By Linden Stackiokas
Dolly Simon has an original way to describe the process of becoming a skilled health aide, comparing it to the transition people go through when moving from childhood to adulthood. “Health aide puberty is when you first start–when you get out of that first training session. You are awkward and nervous, unsure of your words, and unsure how to interact with your new health aide hat on. The classes you attended taught you the exact words for asking questions, but you are just awkward and nervous. Then, as you get experience, you transform into a health aide butterfly, and you glide across your clinic with confidence. You walk into an exam room and are able to be both a person and a health aide. You are still asking questions straight from the Community Health Aide manual, but your communication skills are more natural. Patient encounters run so much more smoothly, and you’re able to make your patients more comfortable.”
Now a Community Health Aide IV, she speaks from experience. “I started sometime in 2016. I can’t remember the exact date, because I transitioned from a behavioral health aide to a community health aide. All together I believe I’ve been working for Tanana Chiefs Conference for about 10 years, so I’ve been inside the Rose Ambrose health clinic in Huslia for a majority of my adult life.”
Dolly was born in Fairbanks but spent her early years in Koyukuk, where her father, Alvin Dayton, lived. Her mother, Gladys Derendoff, is from Huslia, and Dolly’s family moved there when she reached school age. She has lived there ever since and is happy to be able to have a career in the place where she has spent most of her life.
Many children have no idea what kind of jobs they want when they become adults, but Dolly can remember knowing even in kindergarten that she wanted to be some sort of health care provider. “Two of my friends’ moms were health aides. Dani, who is also a health aide here in Huslia, and I would ‘sneak’ and read her mom Lisa’s community health aide manual. I remember being so interested in all of the procedures and treatments health aides got to do. Dani’s mom, Lisa, another of my friend’s moms named Margie, and my friend’s older sister named Jana, were heroes in my eyes growing up. I remember seeing them all in action and wishing that when I grew up I could be just like them: calm, attentive and assertive in the midst of chaos.”
When Dolly graduated high school in 2012, there were no health aide positions open. She went to the university in Fairbanks for a semester, and when she came home, she was hired by the school district. From there she went to work for TCC, as a behavioral health aide for about two years. But when a community health aide position opened, she switched over to that department.
Asked what the greatest joy of her job is, Dolly said, “People knowing that they can count on me to help. In the event of an emergency, people are able to take a breath because they know I’m there and will do everything I can to help. So, my greatest joy would be that I graduated out of health aide puberty and into a health aide butterfly.”
Even though she knew a lot about the job before applying to become a health aide, the job still held some surprises for Dolly. “A baby was delivered in the clinic the first month I was able to be on call. I can recall almost every detail, from who was on call, to the paramedics that were on the LifeMed flight. I think that was the excitement of my career. It drove me to want to learn everything the program and its training center have to offer. I see the kiddo who was born in what feels like not long ago, turn into this big healthy kid and it just makes me happy. The other surprise was how much documentation and paperwork are needed to run a clinic and be a competent health aide!”
“I have created a whole life for myself since starting this job at 23. I have a husband, and we have three children of our own, plus two foster kids that currently live with us. As I grew with the job, I grew being a mom and wife too. Sometimes when people say they are interested in becoming a health aide, others will try to discourage them, saying how hard it is. I tell them the growth as a person and health aide is unsurpassable; when growing as a health aide, you’re growing as a person as well. You learn to communicate more efficiently. You learn to be assertive, empathetic, accountable, innovative, creative and courageous, which are all qualities you possess in personal growth. The sky’s the limit.”
When not working or tending to family, Dolly loves to lean into her artistic side. “I am a jack of all craft trades, master of none. I am constantly thinking, ‘What can I make next?’ I like beading, sewing, crocheting, knitting, graphic designing, and jewelry making. I have polymer clay to try to make my own beads but haven’t yet, and I want to try pottery. However, my family thinks the mountains of crafting things I have now is enough, and we don’t have the space for a pottery wheel, kiln, and whatever else you need for pottery.” In another life, Dolly might have become a stand-up comedian. “I absolutely love laughter and making people laugh. I love being able to lighten the mood in an instant. I started writing a stand-up routine, but never did finish, mostly because I’m very afraid of public speaking and have a hard time even making clinic announcements on the village-wide radio system.”
When asked if she wanted to thank anyone for helping her achieve her career goals, Dolly named three women. “My friend’s mother, Lisa Bifelt, who unknowingly let us borrow her community health aide manual when her daughter and I were young. My other friend’s mother, Margie Ambrose, for the mentorship, and composure she held throughout her career. And my friend and work colleague, Jana Sam, who was always so stoic and collected, who knew exactly what to do and say.”