Petersburg Medical Center Newsletter |
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▲ A very pregnant Kelsey Lambe, PMC public relations coordinator, taking photos at the February Community Vaccine Clinic. |
▲ Cody Litster, Petersburg trooper, receiving his second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. |
NEWSLETTER BANNER PHOTO: The Dietary Department put together a special Valentine's Day meal for the LTC residents. |
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MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
With COVID numbers up, masks and social distance still needed
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COVID-19 SPIKE: Our community has seen our biggest COVID spike since the start of the pandemic. We have seen 83 cases since February 1st, 2021.
We are offering free asymptomatic testing at the airport testing tent each morning, 7:30am-10:00am, through Friday, March 5. This is walk-ins only—no appointment needed. Please bring a photo ID and wear a mask. We will continue testing symptomatic and close contacts in the respiratory clinic. Please call our COVID-19 hotline number, 907-772-5788 if you are a contact or experiencing symptoms.
Remember to answer your phones to help contact tracers identify those who might be affected. Please remember the things you can do to help protect our community: Wear a mask, social distance, keep your social bubble small, stay home and get vaccinated!
COVID-19 HOTLINE: Think you’re experiencing COVID-19 symptoms? Please call our COVID-19 hotline number, 907-772-5788, to speak with a medical professional. You’ll be advised as to whether you should come to the drive-through station for testing.
STAY INFORMED, STAY SAFE: We share frequent COVID-19 updates with the community.
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Tune in to KFSK every Friday at 12:30pm for COVID-19 information.
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We provide the latest hospital updates on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/petersburgmedicalcenter/
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Check the COVID-19 Information Hub website, our unified command page with the Borough: https://www.psgcovidinfo.net/
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Check our website for updates as well: https://www.pmcak.org/
— Phil Hofstetter, CEO, PMC
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CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT
Pay your bill online, by phone, or drop the payment off at PMC
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The Petersburg Medical Center Business Office has closed its doors for in-person services because of the pandemic, but it's still possible to pay your bill!
There is a drop-off window on the side of the PMC building on First Street that can be accessed during business hours while PMC is in yellow status. Not sure we're in yellow? Click here. There is also a drop box in the emergency room entrance.
PMC encourages you to use our new online bill pay! You can access this on our website. If you need assistance or to pay your bill over the phone, call 772-4291.
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▲ Pay your bill online from the safety of your own home! |
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▲ Kirsten Rioux-Testoni, Home Health manager.
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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Home Health Crew goes above and beyond
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Petersburg Medical Center's Home Health team has been going above and beyond to make sure those in the community who may not be able to leave home can still receive the vaccine.
Home Health has been able to administer the COVID-19 vaccine to patients in their homes and at Mountain View Manor. Staff have given 40 first-dose vaccines and are in the process of ensuring that those same patients receive a second dose! If you are homebound or need special accommodations, call 772-5545 so we can make arrangements.
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MEET THE STAFF
Patient satisfaction a focus for Alaska wanderer now at home in Petersburg
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Janine Iknokinok has lived in many places in Alaska, but is now happy to call Petersburg home.
Raised in Savoonga, on St. Lawrence Island, Janine enjoys exploring Petersburg’s vastly different environment—and also enjoys working for Petersburg Medical Center.
“Patient satisfaction means a lot to my work ethic,” said Janine, who has held several receptionist and patient billing positions since joining PMC in fall 2018.
Janine has received wonderful feedback from patients she has interacted with- patients reaching out to upper management to show their appreciation of her hard work.
Janine’s mother passed away when she was 13. She spent her high school years with her sisters and aunt, which meant a little bit of moving over the years. Born in Nome, she was raised in Savoonga, then spent ninth and tenth grades in Nome, eleventh grade in Anchorage, and her senior year in Unalakleet, where she graduated from high school.
