Wellness Wednesday – February Schedule

FEBRUARY 

Yoga Instructor: Taylor Kendal Chandler

Bio: Taylor Chandler is a holistic wellness guide and movement instructor who draws on her unique background in environmental public health and communications. As a 500-hour certified yoga teacher and female core + pelvic floor specialist, she creates classes that blend yoga-based movement, strength conditioning, and restorative practices in a mindful flow format.

Drawing from her expertise in whole-body wellness and women’s pelvic health, Taylor guides both experienced yogis and newcomers with compassionate presence and deep anatomical knowledge. Her classes cultivate physical vitality and inner balance while meeting each student’s unique needs and goals.

Contact: hello@seedsandspells.com

 

February 05 

Heather Forbes CDM, CPM, BSM, Mountain Sea Midwifery and Wellness

Circadian Wellness

Join us for an informative talk from local midwife Heather Forbes to gain a foundational understanding of how light/dark impacts our health. 

 

February 12 

Jay Bechtol, CEO, SPBHS 

Talking with Your Children About Mental Health

Come enjoy a presentation designed to help anyone navigate sensitive conversations about emotional well-being with kids, parents, or primary care-givers. Experts from South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services will cover strategies for creating an open, supportive environment where children feel safe expressing their feelings. The presentation will also provide guidance on recognizing signs of mental health challenges, addressing stigma, and fostering resilience. Aimed at empowering families, this talk will equip parents with tools to communicate effectively, normalize mental health discussions, and offer the necessary support to children from 0 to 99

 

February 19 

Taylor Kendal Chandler 

The Language of Living Well

Drawing from a unique blend of environmental public health, yoga-based movement and communications expertise to explore how we can rewrite our understanding of wellness beyond conventional metrics. Through insights from longevity studies, lived experience and nature’s own rhythms, participants will be guided toward an authentic, sustainable definition of wellbeing that honors both individual needs and our interconnected world.

 

February 26 

Morgan Laffert, Hospice of Homer

Walking Each Other Home: a conversation on death

A conversation on death with Hospice of Homer staff and volunteers. Learn about the process of death, how our community supports the in-home end-of-life transition, and hear from our volunteers and their client’s loved ones about their experiences.

 

Wellness Wednesday at KPC

Wellness Wednesday: “Every Emotion Matters – How Both Positive and Negative Emotions Shape a Life” with Michelle Fellows, Ph.D, Associate Professor of Psychology, UAA/KPC

Emotions have often gotten a bad rap for being “irrational”. However, research now points to their functional and necessary role in our thinking and wellness. One important function of our emotions is to provide us with information about our needs and motivations. This is true for the entire spectrum of emotions, not just the positive, or pleasant, feelings. While we don’t usually wake up each morning hoping for a day full of unpleasant feelings, our negative emotions are just as normal and valuable as our positive emotions. In this talk, Michelle will use a psychological lens to explore how we can leverage ALL of our emotions to be more whole human beings.

Learn More: https://www.sphosp.org/community-education/wellness-wednesday/

Architectural, design and engineering services RFP

South Peninsula Hospital is seeking proposals from qualified vendors to provide architectural, design and engineering services for SPH projects under $1,000,000.  Services must include project inception to occupancy and include space planning; design development; civil, landscape, structural, mechanical and electrical engineering; environmental review and testing; construction documents; permit coordination; bid review; and construction administration.  Complete details here. The deadline for questions is February 14, 2025 and deadline for submission is February 28, 2025.

Homeless, At-risk of being houseless, and those in need invited

South Peninsula Hospital is working with other local agencies to offer Community Resource Connect, a free, one-day event on Tuesday, January 28th, to provide assistance to those who are homeless, at risk of being houseless, or for those in need of extra support for their daily living situation.

Community Resource Connect offers a one-stop shop for individuals to gather resources, get connected with assistance, and collect necessary supplies. Winter gear, comfort packs, back packs, food to go, clothing, sleeping bags and personal hygiene kits are but a few of the free supplies to be offered. Over 20 vendors will offer resources related to food, employment, healthcare, mental health, health screenings, enrollment in to local services and more. 

