Chaos Compass: Mindfulness for Teens

Join Homer Medical Center’s Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Devry Garity, for this 6-week mindfulness course.  Open to teens ages 14-18. FREE. Email wellness@sphosp.org if interested. 

Join us for Wellness Wednesdays in March

Join us for March’s line up of Wellness Wednesday talks and yoga! March is “Meet Your Neighbor Month” Bring a friend… or come alone and meet someone new! March 6 – Blue Zones: Secrets to a Long Life with Renae Blanton, MSN, FNP-BC, FAIHM, NTC March 13 – Contemplative Practices Across Traditions with Reverend Lisa […]

Wellness Wednesdays: March Schedule

Check out our new Wellness Wednesday line-up for March! March 6 – Blue Zones: Secrets to A Long Life with Renae Blanton, MSN, FNP-BC, FAIHM, NTC March 13: Contemplative Practices across Traditions with Reverand Lisa Talbott.  March 20: When Love Met Resilience with Kate Henry   March 28: Wellness & Community with Jill Burnham  

Healthy in Homer March Newsletter

Your local monthly health & wellness e-newsletter from South Peninsula Hospital’s Healthy and Wellness Department.

Community Pathways Survey

Seeking caregivers, families, or professionals who have or work with kids ages 7-17, or young adults ages 18-24 to take a survey to help understand the impacts of COVID-19 and identify ways that our kids need support. You get $5 for your time with a chance to win $500! Survey Deadline, February 28. Take survey […]

FREE Covid Tests at www.covid.gov

Did you know it’s easy to get free at-⁠home COVID-⁠19 tests through the mail? Take advantage of this program that entitles every U.S. household to receive four free COVID-⁠19 rapid tests delivered directly to your home. After you’ve tested, report your result – whether it’s positive or negative! Report at-home test results to public health […]

Wellness Wednesday: From Conflict to Connection with Donna Duncan, LCSW

Join us for an evening with Donna Duncan, LCSW and Clinical Director at South Peninsula Behavioral Healthy Services. She will discuss strategies for transforming conflict to connection. A great skill to have in any relationship. Yoga this month is led by Joolee Aurand. Joolee has taught Restorative, Acro, AcroFit, Sampoorna, Vinyasa and Five Elements yoga […]

Homeless, At-risk of Being Houseless, and Those in Need Invited to Get Free Help

Community Resource Connect (CRC) is a free, one-day event on Tuesday, January 30th, intended for those who are homeless, at risk of being houseless, or for those in need of extra support for their daily living situation. Formerly called “Homeless Connect”, CRC offers a one-stop shop for individuals to gather resources, get connected with assistance, […]

Patients Rate South Peninsula Hospital Five Stars

South Peninsula Hospital (SPH) recently achieved a five-star rating in the Medicare Hospital Compare quality monitoring survey about patient care, which makes it the only hospital of 25 in the state of Alaska with a five star rating based on Medicare patient surveys.   The patient survey asks a random sample of recently discharged patients about […]

Training Center moves!

The SPH Training Center has relocated to the other end of Pioneer Avenue, and is now located at 4014 Lake Street. This new location is conveniently located on the main floor of the blue building at the corner of Pioneer, East End Road and Lake Street (known to some as the old bank building, or […]

SCAM ALERT

SCAM ALERT! Unfortunately, we’ve had reports that someone is spoofing local phone numbers, including South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Medical Clinic numbers, trying to get personal information. “Spoofing” is when scammers trick your phone’s caller ID into showing false information. Be cautious of any unexpected phone calls that appear to come from the hospital, and […]

Wellness Wednesdays

Wellness Wednesday will be January 3rd at 5pm at the college, and feature Angie McDermott Schreier as the speaker. Angie will share the power of the breath and how it can be used to improve your mental and physical health. A Hatha-based yoga class led by Britt Huffman will follow at 6pm.

Breast Health Education – October 24th Panel Discussion Recording and Slides

We hope you enjoy this recording of the October 24th Breast Health Education panel discussion at Kachemak Bay Campus, sponsored by South Peninsula Hospital in cooperation with Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic. Panelists include Dr. Robin Holmes from KBFPC, SPH Radiologist Dr. Edson Knapp, Dr. Sherry Johnson from Far North Surgery, and breast cancer survivor […]

Down with Downey Continues

“Down with Downey: Live at 5” is a health, wellness, and functional medicine lecture series that will continue into winter!

Join Dr. Downey on Facebook Live every 2nd Thursday for valuable insights on living a healthier and more fulfilling life. Stick around for the Q&A to get your questions answered! Upcoming dates and topics: November 9 – Covid and Long Covid; December 14 – Thyroid problems; January.

No Facebook? Live watch party at Kachemak Bay Campus- KPC, Pioneer Hall. Doors will open at 4:30 p.m.

If you missed a talk, don’t worry! Go to https://vimeo.com/sphosp to watch previously recorded lectures.

October is Breast Health Awareness Month – Panel Discussion Tuesday

Join Dr. Knapp and Kim Donich from Imaging for important information on breast health. Can’t make it in person? Join us remotely on zoom:  https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89685117464?pwd=SFh4T2o1c1h3bndiUkJBdmNvR3hWQT09

South Peninsula Hospital is partnering with numerous organizations throughout October to generate awareness and information surrounding the importance of cancer screenings and prevention as part of overall breast health. All offerings are free and open to the public.

End of Life Decision Making by Dr. Tortora

Thank you to all the many community members who attended this year’s installment of the free educational presentation “End of Life Decision Making” with Dr. Giulia Tortora from Homer Medical Center, local Estate Planning Attorney Lindsay Wolter, and Hospice of Homer Death Doula Morgan Laffert! These amazing professionals gave their presentation on end-of-life planning covering […]

Request for Proposal

RFP – South Peninsula Hospital is seeking proposals for an employee housing development. Proposals can be existing facilities or new developments. Deadline is 5:00pm October 20, 2023. Complete details here.

Love your community owned hospital?

South Peninsula Hospital is accepting applications for its Board of Directors. Be part of leadership for the largest community-owned healthcare provider and employer on the southern Kenai Peninsula. Prior experience in healthcare, finance, leadership, and community or volunteer service is helpful. The deadline to apply is September 30th. Call 907-235-0241 or read more at https://www.sphosp.org/about-sph/board-of-directors/interested-in-serving/

Next Upcoming Safe Sitter 2-day Course for Grades 6-8

The next upcoming Safe Sitter, Inc. course at South Peninsula Hospital will be held on Friday October 13th and Saturday October 14th from 9-2:30 both days. The Friday falls on a school-in-service day.
Safe Sitter teaches young teens in grades 6th-8th grade how to practice important safety skills, how to handle emergencies, how to treat illnesses and injuries, CPR basics, and more. In addition, students learn important business skills, like how to screen jobs, set a wage, and work with employers.
Class size is limited, so email wellness@sphosp.org to get your child registered today! Click here for a PDF flyer to print or email.

