This year, the U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) is recognizing ANTHC Environmental Health and Engineering’s work to improve the health of Alaska Native people with four awards. The Newtok Relocation to Mertarvik Sustainable Planning Team received an Indian Health Services (IHS) Director’s Award, which recognizes efforts beyond regular duty requirements resulting in significant benefits to IHS programs, customers, or fulfillment of the IHS mission. The project is in the early stages of helping the community of Newtok ...

During the summer months, our Alaska Native people will spend more time on the water – whether it’s on boats or shores, fishing or for recreation. However, every year, water related accidents and fatalities affect our Native community. Facts about drowning Cold water immersion is the leading cause of drowning injuries and deaths. Even the strongest swimmers cannot fight the effects of Alaska’s cold rivers, lakes and oceans.On average, 17 Alaska Native people drown each year. About half of Alaska ...

This story also appears in the April – June issue of the Mukluk Telegraph available online. Since 2003, the Alaska Native Medical Center has been Alaska’s only Magnet®-recognized hospital, which acknowledges high quality patient care, nursing excellence and innovations in professional nursing practice. Our nurses display commitment and excellence through professional development and evidence-based practice at ANMC. In addition to their work and education, many of ANMC’s nurses participate in shared governance and the Magnet journey — ANMC is currently ...

On Tuesday, April 10, more than 60 ANTHC staff participated in a community-wide earthquake disaster response drill. The purpose of the drill was to practice disaster preparedness and response with other local hospitals, the Municipality of Anchorage and the State of Alaska Emergency Response office in preparation for future emergency events. ANTHC staff working at the ANMC hospital simulated their organizational response to a scenario that involved receiving a surge of mass casualty patients, including patients who have both minor ...

After traumatic injury sustained in a car accident near Fairbanks, Jaime Johnson traveled to Anchorage with his mother Hilda for specialty care the Alaska Native Medical Center Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Clinic. Read Part 1 of the Johnsons story here. Dr. Amalia Steinberg, of the ANMC ENT Clinic, wanted the Johnsons to stay in Anchorage for a follow-up appointment because of the difficulty of the surgery to repair the broken bone above Jaime’s eye. They were not expecting an ...

Several factors contribute to our overall mental health and well-being. The world is constantly changing, and it can feel overwhelming to adjust. In honor of May’s Mental Health Awareness Month, ANTHC will promote weekly activities to encourage healthy ways to navigate challenges in a changing world.   The activities will help us learn how modern life affects our mental health and understand the impacts; act by building our coping toolbox; practice how to nurture ourselves with regular check-ins and seeking support; ...