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  • A Staff Update: New Team Members, New Transitions, and an A+ Scholarship Team

    A Staff Update: New Team Members, New Transitions, and an A+ Scholarship Team

    From left to right: Mahlet Herrmann, Kelsey Anderson, and Jessie Burbank.

    New Team Members, New Transitions, and an A+ Scholarship Team

     The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is happy to welcome new team members and celebrate the role transition of two others.

    Mahlet Herrmann is MSHF’s new accounting systems manager. Jessie Burbank has transitioned to a new role as program associate and Kelsey Anderson is now the program executive assistant on the grantmaking team.

    Mahlet Herrmann has joined the MSHF team as the new accounting systems manager. She brings a diverse background of experience, including prior work as a case manager at True North Recovery and four years in the United States Marine Corps where she worked in financial administration. Herrmann has a bachelor’s degree in business administration from American Military University.

    Jessie Burbank transitioned to a new role as a program associate on the grantmaking team, where she manages the target wellness grants which fund health and wellbeing projects up to $25,000. She also administers the technical assistance program, connecting Mat-Su organizations with support in areas like accounting, fundraising and capital project planning. For three years, Burbank served as Connect Mat-Su’s community resource specialist and information and referral coordinator. She graduated from the University of Alaska Anchorage with a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a minor in women’s studies.

    As the new program executive assistant, Kelsey Anderson will assist the chief community impact officer with board support, project management, and system enhancements. Prior to this role, Anderson served two years as a program assistant. She brings previous experience in agriculture and other administrative roles, including at a nonprofit that served children with developmental disabilities.

     

    An A+ Scholarship Team

    Our scholarship program has experienced significant growth over the years; 2024 was no exception. With more than $2.6 million awarded to 436 academic scholarship recipients earlier this year and continuous interest in our vocational scholarships, we now have two staff dedicated to the scholarship program’s year-round success.

    Erin Bendle and Adelina Rodriguez are now leading the scholarship team.

    Adelina Rodriguez is the new scholarship program officer. She has 16 years of experience in higher education and brings an extensive background in student-centered services, strategic program development and management, financial aid expertise, recruitment, and career development. Rodriguez has taught courses at Mat-Su College to support student success. She has a bachelor’s in business administration and a master’s in curriculum instruction from New Mexico State University.

    Erin Bendle joins MSHF as the new scholarship associate, where she will conduct community outreach and provide vital support to the program. Bendle graduated from Eastern Washington University with a bachelor’s in social work and a minor in drug and alcohol studies. During the early part of her career she worked with young people as an inpatient drug and alcohol counselor and then transitioned into working with adults experiencing chronic mental illness. More recently, she worked in youth and family services at the Wasilla Public Library.

     

  • BILL HOGAN HONORED WITH “BERTIE” AWARD

    Wasilla, Alaska – William H. “Bill” Hogan was recently recognized with the Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community. The “Bertie” is an annual award presented by the Mat-Su Health Foundation to an individual who consistently exemplifies commitment to improving the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.

    “Bill has been a mentor, a leader, a collaborator, and an advocate for improving access to quality care, particularly behavioral health care, for Mat-Su residents and all Alaskans,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation CEO Elizbeth Ripley. “He has never been satisfied with the status quo, with just the way things work, but instead has strived to change them, even if it involved bureaucracy, statutes, and regulations.”

    Until his recent retirement, Bill served as the Dean of the College of Health at University of Alaska Anchorage. He spent over 35 years in the mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities and social work fields, with experience as a clinician, supervisor and administrator. Bill worked with the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority as a senior fellow, and he was the commissioner, acting commissioner, and deputy commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services. Prior to working with the State of Alaska, Bill was CEO of Life Quest (now called Mat-Su Health Services), a private, nonprofit community mental health center located in Wasilla. He also served as director of the Division of Behavioral Health, and he worked for community agencies in various capacities in New York, West Virginia, Virginia and Mississippi. Bill has served as chair of the Alaska Mental Health Board, board member of the Alaska Community Mental Health Services Association (now the Alaska Behavioral Health Association), Executive Director of the New York State chapter of the National Association of Social Workers, and on the boards of the Mat-Su Health Foundation and Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from State University of New York at Buffalo and a Master of Science degree in Social Work from West Virginia University.

