14
FEBRUARY 1, 2017
S moke S ignals
General Council briefed on Health & Wellness Center
By Brent Merrill
Smoke Signals staff writer
The Grand Ronde Health & Well-
ness Center’s mission is to be
the premier health and wellness
choice for Tribal and community
members, said Tribal member and
Health Services Executive Director
Kelly Rowe at the General Council
meeting held on Sunday, Jan. 15,
at the Tribal Community Center in
Grand Ronde.
The meeting was originally
scheduled for Jan. 8, but was post-
poned when a winter storm made
travel dangerous in the Willamette
Valley.
Rowe said the center’s plan is
to provide excellent care that im-
proves patient health and quality
of life.
“We have been working diligently
over the last year on that and con-
tinue to work on that every moment
that we spend with our patients,”
said Rowe.
Rowe said the Tribe’s 2015 so-
cio-economic survey outlined quali-
ty of care, access to health care and
location of health care as Tribal
members’ top priorities.
Rowe said the survey results
have guided program goals for
the present and future. She said
health clinic staff members have
instituted a new patient process
that streamlines the gathering of
patient information with the goal of
creating more time between patient
and health care provider.
“We’re trying to bring as much
clarity to the process as possible,”
said Rowe.
Rowe said new primary care
providers are being added to the
Wellness Center staff and later
appointments have been added to
address the access issue.
“In 2017, we are having a new
medical doctor join us so we can
provide as much primary care as
possible,” said Rowe.
Rowe’s presentation covered the
Health & Wellness Center’s re-
sponse to each priority of quality,
access and location as she outlined
accomplishments and priorities
for the dental, behavioral health,
optometry, pharmacy and commu-
to identify early
Leno. “The intent that the Tribal
signs of poor dental
government has is to reduce the
health.
Government Operations endow-
“I just wanted to
ment by $3.285 million to create a
let everybody know
Culture endowment. This is some-
that we really want
thing we have been talking about
to provide the best
for a long time.”
quality care at the
He said Tribal Council approval
clinic and we want
must be unanimous to transfer with
to hear from the
the funds.
people if there are
Linda LaChance, Raven Harmon,
issues. Please don’t
Chris Contreras, Wink Soderberg
hesitate to reach
and Steve Bobb Sr. won the $50
out to us,” said
door prizes and Cherie Butler, Lau-
Rowe. “We want
ra Gleason and Louise Coulson won
to make sure that
the $100 door prizes. Bobb donated
Photo by Michelle Alaimo
we’re
working
on
his winnings to the Tribal Veterans
Tribal Health Services Executive Director Kelly Rowe
i
m
p
r
o
v
i
n
g
t
h
e
Special Event Board.
gives the membership an update on the Grand Ronde
care that is being
Ten turkey/ham gift certificates
Health & Wellness Center’s departments and programs
delivered.”
were raffled off and Gary Sharp and
during the General Council meeting held in the Tribal
Rowe also said
Genifer Grout each won a beaded
Community Center on Sunday, Jan. 15.
that the Health &
necklace donated by Tribal Council
Wellness Center
Secretary Jon A. George.
nity health programs, as well as the
is planning to celebrate its 20th
Cultural Resources staff mem-
quality management staff.
anniversary of opening in August
bers Bobby Mercier and Jordan
Rowe said that the Health &
1997. She said she is hoping plans
Mercier and Tribal youth Izaiah
Wellness Center also is working
for a celebration will firm up within
Fisher and Nokoa Mercier per-
on using technology to improve
the next couple of weeks.
formed the cultural drumming and
Pharmacy ordering, including in-
Rowe fielded four questions from
singing to open the meeting.
vestigating the use of smartphones
Tribal Council and General Coun-
Tribal Elder and former Tribal
to re-order prescriptions.
cil members before Tribal Council
Council member Steve Bobb Sr. gave
Rowe also updated the mem-
Secretary Jon A. George thanked
the invocation to open the meeting.
bership on the Health & Wellness
Rowe for her efforts and thanked
The Elders’ Committee held its
Center’s passing of its accreditation
the current and past members of
annual election for three open
survey and that all of the depart-
the Tribe’s Health Committee for
seats. Thirty-seven ballots were
ment’s policies and procedures will
their good work.
cast with Jenny Van Atta finishing
be re-examined in the coming year.
“We certainly appreciate all the
first with 31 votes, Marcia Stake
“We have a great group in em-
hard work you and your staff have
receiving 27 votes and Tribal Elder
ployee management that worked
done,” said George.
Duane Wheeler receiving 23 votes.
really hard to make sure we were
“Thank you very much,” said Rowe.
The meeting, in its entirety, can
compliant on all of our industry
“It’s an honor to be a Tribal member
be viewed on the Tribal website,
standards,” said Rowe. “In 2017, all
and working here for the Tribe.”
www.grandronde.org, by clicking
policies and procedures are being
In other business, Finance Offi-
on the News tab and then Video.
updated to make sure that they are
cer Chris Leno informed General
The next General Council meet-
accurate to what we are actually
Council the Tribal Council’s desire
ing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Sun-
doing and wanting to do.”
to create a Culture endowment
day, Feb. 5, at the Monarch Hotel
Rowe introduced Tribal member
from the Government Operations
near Clackamas Town Center off
and Quality Manager Dawn Doar,
endowment.
Interstate 205. It will be followed
Dental Hygienist Sheila Blacketer,
“By ordinance we have a process
by a Community Input meeting
Nursing Supervisor Christa Hosley,
we need to go through if we want
for Tribal members to bring forth
Certified Medical Assistant Jody
to reduce one of our reserves,” said
issues of concern. 
Bergen, Registered Nurse Michelle
Byars and Medical Assistant Lind-
sey Ness, who was there to provide
flu shots to anyone who wanted one.
Mind, Body & Soul Therapeutic Massage started at the Health & Well-
Tribal Council member Denise
ness Clinic one day a week on Aug. 25.
Harvey requested that Blacketer
Remember: Appointments for massage are not managed by the Health
talk about the Dental Clinic’s work
&
Wellness Center staff. To schedule an appointment, call 971-237-2561.
with Tribal pre-school children
Massage at Health & Wellness Center