Wasilla, Alaska – Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) employee Amy Gorn has been selected for a fellowship in the Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy. The institute is conducted by Grantmakers In Health (GIH) to nurture the next generation of health grantmaking leaders and further their professional development. Gorn serves as MSHF’s program officer in the Healthy Families focus area and will continue in this role concurrently with the fellowship.

The Terrance Keenan Institute for Emerging Leaders in Health Philanthropy focuses on leadership development, exploration of critical issues facing philanthropy, and building collegial connections that can endure throughout fellows’ careers, using a retreat-like format that includes a mix of structured discussions and unstructured networking. To support ongoing professional connections among the fellows, GIH provides additional opportunities for them to connect with and learn from one another throughout the year.

“Under Amy’s leadership in the Healthy Families focus area, the foundation has made several significant investments in systems improvements and granting to support community connections, early childhood learning, and prevention,” said MSHF CEO Elizabeth Ripley, “We’re excited for her.”

In her role as a program officer, Gorn works toward making sure all families in the Mat-Su are well-cared for, protected, thriving and successful. She earned Bachelor of Arts degrees in English and communication from College of Saint Benedict/St. John’s University in St. Joseph, Minnesota, and graduated as a White-Riley-Peterson Fellow for afterschool policy through Furman University in 2019. Prior to moving to Wasilla, she lived and worked in rural Alaska and spent several years supporting tribal communities with the non-profit RurAL CAP. In addition, Gorn is chair of the Governor-appointed Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee and sits on the Board of Directors for the KNOM Radio Mission in Nome, Alaska.

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Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital to protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution. The MSHF mission is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su and the tools it uses include grantmaking, convening of local partners, and policy change. The foundation’s work has resulted in significant improvements in systems that support the health of Mat-Su residents in areas such as behavioral health, child welfare, crisis response, community connections, workforce development, transportation, housing, and senior services.  More information is available at healthymatsu.org.