Ms. Selle brings to the Center a strong background in rural health policy and program development. Previously, she has worked on the executive management team for a small rural hospital, managed a health care consulting business, and has worked on health policy and research within State government and the University systems. Ms. Selle enjoys playtime with her young children and getting out in the Alaskan outdoors.
Education: MPH, CDP, BLS & MHFA Instructor
Email: MariS@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-786-4595
Ms. Novakovich is a long-time Alaskan, professional photographer, and former Bookkeeper and HR Manager for her family-owned business. She is an experienced instructor who never passes up the opportunity to teach, travel, or learn something new. In addition to being a health educator with South Central Alaska AHEC, she is currently studying sociology at the University of Alaska.
Education: CDP, BLS & MHFA Instructor
Email: TeresaN@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-357-0411
Ms. Gat is a Health Education Coordinator with the SC Alaska AHEC. She is a Certified Health Education Specialists (CHES®) and graduated from UAA with a degree in Health Sciences. Ms. Gat is an advocate for underserved communities, with a special interest in refugee populations. She has received numerous honors and awards for her advocacy. She has worked with the South Central Alaska AHEC since 2015, and is a Mandt System instructor. She speaks fluent Nuer.
Email: NyabonyG@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-212-6590
Sydney Burns, RN is a registered nurse who received a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from UAA and is currently working towards her Master of Public Health degree. She is passionate about creating healthier communities through education, empowerment, and advocacy. As a health educator coordinator for SC AHEC, she hopes to promote their mission of health workforce development in Alaska. Ms. Burns teaches our PATH Academies and coordinates the SC AHEC’s AHEC Scholars program. In her spare time, she loves to volunteer in her community, spend time with family and friends, and take her dogs on long walks.
Email: SydneyB@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-947-3037
Ms. Franklin works with the SC AHEC’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) Youth Program as a case manager and coordinator. She is also an instructor for our PATH Academies. She is a Certified Family Life Educator with experience in working with populations that experience trauma.
Email: KaylaF@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-212-6571
Ms. Crago, BGS, CMA (AAMA), CPhT, HIT coordinates the APCA/SC AHEC’s Apprenticeship program. She teaches in our CMA, MAA, and EHR Specialist program as well as for the SC AHEC’s PATH Academies.
Education: Bachelor in General Studies
Email: LouiseC@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-212-6584
Samir Akal is a UAA Health Sciences student at UAA. He works with the South Central Alaska Area Health Education Center as an AmeriCorps Volunteer on youth programming.
Ms. Snelson is a UAA alumni with a degree in Health Sciences/Health Education and minors in Public Health and Psychology. She has experience as a Certified Nurse Assistant and as a Patient Coordinator in a medical office. She has a passion for women’s health and advocating for survivors of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault. She enjoys giving back to her community through volunteering as well as spending time with her friends and family.
Email: CassandraS@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-229-8433
APCA has a workforce of several full time Contract Tracers and Vaccine Educators working to help our communities during these pandemic times.
For information on this workforce, contact Sydney Burns
Email: SydneyB@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-947-3037
Ms. Aranda-Borders is the AmeriCorps Student Success Specialist who primarily works with the youth programming for afterschool camps. She is an alumni from UAA with a degree in Health Sciences and is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Public Health.
Education: BS Health Science
Email: RosarioA@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-782-6033
Ms. Towarak was born and raised in Kiana, Alaska. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from Liberty University. Since her early college years, she knew she wanted to move back to Alaska to pursue a career within the mental and/or public health field. As one who grew up in rural Alaska, she knows the crucial need for adequate, efficient, and effective mental and physical health care. She was a stay-at-home mom before joining the APCA Work Force Development team.
Education: BS in Psychology, Clinical Counseling or Research
Email: JanelleT@alaskapca.org
Phone: 907-953-1129
Ms. Reando is a life-long Alaskan, wife, and step-mom to two amazing daughters. She works with the SC AHEC’s Workforce Innovation and Opportunities Act (WIOA) Youth Program as a Case Manager and Health Education Coordinator. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology and Theology. She is also a Certified Holistic Health Coach with a background in behavioral health and social support services. She loves creating art, interior design, discovering new podcasts, and traveling.
Education: BS Psychology, BS Theology, CHHC
Email: AliciaR@alaskapca.org
Phone: 503-919-0025
Ms. Slwooko is a lifelong Alaskan who has recently graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Science degree. Michelle finds great meaning in being able to support, encourage and give back to the community that has also provided her with support in her academic and professional career endeavors. She enjoys playing in the Great Outdoors year-round, whether it is sliding down a mountain in the winter or lounging lakeside in a hammock in the summer.
Email: MichelleS@alaskapca.org
Cathy Colwell is a long-time Alaskan with many years of experience in teaching, coaching, program planning, and research. She is passionate about elevating the important role Direct Support Professionals play in our communities through advocacy for more education, training, and pay. Ms. Colwell as written and managed training programs for Direct Support Professionals, and spends several hours a week as a community-based DSP. She has conducted doctoral work in Education Psychology, ABD, at the University of California and holds a Masters in Counseling from the University of Northern Colorado.
Email: CathyC@Alaskapca.org
Phone: 605-202-0973
Are you interested in volunteering, an internship, or joining our team? Email your resume to Mari at MariS@alaskapca.org