    The Bert Hall Award is named in honor of Mat-Su resident Bert Hall, who helped put together the Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and currently serves as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Trustee. Bert has served Alaska in many capacities including as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center board member, associate director of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, director of health and social services for the Municipality of Anchorage, and as the Alaska liaison to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Bert also served as a president of the Alaska Public Health Association, represented Alaska on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, and served on the Alaska Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

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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, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

     

  • COMMUNITY INVITED TO WEIGH IN ON NEW MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION BUILDING

    Wasilla, Alaska — The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is developing plans for a new building, and it wants input from the community. The new facility will be located on a parcel of land at the corner of Bogard and Crusey in Wasilla, directly next to where the foundation currently has its offices in the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center outpatient facility.

    “This project is about more than building office space,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley “It’s about building community and creating spaces that connect and unite people.”

    The exact size and scope of the building will be determined through a discovery process that will include input from the public and key stakeholders. In addition to housing the MSHF staff, some ideas being considered for the new building include the following:

    • Meeting rooms for local residents and organizations.
    • Space for a Community Resource Center Network, where residents can seek support, information, and referral to local services.
    • Space for a Volunteer Hub where residents of all ages can get information on how to share their gifts with community organizations.
    • Creation of a “philanthropy hub” that may include space for non-profit organizations.

    Community engagement meetings, open to the general public, will be held throughout the Valley during the week of October 3, 2016. All meetings are family-friendly and will feature refreshments and door prizes. Meeting dates and times are as follows:

    Monday, October 3 6 – 8 pm Palmer Palmer Public Library
    Tuesday, October 4 6 – 8 pm Willow United Methodist Church
    Wednesday, October 5 6 – 8 pm Talkeetna Talkeetna Public Library
    Thursday, October 6 6 – 8 pm Wasilla Menard Center
    Friday, October 7 6 – 8 pm Sutton Sutton Public Library

    The Mat-Su Health Foundation, which is part owner of Mat-Su Regional Medical Center, negotiated with the hospital to secure full title to the land where the building will be constructed, thus freeing up the offices that the MSHF currently occupies to be used as medical/clinical space. Architects Alaska has been retained to provide design services for the new building. Groundbreaking is expected in Spring 2017.

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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, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

     

  • GRANT DEADLINES EXTENDED

    Wasilla, AK— The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is extending the project pitch deadline for its Healthy Impact and Discovery Grant programs to noon on Tuesday, June 20. The previous deadline was June 10.

    Healthy Impact grants fund projects over $15,000 that improve the health and wellness of people living in the Mat-Su Borough. Discovery Grants fund projects over $15,000 that address findings and/or recommendations found in specific MSHF-sponsored research. This cycle of Discovery grants invites proposals related to the following MSHF reports: the 2016 Community Health Needs Assessment, the 2016 Mat-Su Senior Services Environmental Scan, and Report 3 of the Behavioral Health Environmental Scan, “Keeping our Children Well-Cared-For and Safe.”

    MSHF uses a two-part application process for Healthy Impact and Discovery grants. The first phase of the process is the Project Pitch. The Project Pitch is completed online at www.healthymatsu.org and includes information about the organization that is applying and a description of the proposed project. The foundation reviews all pitches and invites forward to full application the projects that most closely align with its mission and focus areas.

    Prospective grantees must provide services or benefits to Mat-Su residents. Applicants are encouraged to visit the foundation’s website at www.healthymatsu.org to learn more about the grant process, what the foundation funds and does not fund, and to review its searchable grants database to see the types of projects that have been awarded in the past. The reports which are relevant to the Discovery Grant program may also be found on this website.

    While Healthy Impact and Discovery grant requests must be in excess of $15,000, smaller grant requests are considered year round under the foundation’s Target Wellness grant program. As with Healthy Impact grants, Target Wellness grants may be applied for online at www.healthymatsu.org.

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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, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

     

  • HERMAN THOMPSON HONORED WITH “BERTIE” AWARD

    Wasilla, Alaska – Talkeetna resident Herman Thompson was recently recognized with the Bert Hall Award for Commitment to the Health of the Community. The “Bertie” is an annual award presented by the Mat-Su Health Foundation to an individual who consistently exemplifies commitment to improving the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents. 