This one-day event happens on Tuesday, January 28th from 11AM-3PM in two locations on the Southern Kenai Peninsula: the SPARC at 600 Sterling Highway in Homer, and in Anchor Point at the VFW at 72551 Milo Fritz Ave. A point in time homeless count and data collection will happen at these events, as part of a nationwide point-in-time homeless count.

Free transportation is offered to and from both locations. In Homer call (907) 235- 0285; in Anchor Point call (907) 756-3321.  This event is open to the public and anyone in need of extra support is welcome to attend.

This annual event is sponsored by a group of local, non-profit agencies with help from concerned citizens, and happens in conjunction with the Kenai Peninsula Project Homeless Connect. Last year’s event served over 140 people in need. Information on volunteering or donating to help cover costs can be found on the hospital’s website: www.sphosp.org or by emailing wellness@sphosp.org.

Join the FB event here to keep an eye out for more information.

Masks and other precautions encouraged due to high rates of respiratory illness

The State of Alaska, Kenai Peninsula and greater Homer area are seeing increasing rates of respiratory illnesses like influenza (the flu), RSV, and COVID-19. South Peninsula Hospital invites you to join us in our efforts to minimize transmission of these illnesses while protecting the health of patients, residents, and staff.

During this peak in cases, visitors to SPH, the Long Term Care facility, and all clinics are encouraged to:

  • Wear a mask – masks can be found at all entrances, and please ask staff if you cannot locate one;
  • Practice good hand hygiene – wash your hands often with soap and water, or hand sanitizer;
  • Stay home if you’re sick – please reschedule any non-essential visits if you are not feeling well, and let the office know in advance if you aren’t feeling well;
  • Test – Test kits for flu and covid are available for purchase at local pharmacies and free covid tests can be ordered at https://covidtests.gov/.  Homer Medical Center and SPH Family Care Clinic offer testing by appointment if experiencing illness. For additional info visit our Covid19 information page.

Thank you for your consideration to this request during this time of increased respiratory illnesses.  

SPH Long Term Care receives National Quality Award

The Long Term Care of South Peninsula Hospital was recently awarded the 2024 Commitment to Quality Award by The American Health Care Association and National Center for Assisted Living (AHCA/NCAL) for their strong commitment to improving the quality of care for their residents.

The Quality Awards program recognizes organizations that meet progressively rigorous standards of performance to improve the lives of residents in long term and post-acute care. Recipients are subject to thorough evaluation of various aspects of quality and performance.

The AHCA/NCAL National Quality Award Program has three levels: Bronze, Silver, and Gold. Providers begin the quality improvement process at the Bronze level. SPH was one of 525 skilled nursing facilities in 48 states to earn the Bronze Award, and the only one in Alaska to be named. They can now advance to be considered for the Silver Quality Award.

“The recognition of these facilities is a testament to their commitment to quality,” said Mark Parkinson, AHCA/NCAL President and CEO. “Their initial step on this journey is setting an inspiring benchmark for others in our profession. We celebrate their dedication and look forward to their continued pursuit of excellence as they strive for Gold.”

Katie Martin, RN, Director of Nursing at the hospital’s Long Term Care, said that to be considered for the award the facility had to show a clear plan for quality improvement and demonstrate effective practices that enhance the care they provide. Martin shared, “I’m so proud of the entire team in Long Term Care. They demonstrate every day their commitment to providing quality care and making a real difference in the lives of those individuals who call this home.”

South Peninsula Hospital’s Long Term Care is licensed to provide care for 28 residents, is co-located on the west side of the hospital and has been a home away from home for hundreds of residents for over 50 years. More information on South Peninsula Hospital’s Long Term Care can be found at https://www.sphosp.org/services/long-term-care/.

More information on the award can be found on AHCA/NCAL website: https://www.ahcancal.org/News-and-Communications/Press-Releases/Pages/AHCA-NCAL-Announces-2024-Bronze-National-Quality-Awards.aspx .