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Quyanaasinaq for your support of our vision to create the best quality of care for all people on Kodiak Island. Guided by courtesy, respect, pride, caring, sharing, and our Native Sugpiaq Alutiiq values, KANA strives to elevate the quality of life for all we serve through the provision of excellent health and social services throughout the Koniag Region.
As an important partner in our community's health, we hope you find this information useful and relevant, and will share our progress and achievements with others in your community. Please reply to this email with any questions or comments; we appreciate your input and look forward to hearing from you.
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This Week's News & Updates Include:
- Port Lions Volunteer Firefighter Training Boosts Community Safety
- The Importance of Keeping Your Appointments
- Quit Stories Shared in Honor of the Great American Smokeout
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Port Lions Volunteer Firefighter Training Boosts Community Safety
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In November, KANA’s Roving VPSO, Sgt Roger Ouellette, traveled to Port Lions to assist Port Lions Resident VPSO Tom Motyka with providing basic fire training to the 16-members of the Port Lions Volunteer Fire Department.
This training provided Port Lions volunteers with a thorough foundation in basic firefighting skills. Volunteers were taught how to properly lay a hose line to ensure safe and reliable flow of water, and how to effectively use different hose streams to fight fires. The training also included familiarization and operation of the community’s fire engine for the 16 members, as part of a significant effort to reenergize their force.
Port Lions Mayor Melvin Squartsoff and Volunteer Fire Chief Marvin Nelson have purchased a cell phone that is being used as a 24-hour fire emergency line in Port Lions. Any resident who sees a fire emergency can call that number to report the emergency. The volunteer training and emergency phone line hopes to grow interest in and support for the Port Lions Volunteer Fire Department.
The National Fire Protection Association estimates that “69 percent of the firefighters in the United States are volunteers.” Volunteer firefighters are a vital part of any community’s public safety program. The Port Lions Volunteer Fire Department meets on the first Wednesday of every month.
If you are interested in being a member of a volunteer firefighting department, visit your local fire hall or contact KANA's VPSO Program for more information.
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The Importance of Keeping Your Appointments
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Unfortunately, each day appointments are missed by people who forgot to show up or cancel their appointment. It may seem like a little thing, but keeping appointments is very important, because they not only affect your Provider's schedules, they also have a ripple effect on many other people.
It is important to go to all scheduled appointments, even if it seems unnecessary. Providers carefully plan out each day in order to ensure each patient is given adequate time to discuss questions or concerns, and process all follow ups such as completing reports, making calls,etc. Offering generous appointment availability is our way of supporting your commitment to your health and wellness, but it is important to respect time as a limited resource. Consider the points below when making, keeping or rescheduling your appointments.
Plan Ahead
When your appointment is set, create reminders to make sure you will be on time and prepared for your appointment. Add a reminder on your calendar at home or set a notification alert on your phone with plenty of advance notice. You can also request a reminder call in advance of your appointment.
Allow Adequate Time
While planning for your appointment, give yourself adequate time to check-in, update your contact information and complete preventative care surveys. Checking in on time or a little bit early still allows for these tasks without affecting other patients.
Missed Appointments
If you are going to miss your appointment, call as soon as possible so the time can be reassigned to another patient or important task. Patients who consistently fail to keep scheduled appointments may be temporarily restricted to same day appointments or as authorized by their Provider.
To confirm or schedule your appointment, call the KANA Medical Clinic at 486-9870 or Mill Bay Health Center at 486-7300.
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Quit Stories Shared in Honor of the Great American Smokeout
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On November 17, KANA's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program participated in the Great American Smokeout (GASO), a national tobacco cessation event organized by the American Cancer Society. Tobacco users are encouraged to use the date to make a plan to quit or to plan in advance and quit tobacco on the day of the GASO. By quitting – even for 1 day – smokers take an important step toward a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk.
“Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your health. People who stop smoking greatly reduce their risk for lung cancer, COPD, heart disease, stroke and other chronic conditions,” said Dana Diehl, ANTHC Senior Tobacco Program Manager. “Although the benefits of quitting are increased for those who stop earlier in life, there are health benefits at any age. You are never too old to quit.”
A "Quit Story Contest” campaign highlighted the stories of individuals who quit tobacco or have plans to quit. Facts about quitting were shared on social media throughout the week, using the hashtag #GASO. Contest winners were awarded a free frozen turkey just in time for Thanksgiving, as a quyanaa to sharing their stories and striving for health.
The likelihood of making a successful quit attempt when enrolling in a Tobacco Cessation Program is high. 42 percent of individuals who enroll in the ANTHC Tobacco Cessation Program are still successfully tobacco free after 26 weeks of setting a quit date.
Click here to read a Quit Story shared in honor of the Great American Smokeout. Or, for more information on KANA's Tobacco Prevention and Education Program, email info@kodiakhealthcare.org or call 486-9800.
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