Northeast Alaska’s native-run health association is buying two Juneau health care providers.
Juneau Youth Services and Juneau Obstetrics and Gynecology will be part of Juneau’s Obstetrics and Gynecology Department to form the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium SEARHC, also known as SEARHC.
The introduction to Juneau Obstetrics and Gynecology can increase the women’s health services offered by SEARHC substantially in Juneau. The previous board-certified OB/GYN was located in Sitka.
“We are thrilled to increase the range and depth of services for women’s health that we offer our customers,” said Dr. Elliot Bruhl, SEARHC’s Chief Medical Officer in a press statement.
Bruhl said that Juneau patients were frequently referred to outside of SEARHC to receive services that went beyond the scope of general women’s health servicessuch as high-risk pregnancy or fertility treatment. He said that now that clients will have the ability get these services more easily.
SEARHC Vice President for Primary Care Martin Benning said the transition will be completed by the end of spring. Benning said Juneau Obstetrics as well as Gynecology patients can continue receiving care by SEARHC.
“We’re fully prepared to care for all within our community,”” stated Martin Benning. “Our intention is to make sure that patients receive the same treatment they’re receiving now.”
Juneau Youth Services will also join SEARHC in the next few weeks. The nonprofit mental health organization provides therapies, from counseling to residential care for young people.
“The requirements for residential services are crucial for our local Juneau and Southeast region. They also address a major demand in our state.” stated Eric Gettis SEARHC’s Vice-President of Behavioral Health.
Gettis stated that the addition of JYS’s residential services will enable SEARHC the ability to house more young patients with behavioral health issues in Alaska and near home for care in-patients.
He explained that JYS sought out SEARHC to provide assistance to navigate the rising costs of inflation and the labor market being tight.
“We have a variety of infrastructures that smaller organizations have to have to contend in,” Gettis said. “So instances of this could include information technology, the software for IT, or human resources facilities, expensive facilities expert knowledge, and additional support for clinical care.”
JYS Executive Director Amy Simonds Taylor said she anticipates opening a new treatment facility soon. JYS accepts referrals from children who require residential treatment and is currently hiring behavioral health assistants as well as case coordinators and supervisors.
Patients who are currently patients are not going to lose access treatment. The transition will be completed in the next months.
