March 2014 - The North Slope Borough

North Slope Borough
HEALTH & SOCIAL SERVICES
March 2014
Volume 4, Issue 1
Our mission is to promote the health and well being of North Slope residents in a culturally appropriate manner.
North Slope Borough Veterinarian Named Best in the Nation by Pets Best
2013 My Vet’s the Best grand prize winner Dr. Sarah Coburn to aid pets in need
5200 Karluk Street
PO BOX 69
Barrow, Alaska 99723
Phone: (907) 852-0366
Fax: (907) 852-0389
Doreen Leavitt, RN
Director
Justina Wilhelm, BA, CDC1
Deputy Director,
Integrated Behavioral Health
Julie Serstad, RN, BSN, MSN
Deputy Director,
Community Health Services
Grace Ng
Deputy Director,
Administration
Our Programs
Arctic Women in Crisis (AWIC)
1-800-478-0267
Ph: (907) 852-0261
Children & Youth Services
Ph: (907) 852-0263
Fax: (907) 852-0463
Community Health Aide
Program (CHAP)
Ph: (907) 852-0256
Fax: (907) 852-3571
Eye Clinic
Ph: (907) 852-0273
Fax: (907) 852-6098
Gathering Place
Ph: (907) 852-0402
Fax: (907) 852-6210
Integrated Behavioral Health
Ph: (907) 852-0366
Fax: (907) 852-0268
Matsutani Community
Resource Center
Ph: (907) 852-0288
Fax: (907) 852-4229
Public Health Nursing
Ph: (907) 852-0270
Fax: (907) 852-2855
Senior Program
Ph: (907) 852-0276
Fax: (907) 852-9903
Tobacco Prevention & Control
Ph: (907) 852-0366
Fax: (907) 852-0389
Veterinary Clinic/
Public Health Office
Ph: (907) 852-0277
Fax: (907) 852-0477
Women, Infants & Children
Nutrition Program (WIC)
Ph: (907) 852-0410
Fax: (907) 852-3766
Pets Best Insurance, announced Dr. Coburn as the grand prize winner
at the Western Veterinary Conference. Dr. Coburn, who was selected
from a group of 24 grand prize finalists across the U.S., received a
check for $1,000 to support her ongoing efforts to address animal
health issues in her region. Dr. Coburn said she plans to use the prize
money to provide shelter and insulation for outdoor dogs that otherwise would not have protection from the frigid arctic weather.
“Pets Best received an overwhelming number of nominations for
highly qualified veterinarians this year, but the story of Dr. Coburn’s
efforts to care for animals in a remote area of Alaska was incredibly
compelling,” Dr. Stephens, founder of Pets Best Insurance, said. “We
believe the entire nation should be aware of her selfless commitment
to treating animals under extremely demanding circumstances.”
(Photo courtesy of Pet Best)
“I believe I won My Vet’s the Best because our situation and remoteness here is so different from what most other veterinarians face,” Dr. Coburn said. “It’s a challenge, but it’s interesting every day. Since it’s an area that can’t support a private vet,
I’m glad to provide a service that otherwise wouldn’t be here. It’s a lot of variety, and it’s very rewarding.” Coburn has a
master’s degree in clinical sciences and a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Colorado State University.
Dr. Coburn received multiple nominations for My Vet’s the Best in 2013, and she frequently receives praise from pet owners who could not provide care for their animals without her.
“Dr. Coburn is the kindest, most compassionate animal lover I know,” pet owner Beckie Campbell wrote in her nomination
entry for Dr. Coburn. “She flies out to the smaller villages here on the North Slope in small planes, sometimes in bad weather, to give her skill, care and kindness to all the animals. She has some amazing and heart-wrenching rescue stories. She is
an animal angel.”
“We feel very fortunate to have Dr. Coburn on the North Slope. Her caring and conscientious attitude and her excellent
skills in veterinary medicine are truly assets for all of us. We are proud that she was chosen to receive this award, “affirmed
Julie Serstad, NSB Deputy Director of Community Health.
For more information about the My Vet’s the Best contest, visit www.petsbest.com/blog/my-vets-the-bestcontest.
**This article was adapted from the press release from Pet’s Best Insurance released February 2014
APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH
April is Child Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month. The process of reporting child abuse to the proper authorities
is essential; however, it’s an intervention that happens after the abuse. The goal of primary prevention is to prevent
child abuse before it occurs.
What can we do to prevent child abuse? Any concerned adult can help out by supporting the parents and families in
the community — listening, recommending parenting classes, or babysitting from time to time.
The North Slope Borough Health Department, NSBHD Arctic Women in Crisis (AWIC), the Native Village of Barrow
(NVB), the Arctic Slope Native Association (ASNA) and other community agencies help to educate parents through
flyers, radio shows, workshops, and parenting classes.
Most parents treat their children the way they remember their own parents treating them. Parents may have no idea
how to discipline their children other than by yelling at them and hitting them. Parents may not realize the damage
that they can inflict on a baby — by shaking, for example. It’s hard work being a parent and often parents may be
unprepared for the amount of work and stress involved in caring for a small child. All of these factors contribute to
child abuse, and all can be reduced by helping parents learn about the realities of parenting. It is vital that parents
realize they can learn new ways to relieve their own feelings of powerlessness and despair when a baby will not stop
crying.
