On New Year's Eve, 1974 before my first day with New England Organ Bank I was called by my coworker who stated "We have a donor" and to come to the hospital right away. Those words have come to define my path and have framed my career in organ and tissue donation. I am honored to have an occupation that has allowed me to be in service to both donor families and transplant recipients. This journey has afforded me the opportunity to work with dedicated hospital staff, transplant surgeons and colleagues in organ and tissue donation programs who have contributed so much to this field.

Bruce joined Life Alaska in August, 2001 as Clinical Director where he oversaw clinical operations for organ and tissue donation as well as hospital services for the state of Alaska. In April, 2003 Bruce became Executive Director where he will continue to oversee clinical operations. Bruce has been involved in organ and tissue donation for more than 25 years beginning his career at New England Organ Bank in Boston where he worked for close to 20 years. In early 1996 Bruce joined University of California at San Francisco as their tissue bank director and in 1997 became director of Northern California Transplant Bank. Bruce received his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Northeastern University and completed one year of graduate study in physiology at NU. Bruce is certified in tissue banking by the American Association of Tissue Banks and in eye banking by the Eye Bank Association of America.

It was the summer of 1997 when we came to Alaska for a vacation that would be the catalyst to moving here permanently. My spouse and I were looking for a place to call our home, and we found it. It is such an honor to work with the dedicated and caring staff of Life Alaska. This gift I have of seeing the generous & courageous people of Alaska working with the amazing & dedicated staff at Life Alaska is truly a treasure in my life.

Kirt joined Life Alaska in October, 1997 as a Transplant Coordinator. He has since taken on other job responsibilities moving through several positions at Life Alaska. He now oversees various administrative operations as well as the information infrastructure of Life Alaska serving as the Chief Information Officer. Kirt is a retired RN who's career path took him from Nursing to Information Technology. Having an MCSE, CCNA & A+ Software / Hardware background, Kirt took on the role of creating a network and information infrastructure for Life Alaska in 2001. He was the project manager for the electronic Statewide Donor Registry for Alaska in 2004-2005, and the project manager for Life Alaska's new building project in 2006.

I am very grateful to be a part of an Alaskan organization that respects and embraces the important mission and message of organ and tissue donation..

Stephanie joined Life Alaska in April of 2006 with a background in non-profit financial management.  She is responsible for financial planning, budgeting, accounting, auditing, tax returns, grant compliance, risk management and treasury management.  She reports financial statistics to management and the board of directors.  Stephanie received her B.S. in Economics and Minor in Environmental Sciences from Iowa State University.

I am truly touched by the amazing courage and willingness of Alaskan families to share. They are my heroes. It is a great privilege to help families find a small piece of good in such an unhappy time.

Marcy joined Life Alaska in June 2000 as a per diem coordinator in southeast Alaska. During this time she traveled throughout southeast for donation surgery while providing community and hospital education in Sitka. In July of 2001, Marcy moved with her family to Anchorage to accept the position of full time coordinator. She faces the unique challenges of providing caring support to families during the devastation of loss while coordinating donation surgery statewide.

Having been a long time supporter of Life Alaska’s mission and its extraordinary family care and bereavement services, I feel privileged to be part of such a dedicated team. The focus on increasing public awareness on the importance of organ and tissue donation is a service that benefits not only the families of donors but the recipients as well. Having come from a medical background in orthopaedics, I have had an opportunity to see the benefit of tissue donation to the recipients.

Rhonda joined Life Alaska in May, 2005. She comes to us with a medical management background and she will facilitate hospital relations, education, and training throughout the state. She also facilitates communication between Life Alaska Donor Services and the federally designated Organ Procurement Organization, which we work collaboratively with to share the message of tissue and organ donation.

I am humbled by the generosity of the donor families and amazed by my peers at Life Alaska who value and respect the gift with which they are entrusted. I am truly honored to be a part of this team.

Ginger is an Alaska native from the Norton Sound village of Unalakleet where she worked for three years as a certified Village Health Aide. Ginger moved to Anchorage in 1993 with her family and has worked the past 11 years at the Alaska Native Medical Center. Four of those years as a nursing assistant on the medical/surgical floor and the last seven years as an Emergency Room Technician. Ginger started at Life Alaska in August of 2003 as a per-diem tissue tech. In April 2004, Ginger accepted the role of Associate Coordinator.

I am truly blessed to be helping donor families give back to Alaskans. It is a privilege to work with such a dedicated team sharing in my passion.

Amory worked for Life Alaska as a clinical technician for a year before deciding to join us in the office as a Transplant Coordinator. Prior to her work with Life Alaska she worked with educating Alaska’s youth.

I am very thankful and humbled by the opportunity that Life Alaska has given me. The Alaska experience will be cherished forever.

Glenn joined Life Alaska in December 2006. He previously worked for Donor Alliance, (Colorado and Wyoming's Organ Procurement Organization). He has experience with donor families and the coordinating of tissue donor cases. He is also an honorably discharged Army veteran with tours done in Central and South America .

“I appreciate being part of such a worthwhile organization whose efforts transform so many lives through facilitating the gift of life.”

Bianca joins Life Alaska after many years as a hospital chaplain, supporting families in Allentown, PA; Chicago, IL; Burlington, WI; and here in Anchorage. She continues to care for families by providing bereavement support resources, coordinating our annual Donor Family Gathering, and by facilitating Life Alaska's monthly Transplant Resource Group.

What an amazing organization!  I never dreamt that I would be working in the field of donation until being asked to apply for a position in our Family Services program.  This is honestly the first job that I can truly say that I love and I have the privilege of working with a passionate group of co-workers and dedicated volunteers.  Knowing that we are making a difference in other peoples’ lives is extremely rewarding and makes me proud that I chose to join this great team.

Originally from Virginia, Michael has lived in Anchorage since 1986. Michael joined Life Alaska Donor Services in 2001 and has been the Public Education Coordinator since 2005.   His duties include public relations, youth and community education about donation and the Alaska Donor Registry, and managing our team of volunteers.

This organization has been my saving grace in more ways than just a career direction.  The people I work with currently and those who since have moved on, are stellar examples of what every recovery agency should look for in their staff.  I am honored to work within an organization where the mission is focused on integrity, compassion, and serving our community.

Monica has been a resident of Alaska for over 24 years and came to Life Alaska in 2001.  For five years she worked as the Financial Administrator and was instrumental in the organization of the day to day financial operations at Life Alaska and provided support to the CFO.  In February of 2006 she moved into the Allograft Services / Quality Assurance Coordinator position and continues to broaden her career in the field of Organ and Tissue Donation.

Life Alaska and my co-workers are as generous and far reaching as the Last Frontier itself, and are matched, if not surpassed, only by the donors and their families. I am honored to be even a small part of this life giving process.

Jeff has been with Life Alaska since 2003, after moving to Anchorage from Denver with his family. He maintains several of the databases for Life Alaska including the Alaska Donor Registry.

I am blessed and humbled by the courage of our community’s families as they reach out to support each other in a time of tremendous sadness.

Carrie joined Life Alaska in 2006 as the Financial Administrator. She is responsible for Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable in addition to assisting the CFO with grants and employee benefits. Carrie received her B.S. in Accounting with a Minor in Small Business Management in 2003.

I am excited to have a part in the impact that donor families are having on our community.  It is a wonderful opportunity to be a resource and comfort for grieving families.

Born and raised in Homer, Valette came to Anchorage and Life Alaska in November 2006 from the non-profit sector in Fairbanks.  She works closely with Family Services and assists in maintaining several databases, including the Alaska Donor Registry.