Smoke Signals
2 MARCH 1,2012
NOTICE Monthly Tribal Council Wednesday Meetings
DATE TIME
Wednesday, March 7.... 5 p.m.
Wednesday, March 21 5 p.m.
Please note that these times and dates are subject to change If needed.
General Council meeting
Sunday, March 4 11 a.m.
Tribal Community Center
Grand Rondo Health and
Wellness Center institutes
Broken Appointment Policy
In an effort to make medical services more efficient, the Grand
Ronde Health and Wellness Center (H&WC) has approved and
instituted a broken appointment policy for medically-related ap
pointments at the H&WC. To qualify as a broken appointment
a patient must either not show up for their appointment, show
up more than 10 minutes late or give less than 24 hours notice
of cancellation. When any of these events occur, the patient is
notified in writing. After the third broken appointment in a six
month time frame, the patient will not be allowed to schedule
routine appointments. However, they will be offered a "sit and
wait appointment" the chance to sit and wait for an opening
with a provider. This probationary period will last for six (6)
months. The H&WC has a process for reminding patients of
appointments and strives to notify patients of appointments
the day before.
The broken appointment policy is very important as broken
or missed appointments create unused time in a provider's
schedule, which is inefficient financially and leads to barriers
to accessing care. Ultimately, a broken appointment policy ex
ists to improve access to care for all patients and is critical to
providing responsive, cost-effective health services. D
Dear Smoke Signals:
Not long ago, I had an encounter of the worst kind with a Tribal employee
who denied me my rights to freedom of choice, performed unauthorized
procedures and a couple other things.
During this period, I received very little help from people in the position
to rectify this situation. I subsequently turned to an outside source for help
in this matter and finally got some results.
Yesterday in the mail, I got a letter stating that the individual responsible
for all the pain, suffering and mental health problems this ordeal has cost
my wife and myself was way out of line. Now I have the proof in black and
white that this individual was totally and unacceptably wrong in every
thing he did to me. This information came in the form of a formal reprimand
from a state board against the employee who works for our Tribe. By the
way, I am banned from going there to receive any more work.
Anyone wanting a copy of this letter can contact me at lvymustang
yahoo.com. It's high time the Tribal community knows the truth about
the people who work for the Tribe.
Rod Smith
Roll 770
Elders' garage sale seeking donations
Tribal Elders are regularly seeking donations for fundraising garage
sales. To donate an item or items, contact Tribal Elders Linda Brandon
at 971-267-0918 or Duane Wheeler at 541-992-3254. B
Oft
503-879-5211 . I - , -
PUBLICATIONS OFFICE
9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde, OR 97347
1-800-422-0232, FAX: 503-879-2173
Web site: www.grandronde.orgnews
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SIOBHAN TAYLOR
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
DIRECTOR
503-879-1920
slobhM.uyforgrindronde.org
SCARLETT HOLTZ
PUBLICATIONS
SECRETARY
503-879-1453
scarlea.holugrandronde.org
GEORGE VALDEZ
GRAPHIC DESIGN
SPECIALIST
503-879-1416
george.valdezgrandronde.org
VALERIE COX
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
valerie.coxgrwdrondc.org
KRISTEN RAVIA
PUBLIC AFFAIRS
SECRETARY
503-879-1418
krKtm.ravbgnndrondt.org
JUSTIN PHILLIPS
PAGE DESIGNER
503-879-2190
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MICHELLE ALAIMO
PHOTOJOURNALIST
503-879-1961
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DEAN RHODES
PUBLICATIONS
COORDINATOR
503-879-1463
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RON KARTEN
STAFF WRITER
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CARLA MAY
CENTRAL PHONES
503-879-1447
carU.robertsgrandronde.org
DEADLINE PATE ISSUE PATE
Monday, March 5 March 1 5
Tuesday, March 20 April I
Thursday, April 5 April 15
SMOKE SIGNALS, a publication of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Com
munity of Oregon, Is published twice a month. No portion of this publication may be reprinted
without permission.
Our editorial policy is Intended to encourage Input from Tribal members and readers
about stories printed In the Tribal newspaper. However, all letters received must be
signed by the author, an address must be given and a phone number or e-mail address
must be Included for verification purposes. Full addresses and phone numbers will not
be published unless requested.
SMOKE SIGNALS reserves the right to edit letters and to refuse letters that are determined
to contain libelous statements or personal attacks on individuals, staff, Tribal administration
or Tribal Council. Not all letters are guaranteed publication upon submission. Letters to the
editor are the opinions and views of the writer. Published letters do not necessarily reflect the
opinions of SMOKE SIGNALS, Tribal staff, Tribal administration or Tribal Council.
Members of: Native American Journalists Association
The Associated Press
Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association
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2012 Tribal Council
1 -800-422-0232 councilgrandronde.org
D Cheryle A. Kennedy Chris Mercier
Tribal Chairwoman ext. 2305
eXk 2352 chris.merciergrandronde.org
cheryle.kennedygrandronde.org Q june jherer
a Reyn Leno ext. 1444
Tribal Vice Chair June.sherergrandronde.org
- ext. 2399 f oby McClary
reyn.Ienograndronde.org ; ex 4555
D Jack Giffen Jr. toby.mccIarygrandronde.org
Tribal Secretary a Kathleen Tom
- ext. 2300 - ext. 1 777
Jack.giffengrandronde.org kathIeen.tomgrandronde.org
Steve Bobb Sr. n Valorie Sheker
-ext. 2353 -ext. 2355
steve.bobbgrandronde.org val.shekergrandronde.org