SPRING 2026 CPH Women & Babies Fair is back at CPH New! Mobile Crisis Team is here p8 p4 COMPASSIONATE. PERSONALIZED. HEALTHCARE.
Angela Hinnegan, CPA, MHL, FACHE Chief Executive Officer A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO Photo by Frank Alioto Expanding care for a healthier Kenai Peninsula As we enjoy these longer days and a little more sunshine across the Kenai Peninsula, I don’t know about you, but I can feel the shift in energy. After a long winter, that extra daylight has a way of lifting spirits and reminding us it’s a good time to reset and refocus, especially when it comes to our health. At Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH), we’ve been focused on something I hear about often from our community: access to primary care. Over the past two years, we’ve added eight family care physicians and advanced practice professionals to our Central Peninsula Family Practice and Pediatrics clinics in Kenai and Soldotna. That means more appointment availability, better continuity of care and more families able to receive care close to home. Prevention truly works If you’ve ever wondered whether having a primary care provider really makes a difference, the answer is yes. A primary care physician or advanced practice professional becomes your partner in health. They get to know your history, your goals and what “healthy” looks like for you. They help catch issues early, manage chronic conditions and guide you through the health system when specialty care is needed. It’s about having someone in your corner. And even if you’re feeling great, I can’t emphasize enough how important annual wellness visits are. These visits aren’t just a formality—they’re an opportunity to review recommended screenings; update immunizations; talk about sleep, stress, nutrition and exercise; and address small concerns before they grow into bigger ones. Prevention truly works. Rural health support Looking ahead, CPH plans to apply for Rural Health Transformation funds from the state of Alaska to further support our mission of nurturing our community by promoting health and wellness through quality, patient-centered care. If awarded, these funds would help us strengthen local services—including our goal of expanding mobile crisis services to 24/7 availability. Access to timely behavioral health support can make all the difference for individuals and families in crisis. Thank you for placing your trust in us. We’re proud to serve this community—and grateful to be part of it. 2 Central Peninsula Hospital
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 Hinnegan, 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 health care 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. Central Peninsula Hospital is proud to welcome Angeline Delgado, LPC, as the new director of Central Peninsula Behavioral Health. After joining CPH in November 2025 as a mental health counselor, Delgado stepped into the director role in January 2026. She now leads a comprehensive program that provides residential, intensive outpatient and standard outpatient treatment for individuals facing substance use and related disorders, as well as mental health counseling services for adults and teens referred through our provider network. Originally from Alabama, Delgado moved to Alaska in July 2023. Before coming to CPH, she served as clinical program manager for Chris Kyle Patriot Hospital in Anchorage. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Troy University in Alabama and her master’s degree from William Carey University in Mississippi. Committed to serve Delgado’s path to behavioral health is rooted in service. She spent 20 years on active duty in the U.S. military, retiring in 2013 after multiple tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. Following her military career, she continued serving others as a deputy director for the Department of Veterans Affairs and as a program manager and nonclinical counselor for the U.S. Navy. Delgado says she joined the military to protect her country. After retiring, she chose to “fight a different war”—one against mental illness, addiction and suicide. She is especially passionate about trauma-informed care and suicide prevention. Community and the great outdoors What Delgado enjoys most about working at CPH is the strong sense of community. She appreciates the small-town spirit and the opportunity to give back in meaningful ways. Outside of work, Delgado loves Alaska’s outdoors. A former CrossFit and personal nutrition coach, she now enjoys hiking, camping and climbing mountains. She lives on the Kenai Peninsula with her significant other and is the proud mother of three children. Please join us in welcoming Delgado to her leadership role at CPH. Meet our new Behavioral Health director To learn more about our services, visit www.cpgh.org/services/ behavioralhealthservices or call 907-714-4521. PULSE Spring 2026 3
