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 . 

Wellness Wednesday January Schedule

SPARC Open Walks

Attention walkers! SPH is hosting free open walks for all, every Monday at SPARC from 11:45-12:45pm starting in January! Join us on Monday January 13th  at 11:45am for  a kick-off event with PTA Emilie Otis! Learn about how to establish  a safe and healthy walking structure, tips on injury prevention, and proper stretching techniques!

Chaos Compass – South Peninsula Hospital

MINDFULNESS COURSE

Chaos Compass-Start date delayed to January 16th!

Ready to navigate life’s chaos with confidence?

Introducing “Chaos Compass,” a free four-week course designed for teens aged 14-18, led by Homer Medical Center’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Devry Garity. Explore a brain-based understanding of yourself and others as we journey through techniques to strengthen our minds, sharpen focus, manage emotions, make wise decisions, and cultivate deeper connections. Let’s chart our course together!

Date: Thursdays: January 16th – February 6th

Time: 4:15-5:30pm

Cost: Free

Location: KPC Campus

Audience: Teens ages 14-18

Email wellness@sphosp.org to register

Happy Holidays!

As we welcome a brand-new year, we at South Peninsula Hospital extend our heartfelt wishes for health, happiness and hope to you and your loved ones!

May 2025 bring strength, joy, and cherished moments. Thank you for trusting us to be a part of your care journey—we are honored to serve our community with compassion and excellence.

Here’s to a year filled with wellness and bright beginnings!

With gratitude and best wishes,

The SPH Family

Holiday Open House at SPH Gift Shop

The SPH gift shop will be holding a holiday open house on Tuesday & Wednesday, December 10th & 11th from 11am-2pm. Guests can enjoy refreshments & door prizes while seeing the new inventory just added for Christmas. Shoppers will find handmade blankets & booties, toys and games, toiletries, gifts, plants and more. The SPH gift shop is the perfect place to find the perfect holiday gift! The shop is located just inside the hospital’s main entrance, and is open Monday – Thursday, 10am-3pm.

Open Enrollment for Health Care Coverage

Don’t miss your chance to get affordable health insurance!

Open Enrollment for the Affordable Care Act is November  1 through December 15, 2024.

Visit www.healthcare.gov to sign up, or call our Financial Navigator at 907 235-0994 to make an appointment.

We’re here for you!

Wellness Wednesday: Micro Yoga – a Therapeutic Practice with Jacquelyn Forster, OTR/L, CLT

Wednesday, November 20. Micro Yoga is a practice based on the Cantienica Method developed in Germany.  It is a technique that focuses on body awareness, deep inner core, breath, and visualizations to hold your body’s joints in proper placement to perform poses and exercises.  This technique encourages proper alignment and will extend the life of your joints increasing your health and mobility now and for years to come. 

Wellness Wednesday: Stress Management and the Art of Being at Peace with Dr. Rob Downey

Big thanks to Doc Downey for sharing his expertise with the community time and time again! He recently gave a great presentation at a Wellness Wednesday event titled “Stress Management and the Art of Being at Peace”. This presentation was recorded, you can check it out below, and learn more about his upcoming retreat being held in Costa Rica this February!

SPH is grateful to have Seaworthy Functional Medicine on our team!

https://healthacceleratorfx.com/yoga-and-functional-medicine-in-costa-rica/

View the power point slides here: https://bit.ly/Doc-downey-peace

Wellness Wednesday: Thyroid Health with Dr. Hennigan

Join SPH Specialty Clinic Provider and Endocrinologist Dr. Michael Hennigan as he shares with us the basics of thyroid health! The thyroid is an important endocrine gland that makes and releases certain hormones. The thyroid’s main job is to control metabolism (i.e- how the body uses energy!). Come learn more at Wellness Wednesday!