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Fall Nuka Conference

Join us in Anchorage, Alaska for Southcentral Foundation’s Fall Nuka System of Care Conference on September 20-21, 2021! After this challenging year, we are looking forward to the opportunity to share tools and continue conversations about transforming health care, managing change, and supporting the workforce. This new opportunity is the first to be offered in-person as we navigate reopening campus for outside organizations. We have limited the number of slots to allow for appropriate physical distancing, so register today!

The Fall Nuka Conference includes six workshop-length sessions on topics such as integrated care delivery, strategic planning, workforce development, change management, and more. You’ll also receive a tour of Southcentral Foundation’s Anchorage Native Primary Care Center with opportunities to network with other conference participants and Nuka subject matter experts.

Registration includes breakfast and lunch. All sessions are hosted in Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka Learning and Wellness Center (4085 Tudor Centre Drive) in Anchorage, Alaska.

Cancellation policy:

Registration cancellation must be sent by email to SCFNukaEvent@scf.cc by September 6, 2021. Cancellations received after September 6, 2021 are nonrefundable. Registrations may be transferred to another person by requesting the change and emailing the replacement attendee’s name and contact information.

Southcentral Foundation is committed to ensuring the health and safety of the community and visitors to the Alaska Native Health Campus. Unfortunately, due to the increase in severity in case numbers with COVID-19, the in-person Fall Nuka Conference has been cancelled.

Please click below to sign up for alerts regarding future in-person opportunities.

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Fall Nuka Conference Agenda

7:30 – 8:30 a.m.Registration and Breakfast
8:30-8:45 a.m.Blessing and Welcome
8:45 – 10 a.m.Nuka System of Care Overview

April Kyle, President/CEO, Southcentral Foundation

  •  Discuss the SCF Nuka System of Care transformation
  •  Discuss SCF practices in a community driven health care system
  • Examine the effects of health outcomes and design aspects of a customer-owner health care delivery system
  • Define SCF’s successes and challenges on instituting change
10 – 10:15 a.m.Break
10:15 – 11:30 a.m.Powerful Primary Care Approach

Doug Eby and Donna Galbreath

  • Compare differences between traditional health care systems and integrated health care systems
  • Identify the different integrated care team roles and how they contribute to the team
  • Examine the structures that support the team-based environment
  • Define SCF’s relationship-based  approach for overcoming barriers to teamwork and customer-driven care
11:30 a.m. – 12:45 p.m.Lunch
12:45 – 2 p.m.Concurrent Workshops
Workforce Development

Kristi Brenock-Leduc, Karen McIntire, Barb Sappah

  • Examine SCF’s relationship-based approach to Human Resources
  • Identify SCF’s workforce competencies and their role in interviewing, performance development plans, and performance evaluation to support the vision and mission
  • Define the use of onboarding as a tool in promoting career development throughout the workforce
  • Describe SCF’s learning and development philosophy, structures, processes and workforce support
Data and Information Management

Mike Hirst, Steve Tierney, David Fenn

  • Review SCF’s journey to building a data quality platform
  • Examine methods for workflow versus outcome focused practice
  • Provide key steps to consider when building or growing your own information strategy
  • Discuss what is done if data shows performance is not acceptable
  • Examine segmentation of high utilizers to optimize resources
2 – 2:15 p.m.Break
2:15 – 3:30 p.m.Introduction to Behavioral Health Integration

Melissa Merrick, Jackie Ballou, Troy Wolcoff

  • Define behavioral health integration
  • Explore existing models of integration
  • Describe behavioral health integration at SCF and where it is implemented in our system
  • Explain brief intervention
  • Explore the common clinical issues addressed, and the standard screening tools used
3:30 – 3:45 p.m.Break
3:45 – 4:30 p.m.Managing Change and Innovation

