Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation

05/27/2026

“He’s part of our community. Everywhere he goes, any village, any community, he’s got family, he’s got friends. I’ve heard stories about Dan from other Elders that he’d be invited to eat at their table.” - Richard Kuzuguk, Nome community member.

👏👏 👏 The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF) — ANTHC’s charitable arm 🤝 — is thrilled to announce Dan Thomas of Norton Sound Health Corporation (NSHC) as the winner of the 2026 Luminary Awards’ “Outstanding Rural Health Champion” category! 🏆

HANF’S Luminary Awards are designed to recognize individuals, teams, and organizations who demonstrate exemplary dedication and make outstanding contributions to the Alaska Tribal Health System. 🩺

Dan was selected and honored for his over 40 years of dedication to the Norton Sound region’s healthcare system, and specifically for his contributions as a mentor and advocate for Community Health Aides and rural patients.

As NSHC’s Health Aide Training Coordinator, Dan is credited with being the driving force behind the program’s success. In fact, Dan received 13 separate nominations for this award — a testament to his impact and care.

“It is a mission, it’s not just a job,” Dan said. “You have to really believe in it.”

Learn more about the Luminary Awards, HANF, and how YOU can make a difference 👉 healthyalaskanatives.org

05/26/2026

05/19/2026

⭐️ ⭐ ⭐ The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF) — ANTHC’s charitable arm — is honored to share the 2026 “Outstanding Rural Health Champion” Luminary Awards winner, the Opioid Response Team Leaders: Dr. Gabrielle Flamm and Dr. Marlena Strandir with Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation (BBAHC).🏅

Together, they created and now lead the Opioid Response Committee at BBAHC, working to better address the opioid crisis in the region. Their leadership has helped shape a response that is more proactive, more culturally grounded, and rooted in dignity rather than stigma.

Dr. Flamm and Dr. Strandir have been fierce advocates for patients facing substance-use disorders, working to remove barriers and to meet people where they are. Through regional collaboration and systems change, they have pushed this work forward, while never losing sight of the individuals at the heart of this work.

"Dr. Strandir is an incredible provider. She embraces our culture and is willing to learn about our traditional values," said Shawna Tunguing, CHAP Manager at the Togiak Clinic. “We have welcomed her as a part of our family and is a blessing to our community.”

“I’ve seen families that came back together because the way [Dr. Flamm] helped them with their addiction,” said Karen Echuck, CHAP Assistant Manager at the Togiak Clinic. “There are kids that still have their parents is what I'm most grateful about.”

Learn more about the Luminary Awards, HANF, and how YOU can make a difference 👉 healthyalaskanatives.org

05/13/2026

👏👏 👏 The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF) — ANTHC’s charitable arm 🤝 — is thrilled to share the winner of the 2026 Luminary Awards’ Distinguished Provider category: Congratulations to Dr. Robert “Bob” Hunter, MD, of SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium (SEARHC)! 🏆

Dr. Hunter was selected and honored for his nearly 50 years of compassionate care to Elders and patients across Sitka and Southeast Alaska. His long-standing presence has fostered deep trust with patients and families, allowing him to care for multiple generations within the same community.

His half a century of service has provided extraordinary continuity, stability and institutional knowledge that is invaluable to the Alaska Tribal Health System. His long-term commitment has strengthened local access to geriatric and long-term care services, helping patients remain healthier, more independent, and often allowing them to stay in their home communities longer.

“He’s very calming, you don’t feel anxious or anything. He explains things really well,” shares Samantha Ahles, a patient of Dr. Hunter’s. “When my youngest son was born here, Dr. Hunter delivered him. A year and a half later, he gave him his first stitches. I trust him completely.”

HANF’S Luminary Awards are designed to recognize individuals, teams, and organizations who demonstrate exemplary dedication and make outstanding contributions to the Alaska Tribal Health System. 🩺 The Distinguished Provider Award recognizes a health care provider whose dedication has made a difference in the lives of those patients they care for, and in the Alaska Tribal Health System.

Learn more about the Luminary Awards, HANF, and how YOU can make a difference 👉 healthyalaskanatives.org

04/20/2026

We are so grateful to GCI for joining us as a Luminary Leadership Circle sponsor of the Raven’s Ball! The generosity of our sponsors makes Raven’s Ball possible, helping us to raise funds to address the unmet needs within the Alaska Tribal Health System. Thank you, GCI, for your partnership and commitment to our cause.

04/07/2026

The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation, the charitable arm of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, invites you to join us at the 19th Annual Raven’s Ball. A limited number of tables and individual tickets are still available. If you are interested in attending and supporting this fundraising event, you can purchase tickets here: https://hanf.ejoinme.org/2026Sponsor

03/31/2026

Help make a meaningful impact with your PFD and Pick.Click.Give to The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF), ANTHC’s charitable arm. HANF helps fund unmet needs within the Alaska Tribal Health System. Your support directly helps patients and their families!

Don’t forget to file your online PFD application by the March 31 deadline: https://mypfd.alaska.gov/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23409223082&gbraid=0AAAABCdpQSRJG0XAx8ihpO7Ys38O-_04t&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0PiXudXSkgMVG9XCBB3OFQEJEAAYASAAEgIMb_D_BwE

10/15/2025

Communities across Western Alaska are facing devastating impacts from Typhoon Halong, with families displaced and villages experiencing severe flooding and loss.

The Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation (HANF) is proud to join the Alaska Community Foundation, Bethel Community Services Foundation, and other partners in one collective fundraising effort to support disaster relief and recovery for the impacted communities. By working together, we can ensure donations are coordinated, impactful, and reach those who need help the most.

Every donation—no matter the size—helps families and Tribal communities begin to recover and rebuild.

Give now: alaskacf.org/westernalaska

We are deeply grateful for the generosity and compassion of our community. Quyana for being part of this united effort to help others.

When disaster strikes, Alaskans show up for one another.

Western Alaska communities are once again facing devastating storm impacts after recent storms brought record flooding and damage from Kwigillingok to Kotzebue.

In response, local organizations and regional partners have united to create the Western Alaska Disaster Relief Fund at the Alaska Community Foundation—guided by community leaders to ensure resources reach those who need them most.

Give Now >> alaskacf.org/westernalaska

In partnership with the Association of Village Council Presidents, Alaska Federation of Natives - Official Page, Alaska Native Heritage Center, Bethel Community Services Foundation, Calista Corporation, Healthy Alaska Natives Foundation, First Alaskans Institute, Kawerak Inc, Maniilaq Association, Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Native Peoples Action, and Yukon Kuskokwim Health Corporation

04/25/2025

Thank you, Aurora Integrated Oncology Foundation, for your commitment to strengthening these efforts and ensuring a lasting, positive impact. health and well-being of Alaska Native people through three priority areas: Healthy Patients, Healthy Kids, and Healthy Communities.
Thank you, Aurora Integrated Oncology Foundation, for your commitment to strengthening these efforts and ensuring a lasting, positive impact.

04/23/2025

A BIG thank you to GCI for their generous support of the 2025 Raven’s Ball! We’re proud to have you as a partner in this work and grateful for your continued commitment to building a healthier future.
Thanks to generous sponsors like GCI, programs and services that enhance care and improve the well-being of Alaska Native people continue to thrive. Thank you, GCI, for your partnership and dedication to this important work!