Vigil Tuesday for
Pittsburgh Tragedy
The community is invited to gather at Totem Square 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 30, to offer prayers, and words of love and support, in remembrance of the victims and survivors of the Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy that took place on Saturday, Oct. 27, in Pittsburgh.
Attendees should take their own light, if desired. Rev Julie Platson, Pastor Sandra Rudd, and Pastor Jo Jo Nabua will be facilitating the gathering.
Funds to Nonprofits
Given by White E
The Sitka White Elephant Shop is asking other non-profit organizations to apply for its annual funding.
A non-profit grant application form to be used in order to qualify is on the Sitka White Elephant Shop FaceBook page starting Nov. 1. It can also be picked up at the White E during store hours, 6-8 p.m. Mondays and Thursdays, and noon-3 p.m. Saturdays.
Applications must be received by Nov. 30. Funds will be distributed following the annual meeting in February.
Half-Price Sale
At White E Shop
The White Elephant Shop main store and the children’s store will have a half-price storewide sale, with the exception of boutique items and bags of rags, 6-8 p.m. tonight and noon-3 p.m. Thursday.
Marine Groups
To be in Sitka
The Alaska Ocean Observing System and the Alaska Marine Conservation Council will host a session 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, at the Odess Theater on the SJ Campus.
The purpose is to hear from Southeast residents about: what changes are being observed in the marine environment in the Sitka region; what additional monitoring would be helpful; and what additional research would be helpful.
Local input will be used to identify key gaps in ecosystem monitoring and ecosystem-based fisheries observing, and help AOOS and AMCC structure their upcoming plans to help support the region.
The session format will be a series of panels representing tribes, commercial fishing, resource management, and tourism presenting ideas, and facilitated discussion and audience input.
For information contact Holly Kent, director of administration and outreach, Alaska Ocean Observing System at kent@aoos.org.
Sitka Community Hospital
Long Term Care Wins Award
Sitka Community Hospital Long Term Care is one of five facilities in Alaska awarded the Recognition of Quality Achievement Award in the 2018 Nursing Home Quality Awards.
“We think of our Long Term Care as a home, a place where visits by families and children are encouraged and where friendships develop among staff and residents,” said Kay C. Turner, PT,
DPT, CNHA, Long Term Care administrator. “The strength of our facility is our staff. Our entire team is warm, loving and truly cares about our residents. Every effort is made to help each resident reach their highest level of function and independence. It is an honor to receive this award as it is a direct reflection on the care provided by our staff.”
Sitka Community Hospital and Long Term Care participated in the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services National Nursing Home Quality Care Collaborative through Mountain-Pacific Quality Health. The NNHQCC’s goals are to instill quality and performance improvement practices, eliminate healthcare-acquired conditions and improve resident satisfaction. As a measure to reflect achievement of these goals, CMS created a composite score system. The composite score is a way to assess quality of care in long-term care facilities and is based on 13 publicly reported quality measures—the lower the score, the better.
The awards are based on each facility’s composite score, their licensure with Alaska’s state survey agency and their certification with CMS. Facilities who received the Recognition of Quality Achievement Award, including Sitka Community Hospital, earned a 7.0 percent or less at least once during 2017.
“Every one of these facilities demonstrated a true dedication and commitment to deliver high-quality care to their residents and families,” said Sharon Scudder, Mountain-Pacific’s Alaska director, of the 2018 award winners. “Mountain Pacific is honored to partner with Alaska’s long-term care facilities to promote quality, compassionate care.”
Awards were presented on Sept. 27 in Girdwood during the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association’s Annual Conference.
Sitka Community Hospital CNAs with Rob Allen, CEO; Dr. Robert Hunter, medical director; Lorraine Daly, director of nursing; and
Kay Turner, Long Term Care administrator, were recognized by the Sitka Assembly at the Oct. 9 meeting.
STA to Host
Veterans Lunch
Sitka Tribe of Alaska will host a veteran’s luncheon noon-2 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Sheet’ka Kwaan Naa Kahidi.
Veterans and their families are welcome. The event is part of Native American Heritage Month. Anyone who has questions can call Dianna Miller at 747-3207.
STA Plans an
Open House
Sitka Tribe of Alaska will host its annual open house 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Nov. 1 at all Sitka Tribe of Alaska locations: main building, 456 Katlian Street; Resource Protection, 429 Katlian Street; Social Services, 110 American Street; and Cultural Resources, 205 Baranof Street.
It will be the first of many events in November, celebrating Native American Heritage Month. Light snacks will be provided at all locations.
Visitors will learn what services are provided at each location. Those who have questions can call 747-3207.
Grief Support
Group to Meet
Those who have experienced a loss and would like to learn more about the process of grieving and connect with others who are grieving are invited to attend the Grief Support Group provided by Brave Heart Volunteers.
This safe and confidential group will meet 5:15-6:45 p.m. Wednesdays beginning Nov. 7. The group will meet each week for nine sessions at the Pioneers Home Manager’s House. Call Maury Hackett, group facilitator, at 747-4600 or email her at maury@braveheartvolunteers.org for information.
Paulose to Speak
Tonight in Sitka
Billy Graham Paulose, of the Prince of Peace School in India, will speak 6:30 p.m. tonight at Centennial Hall.
He and his extended family have been serving Jesus and the people of their native India since 1979. They live on Rameswaram Island at the southern tip of India, ‘‘where 1 million Indians go each year on their pilgrimage to try to wash away their sins,’’ Paulose said.
They have two schools with more than 1,000 students from multiple faiths, an orphanage that houses girls rescued from infanticide, and a ministry to people who are “dumped” by relatives on their pilgrimages, a press release from the Calvary Chapel said.
For information call Pastor Dug Jensen, Calvary Chapel, 738-0761.
