Surgeon General visits Bethel and Napaskiak

On August 3rd, YKHC was honored to host Dr. Vivek Murthy, the United States Surgeon General. After a briefing about healthcare delivery in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta, local opioid use and treatment options, and other regional health issues, YKHC staff brought Dr. Murthy to Napaskiak.

The Surgeon General travels by boat on the Kuskokwim River to visit the community of Napaskiak.

While in Napaskiak, Dr. Murthy toured the village clinic to meet clinic staff and get an introduction to frontline healthcare delivery in the remote region.

Left to right: Community Health Practitioner, Augusta Williams; Community Health Aid, Ross Nicholas; VADM Murthy; Behavioral Health Aide, Dora Johnson; and Office Assistant, Janet Clark during the Surgeon General’s visit to the Napaskiak Village Clinic.

Upon returning to Bethel, Dr. Murthy attended a meeting with the Orutsaramiut Native Council, the Bethel City Council, and other local leaders. Dr. Murthy even made a short visit to Bethel Meyers Farm before attending a dinner meeting with local Commissioned Officers of the US Public Health Service. Quyana Dr. Murthy for your visit to southwest Alaska!

Left to right: Jennifer Dobson, Paul Hager, Brian Lefferts and VADM Murthy.

Contributed by Tiffany Zulkosky, YKHC