Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium

The Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing the health and well-being of Alaska Native and American Indian communities across Alaska. Established in 1997, ANTHC is the largest and most comprehensive tribal health organization in the United States, serving approximately 158,000 individuals.

ANTHC's mission is to provide world-class health services, including comprehensive medical care at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC), community wellness programs, disease research and prevention, rural provider training, and the construction of rural water and sanitation systems throughout Alaska.

Their vision is that Alaska Native people are the healthiest people in the world, a goal they strive to achieve by integrating traditional cultural values with modern healthcare practices.

Alaska Native Medical Center

A cornerstone of ANTHC's services is the Alaska Native Medical Center, a 150-bed facility in Anchorage co-managed with Southcentral Foundation. ANMC is a Level II trauma center, the highest level achievable in Alaska.

It is the only tribal-operated hospital in the United States to have received Magnet Status for nursing excellence. The center offers a wide range of medical services, including primary care, specialty care, and emergency services.

Telehealth Network

In 1998, ANTHC launched the Alaska Federal Health Care Access Network (AFHCAN), a telehealth platform connecting numerous facilities:

• Approximately 180 Alaska Native community village clinics
• 25 subregional clinics
• 4 multiphysician health centers
• 6 regional hospitals
• Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC)

This network facilitates remote consultations and access to specialty care, greatly improving healthcare delivery in remote and rural areas.

Dental Health Program

ANTHC developed the Alaska Dental Health Aide Program in 2003 to train dental therapists. These therapists provide culturally appropriate education and routine dental services under dentist supervision to high-risk rural residents.

They now provide dedicated access to oral health care for more than 35,000 individuals, many in communities that previously lacked dedicated providers.

Patient Housing Facility

In January 2017, ANTHC opened a new 202-bed patient housing facility connected to ANMC by a skybridge. The building includes the Ronald McDonald House on the 6th floor, marking the first partnership between Ronald McDonald House Charities and a tribal organization.

Integration of Traditional Healing

ANTHC is committed to integrating traditional healing practices with modern healthcare. It supports programs incorporating traditional medicine and community garden-grown treatments.

This approach aligns with recent Medicaid program developments in several states covering Indigenous healing practices used by American Indians and Alaska Natives.

Location

ANTHC is headquartered in Anchorage, AK, USA, where it operates its main facilities and coordinates programs throughout the state.