Coming soon Down with Downey!

Join South Peninsula Hospital and Seaworthy Functional Medicine Clinic for “Down with Downey: Live at 5,” – a health, wellness, and functional medicine lecture series! MD and IFM-certified Dr. Rob Downey will lead an engaging presentation covering diverse topics, from thyroid issues and gut health to long Covid and fatigue. Every second Thursday of the […]

Health Fair Exhibitor Applications Accepted

Exhibitor applications are now being accepted for the 40th annual Rotary Health Fair, set for Saturday, Nov. 4 from 9am-1pm at the Homer High School. The purpose of the Rotary Health Fair is to promote individual wellness and promote learning and education to improve one’s overall health.  Exhibitors are encouraged to provide learning centers or demonstrations to share their particular educational message. 

Application Standards
Letter of Invite
To Apply online

The deadline to apply for exhibitor space is September 29, 2023.

Find complete information and the link to apply at rotaryhealthfair.org or by calling 907-399-3158. The deadline to apply for exhibitor space is September 29, 2023.

New Walk-In Lab now Open

South Peninsula Hospital announces the opening of walk-in lab services at 4201 Bartlett Street, Suite 202B, co-located with South Peninsula Family Care. Individuals can receive most of the same outpatient lab services that are offered up at the hospital at this more convenient location from 8:30am – 5:00pm Monday through Friday. This service is open […]

Homer Steps Up! 2023 Results!

In its 7th year, the annual event is coordinated by South Peninsula Hospital, in partnership with SVT Health & Wellness, South Peninsula Behavioral Health, the City of Homer, SPARC and the Homer Chamber of Commerce.  South Peninsula Hospital Foundation provides a grant for the cash prizes and the weekly Homer Bucks prize drawings. Over $3,000 […]

RFP

South Peninsula Hospital is seeking a vendor to provide brokerage services for worker’s compensation, employer’s liability, crime, and business auto Insurance programs.
Complete details here.  Deadline to submit is May 15, 2023.

Free Community Yoga Wednesdays in April

Free community yoga continues in April, presented by Erin Brege of Icy Mermaid Yoga. Erin is a certified yoga instructor, local Spanish teacher and global traveler who believes fully in the wellness power of yoga. Free community Yoga is every April in Wednesday from 6-7pm at SPARC, 600 Sterling Highway. All ages and abilities are welcome. Please bring a yoga mat if you have one, a water bottle and some extra layers to this free event.  Questions, call (907) 235-0285 or email wellness@sphosp.org.

View brochure

Request for Proposal

South Peninsula Hospital is seeking a vendor to replace the exterior lobby door. The RFP is attached. Deadline to submit is March 3. Questions regarding this RFP may be directed in writing to Harrison Smith, Facilities Manager, at hsm@sphosp.org . All emails must identify the RFP title in the subject line and include the contact information for the person submitting the question. Questions may be submitted as needed until 5:00pm Alaska Standard Time (AKST), March 3, 2023.

Covid-19 testing site set to close January 13th; Testing still offered through other venues

South Peninsula Hospital’s walk-up Covid-19 testing clinic on Bartlett Street is set to close on Friday, January 13th at 5pm. The hospital started offering walk-up testing in March of 2020 at the start of the worldwide pandemic under a tent at the hospital’s main entrance. It relocated the service in October of 2020 to the […]

Free Community Yoga at SPARC Every Wednesday Evening in November & December!

We are proud to be sponsoring weekly free community yoga classes at SPARC (South Peninsula Athletic & Recreation Center, 600 Sterling Hwy) from 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm each Wednesday evening through December. Please bring your own yoga mat if you have one (we will have extras!), some extra layers, and a water bottle. All ages & abilities are welcome to these drop-in classes. Check the Events Calendar or the South Peninsula Hospital Facebook page for more information.

Know Your Numbers: Understanding Lab Results

Thank you to all who attended “Know Your Numbers: Understanding Your Lab Results”, a free community forum to help individuals interpret their lab results from the annual Rotary Health Fair.

Michael Hennigan, MD, Endocrinologist, Board Certified in Internal Medicine, provided the free presentation on Tuesday, November 15th from 6:00-7:30pm at Kenai Peninsula College discussing the purpose of each test and what the results mean, followed by a question and answer period.  Dr. Hennigan is a visiting specialist to the South Peninsula Hospital, offering endocrinology clinics at the South Peninsula Family Care Clinic on a monthly basis.

To view the video recording of this presentation, click here.

For a PDF of Dr. Hennigan’s slides, click here.

Rotary Health Fair

In-Person Health Fair Returns Saturday, November 5th!

Our free in-person fair event returns on Saturday, November 5th, 2022 from 9am-1pm at the Homer High School!

Over fifty exhibits will offer health information, screenings, demonstrations and more – click here for a printable PDF of the full exhibitor list. Don’t miss the Nolan the Colon inflatable walk-through experience, free flu shots, CPR trainings, Great Candy Exchange, and more! Click here for the full event flyer and visit rotaryhealthfair.org for more information.

Rotary Health Fair is in it’s 39th year and is sponsored by Homer Kachemak Bay Rotary in cooperation with South Peninsula Hospital. This year marks the return of the in person fair after a two year hiatus due to the pandemic.

End of Life community forum with Dr. Giulia Tortora

In September, South Peninsula Hospital hosted “End of Life Decision Making” presentation to discuss living wills, medical power of attorney and medical and legal components related to end of life. Presenters were Dr. Giulia Tortora, family practice physician at Homer Medical Center and Lindsay Wolter, local estate planning attorney. A recording of the event, and handouts are posted at the link below.

Dr. Christy Martinez and Dr. Sarah Roberts named as full time hospitalists

Dr. Christy Martinez and Dr. Sarah Roberts, board certified family medicine physicians at Homer Medical Center, have accepted full time positions as hospitalists at South Peninsula Hospital. Their move from family medicine to inpatient will begin on October 1. A third hospitalist, Dr. Kira Bendixen, will be joining them in November to complete the hospitalist team.

