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