A group of health policy innovators gathered at the Dena’ina center in Anchorage this morning to talk about how Alaska’s health care systems have evolved. The event is part of the Alaska Health Care Commission’s initiative to look at how Alaskans health status has improved in the last 60 years. A lot has changed in that time, including the development of an independent tribal health system.
Paul Sherry was a part of that development, first with the Tanana Chiefs Conference and then with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, where he was CEO until 2008.
Sherry says in the 50′s and 60′s health care leaders were focused on designing a health system that worked for the unique aspects of Alaska.
Lori Townsend is the news director and senior host for Alaska Public Media. You can send her news tips and program ideas for Talk of Alaska and Alaska Insight at ltownsend@alaskapublic.org or call 907-550-8452.
