HHS Region 10 Director Visits Alaska to Meet Health Care Leaders Working to Address the Mental Health Crisis and Health Workforce Shortage

HHS Region 10 includes Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Alaska, and 272 federally recognized tribes.

Last week, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Region 10 Director, Ingrid Ulrey, visited Alaska to speak with government partners, advocacy organizations, and health clinics about behavioral health and workforce challenges that have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, and how HHS is working to support the state’s health needs through its National Tour to Strengthen Mental Health and other efforts.

“I was honored to have to opportunity to visit Alaska last week and meet with leaders who are working to improve the health and well-being of all Alaskans. During this trip, I was able to see the resilience of communities during the COVID pandemic, which has led to a worsened mental health crisis and workforce shortages across the state,” said HHS Region 10 Director, Ingrid Ulrey. “I’m thankful for the stakeholders in Alaska who are committed to working together toward the common goal of protecting and promoting the health and well-being of all people.”

Stops included:

• Meetings with:
  • Alaska Department of Health and Social Services
  • Senator Murkowski’s Office
  • Alaska Mental Health Trust
  • Alaska Hospital and Health System Association
  • Alaska Primary Care Association
  • Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
  • Reproductive Health Advocates
  • LGBTQI+ Stakeholders
• Roundtables on:
  • Mental Health hosted by the Rasmuson Foundation
  • Medicaid hosted by Alaskans Together for Medicaid
• Tours of:
  • Alaska Native Medical Center
  • Southcentral Foundation’s Anchorage Native Primary Care Center
  • Seldovia Village Tribe Health and Wellness, Homer Clinic
  • Peninsula Community Health Services of Alaska, Inc., Soldotna Clinic
  • Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center
  • Providence Alaska Medical Center
• Speaking engagement at:
  • Alaska Black Caucus’s BIPOC Health Fair