After six years of dedicated leadership as the Assistant Dean for the Foundations Phase at Alaska WWAMI, Kathy Young, MD., is stepping away from her administrative role to return to her first love: teaching.
Dr. Young has been a cornerstone of the Alaska WWAMI program, guiding students through the critical early phases of their medical education with compassion, wisdom, and a deep commitment to excellence. Since joining the WWAMI faculty, she has worn many hats: Head of Denali College from 2015-2016, Director of the Primary Care Practicum for Alaska, Co-lead for Foundations of Clinical Medicine and Alaska WWAMI Foundations Assistant Dean. Her mentorship has shaped the journeys of countless students, and her leadership has helped build a strong, supportive learning environment that reflects the unique needs of Alaska’s future physicians.
A graduate of Trinity College, School of Medicine, in Dublin, Dr. Young brought a global perspective to her work, grounded in decades of experience in family medicine across Ireland, Washington, and Alaska. Her clinical work, especially her service in asthma camps and geriatric care, has always reflected her deep compassion for underserved populations and her belief in the power of community-based medicine.
While we will miss her steady hand in the Foundations Phase, we are thrilled that Dr. Young will continue to inspire students in the classroom and clinic. Her return to full-time teaching is a gift to the next generation of Alaska WWAMI students, who will benefit from her depth of knowledge, her warmth, and her unwavering dedication to their growth.
Thank you, Dr. Young, for your years of leadership and for continuing to shape the future of medicine in Alaska, one student at a time.