon and an Ice Cream Social, courtesy of the Pioneers of Alaska. March was bustling with activities—Pie Day celebrations, St. Patrick’s Day festivities, and Easter delights. These events always bring an abundance of family and visitors to Long Term Care, greatly cherished by our residents.
April marks Volunteer Appreciation Month, and Long Term Care Activities will host a special recognition party for our dedicated volunteers on Saturday, April 27th, at 2 pm.
Long Term Care remains actively involved in the community, participating in various local events. Our residents are eagerly anticipating the PHS baseball season and the upcoming Little Norway Festival. This month, we are excited to announce the launch of our LTC Radio show, which first broadcast on April 16th and was a huge success! We aim to make this a regular highlight throughout the summer.
Join us in celebrating the joys of spring and the vibrant spirit of community at Long Term Care!
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MEET THE STAFF
Nature Enthusiast Inspires Outdoor Adventures in Petersburg's Youth
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Meet Katie Holmlund, a familiar face in Petersburg, especially to our youth. As the co-founder of the cherished outdoor youth program, Kinder Skog, Katie epitomizes the spirit of outdoor adventure both in her work and personal life.
Katie grew up in Wisconsin, just outside Madison, but moved to Alaska right after high school. After flying up for a vacation, she saw the mountains and knew that Alaska was where she belonged. Katie’s Alaska adventure started in Sitka where she lived from 2005-2013. She and her husband then relocated to Petersburg, drawn by her husband’s family ties.
Katie and her husband are proud parents to Carson, a seventh grader, and Thea who is in third grade, along with their beloved family dog named Skipper.
Her educational background is in Elementary Education and she has had many positions during her career that have allowed her to work closely with children, the public, and the outdoors. She has led Hike and Bike tours, coached for Parks and Rec associations and worked at the Raptor Center prior to coming to Petersburg. Prior to PMC, Katie was the director and pre-school teacher at Good Beginnings as well as being a sub for the Petersburg School District.
In July of 2022, she took on the role of Youth Programs Coordinator within PMC’s Wellness Department, where the Kinder Skog program is now housed. Her favorite aspect of the job? Being outside with the kids and witnessing their learning journeys, skill development, and discoveries. The challenging part for her is that she and her staff have more ideas than what they currently have the capacity for, both in space and staffing.
Outside of work, Katie’s hobbies align with her passion for the outdoors: kayaking, hiking and biking, whittling, knitting and photography. An interesting fact about her is that she has a twin brother!
If you see Katie out and about with the Kinder Skog crew exploring, be sure to give them a wave and a warm hello!
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▲ Katie and her two kids enjoying a wintery ski and kick-sled adventure with their dog Skipper and a bonus dog too!
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▲ A typical day of Kinder Skog, exploring the beach and cherishing moments with youth, including her own children.
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▲ Katie excitedly shows off the striped nudibranch found on a beach walk with the preschoolers. |
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DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
Behind the Scenes: The Vital Role of Patient Financial Services at PMC
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We often think about healthcare as the care provided by our doctors, nurses, and frontline staff, but there's another dedicated team quietly ensuring a critical aspect of our healthcare experience runs smoothly—the Patient Financial Services (PFS) department. This team is the final piece of the patient care cycle, linking billing processes, insurance claims, payments, benefits and financial assistance.
Although a third-party vendor handles healthcare billing, PFS collaborates with them and other PMC departments to troubleshoot issues behind the scenes, before they become problems for patients. The PFS team reviews bills for accuracy, addresses insurance denials, arranges payment plans, and assists with financial assistance. When PMC introduces new service lines like visiting specialists, PFS ensures billing systems are ready for these changes.
One of their biggest challenges is the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare billing. With billing codes, insurance coverage, and allowable costs in constant flux, the PFS team must stay agile and proactive to ensure accuracy and transparency in patient billing.
Carrie Lantiegne is the department manager of this busy team. Julie Spigelmyre, the PFS Lead, emphasizes their caring approach: "We treat everyone’s bill like it is one of our family members’ bills." Jen Ray, PMC’s Patient Benefits Coordinator, assists patients with Medicaid enrollment and other financial assistance options based on eligibility. Allison Canik and Malcom Darden are integral to the smooth functioning of the office.
Recognizing the high costs of healthcare, PMC offers interest-free payment plans and financial aid that is tailored to individual circumstances in addition to income. PFS staff are here to answer your questions and to help. With nearly 30 years of collective experience, this small but mighty team is dedicated to enhancing your healthcare financial experience. Next time you visit PMC, know that behind the scenes, the Patient Financial Services team is working hard to make your healthcare journey as smooth as possible.
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▲ Friendly PFS faces at the reception area, pictured from left to right: Julie Spigelmyre, Carmen Lantiegne, and Malcom Darden.
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▲Jen Ray, Patient Benefits Coordinator, works remotely as an integral part of the PFS team.
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Petersburg Medical Center | 907-772-4291 | pmcweb@pmc-health.org |
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