MOBILE CRISIS TEAM Behavioral health support wherever the need arises In early December 2025, Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) launched its Mobile Crisis Team (MCT) to provide timely, compassionate behavioral health crisis response throughout the central Kenai Peninsula. The MCT supports individuals experiencing acute mental distress who may be at risk of harming themselves or others. The team also aids people who are struggling with severe symptoms related to mental illness. Rather than relying solely on emergency departments or law enforcement, the team brings professional crisis support directly into the community—meeting people where they are, whether at home, at school or in other community settings. What the MCT does The MCT provides rapid assessment, crisis intervention, safety planning and short-term case management support. The goal is to help individuals stabilize in their own community while connecting them to appropriate ongoing care and resources. This approach reduces unnecessary emergency department visits and helps prevent out-of-area psychiatric hospitalizations whenever possible. A highly trained, integrated team The MCT is led by the mobile crisis manager and includes licensed behavioral health clinicians and mobile crisis technicians. Mobile crisis technicians play a vital role in crisis response and are also certified as emergency trauma technicians, allowing them to assist with immediate medical needs when necessary. This includes providing basic lifesaving interventions, such as first aid or CPR, while awaiting advanced life support from emergency medical services (EMS). This integrated behavioral health and medical response ensures a safer, more comprehensive approach to crisis care for both individuals and the community. Current availability and program growth The MCT is currently in a building and expansion phase. At this time, CPH operates one MCT, available for in-person responses Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Central Peninsula Hospital is committed to expanding mobile crisis services to meet the growing needs of the community. As staffing and resources increase, the goal is to extend availability to seven days a week with expanded hours, allowing even greater access to timely behavioral health crisis support across the peninsula. Strong community partnerships The MCT works closely with local law enforcement, EMS, schools, health care providers and community organizations to support coordinated, person-centered crisis response. Collaboration and communication are central to ensuring that individuals receive appropriate, respectful care during times of crisis. Commitment to quality and community care The CPH Mobile Crisis Team is committed to ongoing training, quality improvement and community outreach. Team members participate in continued education and collaborative training sessions to stay aligned with best practices in crisis intervention and behavioral health care. 4 Central Peninsula Hospital
By expanding crisis response services beyond hospital walls, CPH is strengthening access to behavioral health support and reinforcing its commitment to the health and well-being of the Kenai Peninsula community. How to access mobile crisis services Mobile crisis services are accessed by calling 911 or 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. When a call is placed, trained dispatchers provide immediate de-escalation and support by phone and assess the situation to determine the most appropriate response. If the MCT is needed and available, dispatch will alert the team to respond in person. This process helps ensure that the right level of care is delivered at the right time, while prioritizing safety and support. How to help someone cope with A PANIC ATTACK Find a quiet place to sit. This could be an empty room. Help the person control their breathing. Have them take slow breaths. Encourage them to seek treatment. Panic attacks can be caused by anxiety disorders or other medical conditions. Treatment can help. Be calm and supportive. Talk softly; let them know it will be OK. Sources: HelpGuide; National Council for Mental Wellbeing PULSE Spring 2026 5
As of July 2025, Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) is helping expand Alaska’s physician workforce by training doctors right here on the Kenai Peninsula. Through a partnership with the University of Washington School of Medicine, CPH serves as the primary training site for a rural internal medicine residency program focused on improving access to care and the long-term availability of doctors in Alaska communities. Firsthand experience Rather than relying only on recruiting physicians from outside, this program helps develop doctors who learn and practice medicine right here at CPH. Studies show that physicians are more likely to stay and practice in communities similar to where they train. The program helps build a steady pipeline of doctors who understand rural health care, our local patients and the value of community-based care. More access to care For patients, the benefits are clear. Resident physicians work side-by-side with experienced, board-certified doctors to care for patients both in and out of the hospital. At Central Peninsula Internal Medicine, many patients will see the Central Peninsula Internal Medicine 247 Fireweed St., Soldotna 907-714-5730 | pim.cpgh.org Residency program trains doctors locally same resident over time, supported closely by supervising physicians. This approach helps strengthen relationships, improves continuity of care and ensures that patients receive timely attention close to home, which is especially important as the Kenai Peninsula’s population continues to age. Dedicated leaders The program is guided by physicians who are deeply committed to rural medicine and teaching. Gail Pokorney, MD, FACP, Director of the