FALL 2026 COMPASSIONATE. PERSONALIZED. HEALTHCARE. Take time for a mammogram Orthopedics: Care for more than just your bones p4 p3
2 Central Peninsula Hospital Angela Chace, CPA, MHL, FACHE Chief Executive Officer Photo by Charity Castle Why are we growing? When people hear that Central Peninsula Hospital is growing, they often ask us: Why? The answer is simple: because our community is changing, and we are committed to changing with it. According to projections from the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the Kenai Peninsula is expected to continue growing modestly in the years ahead. More important, our population is aging. Over the next decade, the number of residents age 70 and older is projected to nearly double. That growth brings new opportunities, but it also brings greater healthcare needs. As we age, we are more likely to need specialized care, ongoing treatment for chronic conditions, surgical services and access to physicians close to home. We believe our community should not have to leave the Peninsula for care whenever possible. That is why Central Peninsula Hospital continues to invest in people, programs and facilities. We are expanding access to important specialties, including ear, nose and throat (ENT); urology; general surgery; internal medicine; and dermatology. These services help ensure that residents can receive timely, high-quality care while staying connected to their families, support systems and community. Our responsibility is to ensure that quality healthcare is available not only for today’s community, but for the community we will become in the years ahead. By investing in facilities, services and clinical expertise now, we are preparing to meet the healthcare needs of future generations. Growth is not measured simply by square footage or new buildings. It is measured by shorter wait times, better access to specialists, expanded services and the ability to care for our neighbors when they need us most. At Central Peninsula Hospital, our mission is to nurture our community through quality healthcare. To fulfill that mission, we must continue building the infrastructure, clinical capacity and space necessary to serve a growing and aging population. We are making these investments today so that the people of the Central Kenai Peninsula can continue to receive exceptional care close to home tomorrow. That is why we are growing. We are growing for you. A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
PULSE Fall 2026 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: Angela Chace, CPA, MHL, FACHE 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 healthcare provider. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please call 907-714-4600 or email marketing@cpgh.org. 2026 © 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. bone & joint center central peninsula 907-714-4120 907-714-5770 907-714-5312 Discover our orthopedic services Explore our specialists, treatment options and locations at www.cpgh.org/orthopedics. Break a bone? Tear a tendon? Have pain from arthritis or an injury to your joints or spine? An orthopedic 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 These are some problems and areas of the body that an ortho can treat. 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. 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. What is an orthopedic specialist?
4 Central Peninsula Hospital OCTOBER IS BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH, making it the perfect reminder to schedule one of the most important preventive screenings available to women. Time for a mammogram? Don’t skip this important screening You make time to eat well, stay active and take care of your overall health— but are you making time for your mammogram? A mammogram is a low-dose breast x-ray that can detect changes in breast tissue years before symptoms, such as a lump, pain or nipple discharge, appear. In fact, mammograms remain the most effective tool for finding breast cancer early, when treatment is often simpler and outcomes are significantly better. When breast cancer is detected in its earliest stages, women are more likely to have successful treatment and may be less likely to need aggressive procedures, such as a mastectomy or chemotherapy. Simply put, early detection saves lives. When to start screening Current guidelines recommend that women at average risk begin regular screening mammograms at age 40, although your healthcare provider may recommend earlier screening based on your personal or family history. The good news is that most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover preventive mammograms at little or no cost. Where to get screened At Central Peninsula Hospital, we’re committed to making breast cancer screening as convenient and accessible as possible. In addition to mammography services at our Hospital Imaging Department in Soldotna, we now offer screening mammograms at our Kenai Health Center, providing residents with another convenient option closer to home. If you’re attending the CPH Community Health Fair on Saturday, Oct. 24, stop by the CPH imaging booth to learn more about breast health and the importance of regular screening. Walk-in mammograms will also be available during the event and will be billed through your insurance, giving eligible women another convenient opportunity to stay current with this important preventive exam. Take time for yourself If you’ve been putting off your mammogram, let this be your reminder. It only takes a few minutes, but it could make a lifetime of difference. Talk with your healthcare provider about when you should begin regular screening, then make your appointment and take an important step toward protecting your health. Call today All mammography and ultrasound scheduling: 907-714-4542 Hospital imaging: Central Peninsula Hospital 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna 907-714-4580 Kenai Health Center: 630 Barnacle Way, Kenai 907-714-4495
