Who we are
PCAN board members stem from all disciplines and institutions
across the state. Our diverse background adds depth and prepares us to meet the palliative care needs of our community. Our goal is to improve the quality of health care provided to all Alaskans.
Palliative Care Alaska Network is a 501c3, non-profit public charity, established in 2015. Our mission is to support palliative care through collaboration and education to empower a dynamic network of individuals, agencies, and communities to share tools and resources across Alaska.
Who we are
Collaborate. Educate. Advocate. We embrace our mission and vision by hosting events throughout the year that support professionals and community members in their efforts to grow palliative care. We offer ongoing educational opportunities to build skills and knowledge, including our annual CE symposium.
Since 2017, PCAN has offered an annual all-day event comprising many educational and networking opportunities. We bring together hundreds of participants throughout Alaska to serve a unified mission of improving palliative care services.
Our history
The Palliative Care Alaska Network assembled in 2015. The founding
members attended a palliative care workshop and recognized there was no comprehensive framework for palliative care in Alaska. They arrived from various backgrounds (nurses, social workers, physicians) and from diverse environments and institutions. Inspired by their shared purpose, the group strives to strengthen palliative care services and partnerships between communities and programs across the state of Alaska.
As time went on, the leadership team expanded. In 2019, PCAN received 501c3 status to enable us to serve our mission, vision, and goal to improve the quality of health care and the quality
of life for all Alaskans.
Mission:
Support palliative care through collaboration and education to empower a comprehensive and dynamic network of individuals, agencies, and communities to share tools and resources throughout Alaska.
Vision:
Create an empowered, comprehensive, and dynamic network of individuals and communities that share tools and resources necessary to access, develop, and achieve the highest quality palliative care services throughout the State of Alaska.
Our history
2015: Distributed state-wide survey to identify community needs and
interests. It established who was providing palliative care in Alaskan communities and what service structure was being implemented. It identified advance care planning and education as palliative care topics of interest in Alaska.
2017: Developed and hosted an annual Palliative Care Symposium every
October that draws participants from all over the state. Successful events
bring a large number of practitioners from across the state and provide continued education credit to attendees. 2017 Symposium “The New Face of Hope 2018 Symposium “The Many Faces of Palliative Care” 2019 Symposium “Stronger Together: Palliative Care in the Last Frontier’2020 Symposium “Living Well in a Time of Uncertainty 82021 TBD
2015-2018: Created and disseminated a quarterly newsletter which
provided information about programs across the state, education opportunities, supportive resources, and career advancements in Alaska.
2016-2018: Hosted statewide gatherings for interested community members. Each meeting tackled a palliative care topic, including a didactic and opportunities to collaborate as a team.
Future Goals
Julie Stayden
President
Julie Stayden has her degree in Human Services and is a board member for the Palliative Care Alaska Network (PCAN). She is an Indian Health Services (IHS) Cancer Leadership Counselor, a three-time Living Our Values Award (LOV) recipient from Southcentral Foundation and is a Master Trainer of Living Well Alaska Chronic Disease Stanford University’s Self-Management program.
Alexis Lochner, RN, BSN, CHPN
Vice President
Alexis is a born-and-raised Alaskan, a mother, wife, a Certified Hospice and Palliative Nurse, and an emerging leader in Palliative Care. She has worked in numerous community settings providing high-quality hospice care, including home-based care, assisted living and skilled nursing facility case management, and inpatient hospital hospice care management and clinical coordination throughout her career. She will graduate with her Masters of Science in Palliative Care Leadership & Administration in 2024.
Christina Eldridge
Secretary
Christina is a Captain in the
United States Public Health Service. She became Board Certified in Ambulatory Care Pharmacy in 2012 and obtained a Master of Public Health with an emphasis in Health Promotion in 2016
Kris Green
Treasurer
Kris is a health educator and
program manager. She has lived and worked in Alaska in non-profits and government roles since 1979. In 2009, she became a certified Thanatologist, supporting her long-time interest in death education and counseling.
Founding Members,
2015-2018
Dr. Christopher Piromalli
Rona Johnson
Pat Dooley
Dr. Tram Chu
Christy McElrath
Billie Kelley
Past Board Members
Matt Deraedt Hal Geiger Kelsey Terland Kris Green Kim Huffington Pat Dooley Colleen Kelley Serena Borofsky Sean Timpane Julie Wrigley Christina Montana Karen Hollar Bianca Rauch Sharon Lilja Amy Tribbett