Author: Bryan Meshke

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION BOARD ANNOUNCES NEW MEMBERS

    Wasilla, Alaska—Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently added three new members to its board of directors. Dr. Mary Loeb, Benjamin Olmedo and Margaret “Marg” Volz began their board service in June. MSHF board members serve three-year terms, and each term may be renewed for up to two additional terms.

    “Each new board member brings unique experiences and perspectives to the board,” said Linda Conover, MSHF board chair. “Mary, Ben and Marg join a board that is united in its commitment to improving health for Alaskans living in the Mat-Su, and we’re excited about the skills they bring.”

    Dr. Mary Loeb worked at Sunshine Community Health Center in Talkeetna from 2003-2013. She was a board member of the Alaska Primary Care Association from 2006-2012 and was a founding member and chairperson of Sunshine Station Child Care Center from 2004-2008. Dr. Loeb also served as a U.S. Naval officer, a staff physician, and an assistant professor of family medicine. Following graduation with a doctor of medicine degree from Wake Forrest University School of Medicine in Winston-Salem, N.C., Dr. Loeb completed a family practice residency at Naval Air Station Jacksonville in Florida. She earned master of public health and bachelor of science degrees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

    Benjamin Olmedo is a primary care physician assistant with Southcentral Foundation. He serves patients at the Chickaloon Village Health Clinic in Chickaloon and the Valley Native Primary Care Center in Wasilla. Olmedo is a decorated veteran of the U.S. Army, where he attained the rank of captain and served in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was awarded the Bronze Star and Naval Commendation Medal for contributions made during operations in Afghanistan. Olmedo graduated from Yale School of Medicine’s physician associate program in 2011with a master of medical science degree, and he earned a bachelor’s degree at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo.

    Marg Volz is a pediatric nurse practitioner who has been with Alaska CARES since 2006. Alaska CARES is a children’s advocacy center that provides sexual and physical abuse evaluations for children, newborn to age 18 years, and 24-hour on-call services for emergent cases. Volz has long been an advocate for our youngest individuals who need help. She was executive director/pediatric nurse practitioner/co-founder at The Children’s Place in Wasilla from 1999-2006. She has also worked at Matanuska Health Care Association, Mat-Su Borough School District, Valley Hospital, and St. Paul Children’s Hospital/Clinic in Minnesota. Volz graduated with an undergrad nursing degree from the College of St. Benedict in Minnesota and a master’s degree in nursing from the University of Washington in Seattle.

    In addition to selecting the three new board members, the MSHF Board of Directors elected officers for 2013/14. Linda Conover was re-elected as the board’s chair, Scott Johannes was re-elected as vice chair, and Andy Reimer was elected to a third term as secretary/treasurer.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION OPENS HEALTHY IMPACT GRANT PERIOD

    Wasilla, AK— Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is seeking applications from eligible organizations for its Healthy Impact grant program, which twice annually awards grants over $15,000 to fund programs that improve the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough.

    The application deadlines for the current Healthy Impact grant cycle are as follows:

    Project Pitch: April 22, 2013 – May 30, 2013

    Full Application: June 14, 2013 – August 1, 2013

    MSHF uses a two-part application process for Healthy Impact grants. The first phase of the process is the Project Pitch phase. The Project Pitch is completed online at www.healthymatsu.org/ and includes information about the organization that is applying and a description of the proposed project. The Foundation reviews all pitches and then invites projects that most closely align with the Foundation’s criteria to move forward to the full application phase.

    Potential grant applicants are encouraged to review the “Who and What We Fund” section of the Foundation’s website for information on the grant process and guidelines. MSHF supports organizations and activities that empower people; employ creative responses to problems; address root causes rather than symptoms; build upon community strengths; and offer measurable improvements in health and wellness. MSHF is particularly interested in supporting organizations that:

    • Expand access to health and wellness care, especially for people from low-income and otherwise disadvantaged communities.
    • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in the targeting and delivery of services to reduce health disparities.
    • Foster communication, cooperation, and coordination among service providers.
    • Build programs and services that are sustainable.
    • Have a strong and engaged board, staff and/or volunteer leadership.
    • Have a board of directors reflecting Mat-Su representation.

