Category: Featured

Wasilla, Alaska – Elizabeth Ripley, President and CEO of the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF), has been named the recipient of the 2025 Terrance Keenan Leadership Award in Health Philanthropy by Grantmakers In Health (GIH). This prestigious national honor recognizes grant makers whose work is distinguished by leadership, innovation, and outstanding achievement in the field of health philanthropy.

Ripley will be formally recognized at the 2025 GIH Annual Conference on Health Philanthropy in New Orleans, Louisiana. She was nominated by her colleagues at MSHF, with support from Lisa Wade of the Chickaloon Village Traditional Council. In selecting Ms. Ripley, this year’s GIH committee members were particularly impressed with her courage to take risks, adapt to complex challenges, and champion bold initiatives, while also serving as a tremendous mentor to those in the field of philanthropy.

“To be nominated and chosen to receive this award is a tremendous testament to the continued work of MSHF. Without the partnerships, relationships, and community support the Foundation established, perhaps only a fraction of our accomplishments could have been realized,” said Elizabeth Ripley, President and CEO of the Mat-Su Health Foundation. “While this honor may have my name attached to it, it is our community, grantees, scholars, local and statewide government partners, co-funders, and resilient Valley residents who have made these bold changes to health and well-being possible. I share this award with each and every one of them.”

Since assuming leadership of MSHF in 2008, Ripley has transformed the organization into a national model for innovative and impactful health philanthropy. Under her guidance, MSHF has aligned hospital governance with community health priorities to drive measurable, systemic improvements in Alaska’s Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

Key accomplishments during Ripley’s tenure include:​

• Helping found the joint venture that built and launched Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, ensuring that hospital revenue remains within the community.​
• Spearheading advances in local behavioral health, including the addition of a behavioral health wing at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and support for initiatives like Mat-Su Crisis Now, the High Utilizer Mat-Su (HUMS) program, and the creation of the Mat-Su Crisis Intervention Team Coalition, which trains first responders in appropriate crisis response methods.
• Advocating for local policies to support public health, including increased access to healthcare, especially behavioral health, and lowering costs through Medicaid expansion and key legislation.
• Leading MSHF’s strategic focus on systems improvement, care coordination, and addressing social determinants of health through community engagement and data-driven initiatives.​
• Ripley’s leadership has also extended beyond MSHF. She served on the board of The Foraker Group from 2010 to 2019, where she helped the state’s nonprofit association expand its fiscal agency, increase its advocacy and research, and strengthen the nonprofit sector across Alaska.

As Ripley prepares to retire officially on April 30, 2025, her legacy of transformative leadership and dedication to community health will continue to influence health philanthropy in Alaska and nationwide.

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About Mat-Su Health Foundation: 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 www.healthymatsu.org.

Wasilla, Alaska—Following a rigorous nationwide recruitment effort, Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has selected Esther Pitts to serve as its next President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Pitts is a long-time Alaskan, Mat-Su resident, and currently serves as the Chief Community Impact Officer (CCIO) at MSHF. She will succeed retiring CEO Elizabeth Ripley and formally step into the role on May 1, 2025.

Ripley announced last year that she would retire to spend more time with family, travel, and explore other community opportunities. In anticipation, MSHF Board of Directors (Board) engaged with The Foraker Group to lead a thoughtful and thorough selection process. The search spanned the nation, garnering interest from over 75 applicants. Through a series of complex and intensive interviews, the Board narrowed the field, and Pitts emerged as a unanimous choice.

“Throughout the interview process, Esther consistently demonstrated the community-centered values that are at the heart of our organization,” said MSHF Board Chair Lisa Wade. “We had the privilege of reviewing many highly qualified candidates from across the nation, but at every key moment, Esther stood out—not only for her impressive healthcare experience but also for her authenticity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to advancing the MSHF mission. She truly embodies our organization’s values, and we are excited to see her lead and thrive as our next President and CEO.”

Pitts is an accomplished healthcare executive with over 20 years of leadership experience in healthcare, nonprofit governance, government contracting, and small business management. Having lived in Alaska since 1991 and in Wasilla since 2015, she has a deep personal connection to the community and a strong commitment to improving the health and well-being of its residents. With a proven background in building strategic partnerships, leading cross-functional teams, and managing complex community projects, Pitts has played a key role in driving positive health outcomes in the state.

“Our team at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center (MSRMC) is excited to welcome Esther as she steps into her new role as President and CEO,” said MSRMC Interim CEO James Bunch. “Her extensive background in healthcare and unwavering dedication to Alaska and its communities make her the perfect choice for this role. We are confident in her vision and look forward to working together to make Mat-Su the healthiest borough in the state.”

Pitts holds a master’s in business administration with a focus on healthcare leadership and a bachelor’s in business administration, both from Capella University. She is a Certified Professional Healthcare Risk Manager (CPHRM) and holds certifications in human resource management. She also supports her community through board service with Alaska Psychiatric Institute (API), All Alaska Pediatric Partnership (A2P2), Best Beginnings, and Mat-Su College Advisory Council.

