Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce
The Alaska Center for Rural Health & Health Workforce (ACRH-HW) is dedicated to strengthening
Alaska’s health workforce, with a focus on rural communities and addressing workforce
shortages. The Center oversees various programs, including the Alaska Area Health
Education Centers (AHEC), which operate through six regional community-based centers
across the state. As part of the University of Alaska Anchorage's role as the state's
health campus, the Center supports health program planning, community partnerships,
and intercampus collaboration. It provides a statewide framework to support health
workforce development, from career exploration and training to continuing education.
Butler’s deep connection to Alaska, paired with his extensive background in public health, infectious disease and health care leadership, made him the perfect fit as UAA’s new College of Health (COH) dean. Butler officially stepped into the role Dec. 28, bringing decades of experience — and has hit the ground running.
As we step into a new year, we are excited to welcome Dr. Jay Butler as the new Dean of the College of Health. A veteran of the public health and infectious disease field, Dr. Butler also has years of experience working in Alaska’s unique health landscape. He’s excited to bring fresh energy to COH’s goal of expanding its capacity to meet community-based health needs and train the next generation of healthcare workers.
Elaina Mack, a senior kinesiology major from King Cove, broke school records with 10 successful three-point shots in the Seawolves game against Northwest U. Mack scored a total of 41 points over the course of the game.
Dr. Jay Butler has been selected as the next dean for the College of Health following a months-long search. He brings decades of public health leadership experience in Alaska and nationally.
At the fifth annual Cares for Kids event, dental hygiene students provided free dental care to children ages 3-17 while also gaining valuable hands-on experience.