Rural Provider Highlight: Robert Stephan

By Southcentral Foundation Corporate Communications

Robert Stephan’s work as a helper goes all the way back to his childhood. He lives in the village of Tyonek, which is near Anchorage, but is only accessible by boat or by plane. Given Tyonek’s small population (150-200 people, though this number can double or triple in the summer during fishing season), many residents serve multiple roles in the community. When Robert was 11 years old, his father and uncle were part of the volunteer fire department and emergency first responders, and he would sometimes go with them when they went out on calls, lifting and moving things, and helping out as he could.

Today, Robert also serves multiple roles in Tyonek. He works for Southcentral Foundation as a community health aide (he is currently the only one in Tyonek; SCF is trying to recruit for two other positions there), he is a youth mentor for Boys and Girls Club, and he serves on the Board of Directors for Tyonek Native Corporation. Prior to his work as a community health aide, he worked as a behavioral health aide, providing behavioral health services to the people of Tyonek.

As the (currently) sole community health aide in Tyonek, Robert provides for the community’s health needs. The clinic in Tyonek has the capability to handle X-rays and labs, and they receive support from SCF’s main offices in Anchorage. A primary care provider flies out once every other month, behavioral health clinicians once a month, dental providers visit twice a year, and ophthalmology visits once a year. Health aide mentors and first responder teams have also done and continue to do much for the community. The clinic also has access to providers in Anchorage through telehealth if needed, but Robert handles much of the health care for the community.

Robert sees himself as always being a part of his community and giving back to it, however he can. He takes a thorough approach to health care, working in relationship with the customer-owners he serves to find out what their health needs are and how to best support them in achieving wellness. He is planning to go through the Physician Assistant program that the University of Alaska offers in partnership with the University of Washington, to be able to further support his community in the years ahead.