Category: Press Release

  • NEW REPORT IDENTIFIES FACTORS AFFECTING HEALTH OF MAT-SU RESIDENTS

    Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has published the findings of its 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The report, “Health is Where We Live, Learn, Work and Play,” identified the top factors that affect the health of local residents: transportation; social connection and support; income; education and information; and, housing.

    “This Community Health Needs Assessment was specifically designed to frame health status in the context of how where we live, learn, work and play affects our health,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “One of the things that we know is that you can map the health of a population by zip code. In other words, where you live is one of the greatest determinants of your health. It impacts the decisions you make about your own personal health. This knowledge can help guide the development and implementation of strategies to create a healthier community.”

    The assessment included the voices of more than 1,100 Mat-Su residents from all walks of life and from throughout Mat-Su’s vast geography. Information from focus groups, stakeholder group interviews, surveys, and interviews were combined with data from numerous qualitative and quantitative sources to complete the report. Examples of how where we live, learn, work and play impacts our health include whether we have access to medical care (transportation) and can afford to pay for it (income), whether we feel safe (housing), our access to education, including early childhood education, whether we have knowledge of resources available to us (information), and whether we experience a strong sense of community (social connection and support).

    The next step is for the foundation to work with its partner, Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, to draft an implementation plan based on the four goals identified by the assessment:

    1. Transportation: All Mat-Su residents have transportation to work, healthcare appointments, school and community activities, and other opportunities that affect the quality of their lives.
    2. Social connection and support: Mat-Su is a community where all residents feel supported by and connected to family, friends, neighbors, and the broader community.
    3. Income and housing: Mat-Su has economic opportunities that allow residents to have a level of income that supports a healthy lifestyle and provides for safe and affordable housing.
    4. Education and information: Mat-Su is a community that supports education for residents and provides full access to information needed to promote health, wellness, and quality of life.

    The full 158-page 2016 Mat-Su Community Health Needs Assessment is available at www.heathymatsu.org. Contributors to the project included Alaska Mental Health Trust, CCS Early Learning, Chickaloon Village, Identity Alaska, Knik Tribal Council, Mat-Su Health Services, Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, Sunshine Community Health Center. The project was led by Dr. Melissa Kemberling of the Mat-Su Health Foundation with assistance from Strategy Solutions, Inc.

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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 assets 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/.

     

  • PRUNELLA JOINS R.O.C.K. MAT-SU TEAM

    Wasilla, Alaska –The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Lindsay Prunella as program coordinator for R.O.C.K. (Raising Our Children with Kindness). R.O.C.K. Mat-Su is a collaborative of community members – individuals and organizations – joining together to promote family resilience and reduce child maltreatment.

    Lindsay is helping advance the mission of R.O.C.K. Mat-Su by supporting day-to-day communication and administration, community engagement, and funding development. R.O.C.K. Mat-Su is a cross-sector collaborative working to promote family resilience and reduce child maltreatment in the Mat-Su Borough.

    Lindsay was previously the director of a coalition created to help youth make healthy choices, and as a prevention specialist in Michigan. She also worked for Alaska Community Island Services as a prevention specialist focused on reducing adult heavy and binge drinking and youth alcohol consumption. Lindsay holds a Master of Social Work degree from Loyola University with concentrations in alcohol and drug counseling and school social work. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Michigan State University in interdisciplinary studies.

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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/.

  • 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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    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/.

  • ROMANO JOINS MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION STAFF AS BUILDING SUPERINTENDENT

    Wasilla, Alaska –The Mat-Su Health Foundation recently welcomed Andrew Romano in the role of building superintendent. Romano is responsible for management of the 46,000 square foot multi-tenant facility currently being built by the Mat-Su Health Foundation in Wasilla. In addition to overseeing the day-to-day management and maintenance of the building, Romano is responsible for establishing building policies and procedures and managing the safety and security of the facility and its tenants. He will also prepare, execute and administer tenant leas.

