Highlights from the Field: Maniilaq Health Center and Providence Seward

AHHA staff support member facilities year-round from our Anchorage and Juneau offices, but we especially value our statewide site visits. Engaging directly with your healthcare teams allows us to witness your hard work firsthand, celebrate your achievements, and determine how we can best support you—whether through advocacy, training, or shared resources.

This month, our team members visited Kotzebue and Seward to check in with the fantastic caregivers and leaders at Maniilaq Health Center and Providence Seward Medical Center. Despite the distance and distinct environments between these communities, one thing that is clearly consistent is the dedication of the staff who choose to call these places home.

A Visit in Kotzebue

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Cate Harmon (Flex Program SOA) and Erin Aklestad (Mountain-Pacific) joined Cristan and Debbie in Kotzebue where Helen Linderman, Quality Director, generously guided them on a comprehensive tour of the community, the hospital, and the Long-Term Care (LTC) unit.

The heart of Maniilaq shines through its frontline caregivers. Morgan, a Nurse Midwife at the facility who received AHHA's 2023 Golden Stethoscope award, shared her deep pride in keeping local deliveries safe in Kotzebue.

"Our wonderful staff works to keep patients safe and having deliveries in Kotzebue. The prenatal women are well taken care of in this community. We do the very best."

Morgan Jones has delivered 234 babies at the facility—with three named after her! She even recalled a memorable moment of caring for a mom by traveling with a baby wrapped tightly on and arriving at the hospital by snow machine.

The culture among the team speaks volumes. As one Emergency Room nurse noted:

"Best management I’ve worked for in 23 years... This is the reason I stay."

Jessica Turner, LTC Administrator, highlighted the profound impact of incorporating traditional culture into daily care, such as monthly traditional food gatherings. She described watching elders share traditional knowledge—like teaching the chef how to make akutaq (Eskimo ice cream):

"I see full circle. That’s why I stay."

We are immensely grateful to Helen for showing us around and to the entire Maniilaq team for the extraordinary work they do for the region.

On to Seward...

The AHHA team headed south to Seward where Jennifer Anderson, Quality Manager welcomed Cristan, Elizabeth, and Debbie for a tour of Seward Mountain Haven LTC and Providence Seward Medical Center, a six-bed CAH that is small but mighty!

While touring the CT Scan room, we caught up with Kim Strehlow who shared how advanced imaging and modern technology transform rural care.

Because Seward attracts visitors from across the globe alongside its local residents, having reliable, modern equipment on site is critical. As Kim pointed out, Providence works hard to keep pace with medical advancements:

"Seward hosts people from around the world, and Providence Seward works hard to stay with the times. Technology improvements make such a big difference... whatever we can do to keep moms off the road to Anchorage, and getting care in their community. There’s a reason I work in healthcare; we can really make a difference in people's lives.”

Whether navigating arctic conditions in Kotzebue or serving global visitors in Seward, the dedication of Alaska's healthcare workers is inspiring. A huge thank you to Helen, Jennifer, and all the clinicians and staff who opened their doors to AHHA!