2009 community benefit report

Many hands, one Mission

Providence Health & Services Alaska 2009 Community Benefit Report

www.providence.org/alaska

As people of Providence,

we reveal God’s love for all,

especially the poor and vulnerable,

through our compassionate service.

Our Core Values

Our Mission

Respect

All people have been created in the image of God. – Genesis 1:27

We welcome the uniqueness and honor the dignity of every person.

We communicate openly and we act with integrity.

We develop the talents and abilities of one another.

Compassion

Jesus taught and healed with compassion for all. – Matthew 4:24

We reach out to people in need and give comfort as Jesus did.

We nurture the spiritual, physical and emotional well-being of one another and those we serve.

We embrace those who are suffering.

Justice

This is what the Lord requires of you: act with justice, love with kindness and walk humbly with your God. – Micah 6:8

We believe everyone has a right to the basic goods of the earth.

We strive to remove the causes of oppression.

We join with others to work for the common good and to advocate for social justice.

Excellence

Much will be expected of those who are entrusted with much. – Luke 12:48

We set the highest standards for ourselves and for our ministry.

We strive to transform conditions for a better tomorrow while serving the needs of today.

We celebrate and encourage the contributions of one another.

Stewardship

The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it. – Psalm 24:1

We believe that everything entrusted to us is for the common good.

We strive to care wisely for our people, our resources and our earth.

We seek simplicity in our lives and in our work.

Providence Health & Services Alaska 2009 Community Benefit Report [ page 1 ]

Palliative care benefits our most vulnerable patients 8Giving back comes full circle 92009 community investment 10Region service area 12

Providence Cares 2Providence meets more than health care needs 4Providence Mission extends beyond our doors 5Providence Kodiak kicks H1N1 6Seward captures the spirit of wellness for all 7

GreetingsMany hands, one Mission.

At Providence Health & Services Alaska, this simple phrase exemplifies

all that we do – every day, 365 days a year. Guided by our mission of

service, we have been meeting the needs of Alaskans for more than 100

years. In this 2009 report to the community, we’ll share with you stories

of that Mission in action, of the people of Providence who are making a

difference, and of the lives of Alaskans they have touched.

As you’ll see throughout this report, Providence directly provides care to

the uninsured and underinsured and also works with and supports other

providers in the community with that same mission. We also help feed

the hungry; work with Alaska’s homeless to give them shelter and care;

and provide services and programs that help keep Alaskans at home for

medical care.

This effort takes the collective strength of our professional, compassionate

and caring staff, who live out the Mission every day. Facilities, technology

and tools are important, but it is the people of Providence who put our

mission of service into action. It’s about many hands. And it’s about one

Mission. This focus will always come first.

Al ParrishSenior vice president/chief executive Providence Health & Services Alaska

Monica AndersonChief mission integration officerProvidence Health & Services Alaska

Providence Cares

[ page 2 ] Providence Health & Services Alaska 2009 Community Benefit Report

A legacy of caringTouching the lives of Alaskans – that’s what Providence is about. Meeting

needs, providing quality care and helping all who walk through our doors.

From the beginning, when the Sisters of Providence ventured north to Alaska

in 1902, we have created a legacy of caring. Through the years, Providence

Health & Services Alaska has grown to become the state’s largest private

employer, with facilities in five communities: Anchorage, Kodiak, Valdez,

Seward and the Matanuska-Susitna Valley. In all that we do, we strive to make

a difference for Alaskans. From the latest technology to the healing touch

of our highly trained staff, Providence is committed to excellence. We are

your neighbors, your friends. As such, we recognize how important it is to

provide access to health care, and we support organizations that serve Alaska

by reinvesting a percentage of our net income to community groups. And as

always, we provide care and services for the poor and vulnerable.


When climber Joe Butler

suffered a serious injury,

Providence helped him with his

medical and financial needs.


Denali mountain guide Joe Butler was climbing near Eklutna

Glacier when he fell more than 100 vertical feet and then

tumbled out of control another 800 feet. When he regained

consciousness, Joe was wedged upright in the snow. When

he tried to move, he realized that he was seriously injured.

