We want you to know that we care. We have been with you in the past, are with you now, and will remain here for you in the years to come.
Letter to the Community from Medical Staff
Published on October 20, 2026
To our patients and neighbors:
At 3 a.m., someone arrives at South Peninsula Hospital scared, hurting, and unsure of what comes next. The nurse who welcomes them might be a neighbor. Their doctor could be someone they've chatted with at a school event or seen at the grocery store. The people caring for you aren't just medical professionals. They are part of this community, sharing the rewards and challenges of life on the Kenai Peninsula. Caring for this community is deeply personal to us.
Recent public commentary has painted a troubling picture of our hospital and the people who work here. We respect the community's right to ask questions, but some of this commentary does not reflect the hospital we know.
Some of our colleagues have been publicly criticized without prior notice or a meaningful opportunity to respond. Confidentiality rules strictly limit any response that can be made. We cannot share details that might provide important context. Our silence isn’t indifference or agreement. It’s about respecting privacy and professionalism. We are listening and will continue using feedback to improve.
There have also been allegations of a toxic culture and financial impropriety. Such allegations are false. The medical staff’s relationship with hospital leadership and the board are grounded in mutual respect and accountability. Having SPH medical staff on the board is important to us, and we reaffirmed that support in 2024 because we believe medical staff representation strengthens hospital governance and brings vital clinical expertise.
We all work together to maintain a culture grounded in professionalism, accountability, respect, and, above all, a commitment to high-quality care. These values guide how we care for patients, collaborate with colleagues, evaluate our performance, and address concerns. Clinical outcomes and complications are carefully reviewed, and established peer-review and professional-conduct processes address concerns when they arise. Our commitment to quality is reflected in five-star CMS ratings for long-term care and patient experience, as well as national Top 100 Critical Access Hospital recognitions. Caring for this community is a privilege we do not take lightly.
We want you to know that we care. We have been with you in the past, are with you now, and will remain here for you in the years to come.
Respectfully,
Medical Staff Signatories
Jenna Aird, MD
Gregory Aird, MD
Hans Amen, DO
Jonathan Bloch, MD
Robert Cadoff, MD
Alyssa DeConto, MSN, CNM
Lauren Dorsey-Spitz, DO
Rob Downey, MD
Maureen Filipek, MD
Frederick Freeman, MD
Lucy Fisher, MD
Devry Garity, PNP
Tyler Haas, MD
Michael Hennigan, MD
Natalie Hoshaw, MD
Cherie’ Inglis, MD
Susan Jackson, FNP
Jessica Jordan, PA-C
Jessica Jule, MSNA, CRNA
Nathan Kincaid, MD
Edson Knapp, MD
Renda K Knapp, MD
Ragina Lancaster, DO
Christopher Landess, MD
Joe Marie Llenos, MD
Kathy Madej, CRNA
Jessica Malone, MD
Miranda Marsh, MSN, CRNA
Roger Martinez, MD
Marek Martynowicz, MD
Lars Matkin, MD
Emma Mayfield, DO
Brian McCorison, CRNA
Kurt Mentzer, MD
Justin Metzler, CRNA
Heather Moon, AGNP
Erin Murphy, MD
Jill Rife, DNP
Sarah Roberts, MD
Garret Sitenga, MD
Sarah Spencer, DO
Teresa Thompson, DNP, APRN
Clare Thompson, DNP, CNM
Wesley Turner, MD
Giulia Tortora, MD, ABFM
Christy Tuomi, DO
Hans Wilhelm, DO
Pamela Williams, DO
Ian Wisecarver, MD
Kara Zimmerman, MPAS, PA-C
