Governor Appoints Alaska Health Care Strategies Planning Council
27 May 2007Earlier this month Governor Sarah Palin announced the appointment of 14 Alaskans to the Alaska Health Care Strategies Planning Council. The Alaska Health Care Strategies Planning Council was created under Administrative Order 232 by Governor Sarah Palin on February 15, 2007.
The purpose of the council is to develop a statewide plan to identify short-term and long-term strategies to effectively address the issues of access to, and cost and quality of, health care for Alaskans. The council is to prepare and submit to the Governor and the Legislature, by January 1, 2008, a health care action plan. I wish them the best. In case you haven’t seen the list and details about the appointees to this important Planning Council, here they are:
Jeff Davis of Anchorage has been involved in the delivery and funding of health care services for 25 years. Davis has served as president of Premera Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alaska for nine years, which provides insurance for 180,000 Alaskans statewide. Davis earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Whitman College, and a Master of Health Services Administration degree from the University of Washington.
Cathy Giessel of Anchorage is a registered nurse and advanced nurse practitioner. Giessel earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing from the University of Michigan and a Master of Science in Nursing Science from the University of Alaska. Giessel’s nursing and advanced nurse practitioner career and experience spans more than 30 years. Giessel chaired Governor Palin’s Department of Health, Education and Social Services Transition Advisory Team. She is the current chair of the Alaska Board of Nursing and a lifelong Alaskan.
Dr. Derek Hagen of Anchorage is a doctor of osteopathy. In 1997, Hagen opened Anchorage Family Practice and Sports Medicine and later merged with Primary Care Associates in 2001 to become the largest private family practice in the state. Hagen earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Biological Sciences from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks. He attended medical school at the Western University of Health Sciences, a private college of osteopathic medicine in Ponoma, California. Hagen is a lifelong Alaskan.
Thomas Hendrix, PhD, of Anchorage is an assistant professor at the University of Alaska School of Nursing. Hendrix specializes in the policy, economics, assessment, and fundamentals of health care. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, a Master of Science in Health Services Administration and a Master of Science in Adult Health Nursing, and a doctorate in Health Policy and Administration. Hendrix has authored several journal publications, and frequently lectures.
Don Kashevaroff of Anchorage is the chairman and president of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, a post he has held since 2000. Kashevaroff serves as the primary spokesman for the Consortium regarding state and federal funding, legislation, and regulatory issues. The Consortium has seen an increase in revenues from 180 million to 350 million dollars during his tenure. Kashevaroff earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration and Finance from Oregon State University, and a Master of Business Administration from Eastern University.
Brian Slocum of Fairbanks is the administrator at Tanana Valley Clinic, the largest multi-specialty, multi-site practice in Alaska. He previously was the CEO of Premier Medical Group in Atlanta, Georgia, and of Central Medical Management in Jackson, Mississippi. Slocum has nearly 25 years of high-level experience in management, growth and success of hospital-affiliated and independent medical groups. Slocum earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Care Management from Metropolitan State College and a Master of Science degree in Health Administration from the University of Colorado.
Dr. Michael Carroll of Fairbanks is a private practice physician, specializing in internal medicine and oncology. He is a member of the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital Committee, the Alaska Healthcare Network, and is treasurer of the Alaska State Medical Society. Carroll has served as an adjunct instructor at the University of Alaska since 1982. Carroll earned the Governor’s Award for Outstanding Volunteer of the State of Alaska in 1985. Carroll graduated cum laude from the University of Oregon Medical School.
Donna Fenske of Homer served the State of Alaska as a public health nurse from 1979 to 2004. Most recently, Fenske has provided community health aide services in Port Graham and Nanwalek clinics, and provided nursing services to K-12 students in rural communities in the Kenai Peninsula Borough School District. She has written several publications, participated in research projects, and is a guest lecturer. She earned a Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska (UAA) and is a recipient of the UAA Excellence in Nursing Award.
Steve Horn of Soldotna is the executive director of the Alaska Behavioral Health Association whose members are the businesses that provide direct services to recipients of behavioral health services throughout the state. Previous experiences include Executive Director of the Challenger Learning Center and Director of Operation for the Cook Inlet Citizen’s Advisory Council. Horn earned a Bachelor and Master of Business Administration from the University of Alaska.
Dr. Cathy Baldwin-Johnson of Wasilla is a private practice family physician and the 2002 National Family Physician of the Year from the American Academy of Family Physicians. In 1999, Baldwin-Johnson co-founded and is the volunteer medical director of The Children’s Place, and since 2005 has served as a consultant and trainer on child abuse issues. Baldwin-Johnson graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine where she participated in the WWAMI Medical School program.
Karen Rhoades of Wasilla is the owner and operator of Northern Living Centers, a five bed assisted-living home. She is responsible for the safety and well-being of her residents, as well as the regulatory compliance and contractual obligations of operating a private business. Rhoades is a charter member of the Wasilla Boys and Girls Club, a member of the Alaska Commission on Aging Advocacy Group, and a member of the Assisted Living Association of Alaska. She has also served on the Alaska Human Rights Commission.
Tim Joyce of Cordova is a three-term mayor of the City of Cordova. Prior to being elected mayor, Joyce served two terms on the Cordova City Council. Joyce has dealt with escalating community medical costs, a constant turnover of medical center administrators and a community medical center that is continually in need of city assistance. Joyce played a pivotal role in working with the city council and the Native Village of Eyak to obtain a community health care grant for primary care support in Cordova’s medically underserved area. Joyce earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Oregon State University.
Rod Bettit of Juneau is the president and CEO of the Alaska State Hospital and Nursing Home Association (ASHNA), a not-for-profit association with members representing hospitals, nursing homes, and Native Alaska health care providers. Bettit came to ASHNA from Utah where he served as the Executive Director of the Utah Department of Health, appointed under Governor Michael Leavitt and confirmed by the Utah State Senate. While in Utah, he spent 30 years as a senior state executive in health administration. Bettit is also the chair of the Alaska Primary Care Council.
Dr. Bob Urata of Juneau has served as a family physician for over 23 years. Urata has served on the Bartlett Regional Hospital Board of Directors for the past fourteen years, and is a member of the Alaska State Medical Association. In 2006, he was honored as the Medical Professional of the Year from the Cancer Connection and, as the Citizen of the Year from the Juneau Chamber of Commerce. Urata graduated from the University of Washington School of Medicine and is a lifelong Alaskan, born and raised in Wrangell.
Commissioner Karleen Jackson will operate and manage the Health Council. Serving as ex-officio, non-voting members are Senator Bettye Davis and Representative Peggy Wilson, chairs of the Health, Education and Social Services committees in the Alaska State Legislature.
Powered by ScribeFire.
June 3rd, 2007 at 12:45 pm
Where is the consumer representation? Looks like the health care industry is well represented, I’m sure they will give a high priority to the needs and concerns of the uninsured working poor, the disabled, and the elderly.
Oh but wait, the poor, sick and elderly don’t donate much to campaigns so they don’t get the access that members of the insurance, legal and medical industries do.
I wish them luck, but I have no faith that anything they come out with will address the problems of those that need the most help.