Michelle Tierney, Karen McIntire

  • Learn about the tools and systems SCF uses to facilitate change
  • Review change management principles
  • Learn how to support staff during times of change
4:30 p.m.Adjourn
8 – 9 a.m.Breakfast
9 – 10:15 a.m.Identifying and Addressing Trauma and its Impacts on Health Through Cultural Strategies

Polly Andrews, Marcel Bergeron

  • Identify how services aimed at addressing root causes helps heal trauma and leads to improved health outcomes
  • Explore how learning circles help participants connect with topics such as anger, recovery, responding, disappointment, shame, and relational style
  • Explore the impact of implementing the use of peer leaders and modeling rather than clinical hierarchy in addressing issues of trauma
  • Identify how emphasis on culture and spirituality and building on the strengths of the Native community can help those impacted by trauma
10:15 – 10:30 a.m.Break
10:30 – 11:45 a.m.Tour of Southcentral Foundation’s Anchorage Native Primary Care Center

Doug Eby

  • Describe how the Nuka System of Care’s philosophy is infused in outstanding facility design
  • Define how the beautiful facilities contribute to Alaska Native pride, honor, dignity, and self-confidence
  • Relate facility design to effective clinical interactions
11:45 a.m. – 1 p.m.Lunch
1 – 2:15 p.m.Strategic Planning and Using the Voice of the Customer for Improvement

Sharon Fenn, Monica Lee, Melissa Caswell  

  • Determine ways that accessing the voice of the customer helps in the improvement cycle
  • Identify structures which support deploying improvement initiatives
  • Explain how SCF’s strategic approach to improvement supports our journey to achieve the vision and mission
  • Describe how SCF applies the Baldrige framework and uses Baldrige feedback  as a tool for continuous improvement
  • Describe various ways SCF listens to the voice of the customer and uses feedback for improvement
Advanced Behavioral Health Integration

Melissa Merrick, Allison Herman, Roger Fox

  • Review of behavioral health integration (BHI) clinical work
  • Explore Behavioral Health Consultants (BHCs) clinical assessment tools
  • Provide overview of hiring, training and leadership of BHCs
  • Discuss financial structure of BHI services
  • Describe expansion of BHI services, including integrated psychiatry
  • Describe expanding BHI services to non-primary care settings
2:15 – 2:30Break
2:30 – 3:15 p.m.Integrated Care Team Optimization

Steve Tierney, Rona Johnson

  • Describe SCF’s process for optimizing integrated primary care teams
  • Analyze the ways in which SCF offers organizational support to help integrated care teams work better with customers
  • Identify the positive results SCF has achieved through its use of integrated care teams
3:15 – 4 p.m.Cultural Closing – Alaska Native Dance
4 p.m.Adjourn

Stay for the Nuka Integrated Care Team Training!

Considering adding the Integrated Care Team Training intensive to your registration, which follows the Fall Nuka Conference on September 22-23! In this training, you will explore Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka System collaborative care model through interactive, subject matter expert led panels. We encourage participants to engage and ask questions throughout to get the most out of the training for your use.

At the end of the Integrated Care Team Training, you will be able to:

  • Implement team based best practices in the technical day-to-day delivery of care
  • Recognize their relational styles and the impact of different work energies on team dynamics
  • Utilize a personal toolbox developed in the training to support self-awareness, navigating resistance, and handling conflict
  • Facilitate communication to manage change and workflow in an integrated care team

Integrated Care Team Training Agenda

TimePresenterTopicLearning Objectives
8 – 8:15 a.m.LIWelcome & Check-InNot requesting CME/CEU
8:15 – 9:15 a.m.Solveig Johnson

Christa Phelps

Southcentral Foundation Nuka System of Care Overview
  •  Define the governing principles of SCF and how they connect with the patient-centered integrated care teams.
  • Understand the vision, mission, operational principles, and goals of SCF.
9:15 – 9:30 a.m.Break
9:30 – 10:30 a.m.Solveig Johnson

Christa Phelps

Drive to Change
  •  Examine the current clinic flow and level of clinical discipline collaboration.
  •  Evaluate the organizations strengths and opportunities for improvement.
10:30 – 10:45 a.m.Break
10:45 – noonSolveig Johnson