    Although Healthy Impact grant requests must be in excess of $15,000, smaller grant amounts are considered continuously under the Foundation’s Target Wellness grant program. As with Healthy Impact grants, Target Wellness grants must be applied for online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org.

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE; PROGRAM EXPANDED TO INCLUDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING

    MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE; PROGRAM EXPANDED TO INCLUDE VOCATIONAL TRAINING

    Wasilla, AK—Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is seeking applications from Mat-Su residents interested in scholarships to pursue health-related careers. The 2014 application period continues through 4 pm on Friday, March 28, 2014 for academic scholarships. Applications for vocational scholarship will be accepted year-round.

    MSHF’s scholarship program makes investments in the education of local residents to help build the healthcare workforce of the future. In years past scholarships were offered to students who were completing a degree program emphasizing health or wellness. For 2014 the program has been expanded to include health- and wellness-related vocational scholarships as well.

    “We broadened the scope of our scholarship program to help local residents pursue a greater range of health occupations for which there is critical need for skilled workers in the Mat-Su,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “Our board of directors recognized that while helping local degree-seeking students is important, so is assisting individuals seeking health-related vocational training and certifications.”

    The new vocational scholarships are designed to assist students with the cost of training in, or certifications for, jobs in a health and/or social/human services field. Examples of training that may be considered for the new vocational scholarships includes, but is not limited to, medical office professions, such as insurance coding and billing; medical assistant; addictions counseling; certified nurse assistant (CNA) certification; phlebotomy technician; and paramedic training.

    Academic scholarships will continue to be available to help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness.

    The number of scholarships given each year and the amount of each award varies. In 2013, 67 scholarships totaling $250,000 were awarded to Mat-Su residents.

    Complete eligibility requirements and the online application are available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SEEKS GRANT APPLICATIONS

    Wasilla, AK— Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is seeking applications from eligible non-profit organizations for its Healthy Impact grant program, which twice annually awards grants over $15,000 to fund programs that improve the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough. The application period for the current cycle of Healthy Impact grants is as follows:

    Project Pitch: December 2, 2013 until 4 pm on January 10, 2014
    Full Application: January 20, 2014 until 4 pm on February 28, 2014

    MSHF uses a two-part application process for Healthy Impact grants. The first phase of the process is the Project Pitch phase. The Project Pitch is completed online at www.healthymatsu.org/ and includes information about the organization that is applying and a description of the proposed project. The Foundation reviews all pitches and then invites projects that most closely align with the Foundation’s funding goals to move forward to the full application phase.

    Potential applicants are encouraged to review the “Grant Guidelines” section of the Foundation’s website for information on the grant process. MSHF supports organizations and activities that empower people; employ creative responses to problems; address root causes rather than symptoms; build upon community strengths; and offer measurable improvements in health and wellness. MSHF is particularly interested in supporting organizations that:

  • Expand access to health and wellness care, especially for people from low-income and otherwise disadvantaged communities.
    • Demonstrate a commitment to diversity and inclusiveness in the targeting and delivery of services to reduce health disparities.
    • Foster communication, cooperation, and coordination among service providers.
    • Build programs and services that are sustainable.
    • Have a strong and engaged board, staff and/or volunteer leadership.
    • Have a board of directors reflecting Mat-Su representation.

    • Although Healthy Impact grant requests must be in excess of $15,000, smaller grant amounts are considered continuously under the Foundation’s Target Wellness grant program. As with Healthy Impact grants, Target Wellness grants are applied for online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SUPPORTS PROPOSED MAT-SU BOROUGH ALCOHOL TAX

    Wasilla, Alaska — On July 16, 2013 the Mat-Su Borough Assembly passed an ordinance that will give local voters the opportunity to vote on whether an area-wide alcoholic beverage sales tax should be implemented. The ordinance was introduced by Assembly Member Steve Colligan to diversify the revenue stream for the Borough, which currently relies primarily on property taxes for its operating funds. Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) supports the proposed tax because it would reduce the economic burden of alcohol abuse in our community while simultaneously helping to improve the health of Mat-Su.

