7 things to know about cardiac rehab p7 WINTER 2024 STATE-OF-THE-ART TECHNOLOGY. STATE-OF-THE-HEART CARE. Our diabetes center is now open! p3
2 Central Peninsula Hospital Shaun Keef, CEO Central Peninsula Hospital A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Listening to the needs of the community Photo by Doug Boehme In the February 2023 edition of Pulse, the results of Central Peninsula Hospital’s Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA) were reported. These results indicated that the community’s top-ranking challenges were mental health/substance abuse, lifestyle issues (nutrition, obesity, diabetes and tobacco use), injury/violence, heart disease/stroke, access to health care, disability/chronic pain and cancer care. In the first year since these results were reported, Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) has worked diligently to address these needs. Challenges concerning mental health, substance abuse, diabetes, stroke care, chronic pain and cancer care have all been focus points, resulting in our opening a mental wellness clinic, increased bed capacity at the detox center, development of a diabetes clinic, participation in the RAPID Alaska Stroke Care Initiative, addition of two interventional pain physicians and addition of two hematologists/oncologists. All these initiatives were a direct result of our listening to the needs of the community. With all these accomplishments over the past year, an even more impactful focus has been placed on the future increase in access to primary care. The need for primary care providers to include internal medicine, family medicine and pediatrics has been a primary focus during the last 12 months. A great deal of recruiting has taken place, which has provided for the hiring of three internal medicine physicians: Lori Arney, DO; Erik Berger, MD; and Max Pillsbury, MD. Dr. Arney started at Central Peninsula Internal Medicine Clinic in January, while Dr. Berger and Dr. Pillsbury will start in June and September, respectively. CPH has also been able to recruit James Bauman, DO, in family medicine and Michael Visick, MD, in pediatrics. Dr. Bauman will be joining Central Peninsula Family Practice and Pediatrics Clinic in Soldotna in September, while Dr. Visick started at the Kenai clinic in January. In addition to these great additions, CPH currently has four other family medicine candidates with offers to join the team. In summary, CPH has placed a great deal of effort acting on the needs of our community in the past year. Further emphasis will take place this year to address the top-ranking perceived challenges from the CHNA as we continue to keep our community healthy.
PULSE Winter 2024 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 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. 2024 © 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. On Oct. 23, 2023, we opened the doors to our new diabetes center. This milestone reflects Central Peninsula Hospital’s commitment to addressing the health care needs of our community. An experienced team At the heart of the diabetes center is Anna Boutwell, APRN, a highly skilled and compassionate nurse practitioner with 14 years of experience in diabetes management. Anna is committed to collaborating with primary care providers and endocrinologists through a referral‐based and team‐oriented approach. Referrals can be faxed to 907-416-7682. Central Peninsula Diabetes Center also recognizes the importance of patient education in managing various diabetes diagnoses effectively throughout the lifespan. Whether you or a loved one has prediabetes, type 1, type 2, gestational diabetes or diabetes of another form, the center offers diabetes education appointments with Crystal Allen, MPH, RN. Crystal recognizes that caring comes first and works toward empowering individuals with the knowledge and skills to live healthfully amid a challenging diagnosis. Helpful support The center is also introducing group diabetes education classes, allowing individuals to come together, share experiences and implement meaningful changes to achieve lasting results. You can also schedule personalized education on diabetes-related topics of interest to you. Call the center or visit us online at www.cpgh.org/diabetes-center for information on group classes and upcoming events. Comprehensive diabetes care Central Peninsula Diabetes Center is open and accepting new patients! At Central Peninsula Diabetes Center, we focus on patient‐centered care, education and collaboration. 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. Anna Boutwell, APRN Crystal Allen, MPH, RN
4 Central Peninsula Hospital For decades, Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) has served as a vital health care hub in our community, offering comprehensive medical services to residents of the Kenai Peninsula and beyond. Recently CPH has taken notable steps to broaden access to care, ensuring that our community members have the resources necessary to maintain their health and well-being here at home. Mental health care In our most recent Community Health Needs Assessment, members of our community expressed a need for increased mental health services, so CPH has responded accordingly. Mental health is important to overall well-being, and CPH is dedicated to providing comprehensive mental health and wellness services. We have expanded our mental health team by establishing a new mental wellness clinic, and we’ve initiated recruitment efforts to introduce inpatient and outpatient psychiatry services at CPH. It is time for our community to have reliable psychiatric services available locally. Additionally, CPH continues to offer a diverse range of mental health programs, including group therapy, individual counseling, detoxification and substance abuse treatment services. Specialty care Beyond our mental wellness clinic, CPH has broadened its spectrum of specialty care services, simplifying access to specialized care without the need to travel to Anchorage or beyond. Increased capacity in our oncology, internal medicine, neurology and orthopaedics clinics, along with the new diabetes clinic, reflects our commitment to providing specialized care for patients who need it. Preventive care Family practice and internal medicine form the bedrock of health care, catering to preventive care, managing chronic Expanding access to quality health care