South Peninsula Hospital shifted to a hybrid hospitalist model over three years ago, when the providers from Homer Medical started rotating week-long coverage at the hospital. This was the first step towards having dedicated hospitalists, who work exclusively in the inpatient setting. However, it has been a continuing desire of the medical staff to have a more consistent, permanent team for inpatient care. The COVID19 Pandemic challenged the hospital to increase[…]

Welcome Joe Llenos, MD, new physician at Homer Medical Center

Joe Llenos, MD, board certified in family medicine, joins the provider team at the area’s largest primary care clinic, bringing with him over a decade of family practice experience. Dr. Llenos grew up in the Philippines, went to medical school at West Visayas State University, and did his Residency at The Institute for Family Health, […]

Hours change at hospital’s Covid-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic on July 1st

Effective July 1, the hours of operation at South Peninsula Hospital’s Covid-19 Test and Vaccine Clinic at 4201 Bartlett Street will be 9am-5pm, Monday through Friday, and closed on weekends. PCR Covid-19 testing will be offered at the walk-up clinic, no appointment necessary, Monday through Friday from 9am-5pm. Insurance will be billed for testing. Those […]

Blood Drive in Homer: June 22 & 23, 2022

The Blood Bank of Alaska will be offering a 2-day blood drive in Homer on Wednesday & Thursday, June 22 & 23, 2022 in the Conference Rooms at the Best Western Bidarka Inn (575 Sterling Hwy, Homer) from 10am-5:30pm both days.

Click “Read more” for links to log in and make an appointment online, or for more information. You can also call the Blood Bank of Alaska to make an appointment at (907) 222-5630.

Please bring photo ID, stay hydrated, and eat well on the day of your appointment!

End-of-Challenge Party and Awards for Homer Steps Up! 2022!

The 6th Annual Free Community Walking Challenge “Homer Steps Up! 2022” ends on Saturday, May 28th! Join Homer Steps Up!, our co-sponsors, and Peninsula Independent Living Center for the 2022 Homer Steps Up! End-of-Challenge Party (and last Wellness Walk of the season) on Saturday, June 4th from 9am-10am at SPARC. We will be awarding the winning team with the trophy, announcing if we reached our community goal of 175 Million Steps Together in May or not, and awarding the individual winners of the end-of-challenge cash prizes!
Read the full challenge details at HomerStepsUp.com and on the Homer Steps Up Facebook page!

SPH sponsors Free Community Yoga

SPH will offer free community yoga, on Wednesday evenings at SPARC from 6:00 PM-7:00 PM, for four consecutive Wednesdays: March 16th, 23rd & 30th and April 6th.  Anna Raupp RYT, will offer “Yoga For Recovering From the Pandemic – Return to the Love of Life” in this series of classes for individuals of all ages […]

Free Wellness Walks offered in April

South Peninsula Hospital offers free indoor walking and brief health information presentations at their Wellness Walks, the first and third Saturdays of the month from 9-10am at SPARC. The topic at Saturday April 2nd walk will be Spontaneous Coronary Artery Dissection (SCAD), and presented by Karen Northrop, PT, DPT, OCS, Physical Therapist and Director at […]

South Peninsula Hospital Behavioral Health adds new provider

Vicki Jackson, Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), has joined the team at South Peninsula Hospital Behavioral Health Clinic. Vicki earned her bachelor’s degree from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA and her Master of Social Work (MSW) degree from Eastern Washington University in Cheney, WA.  Prior to moving to Homer in October, Vicki worked as a […]

Winter Services Request for Quote

South Peninsula Hospital (SPH) is seeking a vendor to provide Snow Removal, Sanding, and Winter Maintenance services. Mandatory walk-through is August 16 at 2:00pm; Bids are due August 23. Get complete RFQ here.

Functional Medicine doctor holds free online zoom event

Dr. Rob Downey, MD, certified practitioner by the Institute for Functional Medicine is bringing a new kind of healthcare to Alaska with the opening Seaworthy Functional Medicine, a department of South Peninsula Hospital. This is a re-launch of the existing South Peninsula Hospital Functional Medicine Clinic, with a focus on new ways to connect to […]

Free COVID-19 Testing offered on the Homer Spit UPDATED INFORMATION

South Peninsula Hospital is offering free COVID-19 testing at the Boat House Pavilion on the Homer Spit daily (except Wednesdays) through Saturday, June 13, from 9am-5pm. There is no charge to the individual for testing. This testing is offered only to individuals who fit one of the following criteria: working in critical infrastructure or the […]

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes new physician and unit director

Matthew Swain, DO and his wife, Stephanie, BSN, RN, are new members of the South Peninsula Hospital health care team. Dr. Swain, Board Certified in Family Medicine, is joining the hospital’s Active Medical Staff, and is practicing at Homer Medical Center.  For the last three years he was the Chief of Primary Care for The […]

Call before you come in.

In the interest of preventing spread of coronavirus 19, please do not enter any of our facilities if you are experiencing symptoms.  Please call first for instructions.
Long Term Care is now restricting all visitation. Only essential health care staff and pre-approved visitors for end-of-life or other compassionate care situations are permitted to enter the unit.

The Alaska Section of Epidemiology is closely monitoring the rapidly-emerging outbreak of COVID-19 first identified in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Additional cases have been identified in a growing number of other international locations, and the United States , including Alaska.

Check here for daily updates from the State of Alaska Department of Health of Social Services (AK DHSS): coronavirus.alaska.gov

Resources for the General Public

 

Dr. Landess Named Chief of Staff; New board members and officers elected

Christopher Landess, MD, board certified in family medicine and Medical Director of the hospital’s emergency department is the newly elected Chief of Medical Staff, replacing Dr. Giulia Tortora, MD.

South Peninsula Hospital, Inc. Board of Directors welcomes one new director and two returning directors. Long time resident Beth Wythe was appointed in December. Beth served 12 years on the Homer City Council, with four as mayor.  She holds a master’s degree in Public Administration and has worked in the Human Resources field for over 30-years.  She currently is the Human Resources and Administrative Services Manager at Homer Electric Association. Beth fills a seat vacated by Lane Chesley, who served on the board for four years, the last three as Treasurer and chair of the Finance Committee.

Stop the Bleed – Save a Life!

Minutes count! Someone who is severely bleeding can bleed to death in as little as 5 minutes. That’s why bleeding control is the purpose of The American College of Surgeons Stop the Bleed training.

So far, over 30 people in our community have been trained to Stop the Bleed, and over 1  million have been trained worldwide! 

Through a Stop the Bleed course, you’ll gain the ability to recognize life-threatening bleeding and intervene effectively. The person next to a bleeding victim may be the one who’s most likely to save them.

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes New General Surgeon

South Peninsula Hospital is pleased to welcome Dr. Jeffrey Larsen, Board Certified General Surgeon, to its Active Medical Staff.

Dr. Larsen attended medical school at the University of Mississippi School of Medicine in Jackson, Mississippi and completed his general surgical residency at Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines, Iowa and James H. Quillen College of Medicine in Johnson City, Tennessee. Since starting his practice in 2001, he has worked at Buchanan General Hospital in Grundy, Virginia and at Stone Crest Medical Center in Smyrna, Tennessee, where he also served as the Trauma Director.

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Carol Klamser

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Carol Klamser, DNP, as a new family practice provider at South Peninsula Hospital. She will begin  her practice in the hospital’s specialty clinic at the same building, 4201 Bartlett Street, on Friday, Nov. 15. Appointments with Carol can be made at 235-0310.