Christa Phelps

Change Management
  •  Discuss the impact of change on clinical practice management.
  • Demonstrate aspects of communication needed to foster professional leadership.
  • Explain the multiple levels of resistance and identify how it presents within the health care system.
noon – 1 p.m.Lunch
1 – 1:30 p.m.Steve Tierney
Chelsea Ryan		History of the Integrated Care Team
  • Identify the primary disciplines collaborating within the core integrated care team.
  • Understand how an integrated care team impacts its patients.
1:30 – 2:30 p.m.Steve Tierney

Chelsea Ryan

Roles and responsibilities within SCF’s Nuka System of Care Part 1
  • Describe the basic elements of an integrated care team.
  • Identify best practices used for patient-centered care within an integrated care team.
2:30 – 2:45 p.m.Break
2:45 – 3:15 p.m.Steve Tierney

Chelsea Ryan

Integrated Care Teams in Action[ICT ACTIVITY (ICT Team Videos and Debriefs)]

  • Recognize common challenges in delivery health care and work to overcome them.
  • Apply best practices to integrated care team scenarios from team videos.
3:15 – 4:30 p.m.Steve Tierney

Chelsea Ryan

Roles and responsibilities within SCF’s Nuka System of Care Part 2
  • Evaluate resource utilization within the integrated care team.
4:30 – 4:45 p.m.Check-outNot requesting CME/CEU
TimePresenterTopicLearning Objectives
8-8:15 a.m.Learning InstituteCheck-inNot requesting CME/CEU
8:15-9:15 a.m.Melissa Merrick

Troy Wolcoff

Marisa Bashore

History of Behavioral Health Integration at Southcentral Foundation Part 1
  • Describe the strategies used to integrate behavioral health services into the primary care setting.
  • Identify solutions to integrate behavioral health into health care organizations.
9:15-10 a.m.Melissa Merrick

Troy Wolcoff

Marisa Bashore

History of Behavioral Health Integration at Southcentral Foundation Part 2
  • Explore clinical areas addressed by behavioral health consultant support.
  • Evaluate the impact to workflow by utilization of integrated support services.
10 -10:15 a.m.Break
10:15-11 a.m.Dorothy Fredenberg5 Dynamics (Simpli5): Energy Styles and Individual Assessment MapsNot Requesting CME/CEU

  • Build personal awareness of your own energies.
  • Examine the 5 Dynamics (Simpli5) energies in the work cycle and learning preferences.
11 a.m.-noonDorothy Fredenberg5 Dynamics (Simpli5) Continued: Personal Toolbox and Check-OutNot Requesting CME/CEU

  • Explore strategies to optimize your ability to apply the right energy at the right time to move through the work cycle effectively.
noon-1 p.m.Lunch
1-2:15 p.m.Erin Carrick, PA

Stephanie Janke, RN

Roni Phillips, CMA

Emily Wood, BHC

Samantha Painter

Q&A Integrated Care Team Panel
  • Explain how best practices are implemented in an integrated care team.
  • Provide examples of how each discipline supports patient-centered care through advocacy and inquiry.
  • Discuss strategies for overcoming challenges in the patient-centered team environment.
  • Identify strategies to optimize HEDIS data to improve panel management and patient outcomes.
2:15- 2:30 p.m.Break
 2:30-4 p.m.Steve Tierney

Olivia Lorenzo

Operations and Logistics
  • Recognize SCFs operational best practices supporting the Nuka System of Care.
  • Identify how Data Services and Information Technology are utilized by executive leadership.
  •  Analyze examples of system-wide changes including facilities design, telehealth, and teleworking.
4-4:30 p.m.Solveig Johnson

Guil Prickette

Implementation Strategies and Next Steps

 

  • Recognize current opportunities for clinical discipline integration and collaboration.
  • Describe strategies to implement Nuka best practice recommendations.
4:30-4:45 p.m.LI StaffQuestions/Close Out Not requesting CME/CEU

Who Should Attend

The Nuka Conferences are ideal for anyone interested in learning best practices from a health care system that has reduced cost, improved health outcomes and increased customer and employee satisfaction.

