SPRING 2025 COMPASSIONATE. PERSONALIZED. HEALTHCARE. Spring into wellness Easy exercises for older adults p3 p5
2 Central Peninsula Hospital Shaun Keef, CEO Central Peninsula Hospital Photo by Karin Sunden A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Planning for the future Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) recently launched a comprehensive planning process to address the growing health care demands of the Central Kenai Peninsula. This initiative, which began in November 2024 and is set to conclude in July 2025, aims to chart the hospital’s course for the next 5 to 10 years as it relates to programs, space needs and capital improvements. We are collaborating with all departments, the medical staff, the Kenai Peninsula Borough and various committees. The purpose of this planning project is to proactively approach the future growth and needs of the health care system. In the past several years, the hospital has reported significant increases in inpatient demands, outpatient visits, emergency room utilization and many other key metrics. In addition, CPH has brought on more services to provide for community needs, allowing people in our service area to stay close to home for care. Surges in utilization and the addition of services can strain resources and infrastructure, highlighting the necessity of a longterm master plan. The master plan will address challenges such as capacity constraints and evolving community health needs. CPH has always prioritized community needs, demonstrated in our response to the results of the 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). Mental health and substance abuse care were top priorities identified in the 2022 CHNA. In response, CPH added psychiatric services through the Mental Wellness Clinic and added to the bed capacity of the substance use disorder detox unit. Goals to improve care Key objectives of the planning process include evaluating current facilities, forecasting future demand and identifying necessary capital improvements. The plan will also explore innovative solutions to enhance patient care and operational efficiency while maintaining CPH’s commitment to health and wellness through person-centered care. By involving diverse stakeholders and aligning with community priorities, CPH aims to ensure that its services remain responsive and sustainable. This forward-looking approach will enable the hospital to continue meeting the health care needs of its growing population while addressing emerging trends over the next decade.
PULSE Spring 2025 3 PULSE is published as a community service for the friends and patrons of Central Peninsula Hospital, 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna, AK 99669, phone 907-714-4404, website www.cpgh.org. CEO: Shaun Keef External Affairs Director: Bruce Richards Information in PULSE comes from a wide range of medical experts. Models may be used in photos and illustrations. If you have any concerns or questions about specific content that may affect your health, please contact your health care provider. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please call 907-714-4600 or email marketing@cpgh.org. 2025 © Coffey Communications, Inc. All rights reserved. Central Peninsula Hospital and its clinics (collectively “CPH”) comply with applicable Federal civil rights laws and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Translation and other services are available to you, free of charge, by calling this number: 907-714-4404. As the days grow longer and the snow melts away, spring is the perfect time to refresh your health routine. Whether you’re eager to get outdoors, increase your activity levels or feel your best, taking proactive steps now can set you up for a healthier year ahead. A great place to start is with primary care. Regular checkups and preventive care play a key role in catching potential health issues early and keeping you on track toward your wellness goals. At Central Peninsula Family Practice & Pediatrics, we’re here to support you—our clinics in both Kenai and Soldotna are currently welcoming new patients. Spring also brings seasonal challenges, like allergies and joint discomfort from increased activity. Our providers can help with personalized care plans; allergy management; and referrals to specialists in orthopaedics, physical therapy and respiratory care. If you’ve been dealing with lingering aches or have questions about your health, now is the time to check in with your provider. This spring, take charge of your well-being by scheduling your annual wellness visit. A fresh start begins with good health, and we’re here to help every step of the way. We’ve expanded our team to better serve you! Call today to establish care at our Kenai or Soldotna clinics. Call today Central Peninsula Family Practice & Pediatrics, Soldotna 245 N. Binkley St. Suite 101, Soldotna 907-714-4111 Central Peninsula Family Practice & Pediatrics, Kenai 506 Lake St., Kenai 907-714-4111 Spring into wellness: A fresh start for better health