His colleague hiked out and called for help. An Alaska State

Trooper helicopter was able to reach him 17 hours after the

fall, transporting him to Providence Alaska Medical Center.

Joe’s prognosis was extremely serious. He had a broken femur

in his left leg and a shattered clavicle in his right shoulder. His

surgeon, Dr. Robert Hall, did both surgeries at once, placing a

rod in Joe’s leg and a plate in his shoulder.

Joe left the hospital in three days, using a wheelchair before

transitioning to crutches. With the help of Providence physical

therapy, he was walking with a cane within a month of the

accident.

For Joe, the extensive surgery and physical therapy were just

one part of the recovery process. He was uninsured and as the

bills from surgery, recovery and physical therapy added up, he

wasn’t sure how he would pay them. That’s when he learned

of his eligibility for financial assistance from Providence. His

surgical care, post care and physical therapy were provided at

no charge.

Meeting the needs of the uninsured in our community is

fundamental to our Mission – and our ongoing commitment

to meet the needs of Alaskans. Providence works with

patients who are unable to pay their bills, helping them

qualify for financial assistance or work out payment plans.

Providence also provides trained staff to help patients

through these difficult issues.

For this, Joe is beyond grateful. In his own words:

“Providence put me back together and got me moving

again. They instilled the confidence I needed to get going.”

Providing health care for the uninsured, like Joe, is an

important part of the Providence Mission.

Providence meets more than health care needs

“Providence put me back together and

got me moving again. They instilled the

confidence I needed to get going.”

—Joe Butler

Providence Extended Care Center believes its mission of

service doesn’t stop at the facility’s doors. Several years ago,

PECC worked to identify needs in Alaska’s communities and

on the larger, national level. They decided to focus on serving

the needs of the vulnerable in our military, specifically soldiers

and their families. Traditionally, those who serve in the

military aren’t viewed as “poor and vulnerable.” But, in fact,

experience in a war zone can be debilitating to a soldier and

his or her family.

Over a two-year period, PECC identified unmet needs in the

military community. One of the first endeavors was to help

the Anchorage YMCA assist family members of deployed

troops during the holidays. The YMCA holds an annual

Christmas party and was seeking volunteers for the event

and toy donations for service members’ children. PECC staff

began a toy drive and secured volunteers for the party. More

than 80 toys were donated and nearly 30 people volunteered

to help make the holiday party a success. The PECC

community also had a present-wrapping party and personally

delivered the toys to Elmendorf Air Force Base.

Another important PECC outreach project focused on military

members stationed overseas. The PECC community “adopted”

The Providence Extended Care

Center team provided support and

assistance for U.S. soldiers deployed

overseas and their families.

a battalion from Fort Hood, Texas, reaching out to them

with love and compassion. This battalion was deployed to

some of Iraq’s most hostile areas, and the military requested

that people write monthly letters of encouragement and

send reminders that the American people cared about them.

PECC’s efforts raised money to send 105 boxes filled with

letters, treats, socks, deodorant and other personal care

items to the soldiers. More than 50 employees wrote monthly

letters for more than a year and raised $1,000 for a welcome-

home party for the soldiers.

These PECC programs received national recognition by the

U.S. military for commitment and dedicated service to soldiers

serving in a war zone, as well as recognition from the Catholic

Health Associations publication Catholic Health World. But

just as important, PECC staff said the friendships formed with

the soldiers and their families was a reward beyond measure.

This two-year project exemplifies what the Providence

Mission is truly about – a commitment to honoring and

serving those in need.


Providence Mission extends beyond our doors


In a small, remote area like Kodiak, a hospital is vital to

holding a community together – especially during hard times.

Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center is a critical access

hospital that serves patients in the city of Kodiak and the

surrounding villages of the island.

The medical center’s theme is “Friends and neighbors caring

for friends and neighbors.” That care extends far beyond the

hospital’s doors. Kodiak Island is a place where people come

together when the going gets tough and go out of their way

to help others in need. That can mean a search-and-rescue

mission for a fisherman lost at sea, home-cooked meals for

a family grieving the loss of a loved one, or as Kodiak saw

recently, a unified effort to deal with a widespread illness.

