Bryan Meshke – Page 5 – Mat-Su Health Foundation

Author: Bryan Meshke

MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE; NEW MAT-SU SCHOLARS AWARD ANNOUNCED

Wasilla, AK — Mat-Su residents interested in pursuing education in health and wellness-related fields are invited to apply for Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) scholarships totaling more than $350,000. Individual awards may be as high as $20,000 to cover tuition, books, and required fees at accredited schools in Alaska and Outside. Applications are accepted online at www.healthymatsu.org, and the deadline to apply is February 24, 2017.

“Health care workers are in high demand, and the scholarship program helps us ‘grow our own’ in the Mat-Su,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “Of the 25 occupations expected to grow the most in Alaska, 18 are related to health care. There are critical needs that can only be met with a highly trained and educated workforce.”

Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarships help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness, including mental health and substance abuse. Scholarships are also available for pursuit of degrees in nonprofit management. Awards for traditional MSHF scholarships are based on each applicant’s stated career goal and financial need as demonstrated by the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The maximum amount awarded per student for these scholarships is $20,000. New for 2017 is the Mat-Su Scholars Award, which is also based on the applicant’s stated career goal, but not on financial need. Mat-Su Scholars Awards require an essay and interview as part of the online application process and may be for as much as $10,000 each for up to six applicants who meet specific criteria:
Current High School Students: The Annie Demming Scholarship is reserved for a promising student currently enrolled in high school and planning to attend college. Demming was a part-time nurse at Valley Hospital and later the head of its medical records department. She served in that role until her retirement in 1987.

Behavioral Health Major: The Vivian “Babe” Shaver Scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in behavioral health. Shaver was employed at Valley Hospital as an environmental services worker for many years.

Graduate-Level Applicants: The Ya Ne Dah Ah /K’tl’egh’i Sukdu Scholarship will be awarded to a graduate-level student. The Ya Ne Dah Ah /K’tl’egh’i Sukdu scholarship was created to honor Alaska Native traditions and culture in the Mat-Su. Ya Ne Dah Ah / K’tl’egh’i Sukdu loosely translates as “ancient stories/remaining stories of our people.” Ya Ne Dah Ah is Ahtna and K’tl’egh’i Sukdu is Dena’ina.

Hospital Administration: The George V. Larson, III Scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in hospital administration or non-profit management. Larson, former CEO of Valley Hospital Association, was known for his deep humility, care for employees, and servant leadership. He explored ways to finance a new hospital for Mat-Su. He cemented a capital partnership that enabled Mat-Su Regional Medical Center to be built, changing the landscape of health care in Mat-Su forever.

Physician Assistant: The Jessica Stevens Scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a physician assistant degree. Stevens was the CEO of Sunshine Clinic and worked tirelessly for 14 years to improve health care in the Upper Su. Her efforts transformed a single-provider clinic into a federally qualified community health center with a staff of 40 housed in a new, state-of-the-art facility.

Nursing: The Darlene Reed Scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing a degree in nursing. Reed was a long time public health nurse in Palmer and was instrumental in the early years of the Mat-Su Agency Partnership and many other community initiatives.

All MSHF scholarship applicants must be residents of the Mat-Su Borough, U.S. citizens, eligible for the Alaska Permanent Fund Dividend, and attending (or planning to attend) an accredited health care program at least half-time. 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/.

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RACHEL GREENBERG RECOGNIZED WITH BERT HALL AWARD

Wasilla, Alaska – Local resident Rachel Greenberg was recently recognized with the Mat-Su Health Foundation’s Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community. The “Bertie” is an annual recognition presented by the foundation to an individual who consistently exemplifies commitment to working at the systems level to improve the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.

“Rachel has been a leader, a collaborator, and an advocate over the last 25 years to improve access to services for older adults, not only in Mat-Su, but across Alaska,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation CEO Elizabeth Ripley. “She served as the deputy executive director and later the executive director of Mat-Su Senior Services, where she helped to grow a solid organization positioned to respond to the needs of older Alaskans.”

While working at Mat-Su Senior Services, Rachel led the organization to add housing, care coordination services, adult day care and multiple facilities. She also shared her expertise with the other senior centers in Mat-Su and collaborated with them to form the Mat-Su Council on Aging. In 2012, Rachel took up the charge laid out in the Mat-Su Health Foundation’s 2011 Regional Plan for the Delivery of Senior Services and began a yearlong advocacy effort to establish an Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) in Mat-Su. She has served on the Alaska Commission on Aging since 2012 and on AgeNet, Alaska’s advocacy group for older residents.

The Bert Hall Award is named in honor of Mat-Su resident Bert Hall, who helped put together the Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and has been a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Trustee. Bert has also served Alaska in many other capacities, including as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center board member, associate director of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, director of health and social services for the Municipality of Anchorage, and as the Alaska liaison to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Bert has been president of the Alaska Public Health Association, represented Alaska on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, and served on the Alaska Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

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BILL HOGAN HONORED WITH “BERTIE” AWARD

Wasilla, Alaska – William H. “Bill” Hogan was recently recognized with the Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community. The “Bertie” is an annual award presented by the Mat-Su Health Foundation to an individual who consistently exemplifies commitment to improving the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.

