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Yukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationQuyana, Dogidinh, Thank you Association of Village Council Presidents for this recognition. YKHC is proud to work alongside organizations like AVCP in our region.
YKHC recognizes and honors employees who stepped up during our Typhoon Halong response efforts for their compassion, bravery and willingness to help. Thank you for your hard work and dedication to our mission of Working Together to Achieve Excellent Health.
🏆 Please join us in congratulating Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC), recipient of the 2026 AVCP Health Award! 🎉
During and after Typhoon Halong, YKHC demonstrated extraordinary partnership and leadership by helping coordinate emergency response efforts, supporting recovery operations, and working alongside Tribal governments and regional partners to serve our communities.
Their commitment to the health, safety, and wellbeing of the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta helped strengthen our region during a challenging time and exemplifies the spirit of service recognized by this award.
Quyana to the entire YKHC team for your partnership and dedication to our people. 💙
7Yukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationOctober is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Getting a mammogram to screen for breast cancer is an important part of a woman’s regular health care program. Alaska Native women should undergo annual breast cancer screenings starting at age 40 (or earlier if recommended by your provider.)
Early detection of breast cancer leads to better outcomes. Don’t wait for something to feel “off” to meet with your provider.
In the villages, call your local health clinic to schedule an appointment.
In Bethel, call 907-543-6442 to schedule your mammogram today.
62 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationPlanning to take college courses during the spring semester?
Apply today for a scholarship to help pay for your courses! Application deadline is November 1.
Find the application and more information at https://www.ykhc.org/work/education
113 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationWhat does prevention sound like to you?
In the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, our elders often preface their sharing of wisdom with the phrase, "Because I love you, I tell you." Prevention sounds like love.
Prevention of all types begins with making a connection. We tell stories, sing our traditional songs, we provide instructions. But most importantly, we listen.
When the ones we love are in pain, we share in their sorrow. When we are joyful, we laugh together.
We are never alone.
Make a connection today.
123 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationWelcome to our Tobacco-Free Campus
Tobacco use is not allowed on YKHC properties or in YKHC buildings since we adopted our Tobacco-Free Campus policy in 2018. We know that a tobacco-free environment protects the health, safety and comfort of the people of the YK region in our facilities and on our grounds. We work to promote healthy lifestyles, showing YKHC’s commitment to the vision of “striving to be the healthiest people”. Not only are tobacco products costly, smell bad and cause cancer, but users of tobacco often leave cigarette butts and other tobacco waste products for others to clean up. If you do smoke or use other tobacco products, please do so in areas that you are permitted to do so and please be considerate of others by disposing of your waste. Tobacco products include, but are not limited to cigarettes, cigars, snuff, tobacco chew, dip tobacco, water pipes (hookah), electronic cigarettes, herbs, dedigus (Athabascan term for homemade tobacco products which consist of tobacco mixed with ash), iqmik (Yup’ik term for homemade tobacco product which consists of tobacco mixed with ash) and tobacco-less cigarettes or cigarette-like products. If you are interested in quitting tobacco, you may contact the YKHC Tobacco Prevention Program at 907-543-6312 or ask your healthcare provider for information regarding smoking cessation programs. You may also contact the Alaska Quit Line at 800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669).
Read on ykhc.orgYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationYKHC's Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia (Patty) Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Patty served as Interim President/CEO for the past six months, providing consistent leadership and driving efforts towards YKHC’s mission: Working together to achieve excellent health.
Patty has worked for YKHC for nearly 30 years, serving in a variety of roles with increasing responsibility throughout the organization. Prior to her role as Interim President/CEO, she served as Vice President of Outpatient Care and Village Health, where she oversaw an $85 million operating budget, the outpatient clinic in Bethel, 42 village clinics, and five sub-regional clinics. Patty is a lifelong resident of Bethel and is an Orutsararmiut Native Council (ONC) Tribal member.
As President/CEO, Patty will oversee YKHC’s comprehensive healthcare system, including the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital, 47 village health clinics, and a network of behavioral health programs and public health initiatives serving 58 federally recognized tribes in communities across Southwest Alaska. She will also lead efforts to expand YKHC’s health aide training program, increase telehealth services in village communities, double the size of the YK Elders Home, and advance other projects that bring care closer to home for residents across the YK region.
The appointment follows a rigorous search and assessment process by the Board of Directors and reflects Patty’s proven leadership, commitment to YKHC’s mission, and dedication to meeting the healthcare needs of the region.
See our full press release at https://www.ykhc.org/patty-smith-named-president-and-chief-executive-officer-of-ykhc/
47110115 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationMedicaid questions? Forms? Address changes? To most people, that sounds like a challenge.
To the YKHC Enrollment Team, that's a call to action! This team thrives on helping customers across the YK region navigate the system and become enrolled in public assistance programs, like Medicaid and SNAP.
Be sure to visit them the next time they pop up in your community!
