Nimiipuu Health’s optometry, information technology, telephone operators and community health staff received the 2023 Indian Health Services Director’s Award for outstanding contributions and commitment to excellence.
Nimiipu Health executive director Roberta Jose Bisbee said the recipients were determined through a process that included patient and employee satisfaction surveys and accolades initiatives.
“I chose the top departments that have had success with quality improvement projects, teamwork and public outreach within their departments,” she said.
The phone service is a new initiative for the hospital, she said, and having someone to talk to is especially helpful for older patients.
“Our tribal members actually suggested they wanted to speak to a live person, not an automated system,” she said. “During COVID, there was a lot of frustration with patients not being able to speak to a live person. So we brought that human back.”
Another area where the commitment to older people has been evident is through community health programs, José Bisbee said, where community health officers collaborate on a range of services, such as helping patients access specialists and physiotherapists.
“Dealing with chronic issues or health issues like Alzheimer's or dementia or just aging doesn't require a lot of patience,” Jose Bisbee said. “We have a lot of staff who have that kindness.”
She said Nimiipu Health staff are always working to contribute to a greater cause. There are rarely any weather closures or days off. Staff often work long hours, delivering medications, taking patients to appointments and accompanying them to emergency department visits.
Local health officials have always demonstrated their dedication to helping the community in any way they can, going above and beyond what was asked of them, Jose Bisbee said.
This consideration of the community reflects long-held values within the community, she said.
“This is a model we have always followed,” she said. “I once had the opportunity to sit down with an elder and she said, 'When there is a bereavement in the family, the women go into the home and help with the day-to-day household chores, caring for the family, cooking, cleaning when the mother cannot do it at the time.'”
Information technology and optometry staff were recognized for their efforts in streamlining patient scheduling.
“They (Lydia Munoz, Daniel Vantrees, Rudy Napik) led the brainstorming, problem solving, acquisition of IT (Amanda Culkin) expertise and execution,” wrote Dr. Irene Hu, supervising ophthalmologist at Nimiipuu Health. “I just stood back and nodded here and there. I'm so pleased that this is being recognized not only throughout our clinic, but throughout Northwest Indian Country.”
The IT department was also recognized for its efforts in maintaining multiple software systems critical to patient care.
“We offer so many different software opportunities,” says Jose Bisbee. “There are so many moving parts and it's so complicated.”
Jose Bisbee said the next big goal for Niimiipoo Health is to get more young people into the health field and early nursing programs, especially as the Nez Perce tribe works to build nursing homes.
He said construction of the 16-bed facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year, with residents expected to start moving in in the spring.