  • Analysts / Associates
  • Administrative Support
  • Interns / Fellows
  • Instructors / Educators
  • Executive Leadership
  • Directors
  • Managers
  • Direct Clients / Patient Services
  • Specialists
  • Board Members / Owners
  • Coordinators
  • Consultants

You should consider attending if you:

  • Are seeking proven solutions, best practices and tools to address challenging organizational issues in this rapidly changing industry.
  • Would like to see a vision for the future of health care.
  • Are interested in learning new skills.
  • Would like to network other health care organizations.

still on the fence about an in-person conference?

Enjoy breakfast and lunch in a socially distanced environment with individually bundled meals to adhere to safeguards.
The keynote room, breakout rooms and other spaces will be set up to allow plenty of space between tables and chairs.
Everyone attending in-person must be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
Masks, disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer will be available in gathering areas.
Hand-sanitizer stations will be plentiful throughout the common areas.
Doors, tables, chairs, and other touch points will be cleaned and sanitized before guests arrive and throughout the conference. Disinfecting wipes will also be placed throughout the meeting space.

Hotels / Accommodations

  • SpringHill Suites (within walking distance of campus)
  • Home2 Suites by Hilton Anchorage
  • Dimond Center Hotel
  • Courtyard by Marriott Anchorage
  • Hilton Garden Inn Anchorage
  • Embassy Suites by Hilton
  • Sheraton Anchorage Hotel
  • My Place Hotel
  • Hampton Inn Anchorage

If you’re arranging an alternative vacation rental (e.g., through Airbnb, HomeAway, or VRBO), here are a few areas that are near Southcentral Foundation and other noteworthy locations:

    • “U-Med” or “U-Med District” refers to the part of Anchorage that hosts two universities, several health care providers, and the Alaska Native Health Campus (where Southcentral Foundation is located). This area is bound by East Northern Lights Boulevard, Baxter Road, Tudor Road, and Lake Otis Parkway.
    • Downtown Anchorage is roughly 3rd to 10th Avenue between L Street and Gambell Street (including homes / rentals near the Delaney Park “strip”). Features many hotels, restaurant options, and tourist shops. Ask your hosts or rental contact about any safety concerns in their particular area.
    • East Anchorage / College Gate areas include places near Russian Jack, Nunaka Valley, and Baxter. These well-established neighborhoods are primarily residential and feature many small parks and trails.
    • Turnagain / West Anchorage is the area closest to the Ted Stevens International Airport and a 15-20 minute drive to Southcentral Foundation. This area is home to Kincaid Park: 1,400 acres of rolling, forested hills and beautiful scenery, with the Tony Knowles Coastal Trail connecting it to downtown along the coast.

FAQs

Will meals be provided?

Registration includes breakfast and lunch on all days of the conference (September 20-21). If you have special dietary needs, please indicate them in registration or email us at SCFNukaEvent@scf.cc.

Will I have access to presentation PowerPoints?

Your registration also includes the presentation slides and materials. You will receive an email after the conference that directs you to a site to download the materials.

I need a Visa to travel. Can you provide a letter of invitation?

Once your registration is paid, please contact us at SCFNukaEvent@scf.cc or at (907) 729-8608 to request an invitation letter.

When should I arrive at the conference?

Registration and networking breakfast is 7-8:30 a.m. Alaska Daylight Time. If you do not plan to attend breakfast, please complete registration by 8 a.m.

What is the recommended attire for the conference?

Attire is casual. Temperatures in the meeting rooms may be cool.

Will wireless internet be available at the conference?

Yes. Wireless is available at the conference location.

What are the parking options at the conference?

Parking is available at the conference location, including a nearby garage. All parking is free.