“Bill has been a mentor, a leader, a collaborator, and an advocate for improving access to quality care, particularly behavioral health care, for Mat-Su residents and all Alaskans,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation CEO Elizbeth Ripley. “He has never been satisfied with the status quo, with just the way things work, but instead has strived to change them, even if it involved bureaucracy, statutes, and regulations.”

Until his recent retirement, Bill served as the Dean of the College of Health at University of Alaska Anchorage. He spent over 35 years in the mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities and social work fields, with experience as a clinician, supervisor and administrator. Bill worked with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority as a senior fellow, and he was the commissioner, acting commissioner, and deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Prior to working with the State of Alaska, Bill was CEO of Life Quest (now called Mat-Su Health Services), a private, nonprofit community mental health center located in Wasilla. He also served as director of the Division of Behavioral Health, and he worked for community agencies in various capacities in New York, West Virginia, Virginia and Mississippi. Bill has served as chair of the Alaska Mental Health Board, board member of the Alaska Community Mental Health Services Association (now the Alaska Behavioral Health Association), Executive Director of the New York State chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and on the boards of the Mat-Su Health Foundation and Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science degree in Social Work from West Virginia University.

The Bert Hall Award is named in honor of Mat-Su resident Bert Hall, who helped put together the Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and currently serves as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Trustee. Bert has served Alaska in many capacities including as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center board member, associate director of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, director of health and social services for the Municipality of Anchorage, and as the Alaska liaison to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Bert also served as a president of the Alaska Public Health Association, represented Alaska on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, and served on the Alaska Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

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COMMUNITY INVITED TO WEIGH IN ON NEW MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION BUILDING

Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is developing plans for a new building, and it wants input from the community. The new facility will be located on a parcel of land at the corner of Bogard and Crusey in Wasilla, directly next to where the foundation currently has its offices in the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center outpatient facility.

“This project is about more than building office space,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley “It’s about building community and creating spaces that connect and unite people.”

The exact size and scope of the building will be determined through a discovery process that will include input from the public and key stakeholders. In addition to housing the MSHF staff, some ideas being considered for the new building include the following:

Meeting rooms for local residents and organizations.
Space for a Community Resource Center Network, where residents can seek support, information, and referral to local services.
Space for a Volunteer Hub where residents of all ages can get information on how to share their gifts with community organizations.
Creation of a “philanthropy hub” that may include space for non-profit organizations.

Community engagement meetings, open to the general public, will be held throughout the Valley during the week of October 3, 2016. All meetings are family-friendly and will feature refreshments and door prizes. Meeting dates and times are as follows:

Monday, October 3 6 – 8 pm Palmer Palmer Public Library
Tuesday, October 4 6 – 8 pm Willow United Methodist Church
Wednesday, October 5 6 – 8 pm Talkeetna Talkeetna Public Library
Thursday, October 6 6 – 8 pm Wasilla Menard Center
Friday, October 7 6 – 8 pm Sutton Sutton Public Library

The Mat-Su Health Foundation, which is part owner of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, negotiated with the hospital to secure full title to the land where the building will be constructed, thus freeing up the offices that the MSHF currently occupies to be used as medical/clinical space. Architects Alaska has been retained to provide design services for the new building. Groundbreaking is expected in Spring 2017.

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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/.

SCHOLARSHIPS TO $20,000 NOW AVAILABLE: PROGRAM EXPANDED TO INCLUDE COST OF ATTENDANCE

Wasilla, AK — Mat-Su residents interested in pursuing education in health, wellness and nonprofit management are invited to apply for Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) scholarships beginning January 1, 2018. Individual awards may be as high as $20,000 for students pursuing degrees at accredited universities. In 2017, more than $770,000 was awarded to local students.

“Our scholarship program is continually evolving to better meet the workforce needs of the community,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation CEO Elizabeth Ripley. “Because many students need help with more than just tuition, books and fees, in 2018 we will begin offering scholarships that can be used towards the full cost of attendance, including necessary living expenses.”

Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarships help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness, including mental health and substance abuse, and in nonprofit management. Awards for traditional MSHF scholarships are based on each applicant’s stated career goal and financial need. The maximum amount awarded per student for these scholarships is $20,000. Applicants must complete an online application at www.healthymatsu.org no later than February 23, 2018. In addition, all interested students must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.ed.gov.

New in 2017 was the Mat-Su Scholars Award, which is also based on the applicant’s stated career goal, but not on financial need. Mat-Su Scholars Awards require an essay and interview as part of the online application process and may be for as much as $10,000 each for up to six applicants who meet specific criteria:

GRANT DEADLINES EXTENDED

Wasilla, AK— The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is extending the project pitch deadline for its Healthy Impact and Discovery Grant programs to noon on Tuesday, June 20. The previous deadline was June 10.

Healthy Impact grants fund projects over $15,000 that improve the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough. Discovery Grants fund projects over $15,000 that address findings and/or recommendations found in specific MSHF-sponsored research. This cycle of Discovery grants invites proposals related to the following MSHF reports: the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment, the 2016 Mat-Su Senior Services Environmental Scan, and Report 3 of the Behavioral Health Environmental Scan, “Keeping our Children Well-Cared-For and Safe.”

