Working Together to Ease the Strain on Health Care
By Southcentral Foundation Public Relations
It’s been over two years since the first cases of COVID-19 were detected in the United States. Since then, much has been learned about the virus and countless lives have been saved and communities protected due to vaccination.
Through the pandemic, we’ve seen different COVID-19 variants sweep through communities, straining health care resources and personnel.
Without question, operating a health care system during the COVID-19 pandemic has been challenging. Whether you receive services at Southcentral Foundation or another health care facility, you can make a difference and help ease the strain.
Southcentral Foundation Pharmacy is offering curbside pickup to limit the number of individuals in the waiting area. Curbside pickup must be scheduled in advance.
In addition to getting your COVID-19 vaccine and booster, there are many things you can do to keep yourself and your loved ones safe while keeping our medical system available for those with critical needs.
Phone and telehealth appointments are a safe and convenient way to meet with your provider. Save gas, avoid the waiting rooms, and receive the same high-quality care without leaving your home. Call your primary care team to schedule a telehealth visit.
Southcentral Foundation urges customer-owners to sign up for and use MyHealth to ask your health care team questions. You can also view future appointments, some lab results, and your current clinical record. Encouraging your friends and family to sign up for MyHealth helps free-up clinical time while ensuring customer-owners can access some health records and have their health care questions answered. If you would like to sign up for a MyHealth account, talk to your primary care team and they will assist you with the registration process.
SCF Pharmacy has two convenient options for customer-owners needing medication refills. Customer-owners are encouraged to take advantage of the pharmacy refill hotline to receive medication refills by mail. Avoid the lines and call the SCF Pharmacy refill line at 907-729-2117 for your next refill. If customer-owners are unable to wait for mail-out services, Pharmacy is offering curbside pickup to limit the number of individuals in the waiting area. Curbside pickup must be scheduled in advance. Customer-owners can call Pharmacy at (907) 729-4172 to schedule a time. Curbside pickup is available Monday through Friday from 10 to 10:30 a.m., 1 to 2 p.m., 3 to 3:30 p.m., and from 5 to 6 p.m.
Testing for COVID-19 remains an important factor in understanding how the virus is spreading. While lines at some testing sites may become long at times, confirming that someone has the disease helps public health officials and others understand the level of immunity in a population. SCF opened a drive-thru COVID-19 testing site at 999 E. Tudor Road. The testing site, operated by Visit Healthcare, is open Monday through Saturday from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. and is available to all community members. There are many testing sites in the community. Find the one closest to you at anchoragecovidtest.org.
Self-tests are rapid tests that can be taken at home or anywhere, are easy to use, and produce rapid results. Free self-tests are available at www.COVIDtests.gov. COVID-19 self-tests are one of many risk-reduction measures, along with vaccination, wearing a mask, and avoiding large gatherings, that protect you and others by reducing the chances of spreading COVID-19.
The Alaska Native Medical Center COVID-19 drive-thru testing site is located at 4141 Ambassador Drive in Anchorage.
Health care professionals continue to play a critical role during the pandemic. Southcentral Foundation has openings for dental assistants, certified medical assistants, case management support, and many more professions. You can make a difference in the lives of many by joining the team at Southcentral Foundation. Contact (907) 729-4955 to start your career at Southcentral Foundation .
For vaccine information, testing locations, resources, and more, click here.
