Joy Britt is a Tobacco Program Associate at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. She was trained as a TTS in September 2010 and is a certified tobacco cessation counselor. She further offers support to the ANMC Tobacco Cessation Clinical program in developing and implementing tobacco policies and offering Technical Assistance to other tobacco programs. Joy graduated in 2008 with a BS in Biology and a minor in Chemistry. She has completed all of her coursework in the MPH program and is currently working on her thesis. Joy plans to continue working with rural populations in public health. She enjoys staying active, exploring new activities, and experimenting with new foods.

Tammy Choromanski, Peters Creek, AK email

Tammy lives in Peters Creek with her husband Nick and daughter Ashley. She has worked as a Research Associate in the Liver Disease and Hepatitis Department for two years at ANTHC focusing on Lupus and Autoimmune Hepatitis. Tammy graduated from UAA with a BS in Natural Science and a BS in Medical Technology in 2008. She began the MPH program in 2010 and hopes to start her thesis in 2013. When not working or doing homework, Tammy is chasing her daughter, hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting with her family. She also enjoys reading, and arts & crafts.

Christie Flanagan is in her second year of the MPH program and is working on her practicum thesis. She works at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium as a Field Research Coordinator and is currently examining biomarkers of tobacco exposure in maternal-infant paired samples obtained from pregnant women who use tobacco during pregnancy. Christie graduated from UAA in 2010 with university and departmental honors in psychology and a minor in history. In her free time, Christie enjoys Pilates and the outdoors with her dog Rainer.

Audra Henderson is a second year student in the MPH program. She currently lives and works as a Health Coach/Outreach Coordinator in central Washington. Audra is a National Academy of Sports Medicine Certified Personal Trainer. She has a BA in Communications from the Pennsylvania State University, and has additional training from Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine, the Alaska Commission for Behavioral Health, and the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. In her free time, Audra enjoys traveling, theatre, running, and spending time with friends.

Lynda Hernandez, Anchorage, AK email 

Lynda began taking MPH classes in Fall 2008. She currently works for UAA’s Allied Health Sciences Division as a Student Success Coordinator. She recruits Alaskans into health careers and provides support to students and faculty within the Allied Health Programs. Lynda graduated in 2005 from UAA with a BS in Biology and a BA in Philosophy. In her free time, she enjoys reading, knitting, cooking, and spending time with family.

Natasha Pineda, Oregon email

Natasha Pineda began working on her MPH in the spring of 2012. She recently moved to Oregon with her husband Jose and children Sofia and Cruz. Natasha is currently the Public Health and Problem Gambling Prevention Coordinator in the Oregon Health Authority Division of Addictions and Mental Health. She is a Certified Prevention Professional through the state of Washington. Natasha received her BA from Alaska Pacific University in Business Administration Management. In May 2012, she completed The School for Prevention Leadership, sponsored by Partners in Recovery. Previously, she served the State of Alaska in the Department of Health and Social Services, Division of Behavioral Health, Section of Prevention & Early Intervention. She provided leadership for the Alaska Interagency Coordinating Committee on the Prevention of Underage Drinking and participated on many projects ranging from domestic violence prevention to Healthy Alaskans 2020.

Melissa Viator began her MPH in Public Health Practice in Fall 2012. She has served 12 years in the military as a commissioned officer with assignments in South Korea, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the US Military Academy. Melissa has a BA in International Relations & Latin American Studies from Syracuse University, an MA in Management & Leadership from Webster University, and a teaching certificate from the US Military Academy. She hopes to work as a public health director within the Department of Homeland Security where she can utilize her managerial skills in developing and implementing emergency operations, planning, policies, and public health service objectives. During her coursework, Melissa plans to participate in community health programs in Anchorage and the Mat-Su Valley. She enjoys spending time with her husband and dog, snowboarding, hiking, and competing in CrossFit Competitions.