PULSE Fall 2026 5 Skin cancer: Watch for the warning signs Know your ABCDEs Spotting the signs of melanoma, a form of skin cancer, is as easy as ABCDE. Here’s what those letters stand for: Asymmetrical. Check for irregularly shaped spots or moles. Border. Look for jagged edges or poorly defined borders around spots. Color. Take note if a growth’s color is darker or lighter in some areas. Diameter. Look for moles and spots larger than a pea. Evolving. Be alert to any changes, like a sore that doesn’t heal. Checking your body for suspicious moles may save your life. Here’s what to look for and when to call the doctor. If you do spot any of the ABCDEs, make an appointment with a dermatologist for a skin exam. How to do a self-exam The best way to find any of the ABCDEs is by checking yourself regularly. Here’s how: ● Get in front of a full-length mirror. ● Look at every inch of your skin, top to bottom. ● Check the hidden spots, including under the arms and between the toes. ● Use a hand mirror for hard-tosee spots, like your neck, back and buttocks. Have a skin concern? Make an appointment with dermatologist Brock Davis, DO, at Central Peninsula Dermatology. Visit www.cpgh.org/ dermatology or call 907-714-4404. ● Check your nails. A band of color under or around a nail could be skin cancer. Use a body mole map It can be helpful to record anything you find during a self-exam on a body mole map, a diagram where you can draw your moles and spots. This helps you spot changes and warning signs quickly. Practice sun safety Being alert to signs of cancer is one part of taking care of your skin. The other is daily sun safety. Don’t forget to: Wear protective gear. Longsleeved shirts and long pants, hats, and sunglasses can keep the sun off your skin and eyes. Use sunscreen. Slather broadspectrum sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) over any skin that sees the sun. Seek shade. Trees, awnings and umbrellas are your friends when you want to protect your skin.
6 Central Peninsula Hospital Colorectal cancer is the second deadliest form of cancer in the United States. Adults ages 65 to 74 are more likely than younger people to develop it, but recent data also shows an increase in colorectal cancer among adults ages 20 to 49. Routine colorectal cancer screening is important because it can help your healthcare provider detect cancer early—when it is easier to treat. In many cases, screening can even identify and remove suspicious growths before they become cancerous. How colorectal cancer begins Colorectal cancer usually develops from a growth, called a polyp, inside the colon or rectum. If a polyp becomes cancerous, it can grow into the wall of the colon or rectum and eventually spread to other parts of the body. There is no guaranteed way to prevent polyps from forming. However, you may be at higher risk if someone in your family has had polyps or if you: ● Are physically inactive. ● Are overweight. ● Smoke. ● Drink alcohol heavily. Some—but not all—polyps become cancerous over several years if they are not found and removed. Most polyps do not cause symptoms, so you may not know they are there. Colorectal cancer Why you should get screened Central Peninsula Surgical Associates 240 Hospital Place, Suite 305, Soldotna 907-714-4130 Central Peninsula Internal Medicine 247 Fireweed St., Soldotna 907-262-8597 Central Peninsula Gastroenterology 240 Hospital Place, Suite 103B, Soldotna 907-714-6120 How and when to get screened The age at which you should begin colorectal cancer screening depends on several factors, including your overall health and family history. In general: Begin routine screening at age 45. Adults over age 75 should talk with their healthcare provider about whether screening is still recommended and how often it should be performed. Several screening options are available. Talk with your healthcare provider about which test is right for you. 1 Colonoscopy. A colonoscopy uses a long, flexible tube with a tiny camera and light to examine the entire colon and rectum for polyps and other signs of disease. 2 Cologuard®. Cologuard is a noninvasive, prescriptionbased, at-home screening test that looks for both abnormal DNA and blood in your stool. It is intended for adults 45 and older who are at average risk for colon cancer. Unlike other screening methods, a colonoscopy is both a screening and a prevention tool because precancerous polyps can be removed during the procedure, before they have a chance to develop into cancer. Schedule your screening Central Peninsula Hospital offers screening colonoscopies at three convenient locations.