    “Herman is a convener. He sees the strengths and assets of his community, and brings people together to solve community issues,” said Mat-Su Health Foundation Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “Beyond solving problems, Herman helps people see opportunities and ways to enhance the community.”

    Herman has long been a leader in the Borough’s Senior Services systems, including the Regional Senior Services Oversight Committee. He sits on the board of Upper Susitna Seniors, Inc. (USSI), where he and his colleagues on the USSI board have found a host of ways to serve seniors. For example, USSI partners with eleven local restaurants to provide meals on wheels by buying meals from local businesses and delivering them to seniors in their homes. In addition, Herman and his team negotiated a range of discounts from local vendors for USSI members. He also works with Sunshine Transit Advisory Board and sits on the Mat-Su Borough’s Health and Human Services Board.

    The Bert Hall Award is named in honor of Mat-Su resident Bert Hall, who helped put together the Valley Hospital Foundation Board of Directors and currently serves as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center Trustee. Bert has served Alaska in many capacities including as a Mat-Su Regional Medical Center board member, associate director of the US Department of Veterans Affairs, commissioner of the Alaska Department of Health and Human Services, director of health and social services for the Municipality of Anchorage, and as the Alaska liaison to the US Department of Health and Human Services. Bert also served as a president of the Alaska Public Health Association, represented Alaska on the Governing Council of the American Public Health Association, and served on the Alaska Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse.

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    About MSHF: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • KALYTIAK JOINS MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION STAFF

    Wasilla, Alaska –The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Tracy Kalytiak in the role of program associate. Tracy supports the foundation’s program team in implementing grant programs and other strategies to further the organization’s mission to improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. Her responsibilities include assisting in day to day implementation of grant programs; educating grantees and prospective grantees about MSHF grant program objectives and criteria; and preparing grant reports.

    Tracy previously worked as a writer for the University of Alaska Anchorage in its Office of University Advancement. She has also worked as a writer and editor at magazines including Alaska Magazine, Alaska Contractor, and Alaska Business Monthly, and at the Frontiersman newspaper. Tracy holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Central Arkansas and has taken courses at the University of Alaska Anchorage with the goal of earning a Master of Public Health degree.

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    About MSHF: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare asset through board oversight. The MSHF keeps its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits in the community by investing into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in the Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • KEITH KEHOE AND LEBRON MCPHAIL ELECTED TO THE MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS

    Wasilla, Alaska— The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Keith Kehoe and Lebron McPhail to its board of directors. Board members serve three year terms, and each term may be renewed for two additional three year terms. Some of the nominee qualifying factors used in the board selection process include geographic representation, business experience, employee representation, community service, organization interest, health care background, and legal or financial knowledge and experience.

    Keith Kehoe has been a physician assistant in the Upper Mat-Su for almost 20 years. He began working at Sunshine Community Health Center in 1997, providing acute, chronic and preventative medical care. Prior to his employment at Sunshine, Keith worked as a physician assistant in several other Alaska communities, as well as overseas. His previous board experience includes eight years with the Alaska Primary Care Association from 1998-2005, the Jessica Stevens Foundation since its inception in 2007, and with Talkeetna’s local community radio station, KTNA. He also serves as vice president with the Parent Teach Student Association at Susitna Valley Junior/Senior High School. Keith earned his physician assistant certification from the University of Washington, a master of arts degree from Lesley College, and a bachelor of science degree from Illinois Benedictine College. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

    Lebron McPhail worked full-time for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) from 1984 to 2013. During his 29-year career, he served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and executive director of instruction with an enrollment approaching 18,000 students. Since his retirement in 2013, Lebron has worked for the MSBSD part-time overseeing students who are on long term suspensions. The focus is to help students recover credits that would have otherwise been lost, and provide leadership and structure for them to be successful in life and within their respective communities. He also serves as a commissioner for Serve Alaska which engages Alaskans of all ages and background in community based service and volunteerism through the AmeriCorps Program. Over the years, Lebron has also volunteered his time within the community serving on a number of non-profit organizations, like the Alaska Family Services Board. He has also been involved in the Community Justice Coalition and the Mat-Su Judo Club, where he served as president for five years. Over the past 30 years, Lebron has coached from the little league level up to the high school ranks in football, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and track and field. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Eastern New Mexico University and a master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy.

