Public nursing position vacated

Wrangell will temporarily be without a residential nurse at its Public Health Center for the foreseeable future.

Public health nurse Ty Esposito retired from her position last week, departing from Wrangell on March 22. In the interim, nurse manager Sue Bergmann from the Ketchikan PHC will be making visits a couple times each month.

“Wrangell will be covered through Ketchikan as of right now,” Bergmann confirmed. Appointments can be scheduled in advance through either the Wrangell or Ketchikan offices, for testing, immunization or family planning services.

For pressing concerns, Bergmann said she could be able to come on short notice as needed. “It’s just a short flight from Ketchikan to here.”

Concerns that Esposito’s departure may put Wrangell’s public clinic at risk of closure in light of anticipated budget cuts have proven unfounded. A similar vacancy at the Haines PHC has invited such speculation, after its nurse moved in October. Several nurses have itinerated there from Juneau through January, and the clinic has since had a temporary nurse in residence through the month of March. Meanwhile the vacancy remains posted and the health center open.

Public information officer Sarana Schell confirmed that while reductions to the public health nursing budget are expected, the Department of Health and Social Services does not anticipate these will affect services to the extent of shuttering clinics.

In town this week, Bergmann will be participating in the Health Fair on Saturday. Being held at the Nolan Center, over 50 vendor booths run by the local hospital, Alaska Island Community Services and a variety of organizations will be available to browse.

Wrangell’s PHC will be distributing safe sleep baby boxes, which are designed to mitigate the risk of crib death. Collection areas will also be set up by the local Food Bank and Lions Club for foodstuffs and used eyeglasses. Wrangell Medical Center will be undertaking its annual blood draw for those who have preregistered for testing.

Participation at the fair is free and open to the public. Those still wishing to volunteer or participate as a vendor can contact Cathy Gross at 874-7000.