PULSE Fall 2026 7 Take charge of your health at our Community Health Fair Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to noon, CPH River Tower Mark your calendar for one of Central Peninsula Hospital’s most popular annual community events! Whether you’re looking to stay on top of your health, learn something new or simply explore the many wellness resources available in our community, the Community Health Fair offers something for everyone. Free and low-cost services This family-friendly event brings together Central Peninsula Hospital caregivers, community organizations and wellness experts to help you make informed decisions about your health. Admission is free, and there’s no need to register to attend. Visitors are welcome to stop by health and wellness booths; meet with local healthcare professionals; gather educational resources; and take advantage of free services, including flu shots and blood pressure screenings. CPH Imaging will also be offering walk-in mammograms during the event, billed through insurance, making it easier to stay current with this important preventive screening. Convenient blood tests One of the highlights of the event is the opportunity to purchase affordable blood tests, performed by the Central Peninsula Hospital Laboratory. These screenings provide valuable insights into your health and can help identify potential concerns before symptoms appear. Available tests include: ● A comprehensive blood panel. ● Hemoglobin A1C for blood sugar monitoring. ● Thyroid function (TSH). ● Vitamin D levels. ● PSA screening for prostate health. To make your visit even more convenient, attendees are encouraged to preregister for blood testing. While preregistration is not required, it allows you to skip the registration lines on the day of the event and get through the process more quickly. You can preregister at www.cpgh.org/fair or scan the QR code included here. If you plan to have blood work performed, please remember to fast for 12 hours before your blood draw. Drinking water during the fasting period is encouraged. Invest in good health Preventive care is one of the best investments you can make in your long-term health. Whether you’re establishing a healthy baseline, managing an existing condition or simply taking steps toward a healthier future, the CPH Community Health Fair offers a convenient, affordable way to prioritize your well-being—all in one place. Discover the many ways Central Peninsula Hospital is helping our community live healthier lives. We look forward to seeing you on Oct. 24!
Standard U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 The Central Peninsula Health Foundation helps turn generosity into better healthcare and a stronger community. Through the support of donors, businesses and community partners, the Foundation provides funding for programs, equipment and projects that enhance the care and services available to people across the Kenai Peninsula. Sometimes that impact comes in the form of new medical technology or support for an important healthcare program. And sometimes, it arrives on four wheels. The Foundation recently funded a new wheelchair-accessible van for Heritage Place, providing residents and staff with a safer, more comfortable way to travel. The van will be used to transport residents between Heritage Place and Central Peninsula Hospital, as well as for medical appointments, home evaluations for physical therapy and other important destinations. Heritage Place residents were so excited about their new transportation that the Resident Council quickly gave it an official nickname: the “Legacy Limo.” Your gifts at work: Heritage Place ‘Legacy Limo’ SEE YOU AT THE FAIR Come on out to the CPH Community Health Fair! Find the details on page 7. Ways to give Donate online at www.givingheals.org Mail your donation to 250 Hospital Place, Soldotna Contact Kathy Gensel at 907-714-4626 Generosity that goes places The Legacy Limo is a wonderful example of how gifts to the Central Peninsula Health Foundation become meaningful investments in local care. For Heritage Place residents, it means greater comfort, safety and accessibility when leaving their home for the healthcare and services they need. Every gift to the Foundation, large or small, has the opportunity to make a difference close to home. Your contribution helps provide hope, healing and a healthier future for the Kenai Peninsula. Foundation Director Kathy Gensel (far right) and board members (from left) Claudia Furlong; Alex Russell, MD; Paula Rohloff; Mark Dixson; Amanda Motonaga; and Jess Gutzwiler.
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