In 2009, Kodiak Island experienced an outbreak of the H1N1

virus. It reached such high levels that the absentee rate at

some local schools increased to 40 percent and emergency

room visits rose exponentially. Prior to and during the

outbreak, PKIMC was deeply involved, working to educate

the community about the virus. Hospital leaders participated

in joint meetings with public health officials, the city, the

borough, local health clinics and other employers to raise

awareness of the effect of H1N1 on critical infrastructure and

to disseminate health information.

Seeing a need among local families, PKIMC assisted the

school district by helping concerned parents know when to

seek medical care for a sick child. The hospital also donated

more than $4,200 in hand sanitizers and surface wipes to

help prevent illness among students and teachers. It was

enough to equip all 200-plus classrooms in the Kodiak Island

Borough.

With the widespread occurrence of the H1N1 virus

nationwide, vaccinations were scarce. When the vaccinations

began to arrive, PKIMC staff volunteered to administer both

the seasonal flu and H1N1 vaccines to local children and

other high-risk individuals. The hospital also gave some of its

own preservative-free H1N1 vaccine to local clinics so that

pregnant patients, who are at a greater risk of complications

if they become ill, could receive the special vaccine.

To increase public awareness about H1N1, PKIMC ran radio

ads and provided information for the local newspaper and

radio broadcasts. PKIMC leaders worked with public health

officials to facilitate a live show on Kodiak’s public radio

station, KMXT. The show featured state epidemiologist Joe

McLaughlin. Myths were dispelled and facts came to the

forefront, alleviating fears and empowering listeners with

accurate information on how to care for their families.

Just as Kodiak residents come together to weather many

storms, the community came together to meet the challenge

of H1N1. And whether Kodiak was fighting H1N1 in the

schools, the marketplace, the home or the emergency room,

Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center was there.

Kodiak students use good hygiene techniques to battle the cold and flu season.

Providence Kodiak kicks H1N1


Imagine a town where health is a way of life. Where the

entire community supports healthy choices. Where families,

friends and neighbors encourages wellness for all. This is

the vision for the City of Seward. This unique vision began

in 2008 as a partnership led by Providence Seward Medical

& Care Center and the City of Seward to make Seward a

healthier community. The first step involved identifying the

health status and health needs of Seward residents through

a community needs assessment. The needs assessment

garnered responses from about 10 percent of local residents

and was followed with a community forum to discuss

concerns and findings.

The initial forum led to the formation of a group comprised

of community members, Providence Seward Medical and

Care Center representatives and City of Seward officials. The

group used the idea of “Wellness for All” to capture the spirit

of their efforts. The vision of the Wellness For All initiative is

to establish Seward as a city of wellness, where all residents

are engaged in actions that improve their health and wellness

and have access to services and programs that support those

choices.

To help attain the goal of “wellness for all,” five sub-groups

were formed to focus on:

• Tobacco cessation

• Fostering fitness

• Increasing oral health

• Increasing awareness of and access to

health and wellness resources

• Choosing healthy behaviors

Among the efforts the sub-groups have focused on include

support and prevention programs for tobacco cessation,

initiation of a 211 advisory phone line, education programs

related to oral health, and pursuit of grant money to initiate a

demonstration project within the community.

Providence, through funding provided through the United

Way, has contributed $100,000 to seed these efforts. A true

community partnership, the Wellness for All initiative has

had broad-based participation from groups such as the City

of Seward, Providence Seward facilities, local health and

social service groups, local physicians and other health care

practitioners, local Alaska Native organizations, state public

health and education groups.

The Wellness for All initiative is a grassroots effort with

broad citizen and stakeholder support – and it is the shared

resources brought by these community partners that will

lead to health improvement for Seward. As a testament to

its success, more partners continue to join the group and

the community continues to develop innovative solutions

to meet Seward’s health care needs. Because health care

is not just about taking care of the sick, but about keeping

people healthy and productive members of their communities,

Providence believes in supporting groups like Wellness for All.

Seward captures the spirit of wellness for all

Seward residents work together to address community health issues.


“Palliative care provides the opportunity to very carefully listen to

what the goals of the patient and family are and to follow their wishes.”