    Romano is a veteran of the United States Air Force who brings a wealth of knowledge in facilities operations and management to the Mat-Su Health Foundation. He also has extensive experience with local nonprofit organizations including Wolverine Academy, North American Outdoor Institute, Beacon Hill and Alaska Youth and Family Network, and he and his wife have served as foster parents in the Mat-Su.

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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/.

     

  • 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:

  • Current High School Students: The Annie Demming Scholarship
    • Behavioral Health Major: The Vivian “Babe” Shaver Scholarship
    • Graduate-Level Applicants: The Ya Ne Dah Ah /K’tl’egh’i Sukdu Scholarship
    • Hospital Administration and Nonprofit Management: The George V. Larson, III Scholarship
    • Physician Assistant: The Jessica Stevens Scholarship
    • Nursing: The Darlene Reed Scholarship

    • 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 are available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

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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/.

     

  • APPLICATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

    Wasilla, AK— Annually the Mat-Su Health Foundation awards thousands of dollars in scholarships to local students pursuing degrees in health and wellness. Mat-Su residents interested in becoming doctors, nurses, psychologists, substance abuse counselors, or other health-related professionals are invited to apply for the scholarships at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    In 2015, the MSHF awarded almost $300,000 to 75 members of the Mat-Su community to help build the Mat-Su’s health care workforce of the future. Two types of scholarship are offered, Academic and Vocational:

  • Academic scholarships help defray the cost of higher education in degree programs that emphasize health or wellness, including mental health and substance abuse. The application period for academic scholarships is open until 4 pm AKST on Friday, March 25, 2016.

  • Vocational scholarships assist residents with the cost of training in, or certifications for, jobs in a health and/or social/human services field. Applications for vocational scholarships are accepted year-round.

    • Applicants for Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarships need to live in the Mat-Su, but they don’t have to go to college in Alaska to qualify – they just need to be committed to serving our community by returning home when they graduate. 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/.

  • LOCAL NONPROFITS AWARDED $1.75 MILLION BY MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION

    Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation board of directors recently approved the awarding of $1,752,000 to eight organizations working to improve the health of Mat-Su residents. The funds will go to the Alaska Youth and Family Network; CCS Early Learning, the City of Wasilla Library; MYHouse; Onward and Upward, Inc.; Sunshine Community Health Center; the University of Alaska Anchorage Mat-Su College; and, Wasilla Area Seniors (WASI). The awards were part of the Foundation’s Healthy Impact grant program, and the grants are earmarked for the following projects:

    • The Alaska Youth and Family Network (AYFN) Mat-Su office was awarded $375,000 over two years to provide convening space and additional staff to scale the number of families and children the organization assists in the Mat-Su. AYFN identifies, serves and stabilizes families of children and youth experiencing behavioral health challenges. Engaging these families increases the likelihood of preserving or reuniting, builds resiliency, and promotes recovery.
    • The City of Wasilla Public Library received a grant for $25,000 to purchase health-related materials for the new library currently under construction.
    • CCS Early Learning was awarded $50,000 for its Road to Resilience project to provide training to staff and families about the impact of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), peer support, and mental health counseling.
    • MYHouse received a grant of $75,000 to help fund a street outreach coordinator, data coordinator, and outreach program support for this organization, which works with homeless youth and young adults to help them become contributing, self-supporting members of the community.
    • Onward and Upward, Inc. was awarded $347,500 over three years to build program capacity for its strength-based curriculum designed to support positive development and academic enrichment for at-risk youth in the Mat-Su.
    • Sunshine Community Health Center received a grant of $168,840 to supplement a total project cost of $409,474 to establish two new positions: An LCSW (Licensed Clinical Social Worker) and a Behavioral Health Nurse Case Manager. These new positions would be added to the existing workforce to further expand and integrate behavioral health services into the existing primary care programs at its locations in Willow and Talkeetna.
    • The University of Alaska Anchorage Mat-Su Campus received a grant of $195,864 to expand a pilot project for the delivery of mental health care services to students through a contract with Mat-Su Health Services. Additionally, the grant will support implementation of a healthy lifestyle education program for students and will provide professional development opportunities for faculty and staff.
    • Wasilla Area Seniors (WASI) was awarded $500,000 through a PRI (Program Related Investment) to purchase land adjacent to its campus in Wasilla. WASI provides a variety of programs and services to seniors residing in the Mat-Su and the land it is purchasing allow it to supplement those services as the Valley’s senior population grows.

