Nuka System of Care

Nuka is an Alaska Native word used for strong, giant structures and living things. Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka System of Care is a name given to the whole health care system created, managed and owned by Alaska Native people to achieve physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness.

With hundreds of national and international requests to learn about SCF’s Nuka System of Care, success is dependent on customer-owners, SCF’s term for patients. Through
15 listening posts, including community advisory boards and direct customer-owner feedback, SCF listens to the voice of the customer. The results are innovative approaches to health care:

1. CUSTOMER-OWNERSHIP

SCF is a Tribally owned and managed health care system. Customer-Owners truly own the health care system. In addition, customer-owners own their own health and drive their health care decisions, both individually and systemically.

2. CULTURALLY-RESPECTFUL CARE

All SCF employees receive customer experience training, which emphasizes respect for all cultures. This is also a value SCF places at the center of all organizational decisions.

3. COMPASSIONATE CARE

All SCF employees also attend a training to develop interpersonal skills, including communication, compassion and story-telling tools, to encourage trusting and accountable relationships with customer-owners and co-workers.

4. SAME-DAY ACCESS

Customer-Owners lead busy lives and convenient access to health care should be the

least of their worries. SCF strives to provide that access.

5. TEAM-BASED CARE

Customer-Owners are not only designated a primary care provider, but an entire team dedicated to customer-owner wellness. This ensures a convenient experience and access to a panel of experts.