Norton Sound Health Corporation, including village clinics, will be closed this Friday, September 3, for the purpose of employee wellness/subsistence activities. NSHC will also be closed on Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day.

The ER will remain open for any emergencies and acute needs during this time.

The Cough and Cold Clinic will continue to be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday - Friday, and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. over the weekend.

The Nurse Call Line - a free, Nome-based medical advice service - is available at 443-6411.
Weekly Update for August 30 - September 3
Telehealth Program Receives Grant for New Services
In August, Norton Sound Health Corporation was awarded a grant of over $400,000 from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This grant will be used to purchase equipment that will allow for the expansion of telehealth services during COVID and beyond. 

NSHC plans to purchase medical equipment designed for remote patient monitoring, which will be used to improve both preventive and chronic care services within NSHC communities. The equipment will enable virtual visits and chronic care management, all within the patient’s home.
Samantha Kleindienst Robler demonstrates the use of an audiology telecart.
“This equipment purchase really closes the gap on improving direct to patient care using telehealth equipment,” said Samantha Kleindienst Robler, population health provider.

“Instead of flying a patient in or sending a provider out to the community, a provider can use this equipment to do their exam in the comfort of the patient’s home, with a high level of confidence and without delay."

The mobile device itself is data-enabled, and it does not rely on the patient’s home internet to work. This has been a barrier in the past, but NSHC is confident that this data-enabled equipment will make it easier for patients to get the help they need, when they need it.

The FCC approved an initial set of 62 applicants, including one from NSHC, totaling $41.98 million, specifically for COVID-19 Telehealth Programs. Kleindienst Robler, Megan MacKiernan, and Melissa Meadows all partnered together to submit an application on behalf of NSHC.

The FCC’s COVID-19 Telehealth Program supports the efforts of health care providers to continue serving their patients by providing reimbursement for telecommunications services, information services, and connected devices necessary to enable telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. They announced that FCC awarded funds to health care providers in every state and territory.

“The next steps will be to finalize the deployment plan, order the equipment, and start using it to address preventive and chronic care,” Kleindienst Robler said.
NSHC Remembers Sean Penetac
Norton Sound Health Corporation is mourning the loss of a valued staff member and friend to many, Sean Penetac. Sean worked for NSHC since 2017, most recently as a housing coordinator in the Corporate Housing department.
Sean Penetac took part in a community-wide active shooter drill as an ambulance volunteer at the hospital in 2016.
Sean was quick to show appreciation and respect for others and quick to volunteer. He was a member of the King Island Native Community and was active as an EMT with the Nome Volunteer Ambulance Dept.
 
Sean was born and raised in Nome and graduated from Nome-Beltz High School in 1993. He attended college at Alaska Pacific University and Fort Lewis College. He joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1997 and completed two tours overseas. He then joined the Alaska Army National Guard in 2002 and served for seven years and completed a tour overseas. Sean is survived by his parents Sylvia and Raymond Paniataaq, his son Brandon, his seven siblings, and other family members.
 
A fundraiser dinner and dessert auction will be held at the VFW at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 4. For $20, supporters can purchase a bowl of chili with cornbread. All proceeds will go to Sean’s family. For questions or donations, call Rose at 434-2683 or Stephanie at 907-631-9995.
CAMP Allows Parents to Latch onto Support
For the last five years, the NSHC CAMP Department has hosted a Global Big Latch On. At this event, NSHC provides educational activities, wellness activities, and they always have lactation counselors available. The goal in hosting a Global Big Latch On event is to create a lasting support network for the community.

This year, there were nine moms and two dads who joined CAMP’s event. CAMP also sent out Spa in a Box to mothers around the region. The spa boxes were filled with positive affirmation cards, a free 30-minute massage ticket, candles, lotion bars, soaps, veggie bucks, and a water bottle.

“Nome has a wonderful network of breastfeeding moms and professionals. Our community is unique in that we have such a supportive network,” said Nicole Santonastaso, Prevention Program Supervisor.

Global Big Latch On events are highly successful, targeted community development initiatives that raise awareness of breastfeeding, encourage the formation of support networks between breastfeeding persons, and aim to normalize breastfeeding as a part of daily life.

“My message to all lactating mothers, past, current, or future - don’t hesitate to get involved whenever you see an event upcoming or if you need assistance in your breastfeeding journey," said Santonastaso. "It is so important to the success of our families that we continue to protect and support families in their breastfeeding journey.”

The Latch On events take place at registered locations around the world during Breastfeeding Awareness Week. The first Big Latch On event was organized by Women's Health Action in New Zealand in 2005, before it was brought over the U.S., and has had a successful turnout ever since.
Beginning September 7, Norton Sound Health Corporation will be piloting a new mobile prescription refill service. Click this link https://bit.ly/NSHCMedRefill, or scan the QR code to connect with one of NSHC’s pharmacists and order medication refills, request over-the-counter medications, or ask a pharmacist a question about your medication.
Situation Report: COVID-19 News in the Norton Sound/ Bering Strait Region
Booster Shots Available Sept. 7th
Beginning September 7, NSHC will be offering Moderna and Pfizer booster COVID-19 vaccinations. Appointments will be open to anyone who is at least 6 months past their second dose of Moderna or Pfizer. For people who received either Moderna’s or Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine series, a third dose of the same vaccine is recommended.
 
In Nome, the COVID-19 booster vaccinations will only be available at the pharmacy. To schedule an appointment in Nome, please visit https://www.picktime.com/NSHC.
 
In a village, anyone eligible can schedule a booster vaccine appointment by calling their local clinic.
COVID-19 Vaccination Hours with NSHC
If you are unvaccinated, the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to get vaccinated as soon as possible. Everyone in the region who is 12 years and older is eligible for COVID-19 vaccination. In a village, residents may contact their local clinic to arrange a vaccination. In Nome, vaccinations are available at the following places and times:

  • Wellness Bus at Day Shelter Entrance: vaccines are available every Tuesday from 9:30 - 10 a.m.
  • Nome NSHC Pharmacy: walk in Monday-Friday, from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. and 1-3 p.m. Appointments are available Monday-Saturday at picktime.com/NSHC.
  • Nome Airport: Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are offered to all incoming passengers 12 years and older.
  • Nome Post Office: Pfizer and Johnson & Johnson vaccines are available every Wednesday from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m.
  • Wellness Bus at AC: vaccines are available every Wednesday from 8:30 - 11 a.m.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected].

The Nurse Call Line - a free, Nome-based medical advice service - is available at 443-6411.
Getting Tested for COVID-19
If you do not have symptoms but would like to get tested for COVID-19, or if you feel you might be a close contact to a recent positive case and would like to get tested, the Nome Operations Building Testing Center is open seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. It is located at the corner of Greg Kruschek Avenue and K Street. To schedule an appointment, visit picktime.com/NSHC. In regional villages, residents can contact their local clinic to get tested.

If you develop a cough, fever, shortness of breath, vomiting, diarrhea, congestion, fatigue, headache, or loss of taste or smell, please immediately isolate and make an appointment at the Cough and Cold Clinic, open daily from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., by calling the main appointment desk at (907) 443-3333. You can also call the direct line to the Cough and Cold Clinic at (907) 443-9666 or (907) 443-4200.
Are you experiencing a crisis? Please call Behavioral Health Services.
For Urgent Care Services, call 907-443-3344 8 a.m.-5 p.m. weekdays.
For After Hours emergencies, call 907-443-6411 and ask for a Behavioral Health Services consultant.