Our "At YKHC" video series is designed to highlight some of the many awesome, hardworking people and programs that help promote health in our region. View more videos in the “At YKHC” series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT7CMrjzHDv9Ug4leev5LkYe-vx071Brw
6166 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation·NunapitchukThis summer, the Nunapitchuk clinic staff was recognized as YKHC's July Health Aides of the Month. This dedicated team earned the honor for responding to multiple emergencies while continuing to provide the reliable, day-to-day care their community depends on.
In this video, listen to the award announcement and celebrate the team's commitment to patient care. Congratulations and quyana, Nunapitchuk clinic staff!
If you want to be a YKHC health aide, learn more and apply at https://www.ykhc.org/work/.
15778 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationPatty Smith Named President and Chief Executive Officer of YKHC
The Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation (YKHC) Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Patricia (Patty) Smith as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Smith served as Interim President/CEO for the past six months, providing consistent leadership and driving efforts towards YKHC’s mission: Working together to achieve excellent health. Smith has worked for YKHC […]Read on ykhc.orgYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationFlu vaccine walk-in clinic at the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital near the pharmacy lobby every Friday 1-4 p.m.
If you have not been seen at YKHC before, please stop by registration before going to the vaccination booth.
Keep an eye out for vaccine opportunities for the updated COVID vaccine in a few weeks.
Can't make it? Schedule an appointment at your village clinic or by calling
907-543-6442 in Bethel.
74 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationWe're proud to introduce Jared Thorson from Aniak, Alaska. Jared is a Dental Health Aide Therapist Student, finishing his YKHC sponsored DHAT training in Bethel.
Jared isn't new to the dental field. Before becoming a DHAT student, he spent 13 years as a dental assistant at his home clinic and shares, “The thing I enjoy the most so far is that if our patients come in with a problem, we take care of it right away. That makes me feel good knowing that I am able to help, no matter how big or small that problem is.”
YKHC is currently accepting applications for its DHAT Student Sponsorship Program. Selected students receive support to attend the Alaska Dental Therapy Educational Program and prepare for a career providing dental care in communities throughout the Yukon-Kuskokwim region.
Application deadline is November 30. Learn more about the program and how to apply at https://www.ykhc.org/work/education/dhat/
53105 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationThis recipe is made for family fun! Join Miranda and Raven as they show us how to make rhubarb berry fruit leather. Find this and more recipes at https://www.ykhc.org/recipes/
281 shareYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationThe Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta Regional Hospital Emergency Department entrance will be closed to all traffic for maintenance beginning Saturday, September 19 until October 20, 2026.
All emergency traffic will be directed to the hospital's main entrance, which will remain open 24/7 for the duration of the four-week ED entrance shutdown.
The Bethel Police & Fire Departments, along with all cab companies and the YKHC shuttle service have been notified about the ED entrance closure and have been directed to use the hospital's main entrance during this closure.
Temporary barriers will be placed in the road to discourage traffic to the ED entrance and additional signage will be added in the hospital directing patients to the Emergency Department.
The barriers will not impede traffic in the event of an emergency evacuation of the building.
We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation while we make necessary improvements to the hospital.
624 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationAt YKHC, we work with our local and statewide partners to ensure the safety of our children by reporting sexual crimes to the proper authorities and we want to encourage you to do the same.
Please take note of the recent changes to sex consent laws in Alaska in the Star Alaska post below. To report a crime, please contact law enforcement.
For abuse occurring in Bethel, please contact the Bethel Police Department at 907-543-3781
For abuse occurring in the surrounding villages, please contact the Alaska State Troopers at 907-543-2294
If you or someone you know have been impacted by sexual assault or abuse, there are resources available to help.
Contact the Tundra Women’s Coalition at 907-543-3456 or Irniamta Ikayurviat: The Children’s Advocacy Center at 907-543-3144 and YKHC Behavioral Health at 907-543-6100.
NEW! The age of consent in Alaska is now 18, and we have created this flowchart to help everyone understand what that means.
This visual guide breaks down when consent can legally be given and reminds us that age is only one part of true consent. Feel free to share!
Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Council on Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault - Alaska Interior Alaska Center For Non-Violent Living AWAIC Alaska Children's Trust Anchorage Daily News Alaska's News Source @followers
#AKleg #SupportSurvivors #ConsentEducation #StandwithSTAR
33 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationThis week, we celebrate the amazing Direct Support Professionals all around our YKHC region!
Direct Support Professionals assist individuals who have physical and/or intellectual disabilities, offering support and care to help them maintain their independence and improve their quality of life.
Interested in becoming a DSP? Full-time and part-time positions may be available in your community. Apply at https://www.ykhc.org/work/
Quyana cakneq to all our DSPs for all the work you do!
92109 sharesYukon-Kuskokwim Health CorporationIn the Yukon-Kuskokwim region, our cultures are built around our relationships with others. Prevention looks like our everyday interactions with each other.
Prevention of all types begins with making a connection. We tell stories, sing our traditional songs, we provide instructions. But most importantly, we listen.
When the ones we love are in pain, we share in their sorrow. When we are joyful, we laugh together.
We are never alone.
Make a connection today.
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