No-Cost Childbirth, Breastfeeding & Newborn Care Classes with Homer Medical Center’s West Wing Clinic Midwives

We offer childbirth, newborn care, and breastfeeding classes free of charge on a rotating basis throughout the year.  These classes are all held on Tuesday Evenings from 5:30pm – 7:30pm in the South Peninsula Hospital Conference Rooms 1 & 2 (park in the lower parking lot and enter through the double doors by the cafeteria).

Click here for dates, topics & more information on the upcoming Winter 2019 Class Series from November 19th through December 17th with Laura Greet, CNM & Julie McCarron, CNM, Certified Lactation Consultant.

You may bring a coach with you to class, you may bring food, and you may come to all, a few or even just one class!

For more information please contact the West Wing Midwives at (907) 435-3040

Walk with a Doc, Saturday November 16th with Dr. Ross Tanner!

Did you miss Know Your Numbers on November 14th? Forgot to ask an important question? Want a friend to learn about what you heard? Join Diabetes & Lipid Clinic of Alaska founder Ross Tanner, DO and South Peninsula Hospital’s Health & Wellness Department at SPARC (600 Sterling Hwy next to Homer Middle School) for our next “Walk with a Doc”! All are welcome Saturday, November 16th from 9:00 am-10:00 am for Dr. Tanner’s brief talk on Know Your Numbers: What your lab results can tell you about your health. Then, spend the rest of the hour walking at your own pace, chatting, and asking any questions!

Living Well Alaska: Self-Management workshops for adults with ongoing health conditions

The next series of Living Well Alaska workshops for adults with ongoing health conditions and their family or caregivers will be on Wednesday evenings, 4:30pm – 6:30pm from September 18th-October 23rd.  Living Well workshops were developed by Stanford University to focus in a fun, interactive group setting on staying as healthy & active as possible even while living with chronic conditions like arthritis, diabetes, pre-diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, obesity, and any health condition that requires long term self-management.

The cost for the entire 6-week series is $40, and assistance is available.  Contact PeggyEllen Kleinleder at (907) 235-0311 for more information and to register!  Put the life back in your life!

Measles – Vaccination is the best prevention; call ahead if you have symptoms.

Vaccination with the MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine continues to be our best defense to keep measles from spreading. Make sure you and your family are up-to-date with the MMR vaccine – contact your healthcare provider if you or anyone in your family is unsure of their immunization or needs the MMR vaccine.

Anyone can get the MMR vaccine completely free-of-charge at Homer Medical Center during their normal walk-in clinic hours on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 5:00 – 8:00PM at 4136 Bartlett Street.

If anyone thinks they might have measles, they should call their health care provider or local public health center immediately. It’s important to get care quickly, but people should call first and not go directly to the doctor’s office, clinic or school.

Radio Frequency Ablation (RFA) Alternative Pain Therapy

Although there are many causes of back pain, one of the more common is facet arthritis. The facet joint provides stability to the vertebral column of the back and the facets in the lower back often develop debilitating back pain. One might experience pain with rising from a sitting position or from riding in a […]

Wildfire Smoke and your Health

Here are a few tips for your health as the southern peninsula gets more smoke from the Swan Lake fire: The biggest health threat from smoke is from fine particles. These microscopic particles can get into your eyes and respiratory system, where they can cause health problems such as burning eyes, runny nose, and illnesses […]

Sports Physicals Day at Homer Medical Center

Homer Medical Center is offering free sports physicals at a one-day clinic on Saturday, July 20, 2019 for high school students who need a physical for participation in school sanctioned activities.  Appointments are not required, and exams are offered from 10am-4pm at the Homer Medical Center clinic on Bartlett Street.  Exams are offered free of charge by providers from Homer Medical Center.

Parents are asked to complete the History Form and if applicable the Special Needs Supplemental form and bring this entire document with them to the clinic.
Pre-participation exam form (PDF)

Measles in Homer is Preventable

The following editorial was written by SPH Chief of Staff  Giulia Tortora, MD and originally published in the Homer News on  June 5, 2019.

In 1989, I spent two months working in a hospital in Tanzania, Africa. While I worked in that small village, where no vaccines were available and care options were limited, I was shocked to discover that the main disease that killed children was measles. Not malaria. Not malnutrition. Measles. Watching any child die of a preventable disease is heartbreaking.

Measles vaccination rates have declined, and the outbreak in the U.S. is both serious and terrifying. The likelihood of seeing it in Alaska is very high, and we need to prepare to face the consequences of this public health nightmare.

Homer Steps Up! 2019 Community Walking Challenge Results!

The community walking challenge Homer Steps Up! 2019 has come to an end!

We not only reached our community goal of 100 million steps together in the month of May – we reached 110 million steps!

The winning teams are The City of Homer Team with a team score of 311,756 (actual total steps of 16,835,327 between 54 members!) and the M&M&M’s – a team of staff & families from Paul Banks Elementary School with a team score of 347,125 (actual total steps of 3,818,374 between 11 members).

Thank you to all the teams who participated, and everyone who participated as an individual stepper – we will see you next year!

Visit us on Facebook @homerstepsup for pictures and more!

Ryan Smith named CEO of South Peninsula Hospital

The Board of Directors of South Peninsula Hospital, Inc., announced Tuesday, May 14, their selection of Ryan Smith for the position of Chief Executive Officer. Smith currently serves as CEO of Memorial Hospital of Converse County in Douglas, Wyoming. During his nearly eight years there he successfully created a clinically integrated provider network, oversaw the addition of a 25,000 square foot freestanding medical office building, and markedly improved patient satisfaction and employee engagement.

Prior to Memorial Hospital, Smith was the CEO of Central Peninsula Hospital (CPH) in Soldotna for five years, during which time he led a $50 million dollar expansion, nearly tripled gross patient revenues, resulting in a positive operating and net income, and negotiated a 10-year hospital lease and operating agreement with the Kenai Peninsula Borough. While at CPH he was the Chair of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association, awarded “Grassroots Champion” by the American Hospital Association in 2009, and named Soldotna Chamber of Commerce “Person of the Year” in 2010.

Smith started his healthcare administration career right at South Peninsula Hospital in Homer where he served as Chief Financial Officer from 1996-1998. From 1998 to 2002, he was Chief Financial Officer for Life Point Hospitals, Inc, and served as CFO at Salt Lake Regional Medical Center from 2004-2005.  He spent his first ten years in healthcare with the Hospital Corporation of America, working his way up through several positions to a leadership position in the finance department.

David Groesbeck, SPH Board President, says the board is excited for this opportunity for SPH and the Homer community. “Mr. Smith is a talented CEO. His references speak to extraordinary talents, his record speaks for itself, and his familiarity with Alaska and the Kenai Peninsula will prove invaluable. We are fortunate that his desire to return to Homer aligns perfectly with our organization’s needs and goals. He is a proven leader with the right experience, vision and commitment to lead us forward.”

