Joy Britt, Anchorage, AK email

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.

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.

Jen Jones, Whitehorse, Yukon email

Jen is in her second year of the MPH program. She lives and works in Whitehorse, Yukon and has enjoyed the opportunity to participate in the UAA distance platform. Jen hopes to continue work in the area of Aboriginal health, specifically looking at access and barriers to health services. Recently, Jen participated in the Summer Institute hosted in Oulu, Finland and presented at the International Congress of Arctic Social Sciences in Akureyri, Iceland. In between walking her dogs, gardening, and skiing, she is chair of the Yukon Public Health Association.

Graham Knapp, Anchorage, AK email

Graham is entering his third semester as a UAA MPH student. He has interned at the Institute of Circumpolar Health Studies, the Office of Health Programs Development, and with Dr. Gabe Garcia in a community diabetes study. Graham is now looking forward to a project with the Spirit of Youth organization conducting a community needs assessment this fall. When not studying or interning, he enjoys hiking, skiing, and camping around Alaska with his dog, Kayia.

Wendy Gene Parsons, Anchorage, AK email

Wendy began her journey toward an MPH degree in the Summer of 2007 and plans to finish in the Fall of 2011. She is a school nurse in the Anchorage School District and has various summer jobs including that of a camp nurse for a string instrument camp at Birchwood Camp near Eagle River, AK. When not working or studying, Wendy loves gardening, reading, camping, hiking, and bike riding.