    In addition to selecting Kehoe and McPhail as new board members, the MSHF Board of Directors chose officers for 2016/17. Scott Johannes was elected as the board’s chair, Mary Olson as vice chair, and Ken Kincaid was reelected as secretary/treasurer.

    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, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org/.

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  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION AWARDS $1.7 MILLION TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS

    Wasilla, Alaska – Seven local organizations were recently selected to receive Mat-Su Health Foundation funds totaling more than $1.7 million. Co-Occurring Disorders Institute Inc. (CODI), Ptarmigan Pediatrics and Set Free Alaska were awarded through the Discovery grant program. Blood and Fire Ministry of Alaska, CCS Early Learning, Heartreach Pregnancy Center, and Valley Charities were selected for Healthy Impact grants.

    The Discovery grant program is new, and this is the first time awards were made under that program. It was created to fund projects that address the findings of specified Mat-Su Health Foundation-funded research. In this first round of Discovery funding, projects were solicited to address the specific recommendations outlined in the foundation’s Behavioral Health Environmental Scan (BHES) reports.

    “Data from our research clearly demonstrated a need for innovative solutions to ensure that all Mat-Su residents have the opportunity to enjoy optimal behavioral health,” said MSHF Executive Director Elizabeth Ripley. “The organizations that applied for and were awarded Discovery funding demonstrated creativity, collaboration, and a real commitment to making a difference in the health and wellness of Mat-Su residents.”

    Discovery awards are being made to the following organizations:

    • Co-Occurring Disorders Institute Inc. (CODI) was awarded $92,000 to expand mental health services for children ages 0-3 by hiring and training and a therapist specifically to serve this age group.
    • Ptarmigan Pediatrics will receive $141,818 over three years for a psychologist internship program that will promote early childhood assessment and intervention in medical and school settings. Since Ptarmigan Pediatrics is a for-profit corporation, any profits that may be realized from the project will be shared with foundation. The Mat-Su Borough School District is also a partner in this venture, and part of the project will be implemented at Goose Bay Elementary School in Wasilla.
    • Set Free Alaska will receive $97,000 for the development and implementation of a children’s behavioral health early intervention and treatment program.

    Healthy Impact Grants are offered twice annually and are available to fund local health-related projects in excess of $15,000. Awards for this round are as follows:

    • Blood and Fire Ministry of Alaska will receive $298,220 over two years for general operating support for its Knik House program providing temporary, long term and emergency housing, as well as recovery and life skill development opportunities.0
    • CCS Early Learning will receive $350,000 over three years for training and technical assistance to infuse trauma-informed care throughout its programming.
    • Heartreach Pregnancy Center will receive $500,000 to build a new facility that will help it expand its outreach and services to parents and families.
    • Valley Charities will receive $250,00 over three years to implement a prisoner re-entry program. The funding will help provide case management, housing placement, transportation and administration of the program.

    The application period for the next round of Healthy Impact grants will be announced soon. The Mat-Su Health Foundation also offers a Target Wellness grant program for projects less than $15,000, and it is open year-round. More information and the online application can be found at www.healthymatsu.org/.

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    About MSHF: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org/.

  • MAT-SU HEALTH FOUNDATION WELCOMES KATHYRN SWARTZ TO ITS TEAM

    Wasilla, Alaska –The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Kathryn Swartz to its team in the position of executive assistant. Kathryn is responsible for providing primary administrative support for the executive director of the foundation. She also coordinates meetings of foundation’s board of directors and board committees, where her responsibilities include agenda preparation, meeting logistics and taking minutes.

    Kathryn was previously employed by the World Bank in various contracted positions, with a heavy emphasis on research and technical writing. She also provided operational support for international development projects in a variety of countries and sectors. She received a Ford Foundation Social Justice fellowship and worked for the Cultural Heritage and Education Institute in Fairbanks. As part of her post-secondary education, Kathryn completed a fellowship in Colombia with the Green Inheritance Foundation. She earned a Master of Arts degree in international development studies and anthropology from George Washington University and a Bachelor of Arts in sociology/anthropology and Spanish from Kalamazoo College.

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    About MSHF: Mat-Su Health Foundation is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare asset through board oversight. The MSHF invests its share of Mat-Su Regional’s profits into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available online at www.healthymatsu.org/.