“I am deeply honored to accept this role and lead an organization that continues to make a lasting impact in the Mat-Su,” said Pitts. “This community is my home, and it is a dream realized to lead an organization so vital to the health and well-being of our residents. I am humbled by the opportunity to collaborate with our community and partners, working together to build a healthier, brighter future for all who call the Mat-Su home.”

Wasilla, Alaska—The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) has hired Senator David Wilson as its new Director of Public Policy. Wilson, who served eight years in the state senate, brings a wealth of experience in public service and policy advocacy.

Senator Wilson has a distinguished record of service to the Mat-Su Valley and the State of Alaska. His extensive background in legislative affairs, fiscal responsibility, and his deep understanding of the healthcare landscape will be instrumental in advancing the Foundation’s mission to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su.

“We are thrilled to welcome Senator Wilson to our team,” said MSHF President and CEO Elizabeth Ripley, “His dedication to public service and his deep understanding of healthcare policy will be instrumental in advancing our goal to measurably improve the health of the Mat-Su population.”

In his new role, Senator Wilson will lead the Foundation’s public policy efforts, working closely with local, state, and federal stakeholders to advocate for policies that advance health, well-being, and equity.

“I am honored to join the Mat-Su Health Foundation and contribute to its work,” said Senator Wilson. “I look forward to collaborating with the MSHF’s dedicated staff and our partners to create positive, lasting change in our community.”

In addition, the MSHF has recently welcomed Erin Messmer as the Director of Public Relations. Messmer is a seasoned communications professional who has developed communications and public relations campaigns at the local, regional, and state levels. She has worked alongside some of the largest Tribal organizations and state agencies to advance public health initiatives that improve the lives of Alaskans.

“Much of our work is centered around community and our relationships with Mat-Su residents,” said Ripley. “With Erin’s expertise, we look forward to strengthening our connections with the public and our constituents.”

Senator Wilson and Messmer join the MSHF as the organization expands to better serve the Valley through philanthropy, community engagement, policy and advocacy, and vital systems change.

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About Mat-Su Health Foundation: 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 www.healthymatsu.org.

Wasilla, Alaska — Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) announced yesterday that it awarded the Mat-Su Crisis Response Team with the 2024 Bert Hall Award for their work in improving the health of the community.

The Mat-Su Crisis Response Team developed a program in which behavioral health service providers accompany traditional emergency 911 responders serving people experiencing behavioral health crises. As a result, many emergencies now get a response from these trained service providers who have the expertise to properly intervene, de-escalate situations, and refer people in crisis to services and resources.

“This co-response model has yielded positive results for both the first responders and service providers,” said Elizabeth Ripley, President of MSHF. “But more importantly, this change in how our system supports community members has delivered better outcomes for individuals who are experiencing perhaps the worst day of their lives—all by getting them connected to services other than jail or the emergency department.”

This co-response model has been successfully incorporated into the 911 dispatch system at Matcom and Palmer Dispatch. In the last year, this project has made a difference for over 200 individuals experiencing a behavioral health emergency in the Mat-Su Borough.

The Crisis Response Team has also developed a post-crisis system of several different connector agencies to which first responders can refer clients after successful intervention and de-escalation. These connector agencies help navigate and coordinate care for behavioral health clients as they get moved on to appropriate care within the community, reducing the chance they will have to rely upon 911 in the future to maintain their mental health.

There has been tremendous growth in the Mat-Su crisis response system in recent years, including the adoption of the national 988 helpline, the 911 mobile crisis co-response, seven different crisis intervention trainings attended by over 150 first responders, and increased training in mental health first aid.

The members of the Mat-Su Crisis Response team are:

• Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
• Alaska State Troopers
• Alaska Youth and Family Network
• Actionable Data Consulting
• Daybreak, Inc.
• Emergency Medical Services, Mat-Su Borough
• LINKS Resource Center
• Matcom 911
• Palmer Dispatch
• Palmer Police Department
• True North Recovery, Inc.
• Wasilla Police Department

The work of the Mat-Su Crisis Response Team is supported by the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, MSHF, and numerous community and governmental agencies.

The Bert Hall Award, or “Bertie”, is an annual recognition presented to an individual or organization that consistently exemplifies commitment to working at the systems level to improve the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents. It was created in 2013 in honor of Mat-Su resident Bert Hall. Previous Bert Hall Award recipients include Mark Lackey (2023), John Weaver (2022), the Mat-Su Borough School District Health Advisory Team (2021), Kimberly Schlosser (2020), Lt. Tom Dunn (2019), Rachel Greenberg (2018), Bill Hogan (2017), Herman Thompson (2016), Margaret Volz (2015), Craig Thorn (2014) and Bert Hall himself (2013).

 About Mat-Su Health Foundation

The mission of the Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. Through 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 www.healthymatsu.org.

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