    “Alcohol dependence and abuse dramatically affect individuals, families, and the community as a whole,” said Elizabeth Ripley, MSHF Executive Director. “Research shows that excessive use of alcohol contributes to a wide range of health and social issues, including unintentional injuries, illnesses, violence, and lost productivity. However, there is evidence that alcoholic beverage taxes lead to reduced consumption, and we believe this tax will be beneficial to the health of our community.”

    Qualified voters will be asked to decide whether the proposed tax should be implemented at the regular borough election on October 1, 2013.

    MSHF prepared this White Paper on the proposed tax.

    About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNOUNCES NEW CHAIR AND NEW MEMBER

    Wasilla, AK—The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently added three new members to its 14-member board of directors. Ken Kincaid, Mary Olson and Randy Westbrook were elected to three-year terms as board members. In addition, Linda Conover was elected as the board’s chair. Scott Johannes is the new vice chair, and Andy Reimer was elected to a second term as secretary/treasurer.

    Conover brings a wealth of experience to her new role as chair. She is currently serving her second term with the board. “I’m proud of the difference the Mat-Su Health Foundation has made in the Valley,” said Conover. “In addition to the work we do with grants and scholarships, we also help govern Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, helping to ensure that its charity care and public education programs meet the community’s needs.” She looks forward to using her board experience and strong business background in her new role as board chair.

    Conover has worked as a teacher, licensed insurance agent, office manager and school administrative secretary. She previously owned an educational consulting company and is currently owner/designer of a local web design business. She also volunteers in two local schools. Conover has a Master’s Degree in education from the University of Alaska, Anchorage and a Bachelor’s Degree in the same field from Western Washington University.

    Ken Kincaid has an extensive business background, having spent many years owning a successful commercial real estate appraisal company. He completed some of the most complex appraisal assignments in Alaska; the diversity of these projects helped hone Kincaid’s skill of getting up to speed on new industries quickly. Kincaid has also served on numerous boards and commissions including the Northgate Alaska Elder Board, the Mat-Su Borough Board of Equalization, the Alaska Board of Real Estate Appraisers and the board of Matanuska Susitna Christian School. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in economics at California State University, Chico. Kincaid was born in Homer and has lived in Palmer for most of his life.

    Mary Olson served as a Mat-Su Health Foundation board member from 2005-2011 and is happy to be involved again in this role. Olson worked for the Mat-Su Borough School District as a physical therapist until her retirement from the district in 2004. She currently provides physical therapy services in rural schools in Alaska and intermittent physical therapy services in the pediatric physical therapy department at Alaska Native Medical Center. Olson has been involved in the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA), its Alaska Chapter, and the Pediatric Section of the APTA and has served in several elected positions and on committees. She has a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Kansas, a Master of Science degree in rehabilitation medicine from the University of Washington, and a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy from the University of Kansas.

    Randy Westbrook is an attorney with his own practice in Wasilla with an emphasis in real estate and business law. Westbrook previously served on the Valley Hospital board of directors. He has also served on other Mat-Su non-profit boards, including 10 years with Victory Ministries and on the original board of directors for Heartreach Center. Randy has been very active in the Wasilla Rotary club. He served as president twice, district secretary twice, and executive assistant district governor. Westbrook has a Juris Doctorate degree from Seattle University School of Law and a Bachelor’s Degree from Rockford College. The Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available on this websiteat matsuhealthfoundation.org.

     

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW EMPLOYEE – ROBIN MINARD

    Wasilla, AK—The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Robin Minard to its team as director of public affairs. Robin has 20+ years of relevant professional experience and has developed and implemented communications strategies for organizations large and small in the Valley, Anchorage, and the Lower 48. She holds a master’s degree in strategic communications from Seton Hall University and a bachelor’s degree in communications from Trinity Washington University.

    In this newly created position at MSHF, Robin will help to advance the mission of the foundation through strategic communications and advocacy. Whether disseminating specific health-related information to help Mat-Su residents improve the health of their families or streamlining access to local health data for Mat-Su nonprofits, Robin’s expertise will provide yet another method of creating a healthy community. Her work will support the Foundation’s strategic goals, which include reducing barriers to healthcare access, making progress on Healthy Alaska 2010 goals in the Mat-Su Borough, increasing the capacity of nonprofits operating in the Borough to address the issues of health and wellness, and increasing collaborative relations with funders and stakeholders in Alaska and other states.