—Dr. Stephen Rust

Palliative care is medical care that focuses on relieving

suffering – offering pain relief and improving quality of life

for patients with serious life-altering illnesses, including

patients who are approaching the end of life. Palliative

Care is frequently associated with hospice or end-of-

life care. However, consultation with the team can be

introduced at any time when there are symptoms to be

treated, information to be shared, health care choices to

be discussed, and spiritual support to be offered.

At Providence, palliative care is supported through

charitable contributions and the community benefit

program. The Providence palliative care program is

directed by Dr. Stephen Rust, who believes strongly in the

benefits that palliative care provides for patients and their

families. “One of the first major benefits for the patient,

their family and the physician, is the communication piece.

In medicine, different specialties have different procedures.

Palliative care provides the opportunity to very carefully

listen to what the goals of the patient and family are, and

to follow their wishes,” he said. “For patients, having

clearly defined goals of care is very comforting. They

want to know they are being taken care of and not being

abandoned,” Dr. Rust said.

One individual impacted by the Providence palliative

care program was Marty Diblik, a retired pilot, who was

diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Following extensive

treatment outside of Alaska, he came back home. The

palliative care team worked closely with him to address

his pain management needs, as well as his desire to be

at home. As his last days drew near, he was admitted to

Providence prior to his passing. Marty was so touched by

the services he received that he left a gift to the Providence

Foundation so that other patients could benefit from the

hospital’s patient navigators and the palliative care services.

Another benefit of palliative care is that by always

advocating for the patients and keeping their goals in mind,

the patient’s medical care can actually cost less. And while

palliative care provides many benefits for the patients and

their families, it also is rewarding for those who work in

the field. “We get that much more back 99 percent of the

time. We can know that we made something better today.

We are really, really excited to be doing what we’re doing.

We’re fortunate,” said Dr. Rust.

Palliative care benefits our most vulnerable patients

The Palliative Care team talks with a patient and

family members to discuss their needs.


It was Christmas Eve 2008 when Brian O’Dowd blacked

out and, after extensive testing, was taken into surgery

at Providence Alaska Medical Center for a ventricular cyst

that was putting pressure on his brain. When he woke up,

he had no idea where he was or what had occurred, but

nearly 18 months later, he is a very grateful Alaskan.

“I had no insurance, and Providence’s financial folks talked

to me. They told me to fill out the paperwork they would

provide and that the hospital would provide financial

assistance.”

Immediately, 80 percent of O’Dowd’s debt was offset by

Providence. Recently, he found out the remaining debt

was underwritten as well – bills that included radiology,

imaging, pathology, etc. “I had nearly $300,000 in

medical bills. That was a lot to face, but Providence made

it easy for me.”

His graduation as a civil engineer from the University of

Alaska Anchorage occurred this May – an event that was

delayed due to the surgery.

Now, O’Dowd is giving back to Providence as a volunteer.

He volunteers in the exact wing where he was treated

with two of the nurses who were there to help him

following his surgery.

“I believe you shouldn’t get anything for free, and it is

satisfying to be able to help out in the same department

that was there for me with some of the same people. It

makes me feel good,” O’Dowd said.

Helping Alaskans with their medical needs – and

emergency situations – is part of the Providence Mission,

as is assisting with their financial burdens. And the

efforts are sometimes rewarded by the good work of

individuals like Brian O’Dowd, who have chosen to

continue the tradition of giving back.

Giving back comes full circle

Providence patient Brian O’Dowd after having

surgery to have a cyst removed from his brain.

“I believe you shouldn’t get anything

for free, and it is satisfying to be able to

help out in the same department that was

there for me with some of the same people.

It makes me feel good.”

—Brian O’Dowd

What are community benefits?Providing community benefits is one of the important ways that Providence lives its

Mission. According to the definition used by the Catholic Health Care Association,

community benefits are “programs and services designed to improve health in

communities and increase access to health care.”

For Catholic health care organizations like Providence, community benefits are

about how we partner with our communities to help those in need. We believe

that providing community benefits strengthens the fabric of our community, meets

the health care needs of Alaskans and opens doors for the poor and vulnerable in

our community.

