Newby elected chair of SPH Foundation; Cooper steps down after 7 years of service

The South Peninsula Hospital Foundation Board of Trustees elected officers at its annual meeting held Monday, January 9.  Angie Newby was elected chair, Phyllis Cooper – vice chair, Mary Ann Rowe – secretary and Judith Lund – Treasurer.  Cooper was recognized during the meeting by fellow trustees and hospital administration for seven consecutive years as Foundation Chair.

The Foundation is a non-profit, charitable and fundraising foundation which supports the community health care mission of South Peninsula Hospital.  In addition to awarding five scholarships annually to local residents pursuing C.N.A. certification and allied health degrees, the foundation supports capital purchases and special projects, including support for diabetes education for uninsured patients.  Tax deductible donations can be made by mail to SPHFI, PO Box 2548, Homer, or through the Pick-Click-Give program when enrolling for the PFD.

The next Foundation meeting is Monday, April 24 at 3:30pm in the hospital’s conference room and is open to the public. Click here for more information on the SPH Foundation.

New Chief of Staff at SPH

Rob Downey, MD, is the newly elected 2017 Chief of Staff for the South Peninsula Hospital Medical Staff.  Dr. Downey offers an outpatient functional medicine practice, and is the Infection Prevention/Employee Health Physician and Long Term Care Assistant Medical Director for South Peninsula Hospital.  He is board certified in Family Medicine and is a certified practitioner by the Institute for Functional Medicine. Downey replaces outgoing chief of staff Dr. Sarah Spencer.

The Chief of Staff elect is Katie Ostrom, MD, OB/GYN, and Secretary/Treasurer is Teresa Johnson, MD, family practice.  In addition to the officers, the Medical Executive Committee includes past chief of staff William Bell, MD, family practice, and Members-At-Large Brent Adcox, MD, orthopedics, and Edson Knapp, MD, radiology.

Welcome Baby Everest!

Everest Reutov was the first baby born at South Peninsula Hospital in 2017.  Born Wednesday, January 4, at 8:15am to Kcenia and David Reutov of Homer, Everest was born a healthy seven pounds 10 ounces and 20 inches long.  Their due date wasn’t until much later in January, so this was a happy surprise for the couple to have the honor of first-baby of the year.  Although he is the first baby born at the hospital this year, Everest is certainly not the first child in the family, nor the first one born at the start of a new year.  One of seven children in the Reutov family, Everest is one of five born at South Peninsula Hospital and his sister was born January 1, 2005, in Kodiak.  She was not officially the first baby of the year there, however, as that honor went to another baby, born just one hour earlier.

Everest’s name was chosen by his siblings out of three options selected by his parents.  They had narrowed it down to Yoseph, Everest or Zenon.  The name Everest was chosen by unanimous decision by the siblings.  In addition to naming the new baby, another family activity is fishing, and Everest joins a long line of fishermen in the Reutov family.  His father, David, is fourth generation fishermen, and he hopes Everest will make it five.

Many people in the community already know Kcenia by the fresh baked breads she makes and sells under the business name Country Kitchen at the Homer Farmer’s Market. Folks will be able to meet Everest in person this summer in his mother’s arms or on her back at the market.

The family was showered with gifts from generous local businesses, including:

North Wind                                        Decorative Wall Decals
Homer Bookstore                            Gift Certificate
Ulmer’s Drug and Hardware        Gift Card
Two Sisters Bakery                          Gift Card for 8” cake
Old Inlet Bookshop                         Gift Certificate
Sprout Family Services                   Gift Bag
Paul Banks Elementary                  Gift
Movie Theatre                                  2- movie passes and refreshments
SPH Auxiliary                                      Diaper Cake
Mary Wallis                                         Baby Blanket / Burp Rag Set
Best Western Bidarka Inn             One night stay in the hot tub room
The “Other Book Club”                  2 wrapped gifts and box of chocolates

South Peninsula Hospital Birthing Center averages 130 births per year. While most births there are attended by certified nurse midwives, a full team of obstetrics nurses and OB/GYN and general practice physicians support the birthing experience as needed. For more information about the services or a tour of the birthing center, call 235-0240.