Dr. Kimiko “Koko” Bravo Returns to Juneau as a Psychiatrist and WWAMI Preceptor
For Dr. Kimiko “Koko” Bravo, coming home to Juneau, Alaska, isn’t just about practicing medicine — it’s about giving back to the community that shaped her. A proud Alaska WWAMI graduate, Dr. Bravo has returned to her hometown as a psychiatrist with the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), where she’s not only caring for her community; she’s also mentoring future Alaska physicians as a WWAMI preceptor.
“Teaching and giving back to the next generation have always been important values instilled in my training, especially for future doctors who understand the unique challenges and strengths of each community,” she said. “By investing in learners, we strengthen Alaska’s entire healthcare future.”
That commitment to education and service runs deep in her family. Her father, Dr. Bob Urata, was among the first Alaska WWAMI graduates. He went on to become a longtime preceptor and WRITE site director in Juneau. Her brother followed a similar path, graduating from Alaska WWAMI, and is currently working with trainees as an emergency medicine physician in Phoenix, Arizona.
“Both my mom and dad influenced my decision to practice medicine, instilling the value of helping others, education, and self-care,” she said.
Now, Dr. Bravo is continuing her family’s legacy of service.
“Growing up in Juneau gave me a strong sense of responsibility to give back to my community as part of how I was raised by my mother, a nurse, and my father, a family physician,” she said.
After graduating from Juneau-Douglas High School, Dr. Bravo attended Stanford University, earning both her undergraduate and master’s degrees in biology. She completed her medical education through Alaska WWAMI program, then pursued residency through the Montana WWAMI Track, followed by a fellowship in Population Mental Health and Integrated Care.
Returning to Juneau in the summer of 2024, Dr. Bravo began her “dream job” with the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC), providing outpatient psychiatric care. Six months later, she welcomed her first child, Kiko, an experience that has deepened her appreciation for family and community.
Her return to her community is very timely. Alaska’s mental health system faces critical gaps, especially in underserved areas.
“The need for psychiatrists is significant across Alaska,” she said.
Limited access to psychiatric care means patients often wait months to be seen, travel hundreds of miles, or depend on telehealth, which disproportionately affects rural and Indigenous communities.
“I’ve seen firsthand the challenges our community faces when it comes to accessing mental health care and the unique barriers, culture and values,” she said. “Alaska consistently ranks among the lowest three states (per capita) for the number of psychiatrists,” she added.
However, through her clinical work and her role as a preceptor, Dr. Bravo is making a difference — sharing her expertise and paying it forward.
“WWAMI provided a well-rounded and evidence-based education,” she said, reflecting on her own experience. “It offered rigorous academic and clinical training while keeping me closely connected with Alaska’s healthcare systems and people.”
As she settles into life as a new mom and preceptor, her story reflects the true spirit of WWAMI: coming home, giving back, and shaping the future of medicine in Alaska.