    The Foundation will announce the recipients of its next round of Healthy Impact grants in the Spring of 2016.

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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/.

     

  • LOCAL RESIDENTS INIVITED TO SHARE THEIR VIEWS ON HEALTH IN THE VALLEY

    Wasilla, AK— Is Mat-Su Healthy? How can we make it the healthiest place in the country? The general public is invited to help answer these questions at a series of meetings scheduled in April.

    Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has been working in association with other organizations to conduct a Community Health Assessment to 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 has already been completed. In addition, health data from a variety of sources has been compiled and analyzed. The next step is to share information collected so far and get direct input from local residents.

    The public meetings are scheduled as follows:

    Monday, April 1, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Upper Susitna Senior Center
    Wednesday, April 3, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Palmer High School
    Thursday, April 4, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Houston High School
    Monday, April 8, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Wasilla High School
    Wednesday, April 10, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Sutton Library
    Thursday, April 11, 2013 6 – 8 p.m. Willow Community Center

    Mat-Su Health Foundation is providing free child care and refreshments at every meeting. All attendees will be eligible to receive a free pool, ice rink or health club pass as well.

    “The community health assessment is a dynamic process to gather and share health-related information across the entire community,” said Elizabeth Ripley, Executive Director, Mat-Su Health Foundation. “One of the major outcomes of the public meetings will be a priority list of the top five health issues the community thinks are most important. We will use this information to inform our giving and strategic initiative plans.”

    Other outcomes of the community health assessment will be the creation of a “health scorecard” to assess community health on an ongoing basis, and the creation of a data repository on the MSHF website to give grant writers, local media, planners, leaders and the general public an easy to use source for health related data.

    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.

    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.

  • LOCAL STUDENTS INVITED TO APPLY FOR MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIPS

    Wasilla, AK— Each year Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) awards scholarships to residents of the Mat-Su Borough who are interested in pursuing health-related careers. The application period for 2013 opened on Monday, Feb. 4 and continues through 4 p.m. on Monday, March 18, 2013. Applications are accepted online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

    The goal of MSHF’s scholarship program is to make investments in the education of Mat-Su residents to help build the healthcare workforce of the future and an engaged citizenship with a higher capacity to address the health-related challenges impacting Mat-Su and Alaska. MSHF scholarships are intended to help defray the cost of higher education and encourage Mat-Su residents to complete a degree or certificate program that emphasizes health and/or wellness. The number of scholarships given each year and the amount of each award varies; it is expected that $250,000 will be awarded in this round of scholarships.

    MSHF Scholarship eligibility requirements include the following:

    • United States citizenship
    • Mat-Su Borough residency for minimum of one year (current to application)
    • Eligible for an Alaska Permanent Dividend Fund
    • Minimum half-time student status at accredited college, university, or medical training program
    • Cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for returning awardees only; no minimum GPA for first time applicants; [Note: a GPA criterion only applies to an applicant who has received a scholarship in the past from MSHF. Until the applicant wins an award, the no GPA standard will be used.
    • Successful completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) available at www.fafsa.ed.gov
    • Demonstrated interest in the healthcare field through an essay 250 words or less in the MSHF Scholarship Application
    • Selection of a healthcare career choice that matches the healthcare workforce needs of providers in the Mat-Su Borough
    • Attestation of tobacco and illicit drug free status and commitment to healthy living.

    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.