UAF Nurtures Tomorrow's Healthcare Leaders

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Alaska’s Healthcare Sector Faces Growing Demand

Alaska’s healthcare sector is expected to experience significant growth, with projections indicating a more than 10% increase by 2032. This surge in demand has prompted educational institutions and community organizations to take action in addressing the need for more healthcare professionals. One such initiative is the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF), which has been actively working to attract new students into the medical field.

This month, UAF hosted the 14th Alaska Interior Medical Education Summit (AIMES), an event designed to engage high school and college students interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. The summit featured a variety of activities, including demonstrations, panel discussions, and hands-on experiences, all aimed at providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the medical field.

Dr. Shannon Uffenbeck, a pre-med advisor and learning specialist for the WWAMI program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, emphasized the critical need for healthcare providers across all levels, from certified nursing assistants (CNAs) to physicians. “If you look across medical care in Alaska, we are just in desperate need of everything,” she said. “AIMES allows students to recognize that need and then whether they want to be a CNA, a nurse, or a physician’s assistant.”

The summit also focuses on meeting students where they are in their educational journey. Whether they are high school students exploring career options or individuals who have already gained experience through military service, AIMES offers resources and guidance tailored to each participant’s stage of development. “In those high school ages, talking about what it means to be a physician? Is that the right career for you? What are you even looking for in a career?” Uffenbeck added.

Encouraging Students to Pursue Medical Careers

For many students, the path to a medical career can seem daunting. Shea Geller, president of the Pre-health Society at UAF, shared his own experience as someone preparing to enter the medical field. His club serves as a continuous resource for students, offering support and information throughout their academic journey. “It’s more of an ongoing resource where students can come in, attend meetings, and get questions answered about things like when to start preparing for the MCAT,” he explained.

Geller hopes the summit helps students gain a clearer understanding of the steps required to pursue a medical career. He pointed out that medicine is not only challenging but also financially demanding. “Medicine is insanely expensive... if you think about the traditional MD path, that’s four or $500,000, and getting to your junior year or graduating medical school and then immediately realizing, like, holy cow, I don’t want to do this.” He stressed the importance of ensuring students are fully informed before committing to such a long-term and costly endeavor.

Realizing the Importance of Community in Medicine

Theo Millam, a prospective medical student who attended the summit, shared her personal motivation for entering the field. Studying biochemistry and planning to work as an EMT, she expressed her desire to help people. “I just really care about helping people,” she said. The summit provided her with valuable insights into the various programs offered by UAF, the University of Alaska Anchorage, and Pacific Northwest University.

Millam also appreciated the opportunity to hear from admissions perspectives, learning what qualities are most valued in medical school applications. “It’s also good to hear from an admissions perspective of what are good things to have on an application, what are things that won’t help you as much, and ways in which you can kind of paint yourself as a picture when you’re applying to medical school.”

Growing up in Fairbanks, Millam experienced firsthand the challenges of accessing medical care in rural areas. “I think it’s super important for people with medical degrees to come back to more rural areas or areas that they know well because they know how the people are here and they know best how to practice medicine.”

Addressing the Nursing Shortage

According to the Alaska Hospital and Healthcare Association, nurses have the highest workforce development need among all healthcare positions. Combined growth and turnover rates indicate that an additional 1,412 registered nurses will be needed annually over the next ten years. This highlights the urgent need for increased recruitment and training in the nursing profession.

With the healthcare sector continuing to expand, initiatives like AIMES play a crucial role in inspiring and guiding the next generation of medical professionals. By providing education, mentorship, and real-world exposure, these programs help ensure that Alaska is well-prepared to meet the growing demand for healthcare services.