PULSE Winter 2024 5 Expanding access to care: Making great progress! Our 2022 Community Health Needs Assessment indicated residents wanted two things most—more access and more mental health services. We’re doing both! Completed ● Increased primary care: ⊲ Physician assistant (June 2023). ⊲ Family nurse practitioner (December 2023). ⊲ Additional pediatrician (January 2024). ⊲ Internal medicine physician (January 2024). ⊲ Two psychiatric nurse practitioners (December 2023 and February 2024). ● Increased specialty care access: ⊲ Two hematologist/oncologists (December 2023). ⊲ Orthopaedic surgeon (January 2024). ⊲ Gastroenterologist (January 2024). ⊲ Orthopaedic spine surgeon (March 2024). ● Opened Diabetes Clinic (October 2023). ● Opened mental wellness clinic. ● Opened Gastroenterology Clinic. ● Healthy lifestyle strategies: ⊲ Community Health Fair (September 2023). ⊲ Yoga for Cancer Patients (November 2023). ⊲ Walk with a Doc Program (November 2023). ⊲ Care Transitions detox center—increased capacity from 7 to 10 beds. Upcoming ● Recruitments: ⊲ Two additional neurologists (June– September 2024). ⊲ Orthopedic surgeon (September 2024). ⊲ One primary care provider (September 2024). ⊲ Two internal medicine providers (June–September 2024). ⊲ Internal medicine residents (June 2025). conditions and addressing acute illnesses across all age groups. CPH has expanded family medicine services, facilitating easier access to care for our community members. The addition of another pediatrician and the recruitment of more family physicians and nurse practitioners contribute to improved access and reduced wait times for appointments. As a community-owned hospital, CPH remains steadfast in its commitment to meeting the health care needs of our community. We take pride in the significant progress made in expanding access to care and pledge to uphold the delivery of high-quality, compassionate health care for our community members. We invite you to explore our website or contact us to discover more about our extended services that provide more access to care. Your well-being is our priority, and we are here to serve you.
6 Central Peninsula Hospital Whether channeled through our churches, schools or local service groups, like the Central Peninsula Health Foundation (CPHF), philanthropy is often seen as a one-way avenue where we offer support without expecting anything in return. However, it’s in prioritizing the needs of others above our own that we discover unexpected benefits. There’s an unparalleled fulfillment in identifying our passions and the causes closest to our hearts and selflessly dedicating a part of ourselves to support them. Join us for an Evening By the River Don your favorite apparel and join the “who’s who” of the Central Peninsula by attending the Central Peninsula Health Foundation’s annual fundraising event, Evening By the River. Held in the River Tower on the Central Peninsula Hospital campus, this unique fundraising event will take place March 1 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person. Your attendance will help support the foundation in equipment purchases, community benefits, and patient and family support for Central Peninsula Hospital, Heritage Place and Serenity House. While at the event, you will enjoy hearty hors d’oeuvres, an open bar and live music. Tickets are available online at givingheals.org. For more information, contact Foundation Director Kathy Gensel at 907-714-4626. ‘Tis the season FOR GIVING Support our mission Generous contributions to CPHF have made a significant impact by: ● Enriching activities at Heritage Place. ● Providing essential medications for individuals facing financial constraints. ● Facilitating transportation assistance for medical appointments. ● Upgrading the Cardiac/Pulmonary Rehab Gym with state-of-the-art equipment. ● Installing raised, wheelchairaccessible garden beds at Heritage Place. ● Procuring an infant simulator for advanced training in the Obstetrics department. ● Supplying educational books tailored for diabetes patients. ● Purchasing informative handbooks for breast cancer patients and their partners. ● Offering scholarships to support high school seniors pursuing careers in the medical field. How you can help Community generosity and contributions play a crucial role in sustaining our vital work. CPHF is a “supporting organization,” meaning the foundation is dedicated solely to supporting CPH, Heritage Place, Serenity House and the individuals under our care. We invite you to consider contributing to help us continue providing essential care and support. Your donations directly impact the lives of our patients, residents and clients, ensuring that our organization continues to thrive in serving our community. Please join us in our mission by contributing. You can call us at 907-714-4626 or visit our website at givingheals.org.
