Health Perspective

In this episode, hosts Ben Kolendo and Avery Palenske have two conversations, one with Elizabeth Ripley and another with Dr. Anne Zink. Ripley sits on the Board of Directors of the Mat-Su Regional Medical Center and discusses COVID mitigation in Mat-Su schools, the mental health impacts of the pandemic, and how the cancellation of the 2021 Youth Risk Behavior Survey impacted our ability to review how COVID has affected the youth in Alaska. Dr. Zink is Alaska’s Chief Medical Officer and also works as an ER doctor. She discusses her work, confidence in the various COVID vaccines, and current major health issues among Alaskan Youth. 

The interview with Elizabeth Ripley was recorded on Wednesday, January 19. The interview with Dr. Zink was recorded on Tuesday, February 1.