    “Robin’s proven track record in public relations, advertising and marketing will be a real asset to the Foundation as we continue to grow in our mission to serve the Mat-Su Valley and to help it become the healthiest borough in Alaska, and, ultimately, the nation,” said Elizabeth Ripley, executive director of MSHF. “We are happy to have found someone of Robin’s experience and education to assist us in achieving our goals.”

    In addition to crafting the Foundation’s strategic external communications plan, Robin will work on internal and board communications, branding, government relations and community engagement. She will also work with the Foundation team to support the organization’s current effort to conduct a Community Health Assessment that will assist in measuring the health status of Mat-Su residents over time. The Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at matsuhealthfoundation.org.

  • LOCAL BUSINESSES ASKED TO PARTICIPATE IN HEALTH SURVEY

    Wasilla, AK—The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) and other partners are conducting a Community Health Assessment that will identify the major health needs of Mat-Su residents and work with the community to prioritize and address those needs. One phase of the assessment is a workplace survey that is currently underway. Employers in the Mat-Su Borough are invited to complete this survey online at www.matsuhealthfoundation.org.

    The survey takes about ten minutes to complete. It is designed to be filled out by just one person from each workplace; individual residents will be surveyed separately in August.

    The survey is being fielded by McDowell Group, an Alaska research and consulting firm. The Mat-Su Community Health Assessment is sponsored by the following funding organizations: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority; BP Alaska; Denali Commission; Mat-Su Agency Partnership; Mat-Su Borough; Mat-Su Coalition of Senior Centers; Mat-Su Community Health Centers; Mat-Su Health Foundation; Mat-Su Public Health/State of AK DHSS; Providence Health Systems; Rasmuson Foundation; Southcentral Foundation; and, United Way of Mat-Su.

    The Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at matsuhealthfoundation.org.

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW EMPLOYEE – MELISSA KEMBERLING

    Wasilla, AK—The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Melissa Kemberling to the foundation team. Melissa holds a Ph.D. in sociology from Tulane University and a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University. She spent the last six years serving as the lead epidemiologist for the Alaska Tribal Health Consortium. In this capacity, she worked with a team of epidemiologists to map the regional health status of Alaska Natives.

    In this newly created position at MSHF, Melissa will help to map the health status of Mat-Su residents, work with the board of directors to determine where an investment of MSHF resources would significantly improve health, and build evaluation into all of the grant programs and initiatives offered by MSHF. Through her expertise and analysis, MSHF will determine whether it is succeeding in reaching its goals and having the kind of impact the board envisions. Besides building an evaluation framework into the foundation’s work, she will help to create a data repository to store and access this data for public use, a theory of change for the foundation, and a strategy map to achieve a healthier community.

    Elizabeth Ripley, Executive Director of MSHF, explains, “Melissa brings a unique combination of skills to the mission of the foundation. She marries a public health science background with the social and human systems expertise to help us benchmark and measure population health and also work with community members on the human side to devise ways to improve health that we can carry through to real change. To our knowledge, there has never been an epidemiologist that has just focused on the Mat-Su Borough population. So she is a real gift to this community, and we’re thrilled to have her join our team.”

    Initially, Melissa will oversee a contract with the McDowell Group to conduct the first phase of a Community Health Assessment. This phase will determine which indicators best measure the health status of Mat-Su residents over time, include an analysis of all the secondary data available from many different sources, and begin to paint a picture of the health status of Mat-Su residents and the areas the community might focus on to improve the health of all its citizens. Melissa will work with a group of stakeholders and funders of the project that include the Mat-Su Borough, State of AK, Southcentral Foundation, Providence Hospital, Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, the Alaska Mental Health Trust, Denali Commission, Rasmuson Foundation, United Way of Mat-Su, Mat-Su Health Services, the Coalition of Mat-Su Senior Centers and others. The Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su.