PULSE Winter 2024 7 Here’s what you should know to help your heart As February unfolds, so does a significant focus on cardiovascular health with the observance of American Heart Month. This annual campaign serves as a crucial reminder for individuals to prioritize their heart health and adopt lifestyle choices that promote overall well-being. One pivotal aspect of cardiac health that often deserves more attention is cardiac rehabilitation, a comprehensive program designed to support individuals recovering from heart-related issues. In this article, we delve into seven essential aspects of cardiac rehabilitation, shedding light on its importance, benefits and the crucial role it plays in empowering individuals to regain control of their cardiovascular health. TAKE CARE OF YOUR HEART Central Peninsula Hospital offers a comprehensive cardiac health and rehabilitation program that helps return cardiac patients to the best condition possible, safely and effectively. For more information, please call 907-714-4728 or visit our website at www.cpgh.org/services. February is American Heart Month 7 things to know about cardiac rehab 1 It’s an outpatient program. Cardiac rehab is a medically supervised program for people with heart problems. A typical program lasts about 12 weeks and is run by a team of doctors, nurses and other experts. During the classes, participants exercise to get stronger and receive heart-healthy education, counseling and support. 2 Rehab could help keep you active and out of the hospital. It can help you resume favorite activities—like golfing or fishing—after a heart attack. And it may reduce your need for chest pain medicines, as well as cut your risk for future heart attacks, hospital stays and even early death. 3 Many people qualify. You may be a candidate if, for instance, you have or have had a heart attack, heart failure, coronary artery bypass surgery, heartvalve surgery, angioplasty, angina or coronary heart disease. 4 The exercise classes are safe. In rehab, the exercise is tailored to your needs and monitored for your safety. For instance, you might exercise on a treadmill or a rowing machine to help improve your fitness level. 5 You’ll learn to care for your ticker. Rehab participants learn healthy changes, such as eating right, quitting smoking and reducing stress. 6 You can ask for it. To find out if cardiac rehab is right for you, ask your doctor. 7 It’s often covered by insurance. Medicare and many private insurance plans cover cardiac rehab.
Standard U.S. Postage PAID Yakima, WA Permit No. 157 WALK YOUR WAY to good health—with a doc! According to the American Heart Association, walking has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity. Think it doesn’t do any good? Think again. Walking is low impact and easier on the joints than running. It is safe— with a doctor’s OK—for people with orthopaedic ailments, heart conditions and those who are more than 20% overweight. In addition, research has shown that you could gain two hours of life for each hour of regular exercise! That quick stroll around the block seems a little more worthwhile now, doesn’t it? How does it work? Walk with a Doc is a walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. You’ll take a few minutes to learn about a current health topic from a health care professional, then spend the rest of the hour enjoying a healthy walk and fun conversation. It’s a great way to get out, get active and enjoy all the benefits that come from walking. Walk at your own pace and chosen distance. This program was started in Columbus, Ohio, in April 2005 by David Sabgir, MD, and has now expanded throughout the world. You don’t need any special gear, and there are no special rules. Our walking groups are a safe, fun and FREE place to get some steps, learn about health and meet new friends. We are currently holding walks the first Wednesday of each month at 7:30 a.m. inside the Soldotna Sports Center. For up-to-date information on the doctor hosting each walk, and for new locations and times after the snow melts, visit www.cpgh.org/walk. Coming soon! See the changes we’re making for our community’s health. See page 4.
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