Part 1: Part 2: On today’s edition of The Lowdown, we speak with Dr. Laura Platt, an infectious disease doctor based in Boston. In a conversation with Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center’s chief of staff Dr. Steve Smith and Kodiak Area Native Association’s Dr. Evan Jones, Platt breaks down how the coronavirus is transmitted and why it’s so much more …
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On this edition of The Lowdown, we check in with health professionals from Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center and Kodiak Area Native Association to learn how the medical community is preparing for COVID-19 cases in Kodiak. They provide updates on hospital capacity and ventilators, debunk myths about masks and remind the community about best practices for keeping everyone on the …
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Kodiak is settling into a new routine of social distancing in the hopes of pushing off the possibility of a coronavirus case on the island. So far, Kodiak has not had a case of the virus, though the state of Alaska is at more than 60. Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center is changing how they approach medical care during this …
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The Alaska Medical Employees Association called off its strike against Providence Hospital in Kodiak today. In a joint statement this morning, the union and the hospital announced that Providence will allow AMEA workers — which include nurses, physical therapists, support staff and others — to maintain their current sick leave benefits for another year, and receive additional compensation now. “This …
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At Kodiak’s only hospital, nurses, physical therapists and medical support staff are preparing to strike on Friday. A medical union announced last week the intent to strike after Providence asked to delay negotiations by 30-45 days to allow time to prepare for coronavirus spread. Demonstrators outside the Providence Kodiak hospital hold signs reading “Hands off my sick leave” and “Honk …
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The medical union representing Kodiak nurses, physical therapists and other health care workers is going on strike to preserve earned sick leave and vacation benefits. On Tuesday, Alaska Medical Employee Association negotiators sent a 10-day notice to strike to Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center. “It’s bad for hospital morale. It’s bad for having a positive working environment. And I think …
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A medical employees union in Kodiak has been working without a signed contract for nearly a year. Negotiations over earned sick leave and vacation time came to a stalemate in October, but talks are set to resume this week. Union members unanimously authorized a strike this weekend, but they’re hoping they won’t have to use that option. Union organizer Genevieve …
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Medical equipment in Terra Cupp’s storage locker. (Photo courtesy of Terra Cupp) Mitch Borden/KMXT One of the main sources of medical equipment in Kodiak is a woman who collects and distributes it for free. But because of a sudden cancellation of a contract with Kodiak’s local hospital, she’s having a hard time storing all the stuff she’s amassed over the …
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An abandoned truck in Kodiak. Photo courtesy of the Kodiak Island Borough Kayla Desroches/KMXT The topic of junk cars leads off the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly work session tonight. Borough Manager Michael Powers says staff will update assembly members on the issue of abandoned cars and the borough regulations that apply to them. “Everything’s expensive to ship whether it’s coming …
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(Left to right) Nurse Steve, Nurse Lydia, and patient / actor Patricia Roberts during a simulated examination. Kayla Desroches/KMXT Kayla Desroches/KMXT Earlier in May, Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center conducted an ebola simulation where the hospital received and treated a patient with the disease. The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services had chosen Kodiak as the site for a …
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