MSHF uses a two-part application process for Healthy Impact and Discovery grants. The first phase of the process is the Project Pitch. 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 invites forward to full application the projects that most closely align with its mission and focus areas.

Prospective grantees must provide services or benefits to Mat-Su residents. Applicants are encouraged to visit the foundation’s website at www.healthymatsu.org to learn more about the grant process, what the foundation funds and does not fund, and to review its searchable grants database to see the types of projects that have been awarded in the past. The reports which are relevant to the Discovery Grant program may also be found on this website.

While Healthy Impact and Discovery grant requests must be in excess of $15,000, smaller grant requests are considered year round under the foundation’s Target Wellness grant program. As with Healthy Impact grants, Target Wellness grants may be applied for online at www.healthymatsu.org.

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HERMAN THOMPSON HONORED WITH “BERTIE” AWARD

Wasilla, Alaska – Talkeetna resident Herman Thompson was recently recognized with the Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community. The “Bertie” is an annual award presented by the Mat-Su Health Foundation to an individual who consistently exemplifies commitment to improving the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.

“Herman is a convener. He sees the strengths and assets of his community, and brings people together to solve community issues,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “Beyond solving problems, Herman helps people see opportunities and ways to enhance the community.”

Herman has long been a leader in the Borough’s Senior Services systems, including the Regional Senior Services Oversight Committee. He sits on the board of Upper Susitna Seniors, Inc. (USSI), where he and his colleagues on the USSI board have found a host of ways to serve seniors. For example, USSI partners with eleven local restaurants to provide meals on wheels by buying meals from local businesses and delivering them to seniors in their homes. In addition, Herman and his team negotiated a range of discounts from local vendors for USSI members. He also works with Sunshine Transit Advisory Board and sits on the Mat-Su Borough’s Health and Human Services Board.

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About MSHF: 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 asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

KALYTIAK JOINS MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION STAFF

Wasilla, Alaska –The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Tracy Kalytiak in the role of program associate. Tracy supports the foundation’s program team in implementing grant programs and other strategies to further the organization’s mission to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. Her responsibilities include assisting in day to day implementation of grant programs; educating grantees and prospective grantees about MSHF grant program objectives and criteria; and preparing grant reports.

Tracy previously worked as a writer for the University of Alaska Anchorage in its Office of University Advancement. She has also worked as a writer and editor at magazines including Alaska Magazine, Alaska Contractor, and Alaska Business Monthly, and at the Frontiersman newspaper. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Central Arkansas and has taken courses at the University of Alaska Anchorage with the goal of earning a Master of Public Health degree.

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About MSHF: 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 asset through board oversight. The MSHF keeps its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits in the community by investing into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

KEITH KEHOE AND LEBRON MCPHAIL ELECTED TO THE MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Wasilla, Alaska— The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Keith Kehoe and Lebron McPhail to its board of directors. Board members serve three year terms, and each term may be renewed for two additional three year terms. Some of the nominee qualifying factors used in the board selection process include geographic representation, business experience, employee representation, community service, organization interest, health care background, and legal or financial knowledge and experience.

Keith Kehoe has been a physician assistant in the Upper Mat-Su for almost 20 years. He began working at Sunshine Community Health Center in 1997, providing acute, chronic and preventative medical care. Prior to his employment at Sunshine, Keith worked as a physician assistant in several other Alaska communities, as well as overseas. His previous board experience includes eight years with the Alaska Primary Care Association from 1998-2005, the Jessica Stevens Foundation since its inception in 2007, and with Talkeetna’s local community radio station, KTNA. He also serves as vice president with the Parent Teach Student Association at Susitna Valley Junior/Senior High School. Keith earned his physician assistant certification from the University of Washington, a master of arts degree from Lesley College, and a bachelor of science degree from Illinois Benedictine College. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Lebron McPhail worked full-time for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) from 1984 to 2013. During his 29-year career, he served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and executive director of instruction with an enrollment approaching 18,000 students. Since his retirement in 2013, Lebron has worked for the MSBSD part-time overseeing students who are on long term suspensions. The focus is to help students recover credits that would have otherwise been lost, and provide leadership and structure for them to be successful in life and within their respective communities. He also serves as a commissioner for Serve Alaska which engages Alaskans of all ages and background in community based service and volunteerism through the AmeriCorps Program. Over the years, Lebron has also volunteered his time within the community serving on a number of non-profit organizations, like the Alaska Family Services Board. He has also been involved in the Community Justice Coalition and the Mat-Su Judo Club, where he served as president for five years. Over the past 30 years, Lebron has coached from the little league level up to the high school ranks in football, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and track and field. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Eastern New Mexico University and a master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy.

In addition to selecting Kehoe and McPhail as new board members, the MSHF Board of Directors chose officers for 2016/17. Scott Johannes was elected as the board’s chair, Mary Olson as vice chair, and Ken Kincaid was reelected as secretary/treasurer.

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