▲ PMC Board members, CEO, and Borough Assembly Members gather at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the new Wellness, Education, and Resource Center (WERC) building.
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Petersburg Medical Center Newsletter |
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As we reflect on 2023, PMC achieved substantial milestones in our five key areas of focus, showcasing our unwavering commitment to healthcare excellence and community wellness. I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each member of the PMC community. Your support, dedication, and collaboration have been instrumental in making this year one of tremendous growth and achievement. Here’s to a healthy 2024!
Happy & Healthy New Year 2024!
- Phil Hofstetter, CEO
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o Workforce wellness took center stage in 2023 as PMC garnered recognition and celebrated the outstanding contributions of our team. Achieving the Gold Pan award for Nursing Home Care Excellence at the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association conference in October was a testament to the dedication of our Long Term Care team. Other award recipients this year included PMC employee Becky Turland, who was awarded the Alaska Afterschool Superhero award for 2023; and PMC CEO Phil Hofstetter, who was named Alaska’s 2023 “Community Star” by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH). In addition to these recognitions, we bid farewell to two pillars of our PMC family – Mike Boggs and Don Bieber, who retired with 24 and 16 years of service, respectively. Their profound understanding of PMC’s operations leaves an indelible mark. |
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▲ LTC staff proudly display their Gold Pan award for Nursing Home Excellence.
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o PMC’s commitment to professional development and advocacy was evident as senior leadership actively participated in the annual Alaska Hospital & Healthcare Association conference, ensuring that PMC remains at the forefront of healthcare excellence. This year PMC continued to focus on the development of the next generation of staff and medical providers. PMC physicians continue to be actively involved in teaching UW School of Medicine medical students and PMC nurses are teaching their third cohort of local nursing students through the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) nursing program, set to graduate in Spring 2024. The Lab Department continues to develop new training programs and career growth opportunities such as providing clinical experience for local students enrolled in online college programs and working towards professional certifications such as Medical Lab Technicians. PMC was also able to expand our workforce through the creation of temporary seasonal positions for high school students to work as mentors within our youth recreational programs. |
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▲ High school students joined PMC in making Summer 2023 a huge success in expanding our Youth Programs.
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▲ Local UAA nursing students Jordan Stafford and Kellii Wood during a clinical rotation at Bartlett Regional Hospital.
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o Community engagement lies at the heart of our mission, and 2023 saw us deepen our connections with the Petersburg community. The 9th annual PMC Paddle/Pedal Battle became a community highlight, raising over $20,000 to support continuing education for PMC staff and scholarships for graduating high school seniors.
o In response to valuable community input, we adjusted the timing and venue of PMC hospital board meetings to enhance accessibility. A day-long open house in May brought together nearly 100 community members to discuss the replacement building project, fostering transparency and collaboration.
o PMC’s ongoing commitment to advocacy included meetings with Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association representatives, policymakers, and a dedicated effort to address rising concerns about fentanyl use in our community. PMC continued to provide ongoing education and outreach through its monthly PMC Live radio show, newsletter, social media, and reports at Borough Assembly and other community meetings. Childcare continues to have a large focus in the community and with PMC due to its strong ties with employee recruitment and retention, and PMC has been engaged with several efforts, including participation in the local Early Childhood Education Taskforce and public comments and advocacy to the State Task Force on Childcare.
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▲ PMC hosted a Community Open House in May on the new building project with architects from Bettisworth North presenting plans and answering questions.
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▲ The ninth annual Pedal/Paddle Battle saw 79 bikers and kayakers helping the PMC Foundation raise over $20,000 to support continuing education. |
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▲ PMC CEO excitedly throws a shovel of dirt at the ceremonial groundbreaking for the WERC building in December.
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▲ Rendering of new PMC facility - featuring a Wellness, Education, Resource Center (WERC) and the main hospital/clinic building.
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o Advancements towards our new facility took a significant leap forward in 2023, marking a pivotal moment in PMC’s growth and the future of healthcare for the community. Official approval from the State Governors Office for the $20M Department of Treasury Award propelled us into the first phase of the Wellness, Education & Resource Center building – a vital component of our replacement hospital buildings. Ground preparation for the new replacement facility commenced in November, setting the stage for a groundbreaking ceremony in December. Construction on the WERC building is expected to begin in Spring 2024. Land for the project is being provided at no cost by the Petersburg Borough. The WERC building is fully funded with the Department of the Treasury award. The main hospital building is partially funded via a grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration.
o Documents related to the replacement facility project, including the 2015 Facility Condition Assessment and the 2020 Petersburg Medical Center Replacement Hospital Master Plan, are now available for public review at the Petersburg Public Library and our website. Regular updates on the PMC website under the " New Facility" tab provide transparency and ensure our community is well-informed and engaged about this transformative project.
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▲ A grant from the Petersburg Community Foundation funded a Youth Mental Health First Aid training for community members. The first class was held in December with more to come in 2024. |
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▲ New grant funded fall prevention programs Tai Ji Quan: Moving for Better Balance and Bingocize were introduced this year.
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o Financial wellness remained a focal point in navigating the challenges of 2023 and lingering recovery effects of the pandemic. PMC successfully paid off the approximately $5 million Medicare advance payment emergency COVID relief, showcasing our resilience. Grant awards from AHHA, Alaska and Community Foundation, and Rasmuson Foundation not only bolstered our financial stability but allowed us to expand summer youth programs, doubling our capacity of children and families served. It allowed us to offer extended hours and provide more support for employees and Petersburg families needing childcare. Securing grants, including $500,000 Falls Prevention, $51,000 Care Coordination, $88,000 Alaska Healthcare and Hospital Association employee wellness, $145,000 Tobacco Cessation, $229,000 FEMA, $50,000 Alaska Community Foundation, and $50,000 Rasmuson Foundation, positioned PMC for success in addressing diverse healthcare needs in the coming years. Additionally, PMC was awarded a $300,000 HRSA grant award for Rural Communities Opioid Response program as part of the Behavioral Health department and a $10,000 grant from the Petersburg Community Foundation to support training for two staff members to obtain certification as facilitators in Youth Mental Health First Aid. |
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▲ PMC nursing team with SEARHC specialty scopes team in the Operating Room excited to be offering colonoscopy services locally for the first time in several years.
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▲ In December, PMC's Home Health Department opened the "Cedar Social Club," Petersburg's first Adult Day Program.
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o Patient-centered care made big moves forward as PMC expanded specialties and introduced innovative programs this year. The inaugural colonoscopy clinic, a collaboration between PMC and the SEARHC scope team, took place in the last week of September. This highly sought-after service was at capacity, and preparations for the next clinic are underway.
o Introduction of new programs like an adult day program, falls prevention with Bingocize and Tai Ji Quan, along with specialty services like dermatology, psychiatry, and orthopedics, reflected PMC’s commitment to enhancing community well-being and providing comprehensive healthcare services.
o A Nurse Practitioner and Physician’s Assistant joined the Joy Janssen team of medical providers, which helped significantly increase access to clinic appointments. The CMS recertification survey for Critical Access Hospital Designation in April, without any findings, was a significant achievement, affirming our dedication to meeting the highest standards of care. The PMC team rose to several challenges this year too, including the diligent response to water damage in the long-term care solarium showcased our commitment to safety and infection control. Two notable incidents this year – one involving a fire at the Catholic church that resulted in PMC closing to non-essential services for the day; and a second involving a Coast Guard helicopter crash in November – demonstrated the remarkable teamwork and dedication of the PMC staff in crisis situations.
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Petersburg Medical Center | 907-772-4291 | pmcweb@pmc-health.org |
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