Care Management in Alaska: Partnering with Families in Remote Communities

I recently returned from a trip to Alaska, where our team met with clients flying in from villages for medical appointments. As always, being on the ground was a powerful reminder of the realities our clients face—and the resilience they carry. In a state where care can be hours away by plane, care management isn’t just about coordination. It’s about creativity, trust, and showing up—again and again.

At Whitmire & Associates, we’ve always believed that meaningful care is grounded in relationships, not just resources. That belief is especially true in Alaska, where our team has been providing care management for the past year plus—supporting individuals and families across a landscape that’s as complex as it is vast.

Local Knowledge, Meaningful Connection

The cornerstone of our Alaska team is Michelle Kimbrell, MSW, LICSW, a seasoned Medical Social Worker who brings deep clinical and regional experience to her work. Michelle spent years at Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), where she worked alongside individuals and families navigating major life transitions, complex medical needs, and limited service availability.

Her time at ANMC grounded her in the realities of rural Alaska—serving communities where access to care is often shaped by weather, flight schedules, and funding timelines. She understands what it means to coordinate services when local options are few and far between, and she brings that knowledge to her care management work with our families today.

A Year of Learning and Building

It’s been just over a year since we fully assumed the Alaska caseload. Since then, our team has focused on earning trust, understanding each individual’s goals, and creating care plans that are realistic, strengths-based, and centered on the person. We’re proud to support clients living in small villages, urban areas, and remote regions—where accessing care can mean hours of travel by plane, followed by a ride on an ATV just to reach town. We understand that for many families, navigating systems like Medicaid, or tribal services can feel overwhelming and inconsistent. That’s where we come in—to help organize, plan, and coordinate, so families can focus on their relationships and well-being.

Staying Connected—In Person and Year-Round

Even with the distance, we don’t rely solely on phone calls and Zoom. Several times a year, our Seattle team members travel to Alaska to meet with clients who are flying into Anchorage for medical care or trust meetings. These visits are important—they’re about strengthening relationships, updating plans in real time, and showing up as partners in the work.

We also coordinate directly with local providers, fiduciaries medical teams, and family members across the state. Whether we’re supporting someone coming out of inpatient care, or managing a long-term disability, our focus remains the same: building a life plan that reflects the individual’s voice and values.

The Whitmire Approach in Alaska

Care management in Alaska means:

• Listening carefully and planning flexibly

• Coordinating across providers, agencies, and support systems

• Helping families navigate limited resources with creativity and confidence

• Centering culturally responsive care and community support

We’re honored to be part of the lives of the Alaskans we serve. If you or your family could benefit from coordinated support, future planning, or help navigating multiple systems, Michelle and our team are here—grounded in clinical expertise, local understanding, and genuine care.

We are accepting new clients. Let’s build something together, even across great distances.