Sarah is working on her Doctorate in Occupational Therapy at Creighton University. She says, “I love that a career occupational therapy gives me the unique opportunity to enable people across the lifespan who have been affected by illness, injury, or disability do the things they want and need to do through the therapeutic use of activities.”
After completing her program, she plans on starting a career in occupational therapity in the Mat-Su and wants to make an effort to be more involved in the local community. Her best study tip that is to take breaks and get out in the community to remember what it is you are working toward! Outside of school, Sarah likes to be outside as much as possible and enjoy the beautiful state of Alaska.
Of her MSHF scholarship, Sarah says, “The MSHF scholarship has helped me achieve my educational goals by decreasing the financial burden of student loans, allowing me to participate in additional university opportunities like certification courses that are not part of the traditional curriculum, and by giving me a sense of pride that I am a part of something bigger that will be
positively impacting the community I live in.”
Interested in learning more about Mat-Su Health Foundation scholarship programs? Click here to register for an upcoming virtual MSHF Scholarship Info Session!
Moriah is in the Master of Nursing Practice program at Frontier Nursing University and plans to pursue a Doctorate of Nursing Practice once she completes this degree. She chose this particular program because it’s mostly based online and she only needs to visit the campus in Kentucky for one week out of the year. She says, “I enjoy the flexibility of being able to work full-time as a nurse here in Alaska and go to a top rated school with an affordable program.”
Kailey is working toward an MD at Yale School of Medicine. She says she was drawn to the program because, “The environment at Yale is very inclusive, and they have opportunities to pursue essentially anything you may be interested in.” Kailey is hoping to work in rural primary care once she graduates as she wants to help reduce the disparity in primary care in those areas.
Desiree Hacker is studying nursing at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She says she was drawn to the program because she loves people and, even more, loves to help people! Desiree plans on working as a nurse in corrections, a recovery center or as a nurse in the beauty industry once she completes her program.
Corrina is a 2019 BSW graduate of UAA and a Udall Scholar Alumna. She chose the UAA School of Social Work because the staff and faculty there are passionate and dedicated to creating unique and individual experiences for all students. She hopes to continue to work to increase resources and support for Indigenous families navigating the child welfare system in the Mat-Su and across the state.
Yolanda is currently studying mental health counseling at Capella University. She was drawn to the program because she wants to help all individuals and those who suffer from more severe mental illness which she plans to do after completing her program.
Jasmine Walker is an operator for the Connect Mat-Su COVID Call Line and a certified medical assistant. She says that she was drawn to the position because, “being able to communicate with the public on a more personable level is always the main goal,” and she’s able to accomplish that by acting as the point of contact for those who need information about COVID-19 and the vaccines. Jasmine has also enjoyed learning how to use new tools in technology that she hopes to apply in her future positions.
Jessica Czechowicz is a volunteer for the Connect Mat-Su COVID Call Line and a registered nurse. She’s worked in an ICU step-down unit that in March of 2020 became a dedicated COVID unit and spent the last year seeing firsthand how it impacts someone’s health. When asked what interested her in the volunteer position, Jessica said, “One of the most difficult things I encountered as a nurse during the pandemic was how to process, disseminate, and embrace the sometimes-daily changes to best practices when dealing with COVID. It was frustrating and confusing. When I saw this volunteer opportunity, I felt a lot of empathy for how confusing it must be to navigate these new guidelines. I could help people who weren’t in the medical field navigate how to keep their families and schools safe.”
The BLLC Recreation Center was built in response to losing the local ice rink and not having a place to congregate for community events. Additional building phases evolved along the way and the space now hosts a wide range of functions such as fitness classes, gun shows, community council meetings, AA meetings, sporting events and much more. Haller says of the importance of the BLLC Recreation Center, “It gives us a place to be a community. All the community functions are here.” The foundation awarded a $15,000 Target Wellness Grant to the Big Lake Lions Club to go toward the Summer Fun House.