On most mornings, Heather Pollard is awake before the rest of her household, studying in the quiet before the day begins. Soon after, she starts getting her three children ready for school, shifting between her roles as a third-year medical student and a mom. Pollard’s interest in medicine began early. “I was first drawn to […]
At the Brother Francis Shelter in Anchorage, a small group of volunteers gathers twice a month to provide a service that is often overlooked but essential to overall health. The Foot Care Clinic, supported by Alaska WWAMI students and other volunteers, offers basic foot care and brief exams to anyone who walks through the door. […]
For first-year medical students, the brain can feel like both a marvel and a mystery. In Alaska WWAMI’s Foundations block on Mind, Brain & Behavior (MBB), Dr. Catherine Kilby helps bring that complexity into focus, guiding students through the biological and psychological underpinnings of behavior while grounding each concept in patient experience. “Neurology and Psychiatry […]
In communities across Alaska, medical education often depends on physicians who are willing to teach, mentor, and model compassionate care in real-world settings. This year, one of those educators is being recognized for his impact. Dr. Don Schneider, a Juneau-based family medicine physician at Valley Medical Care, is the recipient of the WRITE Excellence in […]
When a horse rider falls, people nearby usually want to help right away. The problem is many aren’t sure what the right first move actually is. A new equestrian sports safety film that will release in June of 2026 from the UW Medicine Sports Institute is trying to change that by walking through what can […]
Dr. Jean Snyder’s career in family medicine has spanned decades, continents, and nearly every corner of patient care. Now, after years of serving communities across Alaska and beyond, she has been recognized as the Alaska Family Physician of the Year by the Alaska Academy of Family Physicians. The honor came as a surprise during a […]
Match Day marked a pivotal milestone for Alaska WWAMI student Thomas Hanks, who learned he will train in neurosurgery at the University of Washington. Originally from Corpus Christi, Texas, Hanks moved to Anchorage just before starting high school, a transition that helped shape both his personal and professional path. Now, after years of study and […]
Excitement and anticipation quickly turned into celebration on Match Day as Alaska WWAMI fourth-year student Alaina Prince learned where she will begin the next phase of her medical training. Surrounded by classmates and supporters, Prince discovered she matched into obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Missouri in Columbia. A lifelong Alaskan, Prince grew up […]
The room was filled with anticipation as fourth-year Alaska WWAMI student Ben Henderson stood ready to open the envelope that would reveal the next chapter of his medical training. In a moment that marked years of dedication and growth, everything suddenly came into focus. “When I opened my envelope, I felt a wave of relief […]
Long before he ever set foot in Alaska, Dr. Kosta Turchaninov was captivated by stories of the North. As a child, he devoured the adventure novels of Jack London, a fascination that quietly planted the seed for a future in the far north. Dr. Turchaninov began his medical journey in Kazan, Russia, where he completed […]
