College of Health News

Photo shows a closed door with a sign on it that reads "UAA Seawolf Food Pantry." A small table next to the door has several canned food items and decorations. Read More

Food insecurity at UAA

 |  Kaitlyn Gaub  |  , ,

Almost half of UAA students have experienced food insecurity. UAA offers several resources to combat hunger and food insecurity, including the Seawolf Food Pantry, which supplies non-perishable foods, as well as three-day emergency food support.

Dr. Corrie Whitmore stands in front of windows on the UAA campus. She is wearing glasses and smiling. Read More

College of Health faculty leads the way in FASD prevention through nurse education

 |  Alison Miller  |  , , ,

Dr. Corrie Whitmore, an associate professor in the Division of Population Health Sciences, and her team at UAA’s Center for Behavioral Health Research and Services are celebrating the recent publication of a new article. The paper, which was published in the Dec. 2025 issue of Nursing for Women’s Health, offers a framework and actionable strategies for nurses to improve communication and patient experience in discussions around substance use and contraception.

Jay Butler stands in front of a building at the UAA campus while it snows lightly. He is wearing a black puffy jacket and smiling. Read More

Bringing health care into focus: Jay Butler is UAA’s new College of Health Dean

 |  Catalina Myers  | 

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.

Amana Mbise stands in front of a screen with a slide that reads "Background: Barbershops and Health." He is gesturing and speaking to an audience (not pictured) Read More

Researchers examine the role Black barbershops play as health care spaces for men

 |  Matt Jardin  |  , , ,

School of Social Work Assistant Professor Amana Mbise and ISER Research Assistant Professor Nathan West are exploring the relationships that Black barbershops play in men's health. Their community-based research prioritizes the lived experiences of the men they talk to, and is revealing how barbershops function not just as grooming spaces, but as social and cultural hubs.

Dr. Jay Butler wears a suit and smiles at the camera against a dark gray backdrop. Read More

Get to know Dr. Jay Butler, new dean of the College of Health

 |  Alison Miller  |  ,

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.