In 2006, Janine received certification as a medical assistant from Alaska Career College and completed an internship at Alaska Regional Hospital. She received an associate degree in allied health from Anchorage Charter College in 2016, and in 2020 earned credentials as a certified healthcare access associate. Her next goal is to work toward a bachelor’s degree in health care administration and management, which will give her skills to assume supervisory roles in any healthcare setting.
Janine was working in administration for the Rasmuson Foundation in 2018 when the staff came to Petersburg during Mayfest for a staff retreat. The visit included tours of Petersburg non-profit organizations that received funding from the foundation. While exploring Petersburg on that trip, Janine met local resident Michael Birch. They quickly fell head over heels for each other and after four months of long distance, Janine moved to Petersburg!
Janine was hired in September 2018 as receptionist and admissions assistant in PMC's Rehabilitation Department. In July 2020 she transitioned to a new position in the Business Office as a patient financial services representative, and recently moved over to the Home Health Department as an assistant billing coordinator. Janine is in her third week in her new role but is loving it so far. She also still helps register incoming travelers at the airport COVID test site.
Janine has a 15-year-old daughter, Autumn, and Michael has a 9-year-old son, Oliver. The couple have enjoyed becoming a family and take pride in teaching their kids how to harvest from the land and the ocean.
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▲Janine and her boyfriend, Michael. |
▲ Janine, Michael and Oliver on a fishing trip. |
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▲ Amy Hollis, RN, is PMC's first clinical case manager. |
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DEPARTMENT SPOTLIGHT
New clinical case manager coordinates complex patient cases
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Petersburg Medical Center welcomed Amy Hollis, RN, as our first clinical case manager in December 2020. Amy comes from Nome and brings over 20 years of experience.
The clinical case manager is a core member of the PMC Patient Centered Care Team. Amy collaborates and works closely with the patient, the medical provider, and all interdisciplinary team members to establish individualized medical goals that maximize patient health outcomes. This involves:
- Enrolling patients and working with an interdisciplinary team to provide needed care and services;
- Coordinating multi-disciplinary care conferences for high-risk or complex patients who are referred into the case management process;
- Monitoring patient acute and chronic care needs and providing outreach and education to patients;
- Taking part in case management reviews of all high-need patients by a multi-disciplinary provider team;
- Creating and updating care plans for patients as needed, and teaching patients and their families how to follow the plan.
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LONG TERM CARE UPDATE
Special dinners, outings in the new van, and fun with snow fill February
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An extra-special meal highlighted Valentine’s Day at Long Term Care this year. Residents made selections from fancy menus created by dietary director Lidia Wickersham. The kitchen team prepared bacon-wrapped beef tenderloin and lobster tail, twice-baked potatoes, wild rice pilaf with mushrooms—and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Residents unable to eat the special dinner or candies received thoughtful gifts and cards at mealtime. The common area was festive with decorations residents and staff had made earlier in the day.
Earlier in the month, residents watched the Super Bowl together while enjoying meatballs and mashed potatoes brought in by occupational therapist Jessica Baker, as well as coffeecake made by Grace Bieber, activities aide.
PMC’s new van was busy all month transporting excited residents on drives to wave at friends and family and watch wildlife as weather and COVID-19 precautions allowed. The new van's low profile allows residents to board in the shelter of the emergency room bay. Its lift is quiet and low to the ground, making for smooth transitions on and off the vehicle.
Our singalong music performer was able to visit in-person early in the month, raising spirits with lively music. With COVID cases in Petersburg spiking, however, singalong sessions will return to Zoom for the foreseeable future.
The usual activities filled our residents’ days—phone calls and video chats with family, some COVID-safe in-person visits, reading books and newspapers, watching TV and movies, playing games, and crafting. Manicures and hair-braiding sessions added fun for the women.
Residents have really enjoyed watching the snow fall outside the window, so the activities team brought tubs of freshly-fallen snow inside for residents to touch. The result was mini-snowmen made with help from staff!
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▲ LTC resident Joe Wilson views family photos. |
▲ Carol Wallace, LTC resident, enjoying a sunny day van ride. |
▲ LTC residents built an indoor snowman. |
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