College of Health News

Jessica Ross stands on a stage. She is holding a microphone and wearing traditional Indigenous clothing. Behind her is a projector screen that reads "The Teachings of Qengaga Yey." Read More

Alumna and professor wins national Future Leaders Award

 |  Matt Jardin  | 

Jessica Ross, an alumni of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ's dental hygiene program and current assistant professor in the Department of Human Services, was recently honored with the K. Patricia Cross Future Leaders Award. The award recognizes emerging leaders in higher education who demonstrate a commitment to innovation, equity, and community engagement.

Tara stands behind a podium and speaks into a microphone at the Pathways to Recovery Conference. Behind her is a slide deck showing three smiling women. Read More

Alumni Spotlight: Tara Schmidt - on leveraging relationships in school and beyond

 |  Alison Miller  |  , ,

Tara Schmidt is an alumna of the Division of Population Health Sciences Master of Public Health program. In this spotlight, she reflects on how her time at Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ shaped her career path—from the relationships that opened doors and guided her forward to the unexpected milestones.

A black and white portrait depicts Dr. Jean Snyder smiling. Read More

A career of service and teaching: Dr. Jean Snyder named Alaska Family Physician of the Year

 |  UW School of Medicine  |  , , ,

Dr. Jean Snyder’s career in family medicine has spanned decades, continents, and nearly every corner of patient care. Now, after years of serving communities across Alaska and beyond, she has been recognized as the Alaska Family Physician of the Year by the Alaska Academy of Family Physicians.

An older man and woman are pictured standing in a gym. Both are holding small dumbbells and wearing workout clothes. Read More

Rethinking Aging: COH faculty offer new insights on mental health, culture, and community

 |  Alison Miller  |  , , ,

Division of Population Health Sciences Associate Professor Dr. Britteny Howell recently published two new studies that investigates the relationship between aging and mental health. Her research seeks to explore gaps in existing literature about how the experience of aging is shape by factors like social context, culture, activities, beliefs, environment, and more.

Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ faculty and students stand in a corner of the Dena'ina Convention Center room. Read More

College of Health students bring applied public health research to Alaska’s statewide stage

 |  Alison Miller  |  , , , , ,

In January 2026, students from the College of Health showcased their public health research at the Alaska Public Health Association Summit’s annual poster session. Their projects spanned topics ranging from food security to environmental contamination, contributing valuable insights that help shape the evolving conversation around Alaska’s public health landscape.