Smith earned both a BS in Accounting and an MBA from The University of Utah in Salt Lake City. He will arrive to Homer in August to begin the position full time, but will be involved in upper level administration before then. Noel Rea, named interim CEO in April, will remain on until Smith’s arrival.

Safe Sitter 1-Day with CPR for students entering grades 6-8

The next Safe Sitter 1-Day Essentials with CPR at South Peninsula Hospital is scheduled for Friday, August 9th, 2019 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Registration, including the program fee of $50.00 (scholarships available upon request!) is required by August 5th – please contact wellness@sphosp.org or call the South Peninsula Hospital Health & Wellness Department at (907) 235-0970 to register and for more information.  Further details, including class location, will be shared with you upon registration.

Walk with a Doc! Saturday May 18th – Hal Smith, MD

Join us for our last “Walk with a Doc” until September 7th! FREE WALKING PASSES for June, July & August are available at Walk with a Doc! All are welcome Saturday, May 18th from 9:00 am-10:00 am to hear from Dr. Hal Smith, who recently retired after nearly 40 years in emergency medicine!

This is a free event, open to all ages and abilities! There is parking up at the SPARC and down below in the Homer Middle School Parking lot.

Walk with a Doc is a nationwide walking program for everyone interested in taking steps for a healthier lifestyle. What better way to start your weekend than on your feet making strides to help your heart and improving your general health to live longer! While you walk at your own pace, you’ll have the opportunity to have questions answered by local physicians.

There will be free blood pressure screenings, prizes, and refreshments!

Please bring clean indoor walking shoes.

Upcoming walk: September 7th, 2019! 

Living Well Alaska: Chronic Disease Self-Management Workshops

Living Well Alaska is a six-session weekly workshop for adults with all kinds of ongoing health conditions and their family or caregivers.  Developed by Stanford University and endorsed by the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services, Living Well workshops help you take control of your ongoing health condition, rather than letting it control you.

Put the life back in your life!

Workshops are on Wednesday from 4:30-6:30pm at Homer Medical Center, and a new series begins every two months.  The cost is $40 for the entire six-week series. Contact Living Well Alaska Instructor Michael Tupper, NCMA CPI at (907) 435-3047 for more information, upcoming course dates, and to register. 

Delayed Billing Available for Federal Employees

Federal employees affected by the government shutdown are eligible to suspend their payments on medical care at South Peninsula Hospital and hospital owned clinics for the duration of the shutdown.  To delay their payments, the employee must contact the hospital financial assistance office at 235-0218 or 235-0298 and request their billing and statement be put on hold. This offer applies to payment plan accounts, statements and billing for hospital, clinic and physician charges, and these accounts will not be subject to penalty or interest charges during the suspended time.  Questions can be directed to the financial assistance office at the numbers above.

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Dharti Patel, Certified Orthopedics Physician Assistant

South Peninsula Hospital Orthopedics and the office of Brent Adcox, MD, welcome Dharti Patel, Physician Assistant, to their care team. Patel moved to Homer this month from New York City, where she was a hand & wrist orthopedic PA at New York Hand and Wrist Center of Lennox Hill Hospital. Prior to that she worked for five years at Mount Sinai Hospital as an orthopedic PA.  She is a graduate of St. Johns University in New York.

Welcome Baby Sequoia Snow; First Baby born at South Peninsula Hospital in 2019!

Sequoia Snow Bettinger was born January 1st, 2019 at 8:00am. She weighed 9 pounds, 3 oz and was 21.5 inches long. Her parents are Allyse and Owen Bettinger.  Sequoia was caught by dad and Dana Whittaker, Certified Nurse Midwife from Homer Medical Center.

Free Diabetes Screening

Happy New Year From Homer Medical Center!

 

Homer Medical is helping you start the year off well with a free Diabetes Screening for patients without current diabetes diagnosis.

This includes:

  • Point of Care diabetes screening blood test (HbA1C)
  • 30 minute visit with PeggyEllen Kleinleder, RN, Certified Diabetes Nurse Educator
  • Consult to review the test results
  • Diabetes education on healthy eating for prediabetes, diabetes and diabetes prevention
  • Blood pressure check
  • Free take-home materials.

Daytime and evening appointments are available! Call 235-8586. And don’t delay, as this offer is good only for the month of January. It is free, and no insurance is required.

Living Well Alaska – NEW DATES!

The upcoming Living Well Alaska Workshop Series has been postponed one week – great news for you if you haven’t signed up yet and want to!

Living Well Alaska is a six-session weekly workshop for adults with ongoing health conditions and their family or caregivers.  Developed by Stanford University and endorsed by the Alaska Department of Health & Social Services, Living Well workshops help you take control of your ongoing health condition, rather than letting it control you.

Put the life back in your life!

The next workshops will be on Wednesdays, January 16 – February 20, 2019 from 4:30-6:30pm at Homer Medical Center.  The cost is $10 for the entire six-week series. For more information and to register, please call the SPH Health & Wellness Department 235-0285 or email wellness@sphosp.org.

Download full flyers here

Walk with a Doc! Seasonal Affective Disorder – what it is and ways to cope, with Bobbi Cleary, MSCP, LPC

Join South Peninsula Hospital and Homer private practice counselor Bobbi Cleary, MSCP, LPC at SPARC (600 Sterling Hwy next to Homer Middle School) for our next “Walk with a Doc”! All are welcome Saturday, January 19th from 9:00 am-10:00 am for Bobbi’s brief talk on Seasonal Affective Disorder – what it is and ways to cope with it and spend the rest of the hour walking at your own pace, chatting & asking any questions. This is a free event, open to all ages and abilities! There is parking up at the SPARC and down below in the Homer Middle School Parking lot. Find out more on Facebook or our page on the Walk with a Doc National website!

SPH Home Health Named to the National Elite List

South Peninsula Hospital Home Health Department was named a Top Agency in the 2018 HomeCare Elite recognition list of top-performing home health agencies in the United States. SPH Home Health was listed in the top 25 percent of the nearly 9,000 agencies considered.

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes new oncologist

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Darren Mullins, MD, Board Certified in Medical Oncology and Internal Medicine to their medical staff.

Dr. Mullins received his undergraduate degree in 1987 from the University of Alabama where he also completed medical school. Dr. Mullins completed the Internal Medicine Residency at the University Of Tennessee College Of Medicine in 1994 and went on to complete his Medical Oncology Fellowship training at the University Of Virginia Health Sciences Center.

Congratulations Hal Smith, MD

After 32 years of practicing emergency medicine in Homer, Harold “Hal” Smith, MD, retired in September from South Peninsula Hospital.