University of Washington–Alaska Internal Medicine Rural Residency Program, dreamed of practicing medicine in rural Alaska as a medical student. She brings an appreciation for the hands-on care and the close teamwork that small communities make possible. She is joined by Megan RoosenRunge, MD, MPH, the Soldotna-based rural site director for the program. Dr. Roosen-Runge first came to the Kenai Peninsula as a visiting resident and quickly realized it was the kind of place she wanted to live and practice in long-term. She has a deep affinity for small-town medicine and the lasting relationships that form between patients and their physicians. Looking to the future Across the country, rural communities face growing shortages of doctors. Programs like this one help address that challenge by training physicians in the communities they may one day call home. CPH’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to caring for local patients today while helping build strong health care for our future. Gail Pokorney, MD, FACP Megan RoosenRunge, MD, MPH 6 Central Peninsula Hospital
Chronic pain—pain that lasts longer than three months—is more common than many people realize. In fact, about 1 in 5 American adults lives with it. Ongoing pain can affect your ability to work, sleep, stay active and fully enjoy time with family and friends. Traditional treatment for chronic pain often includes medications, exercise and physical therapy. Many patients also explore complementary approaches such as acupuncture, massage, yoga, tai chi, spinal manipulation or relaxation techniques. These therapies are designed to be used alongside medical treatment—not in place of it—and can provide relief when guided by your health care provider. For some people, however, pain persists. That’s where interventional pain management may help. Help here at home Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) partners with Jann Urban, MD, DABA, of Urban Pain Institute, to bring advanced pain care to the Kenai Peninsula. Dr. Urban is double board-certified in anesthesiology and pain management and completed fellowship training in interventional pain management. He has practiced in Alaska since 2004 and was among the first physicians in the state to introduce regional anesthesia and nerve blocks for advanced pain control. Through his Anchorage-based practice, he focuses on evidence-based, minimally invasive treatments designed to reduce disability and improve quality of life. How it works locally Patients first meet with Dr. Urban through a virtual consultation to review their symptoms, medical history and imaging. If an interventional procedure—such as a targeted injection or nerve block—is recommended, Dr. Urban travels to CPH to perform it. This partnership allows patients on the Kenai Peninsula to access specialized pain care without the burden of repeated trips to Anchorage. Interventional pain management may be appropriate for conditions such as chronic back or neck pain, joint pain, nerve-related pain, and certain headache disorders. The goal is not simply to mask pain, but to treat the source whenever possible—often helping patients avoid more invasive surgery. Ready for relief? If you are struggling with chronic pain, ask your primary care provider whether a referral to Dr. Urban may be appropriate for you. Working together—with your local care team and specialty expertise from Urban Pain Institute—you may find relief and a path back to the activities you love. Finding relief from chronic pain—close to home PULSE Spring 2026 7
Standard U.S. Postage PAID Walla Walla, WA Permit No. 44 Meet our new Behavioral Health director! She’s ready to fight mental illness, addiction and suicide. See page 3. Central Peninsula Hospital invites the community to the CPH Women & Babies Fair on Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., in the River Tower on the hospital campus at 240 Hospital Place in Soldotna. This popular annual event is designed for women of all ages and stages of life, Preventive screenings for women and men A variety of discounted screening labs will be available, including blood chemistry panels, thyroid (TSH), vitamins D2 and D3, hemoglobin A1C, and HCG pregnancy tests. These screenings provide a convenient and affordable way to check in on your health. New this year: Women are encouraged to bring the men in their lives as well. A prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test will be available, giving men an easy opportunity to complete an important prostate health screening. The Women & Babies Fair is a great chance to learn more about healthy living while enjoying a fun, supportive environment. Whether you’re looking for helpful health screenings, information from local vendors or simply a reason to spend the morning with friends, there will be something for everyone. Skip the long lines by registering for your lab tests at www.cpgh.org/ women-and-babies-fair, or call 907-714-4664 for more information. Grab your friends and join us for a morning dedicated to health, wellness and community! offering a welcoming space to focus on health, wellness and community connection. Attendees can take advantage of discounted lab tests, on-site walk-in mammograms, health and wellness information, beauty and retail vendors, and opportunities to win great prizes throughout the morning.
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