By Dr. Hannah Sanders
For The Cordova Times
An
impending crisis looms over many remote communities in Alaska; the commercial
fishing season is about to begin while the novel coronavirus is spreading
rampantly. Normally this would be a time of excitement and anticipation but
with the pending influx of fishermen and seasonal workers to support the
fishing industry, that excitement has been replaced by concern and fear.
The challenges of Cordova with no road access to larger towns and healthcare
facilities, limited or nonexistent ferry service, limited air service, and
limited health care capabilities requires us to come together as a community.
We need to use every individual’s expertise and skill to mitigate our risk and
create the best possible outcome.
Working closely with the city and Illanka Health Clinic we have assembled a team to provide our medical response during this pandemic and I feel very fortunate to be a part of it.
Dr. Charles Blackadar has agreed to assist me serving as Cordova City Pandemic Medical Advisor. Dr. Adam Woelk, as the assistant medical response team advisor. Dr. Brian Iutzi EMS Medical Director and will oversee the EMS response. He has volunteered as their medical director for over two years. Laura Henneker FNP is going to act as the primary provider for the long-term care patients at the medical center during the pandemic, she will not be participating in pandemic response to have a “clean” provider for their care.
In addition, we have several physicians working to support our healthcare system and pandemic response, these include Dr. Kristel Rush, Dr. Robert Ledda, and Dr. Ronald Fribush. I will continue as the medical director at the Community Medical Center and the IMT medical advisor.
This team, as well as many others from the Community Medical Center, Illanka Health Clinic and the city, have spent countless hours preparing our pandemic response. We will continue to spend many many hours on this response. We have been working with other Alaska communities in addition to the state, to ensure we are as prepared as possible. We are working to secure equipment and supplies during a time when these resources are incredibly limited.
Please trust our decades of experience, training and knowledge to select the equipment, medications, testing and treatment we need to care for the community. We will most certainly need financial support to obtain the necessary purchases. Please let us make decisions on these items.
I urge you to work together to support our response. Trust that your medical providers have a common goal, and that is to keep each person in the community healthy, and most importantly, alive. We are as anxious as each of you to have the right tools. Trust that we are working side-by-side with city officials participating in preparation. We understand the economic impact of the pandemic and how important providing for your families is to you and your health. We know the backbone of this community is built on fishing. So while we are all longing for the early morning hum of gillnetters headed to the flats, know that the medical community needs your help and support during this trying time.
The most important defense we have right now is in your hands. Continue social distancing, hand hygiene with frequent washing, and using fabric masks while in public spaces. Please continue to follow Cordova mandates and guidelines.
We thank you for your support during this crisis.
Dr. Hannah Sanders is medical director for Cordova Community Health Center.