The community benefit programs that Providence provides and supports are

designed to meet local and regional needs in many ways. We believe quality health

care is a basic human right, and we will continue to work to ensure Alaskans have

access to quality care regardless of their economic or social situation. For example,

we provide financial support to Anchorage Project Access, a community partnership

that provides access to health care in Anchorage to those who cannot afford it.

In addition to access to health care, we help meet many other basic needs for

residents throughout Alaska. Some examples include providing hot meals at the

Brother Francis Shelter every day; supporting organizations like Covenant House that

provide services for homeless and at-risk youth; and serving as the lead agency for

Safe Kids Alaska, which works to prevent childhood injuries. Where there is a need,

we work to fill it. That’s what community benefits are about – meeting the most

important needs of Alaskans.


2009 Community Investment


n Community health improvement; and Financial and in-kind contributionsServices to our communities, such as wellness and prevention education, health screenings, immunizations and support groups

n Subsidized health servicesClinical services provided despite a financial loss because it meets an identified community need that is not met elsewhere in the community

n Health professions educationSubsidies for medical residency programs, nursing and other education programs

n Unpaid cost of MedicaidDifference between reimbursement from Medicaid and the actual cost of providing care

n Traditional charity careFinancial assistance for the uninsured and others who are unable to pay for the cost of their care

Total community benefit – $48 million

IN MILLIONS

COMMUNITY BENEFITS SUMMARY 2007-2009*

2007

$41.4 million

$48 million

2008 2009$0

$10

$20

$30

$40

$50

$32.5 million

*Providence recently recalculated charity and community benefit numbers to align with new IRS and

Catholic Healthcare Association standards. For the purposes of this graph, we adjusted 2007 and

2008 community benefit calculations to show an accurate comparison with 2009 figures.

Region Service Area

Key Health care campus Freestanding long-term care facility Housing and assisted living Owned primary care network Behavioral health services Child day care centers Home health and hospice services Medical laboratory services Freestanding outpatient services

• Anchorage

• Seward

• Valdez

• Kodiak

Wasilla • • Eagle River

Anchorage Providence Alaska Medical Center Providence Extended Care Center Providence Family Medicine Center Providence Laboratory Services Providence Horizon House Providence Home Health Care Center for Child Development Providence Behavioral Medicine Group Providence Adolescent Residential Treatment Facility

Eagle River Eagle River Outpatient Services

Kodiak Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center Providence Kodiak Island Counseling Center

Seward Providence Seward Medical & Care Center Providence Seward Mountain Haven

Valdez Providence Valdez Medical Center Providence Valdez Counseling Center

Wasilla Providence Matanuska Health Care Associates Mat-Su Outpatient Services Providence Behavioral Medicine Group - North


2009 Region Ministry BoardAlaska Region Community Ministry Board of Directors

Kathy J. Anderson . . . . . . . AnchorageEleanor Andrews . . . . . . . AnchorageStephanie Birch, RNC, FNP . . . . . AnchorageJames Blasingame . . . . . . . AnchorageSusan Bomalaski, PhD, LPC . . . . . AnchoragePat Branson . . . . . . . . . KodiakJeffry Cook . . . . . . . . FairbanksMaurice Coyle, MD . . . . . . . AnchorageChristopher Dyke, MD . . . . . . AnchorageKris Erchinger, Secretary . . . . . . .SewardCathy Gohring, MD . . . . . . . AnchorageJohn E. Hall, MD . . . . . . . AnchorageEric (Rick) Johnson . . . . . . . . WasillaAl Parrish, VP/CE, PH&SA . . . . . AnchorageKaren Perdue . . . . . . . . FairbanksCharles Ryan, MD, Chair. . . . . . AnchorageArchbishop Roger L. Schwietz, OMI . . . AnchorageDebby Sedwick . . . . . . . . AnchoragePam Shirrell, RN . . . . . . . . ValdezSteven Smith, MD . . . . . . . . KodiakRichard Strutz . . . . . . . . AnchorageJohn (Chris) Swalling . . . . . . AnchorageDavid Wight, Vice Chair . . . . . . Anchorage


3200 Providence DriveAnchorage, AK 99508t: 907.562.2211

www.providence.org/alaska

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2009 community benefit report

Documents

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