During most of his time at SPH he served as the Medical Director of the hospital’s Emergency Department, serving as the champion for systems development, recruitment and advancing practices.  Examples of recent improvements was supporting the tele-connection to Kachemak Emergency Services ambulances for in-field connection to patient vitals and health data to better prepare the emergency department for their arrival, and the adoption of tele-stroke, web-based telemedicine which allows a consulting neurologist to get their eyes on a patient within minutes of their arrival to the Emergency Room.

Boundary Lines to be decided at the Ballot Box

Voters will be asked two very important questions regarding the hospital’s service area boundaries in the October 2, 2018 election: Ballot Proposition #2 – Moves the north boundary line to the highway midway point between the two hospitals. (to be voted on by Central Peninsula Hospital Service Area residents and voters in the proposed added area). […]

Welcome Chris Landess, MD

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Christopher Landess, MD, to the medical staff and Emergency Department. He is Board Certified in Family Medicine, specializing in Emergency Medicine. Landess recently moved to Homer from Knoxville, Tennessee, though not a stranger to Alaska. He was raised in Sterling, and is excited about the opportunity to return home to share […]

Thank you, Homer! Community Walking Challenge Results:

More than 90 million steps taken in community-wide steps challenge

Over $3,000 in cash and merchandise prizes were awarded to winners in the 1st annual community wide steps challenge at the event-wrap up party on Saturday, June 2 at the Homer Farmers Market.

The City of Homer retained team bragging rights, ending the month long challenge with 349,443 total steps taken. The City won last year’s challenge, which was an invitational among four local agencies, and took the trophy in this year’s expanded event among 18 total teams.

435 participants enrolled in the event, taking a grand total of 90,214,266 steps in the month of May.

Next Walk with a Doc – Saturday, June 16th with Dr. Paula Godfrey!

Join South Peninsula Hospital and Paula Godfrey, DO at SPARC (600 Sterling Hwy next to Homer Middle School) for our next “Walk with a Doc”! All are welcome Saturday, June 16th from 9:00 am-10:00 am to hear a brief talk by Dr. Godfrey on locating and using an AED in an emergency and spend the rest of the hour walking at your own pace, chatting & asking any questions. This is a free event, open to all ages and abilities! There is parking up at the SPARC and down below in the Homer Middle School Parking lot. Find out more on Facebook or our page on the Walk with a Doc National website!

Letter from the CEO

To the Community,

The situation reported in a recent newspaper article continues to be a priority for our organization and we are deeply sensitive to the issues. Making sure we have a climate of dignity and respect, for both our patients and staff

More information about the challenge is available here and please contact wellness@sphosp.org or (907) 235-0970 with questions or for assistance!  We can help with entering steps!'>

Homer Steps Up! 2018 Last Weekly Drawing on TUESDAY 5/29!

Don’t forget to enter your steps or sync your activity devices before the end of the day Monday 5/28 so that you will be entered in the prize drawings on Tuesday!

More information about the challenge is available here and please contact wellness@sphosp.org or (907) 235-0970 with questions or for assistance!  We can help with entering steps!

Living Wills? Power of Attorney? Making Sense of Medical Decisions with Dr. Giulia Tortora

Join South Peninsula Hospital and Giulia Tortora, MD at Pioneer Hall, Kachemak Bay Campus –  533 E. Pioneer Ave in Homer on Wednesday, April 18th, 2018 from 6:00 – 7:30 PM to learn about and discuss living wills & other advance care directives, and decisions around medical power of attorney, end of life care & dementia.

Walk with a Doc! This Weekend – Saturday, April 7th

Join South Peninsula Hospital and Edson Knapp, MD at SPARC (600 Sterling Hwy next to Homer Middle School) for our next “Walk with a Doc”! All are welcome Saturday, April 7th from 9:00 am-10:00 am to hear a brief talk by Dr. Knapp on breast cancer screenings and spend the rest of the hour walking at your own pace, chatting & asking any questions. This is a free event, open to all ages and abilities! There is parking up at the SPARC and down below in the Homer Middle School Parking lot. Find out more on Facebook or our page on the Walk with a Doc National website!

Meet the new hospital CEO at the newly expanded Homer Medical Center

Open House this Friday!
At the newly expanded homer medical center open house this friday! The community is invited to meet Joseph Woodin, new CEO of South Peninsula Hospital at an open house at Homer Medical Center on Friday, March 30 from 5:30 – 7:30pm. Guests will tour the newly expanded and remodeled clinic, meet several new healthcare providers on staff at Homer Medical, and welcome Mr. Woodin, who took over as the new CEO earlier this month, succeeding long time CEO Robert Letson who retired last year.

New CEO Selected

The South Peninsula Hospital, Inc. Board of Directors announces the selection of Joseph “Joe” Woodin for the position of Chief Executive Officer.

Woodin has 30 years of healthcare leadership experience, most recently as President and CEO at Martha’s Vineyard Hospital, a 26-bed critical access hospital and 62-bed nursing and rehab center in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts. Prior to this, Woodin spent 17 years as President and CEO at Gifford Health Care and Gifford Medical Center in Vermont. Gifford includes a 25-bed critical access hospital with extensive ancillary services, senior living communities and seven clinics located throughout the state of Vermont.

You Can Prevent Colon Cancer

Colon cancer is the second-leading cause of cancer deaths in America, but with regular screening, colon cancer can often be cured – and even prevented! Schedule your preventative colon cancer screening with Dr. Greg Hough in March, National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, and receive a free $20 token for the Homer Farmers’ Market*. Screenings are covered at 100% by most insurances. For normal-risk individuals, a colonoscopy is recommended every 10 years beginning at age 50.

Get Your Flu Shot

Flu shots are available at Homer Medical Center Monday through Saturday.  Flu shots can be billed to insurance; uninsured individuals are eligible for reduced fees. Appointments are available now at 235-8586 or through the Patient Portal.  Don’t delay!

Hospital CEO retires, leaving a decade-long legacy of leadership and dedication

After nearly a decade at the helm of South Peninsula Hospital, CEO Robert Letson retired in December, 2017.  As CEO, Letson is credited with numerous organization achievements, including improved financial performance, the addition and expansion of outpatient clinics and services, the inclusion of primary care, and the successful recruitment and retention of 26 new physicians.

Matt Hambrick, president of the hospital’s board of directors, said, “We are extremely grateful for Bob’s leadership and dedication over the past 10 years. He led our community hospital to a top-100, five-star level, improving the quality of life for the residents we serve. His vision and commitment put our community hospital on the leading edge of healthcare.”

Letson became the hospital’s chief administrator in March 2008, bringing with him more than 21 years of proven success in not-for-profit hospital management and 13 years with for-profit hospitals. Since then, he has been instrumental in the advancement of hospital services and operations. Under his leadership, South Peninsula Hospital has three times been named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital in the nation, chosen out of 1,300 eligible hospitals based on quality, patient perspective, affordability, market strength and other performance indicators. Additionally, the hospital’s nursing home is rated five-star by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Quality Compare Program based on quality measures, staffing and health inspections.

