UAA College of Health

09/10/2026

Dr. Danielle Keller, Term Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy in the UAA School of Preventive & Therapeutic Sciences received the prestigious Aurora Borealis Award from the Alaska Occupational Therapy Association (AKOTA).

This award was created to honor individuals who have made a profound and transformative impact on the practice of occupational therapy in the state of Alaska. Just as the aurora lights up the Alaskan skies with beauty and brilliance, this award celebrates those who have illuminated the path for progress and excellence in the field of occupational therapy.

The award recognizes individuals whose dedication, innovation, and unwavering commitment to advancing the practice of occupational therapy have brought about positive change, enhanced access to services, and improved the quality of life for Alaskans. These individuals exemplify the values of our profession and have demonstrated outstanding leadership, vision, and action that have significantly contributed to the growth and development of occupational therapy in our state.

Congratulations to Dr. Keller!

09/10/2026

08/10/2026

Ashley Idhe graduated from UAA with her Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in 2023. After encouragement from her undergraduate advisor Dr. Travis Hedwig, she decided to further her education and enrolled in UAA's Masters of Public Health program.

As a graduate student, she began working with the Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, which gave her an opportunity to move from learning about public health to participating in it alongside people working in substance misuse prevention, recovery, and wellness across Alaska.

Read more of Ashley's story on our blog 👉 tinyurl.com/2026-ihde-spotlight

07/10/2026

APPOINTMENTS AVAILABLE📣
Thurs., Oct. 8 (tomorrow) & Fri., Oct. 9
Call 907-786-6960 to schedule!

06/10/2026

Did you know that UAA partners with Creighton University to offer a Doctor of Occupational Therapy program here in Alaska?

Join the Creighton University admission team for an informational session to learn about our hybrid OTD program!

📅 Thursday, October 29
⏰ 5:30–7 p.m.
📍UAA Professional Studies Building, PSB 122A (2533 Providence Drive)
🚙 Free parking available!

Register here 👉 tinyurl.com/2026-alaska-otd-info-session

02/10/2026

The Della Keats Student Learning Community is kicking off a new series on Friday, October 9th! They're hosting a monthly hybrid Storytelling Series that highlights Indigenous experiences and resilience. The first Storyteller will be UAA Assistant Professor, Jessica Ross.

This event is hybrid, and can be attended in-person or on Zoom. Please register at tinyurl.com/2026-dk-slc-jross. Comment "attend" to have the link sent to you.

If you would like to be a future Storyteller, please complete the interest form: tinyurl.com/2026-dk-slc-storyteller. Comment "storyteller" to have the link sent to you.

Email [email protected] with any questions.

01/10/2026

UAA and Idaho State's University Doctor of Pharmacy program recently hosted their annual white coat ceremony, marking the beginning of the 2026 cohort's four-year journey to becoming pharmacists. This year’s white coat ceremony was cause for extra celebration, as it marked the 10th anniversary of the partnership’s founding.

Prior to this partnership, students interested in pharmacy had no choice but to leave Alaska to complete schooling and clinical rotations. Under that model, only about 40% would return to the state as healthcare professionals. Now, 95% of students who attend the program through the Anchorage campus stay in Alaska after graduation.

Applications to join the 2027 cohort are now open. Those interested in applying or learning more should contact Alaska Programs Coordinator Mara Seignemartin at [email protected] or call 907-786-6553.

Read more about this innovative partnership 👉 tinyurl.com/2026-alaska-pharmd-10

30/09/2026

UAA alumna Emily Ricci has dedicated her career to building healthier communities. What began as a desire to tell stories that drive people to action shifted into a journey in healthcare policy.

A cancer survivor, Peace Corps volunteer and policy leader, this year’s Alumni Homecoming Luncheon keynote speaker and Master of Public Health graduate now serves as deputy commissioner at the Alaska Department of Health, championing access to quality care across our state ▶️ heyor.ca/NP6gFa.

30/09/2026

Earlier this month, UAA Dental Hygiene students had the opportunity to volunteer at the Remote Area Medical (RAM) event, providing much needed dental hygiene services to individuals who may not otherwise have access to dental care.

Over the course of the two-day event, the team provided care to 95 patients. The students had the opportunity to work in a very different clinical environment, care for patients with a wide range of needs, and see firsthand the impact that access, or lack thereof, to oral healthcare can have on individuals and families.

Thank you to the faculty and students who volunteered their time over the weekend to make this a great experience!

29/09/2026

Join the Addressing Substance Use in Alaska for Prescribers (ASUA-P) ECHO!

We're building our FY27 speaker pipeline and welcome interest from clinicians and subject matter experts across a range of topics. These are case-based sessions addressing real-world, high-complexity scenarios. Didactics are expected to be 15 minutes long, with most of the time focused on case discussion. If you are interested in presenting a didactic or facilitating case discussion, we'd love to
hear from you!

SIGN UP TO PRESENT: tinyurl.com/2026-echo-present

Oct 29 | Nov 5 | Nov 12 | Nov 19 | Dec 3 | Dec 10
Free virtual training & Free continuing education

This ECHO series offers Alaska prescribers an advanced, practice-focused series designed to strengthen MAT/MOUD care across complex settings. Each session blends clinical guidance, real-world workflows, and Alaska-specific considerations—equipping prescribers with practical tools, updated best practices, and strategies for improving access and safety across the state.

A statewide community of practice intended for Physicians, Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, Emergency Department Prescribers, and Pharmacists.

Speakers may be eligible for compensation.

Contact [email protected] for questions and information.