Bolstering the Indigenous Health Workforce

Jeff Axtell
Jeff Axtell is an Arizona native who attended Northern Arizona University where he graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Healthcare Administration. Jeff furthered his education by attending the University of Arizona to obtain his Masters in Public Health/Community Education.

Jeff started his healthcare career in Bisbee Arizona where he was the Deputy Director for the Cochise County Health Department. Jeff joined the Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care in April of 2022 and currently serves as the Director of the American Indian Health – Area Health Education Center. AIH-AHEC program activities include Community Based Experiential Training for college students in health related disciplines; youth pipeline healthcare activities for grades K-12; Continuing professional education for primary providers working in Tribal communities; and a community immersion program for graduate students in healthcare fields.

Grace Behrens
Grace graduated from Carroll College with a Bachelor’s in Public Health and Sociology and holds a Master of Public Health – Health Systems, Management, and Policy from the Colorado School of Public Health. Grace oversees the health equity related work at the Montana Office of Rural Health and Area Health Education Center at Montana State University. Her work includes task force work, health equity training, and the Health Equity Assistance Fund. She has worked at the intersection of rural and health equity for nearly a decade. She also works on the Montana REACH grant. In her free time, you can find her hiking, fly fishing, or listening to a podcast.

Gloria Burnett
Gloria Burnett is the Director of the Alaska Center for Rural Health and Health Workforce and Alaska's AHEC Program. The Center is located at the University of Alaska Anchorage and is composed of a Program Office and 6 regional AHEC Centers located across the State. Gloria has over 14 years of experience in healthcare workforce development, youth career pathway programming and health continuing education. Prior to her current position, Gloria served as the Dean of Students at Ilisagvik College, Alaska’s only tribal college.