Dr. Ostrom offers new procedures at Homer Medical Center

Katie Ostrom, MD, OB/GYN at Homer Medical Center, now performs laser therapy as a painless alternative to using hormone therapy for vaginal restoration. The laser treatment stimulates the production of collagen in the vaginal tissue, improving the treated area’s functionality and restoring the proper balance to the mucous membrane.

This procedure can cure many of the uncomfortable conditions resulting from menopause or childbirth, allowing women to fully enjoy their postmenopausal and post-childbearing years. Treatable discomforts commonly include dryness, incontinence, burning, painful intercourse and laxity.

Laser therapy is the most effective treatment for these conditions without the use of pharmaceuticals or surgery. Visit www.homerobgyn.com for more information or call 235-8586 to make an appointment.

Welcome New Certified Nurse Midwife

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Dana Whittaker, Certified Nurse Midwife, to the women’s health team at Homer Medical Center’s West Wing.  Whittaker, Certified Nurse Midwife and Advanced Nurse Practitioner, received her nursing degree from Weber State University and her masters from Frontier Nursing University.  She became a Certified Direct Entry Midwife in Alaska after attending Seattle Midwifery School where she specialized in home births. She has been a nurse at South Peninsula Hospital for 12 years, was in private practice for four years, and interned at Alaska Native Medical Center, Kachemak Bay Family Planning Clinic and at HMC West Wing.

City takes the trophy in Homer Steps Up Challenge!

The City of Homer won the trophy in the first ever inter-agency steps challenge, sponsored by South Peninsula Hospital.

Top stepper of the challenge was Laurie Heckert: 745,484.

Nearly 200 people participated in the challenge, organized by South Peninsula Hospital between lead health organizations in the community during the month of May.  The individual participant goal was 7,500 steps each day. The individual with the most steps won $250, and those who walk a minimum of 166,067 total steps were entered into a drawing for a $1,000 cash prize, donated by the South Peninsula Hospital Foundation.

A Day of Mindfulness Offered

Jerry Braza, PhD, will offer a one day Mindfulness training on Saturday, May 13, from 10am – 4pm at Many Rivers. The morning session includes guided mindfulness practice and a mindful walk. The afternoon includes deep relaxation, mindful contemplation, mindful movements and practices for home. No prior experience is needed. Braza is a leading voice in the field of health education and mindfulness, former university professor and author of two books on the subject.
People can register for half or full day training. A sliding scale registration fee is offered and range from $20-$30 for the half day, and $30-$60 for the full day. Contact 235-0258 to register.

Safe and Healthy Kids Fair on April 29

The annual Safe and Healthy Kids Fair is set for Saturday, April 29 from 10am-2pm at the Homer High School. This is a free, fun event for children from tots to teens to focus on safety, health and wellness. The fair offers more than 30 booths and stations with hands on activities and demonstrations. Loads of door prizes are given away throughout the free fair, including the grand prize giveaways at 1:30pm of a tricycle and bicycles.

A bike rodeo will take place in the school parking lot from 10am-noon. Kids can bring their bikes for a free inspection to get ready for safe, summer fun. Helmets are required, and are available for purchase on site. Free test rides on the drunk-driving simulator ATV cart are offered throughout the day in the parking lot.

Overdose Response Training Offered

South Peninsula Hospital will offer a free training for responding to opioid overdose. Attendees will learn how to recognize and respond to an opioid overdose and receive a free Narcan (naloxone) response kit. The training will be Thursday, April 20, from 5:30-6:30pm at the SPH training center and will be presented by Dr. Sarah Spencer, Addiction Medicine Specialist. Naloxone funding provided by State of Alaska Project Hope. Please register in advance at 235-0258.
(Photo attached) Sarah Spencer, DO

Farewell and Thank You Dr. Wiest!

Randy Wiest, MD, board certified family practice physician at Homer Medical Center, retired from his medical practice at the clinic. Dr. Wiest practiced here for nearly twenty years, providing care for all stages of life. He was a member of Active Medical Staff at the hospital and provided physician coverage in the Emergency Department and Acute Care units. Thank you, Dr. Wiest, for your service to the community!

Hospital Boot Camp – Register by March 13

South Peninsula Hospital is offering a hospital boot camp in Homer April 7-8 for hospital and physician leaders. Led by Horty, Springer & Mattern Attorneys, this is a don’t-miss event for all hospital leadership positions, and a great reason to visit Homer this spring! Register online by Monday, March 13!

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.

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.

SPH now offers telemedicine that saves time, and lives

Staff nurses Peggy Frazier, Nicole Reynolds, Haylee Bradshaw and Grace Halsted train on tele-stroke equipment and supplies.

Every minute counts when someone is experiencing stroke symptoms.  And now, South Peninsula Hospital offers web-based telemedicine to allow a consulting neurologist to get their eyes on a patient within minutes of their arrival to the Emergency Room.

Offered through the telehealth program at Providence Alaska Medical Center, tele-stroke uses an electronic internet platform and portable equipment to connect stroke patients and the hospital’s ER doctors with a neurologist in Anchorage or Seattle. Using extremely high definition camera, the consulting neurologist can talk to the patient in Homer about their symptoms, evaluate the patient’s motor skills, view their CT scan, make a diagnosis and prescribe treatment.

Birthing Center Scores High Marks from CDC

South Peninsula Hospital received a total score of 94 out of 100 in the 2015 Maternity Practices in Infant Nutrition and Care Survey.  This is a national survey of infant feeding practices in maternity care settings which is conducted every two years on behalf of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In the most recent survey released in September for calendar year 2015, South Peninsula Hospital was reporting on practices for 141 births.

The hospital’s total score is an overall quality score that averages their seven sub-scores on care:  labor and delivery care (100); postpartum care (feeding of breasted infants (100), breastfeeding assistance (100), and mother to infant contact (94); discharge care (88); staff training (n/a); and structural/organizational aspects of care delivery (83).  South Peninsula Hospital met or exceeded the averages for sub-scores from reporting facilities in Alaska, and placed in the 91st percentile for total score compared to all facilities nationwide.

For more information see attached state report and visit www.cdc.gov/mpinc or http://www.cdc.gov/breastfeeding/data/mpinc/index.htm

SPH Welcomes New Pulmonologist

SPH Welcomes New Pulmonologist

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Marek Martynowicz, MD, to the specialty clinic provider staff.  His special medical expertise is in the management of interstitial lung diseases and special bronchoscopic techniques. He currently practicing at Internal Medicine Associates in Anchorage.