4 Central Peninsula Hospital Break a bone? Tear a tendon? Have pain from arthritis or an injury to your joints or spine? An orthopaedic specialist, or ortho, can help. These providers treat people with issues involving their bones, joints, ligaments, tendons, muscles and nerves. Training typically includes five years of residency, as well as one or more years of advanced training in a specialty. What they treat Some problems and areas of the body that an ortho can treat are: Hands and wrists. They can treat carpal tunnel syndrome, arthritis, infections, and nerve and tendon injuries. Elbows. Orthos can address elbow problems such as biceps tears, dislocations and fractures, and tennis or golf elbow. Spine. They offer both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for degenerative disc disease, spine fractures, herniated discs, infections, tumors and nerve problems. Hips, knees and shoulders. Orthos treat issues in these areas, including joint replacements. Sports-related injuries. They can provide nonoperative treatment—for pros and amateurs alike—for the 90% of sports injuries that don’t require surgery. What is an orthopaedic specialist? bone & joint center central peninsula Make an appointment To schedule a visit with an orthopaedist, please call 907-714-4120, visit www.cpgh.org/ provider-directory or scan the QR code. 240 Hospital Place, Suite 204b, Soldotna, AK 99669 907-714-4120 When to see an ortho If you break a bone or have intense pain, visit the emergency department. For ongoing, nonemergency symptoms, your primary care provider may recommend that you see an ortho. Your ortho will likely try nonsurgical approaches first, like pain medication and rehabilitation. If these don’t work, they have the expertise to perform surgery to repair an injury or correct a condition. Sources: American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons; American Medical Society for Sports Medicine May is Arthritis Awareness Month! Arthritis is the featured topic for our next Dine and Discuss event. Join us at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 15, in the Denali Room (downstairs in the CPH Mountain Tower) for dinner and our “Arthritis of the Hand” discussion led by Jordan Pearce, MD. Enjoy a delicious dinner for just $15, or attend for free if you’re not dining. Registration is required by Friday, May 9. To register, go to www.cpgh.org/discuss or scan the QR code.
PULSE Spring 2025 5 Exercise is something you should keep on doing as you get older—for its many rewards. Among them: Exercising helps thwart some chronic diseases and cancers while helping you stay active and independent longer. And while it’s great to exercise outdoors, there may be days when the weather’s gloomy or you prefer to stay indoors. That’s when you might want to give these ideas a try: We can help you get moving! Join us at the Soldotna High School track at 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 7, for Walk With a Doc, featuring Jesse Kincaid, MD, speaking on “Strength Building: Not Just for Young Men.”This free event is open to everyone—no registration required! Sources: AARP; National Council on Aging; National Institute on Aging; HelpGuide Pull up a chair If you have limited mobility, consider doing different types of exercises in a chair. For example, you might try lifting hand weights or doing modified stretches, yoga or tai chi while seated. Lift your own body weight. Body-weight exercises use your own body weight as resistance, building strength that helps you perform everyday tasks. Think pushups, planks or squats. If you’re just starting out, you may want to try chair squats. While standing with your back to a chair, bend your knees and lower your body into the chair. Now push your body back up to a standing position. Pro tip: Do strength exercises—like body-weight exercises or lifting weights—at least twice per week. Join the resistance. Resistance bands are stretchy, elastic bands you can use for strength training instead of free weights. Pro tip: Resistance bands come in different resistance levels. Having several bands of different levels allows you to build your strength over time. Strike a pose. Age and diseases, like arthritis, can make joints and muscles less limber. Stretching exercises, like yoga, can improve flexibility. Pro tip: Check out local, in-person yoga classes or online videos to get started. Boost your balance one leg at a time. Balance training may help you avoid falls, which are more common when you’re older. Standing and lifting each leg for 10 seconds at a time is a simple balance exercise. Pro tip: If you feel unsteady while standing on one foot, hold on to the back of a sturdy chair or the edge of a counter. Take some laps indoors. Walking is aerobic exercise, the type that improves stamina, heart health and more. If you have access to a treadmill, take a walk while watching TV. Shopping malls are also great for walking briskly indoors. Pro tip: Many malls open early for walkers who want to exercise before shoppers arrive. Easy exercises for older adults Workouts you can do indoors
6 Central Peninsula Hospital If you have prediabetes, your blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not yet high enough for type 2 diabetes. While this may seem reassuring, prediabetes significantly increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes and other serious health issues like heart disease and stroke. Now is the best time to take action. Lifestyle changes can help delay or even prevent type 2 diabetes—and may even reverse prediabetes altogether. Your prediabetes management plan ● Lose weight. Shedding just 5% of your body weight— around 8 pounds for a 150-pound person—can make a big difference. ● Get moving. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking or biking, at least five days a week. Start small if needed and build up over time. ● Eat healthier. Focus on whole foods like vegetables, fruits, lean proteins and whole grains. Cut back on sugary, processed and fried foods while watching portion sizes. ● Follow your doctor’s advice. Diet and exercise are key, but if you are prescribed medication, take it as directed to help manage blood sugar and other conditions. Prevention is powerful—these changes can cut your risk of developing type 2 diabetes in half and improve your overall health. Sources: American Academy of Family Physicians; American Diabetes Association; American Heart Association; American Medical Association; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases Partners in diabetes care Genetics, hormones and other factors outside of your control play a role in a diabetes diagnosis. With the right tools and support, you can live a full, active and enjoyable life. At Central Peninsula Diabetes Center, we are here to help you thrive with diabetes. 209 W. Katmai Ave., Soldotna, AK 99669 Phone: 907-714-4726 Fax: 907-416-7682 Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday PREDIABETES AND LIFESTYLE CHANGES Prevention IS POWERFUL Crystal Allen, MPH, RN Anna Boutwell, APRN
PULSE Spring 2025 7 EXPERTISE AND COMPASSION: Foundations of quality care CPH celebrates National Hospital Week Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) is proud to join hospitals across the country in celebrating National Hospital Week, taking place May 11 to 17. This annual observance recognizes the dedication of over 7 million health care professionals and more than 6,000 hospitals nationwide, honoring their essential role in providing care, comfort and healing. The history of National Hospital Week The origins of National Hospital Week date back to 1921, beginning as a single day of recognition before expanding to a full week in 1953. Held each May in honor of Florence Nightingale’s birthday, this celebration highlights the impact of hospitals and health care workers in communities across the nation. Today, it remains one of the largest health care appreciation events, acknowledging the unwavering commitment of those who make a difference in the lives of patients and their families every day. Honoring CPH’s health care heroes At CPH and Heritage Place, National Hospital Week is a time to shine a spotlight on the dedication of our health care heroes—physicians, providers, nurses, aides, emergency staff, therapists, pharmacists and lab technicians—whose expertise and compassion are the foundation of quality care in our community. Their tireless commitment ensures that patients receive the support they need at life’s most critical moments. Recognizing every contribution Health care is a team effort, and every department at CPH plays a vital role in ensuring exceptional care. Our Environmental Services staff work diligently to maintain a clean and safe facility, while the dietary team provides nourishment to both patients and staff. Volunteers offer priceless support through their time and generosity, and our administrative team helps coordinate the many moving parts that make hospital operations run smoothly. A community of gratitude National Hospital Week is an opportunity for the community to express appreciation for the incredible individuals who dedicate their lives to health care. Whether through a simple thank-you, a kind note or a thoughtful gesture, we encourage everyone to take a moment to recognize the people who make CPH a place of healing and hope. Their dedication and resilience are the pillars of our community’s health, and we celebrate them wholeheartedly.
We are committed to making health care accessible and affordable. To learn more about our financial services for patients, visit www.cpgh.org/help or call 907-714-4424 and ask to speak with a financial counselor. Standard U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 Prevention is powerful Lifestyle changes can help you beat diabetes. Get tips on page 6. Have you been avoiding important health care needs because of medical expenses? At Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH), we believe that financial concerns shouldn’t stand in the way of quality care. That’s why we offer a range of financial services designed to ease your worries and help you focus on your well-being. Our knowledgeable financial counselors are here to guide you through insurance, billing and payment options to find solutions tailored to your unique needs. One of the ways CPH supports the community is through its Community Benefits Program, a financial assistance initiative that helps eligible patients manage medical costs. This program offers three levels of self-pay balance forgiveness, ranging between 60% and 100%, based on household income and size. To review our income criteria to see if you may qualify, go to www.cpgh.org/check. The application and brochure with program details can be downloaded at www.cpgh.org/patientfinancialservices/ financial-assistance. Additionally, CPH provides a 25% prompt-pay discount for patients who pay their balance in full within 60 days of their initial statement. Both of these programs apply to self-pay patients as well as those with remaining balances after other health insurance coverage. We also believe in the importance of knowing what to expect when it comes to the cost of your health care services. At CPH, we provide multiple ways to request an estimate before your visit, so you can plan accordingly. To learn more about ways to request an estimate, visit www. cpgh.org/patientfinancialservices/ requestestimate. CPH’s commitment to affordable care
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