In our nurturing parenting class, parents can be taught how to structure a child’s environment or schedule to make
good behaviors easier and more natural for the child. They can learn how to reinforce positive behavior with praise
Meet a Health Board Member
Gwendolyn Edwardsen Gutierrez NSB Health Board Chair, member since March 2011,
married to Jose Gutierrez, 3 children; Jadyn 18 of Las Vegas, NV, Bryce 16 of Las Vegas, NV and Aliah 9. Her interest for the Board stems from early healthy-life-lessons
taught by her late grandmother, Mary Edwardsen. Mary served on the Barrow Health
Board in the 1980’s. Mary’s devout Christianity, motherly-nurturing, strict role striving for
positive healthy lifestyles and concerns for the well-being of the community and her
family molded Gwen into becoming and focusing primarily on the health and safety of
people. Gwen attended UAF studying pre-hospital Emergency Medical Care. Now a
Firefighter and EMT for the NSB Fire Department, she continues her training and education thru the State of Alaska and in Barrow locally with the FD’s Training Division to continue working in the public service field. Gwen dedicated many years as a parent volunteer where her children attended schools at University Park Elementary in Fairbanks,
Abbott Loop Elementary in Anchorage, South Anchorage Jaguar Football Team-Mom,
Flattop mountain peak, 3510 ft,
parent volunteer for American Youth Football in Fairbanks, Anchorage Boys & Girls Clubs
Volleyball and Basketball organizations, and Anchorage Freestyle Wrestling Club. Gwen
Chugach State Park, AK
enjoys spending time with family fishing, camping, hiking, anything to keep her family
active and participating and challenging activities the communities have to offer, she also
played softball for Alaska Native Softball League and Anchortown Sports in Anchorage and has chaperoned many student clubs
travelling throughout the State of Alaska. Her primary goal to serve on the Health Board is to build a more healthy environment
for residents of the North Slope. “Children learn what they are exposed to, if we prove positive lifestyles early on by prevention
and health education, we’ll have a stronger healthier community.”
Healthy Living Summit 2014
Save the Date ⋅ April 14-16, 2014 ⋅ Barrow, Alaska
Join the North Slope Borough Health Department and Arctic Slope Native Association for a Healthy Living Summit on April 14-16,
2014 in Barrow, Alaska.
Mark your calendars and reserve these dates for an incredible opportunity for health care providers, community members, and youth who have an interest
in the health and well-being of all who live on the North Slope.
Cost to Attend
There is no cost to attend, but you are responsible for travel and lodging. Limited travel assistance may be available if you qualify. Please contact Aqamak
Okpik at 907 852 0366 for more information.
Registration for the conference can be done in advance (remember it’s free!) or on site each morning of the conference. Please stay tuned for more information about how to register!
Who should attend?
Anyone who has interest in the healthcare field or health of our community can attend. We will have three tracks: Youth Track, Community Member Track,
and Health Care Provider Track with CEUs available from some of the presentations.
What will happen at the Summit?
A variety of presentations to enhance your skill set
Healthy activities that you can participate in to jumpstart your own health and fitness goals
Networking with your friends and colleagues
Participate in an Exposition to meet and greet with other regional and statewide organizations
Who will be presenting?
You will learn from national leaders and Alaska experts from the health and wellness field who will inspire you, share their practical tips and techniques, and
leave you anxious to get back to your community or organization to start applying your new skills.
Sponsorship & Exhibitor Opportunity
If you are interested in sponsoring the Healthy Living Summit or hosting a booth in the exhibitor hall, please contact Angela Cox at 907 852 9391. We have
lots of opportunities for you to get involved!
Again, Save the Date!
Stay tuned for more information as it become available! For general questions, please contact Aqamak Okpik at 907 852 0366.
North Slope Community Members travel to Washington DC
Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA) annual National Leadership Forum and Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Prevention workshops were held February 3rd – 7th in Washington DC. 5 community members from the North Slope attended. Aqamak Okpik, NSB Health Educator, Gwen Edwardsen, NSB Health Board Chair, Christopher Griest, Student rep, Andres LopezCespedes, Student Advisor and Stephanie Aishanna, NSB Health Board Alternate
Kaktovik, CADCA is a premier membership organization representing those working to
make their communities safe, healthy and drug-free. Serving more than 5,000 coalitions domestically and internationally, CADCA’s reach has transformed lives and communities for over 20 years. The continued support and participation of active members
drives national influence and enables us to increase awareness and grow the visibility of
the powerful effect community coalitions have in creating widespread reductions in
substance use and abuse in communities worldwide. The members that attended CADCA’s Forum along with other members of Alaska’s Various Coalitions met with Alaska
Senator Murkowski and was able to talk to her about substance abuse in Alaska.
National Health Observances
March 2014
National Colorectal Cancer
Awareness Month
National Nutrition Month
April 2014
Sexual Assault Awareness
& Prevention Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
May 2014
Global Employee Health &
Fitness Month
June 2014
Home Safety Month
National Great Outdoors
Month
For more National Health
Observances go to
www.NationalWellness.org
Upcoming Events
Talking Circle
Thursday Nights
5:30pm
Matsutani Building
852-0288
Parenting Classes
Mondays
5:30pm-6:30pm
852-0261
Radio Shows
Every Thursday on
KBRW
10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.
March 6—CHAP Services
March 13—Affordable
Health Care Act
March 20—Colorectal
Cancer Awareness
March 27—National Nutrition Month