Dr. Martynowicz will be providing monthly outpatient clinics at the SPH Specialty Clinic on Bartlett Street, and provide inpatient rounding and consults as requested. His first scheduled clinic in Homer is December 15 and 16.  Call the Specialty Clinic at 235-0310 for an appointment or more information.

Health Needs Assessment Complete

MAPP of the Southern Kenai Peninsula, our community coalition working together to improve community health, will release the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment at the upcoming MAPP quarterly meeting on December 9.  The meeting takes place at the Kachemak Bay Campus of the Kenai Peninsula College in Homer, and starts at 9am. It is open to the public.

MAPP (Mobilizing for Action through Planning and Partnerships) is a model for community visioning, conducting health assessments, and implementing health improvement plans.  The assessment can be found online at www.mappofskp.net.

Welcome Home Christy (Walkden) Martinez, MD

Christy Martinez, MD, Board Certified in Family Medicine is the newest member of the medical staff at South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Medical Center.  Better known to local residents by her maiden name Walkden, Christy was born at South Peninsula Hospital, raised in Homer, and graduated from Homer High School in 2001.

Dr. Martinez attended University of Washington Medical School and completed her residency…

Welcome Drs. Renda and Edson Knapp, our newest Radiologist and Gynecologist

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes new radiologist Edson Knapp, MD, and his wife, gynecologist Renda Knapp, MD to the hospital’s medical staff and the community. Both received their medical degree at University of South Florida, and practiced medicine in Florida and most recently in Tennessee.

Free Sports Physicals – ONE DAY ONLY!

Homer Medical Center will host a sports physical clinic for high school students needing a physical for participation in school sanctioned activities.  The clinic will be from9am-2pm on Saturday July 16, 2016 at Homer Medical Center on Bartlett Street.  Exams on this one-day event are being offered free of charge by volunteer healthcare providers from […]

Welcome Katie Ostrom, Board Certified OB/GYN

Katie Ostrom   Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology

Katie Ostrom
Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology

South Peninsula Hospital and Homer Medical Center announce the full time obstetrics and gynecology practice of Katie Ostrom, MD.  Dr. Ostrom attended Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, Texas and completed her residency at the University of New Mexico.  She practiced for the last ten years in Anchorage, most recently at Alaska Women’s Health, and has offered regularly scheduled clinics in Homer for the last several years.

Katie specializes in women’s health for all ages, offering office visits, in-office procedures and obstetric and gynecological surgical services at the hospital.  She is now accepting new patients at Homer Medical Center.  Call 235-8586 for an appointment.

Hospital seeks proposals for Coffee Vendor

South Peninsula Hospital is accepting proposals for an onsite, exterior coffee vendor at its main facility location at 4300 Bartlett Street.  Proposals are due June 15.  Guidelines and requirements are available here or by contacting Glenn Radeke at 235-0351.

Download the RFP

ATTENTION: PERTUSSIS (WOOPING COUGH) AND THE FLU ARE SPREADING IN OUR COMMUNITY.

Pertussis, also called whooping cough, can cause uncontrollable, violent coughing that often makes it hard to breathe. Pertussis is a serious, very contagious illness that can even cause death.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat, and lungs. It can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death.

Contact your health care provider or the Public Health Center for testing and diagnosis, treatment or immunization options for protecting against these diseases.

Homer Public Health at 195 E. Bunnell Avenue, Ste C, is hosting an Immunization Drive Aril 4-8.  Call 235-8857 to set your appointment.

Living Life to Its Fullest: with arthritis or a repetitive motion injury

Sarah Bollwitt, OTR/L and Jacquelyn Forster, OTR/L  will present and discuss on causes, risk factors, treatment and management of arthritis and repetitive motion injuries.

Stay informed of important discussions and decisions underway regarding the future of healthcare on the Kenai Peninsula.

Visit the Kenai Peninsula Borough Healthcare Task Force site for information.

Hospital welcomes new and renewing board members; announces officers and new chief of staff

South Peninsula Hospital, Inc. Board of Directors welcomes a new board member and re-appoints three.  Lane Chesley was appointed in January to serve for one year in a vacated seat, and Vickey Hodnik, DDS, Matt Hambrick, and David Groesbeck were all re-appointed to three year seats at the December meeting. The new officers were elected […]

Specialty Clinic Calendar

You can view the Specialty Clinic Schedule through our online calendar or you may print a copy of the current schedule for December 2015 through December 2016. Click here to print the Specialty Clinic Calendar

Homer Medical offers high school Sports Physicals Year Round at discounted rate!

The Alaska School Activities Association requires a sports physical for high school students to participate in organized athletics and activities. In lieu of the one day sports physical clinic event this year, local clinics now offer sports physicals year round as part of regular services. This is much more convenient for busy families and allows […]

Welcome Teresa K. Johnson, MD to Homer Medical Center

South Peninsula Hospital welcomes Teresa K. Johnson, MD, a board-certified family practice physician to its active medical staff.  Dr. Johnson attended medical school at the University Of Kansas School Of Medicine, and completed her residency at the University of Kansas Medical Center / HCA Wesley Family Practice.  Dr. Johnson practiced family medicine in Wichita, Kansas […]

Greg Hough, MD, now offering Surgical Services

Greg Hough, MD, provides a full range of surgical services, including the most current of minimally invasive procedures and advanced laparoscopic procedures.  He offers consult and surgery for conditions involving the breast, endocrine system, gastrointestinal tract, colon, liver, pancreas and rectum. Dr. Hough is now accepting new patients.  His surgical clinic is located at 4201 Bartlett […]

Ebola Update

Update from South Peninsula Hospital  Oct. 19, 2014 Although South Peninsula Hospital has not yet treated anyone who falls into the risk category for Ebola, when needed we will utilize the screening criteria for patient isolation as set forth by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention for Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) as follows: Fever, headache, joint and […]

SPH Named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital

South Peninsula Hospital was named a Top 100 Critical Access Hospital out of more than 1,300 critical access hospitals nationwide in 2013. This marks the third time in as many years to receive this designation. The top 100 critical access hospitals scored best on the iVantage Health Analytics’ Hospital Strength Index, which includes a unique set […]

Orthopedic Care Offered

Dr. Adcox relocated from Texas where he has been practicing orthopedics for nearly 10 years. He received a bachelor’s and master’s of science in biology from Texas Tech University, and earned his doctor of medicine degree at the University of Texas Medical School. He completed his residency in orthopedic surgery at the University of Texas […]

Diabetes Education Now Offered

A referral is required.  Diabetes education is covered by many insurance programs. For more information or to register, call 235-0369 or 235-0320.

Completing the Hospital Expansion

In a special mail-in election the service area voters approved issuing $14.7 million in bonds to complete the next phase of the expansion. The bid for this final phase was awarded to Jay Brandt Construction, and work began in June of 2008. Part of this phase, including the new patient wing featuring 18 single occupancy […]