Born and raised in Eagle River, Alaska, Kelsey’s path to healthcare was shaped early by resilience and compassion as the only girl among five brothers. She pursued her love for science at Washington State University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology in 2012, before continuing her education through the MEDEX Northwest Physician Assistant Program at the University of Washington, where she earned her Master of Clinical Health Science in 2020.
Kelsey began her healthcare career in 2014 as a Certified Medical Assistant at Plastic Surgeons of Alaska, where she cared for cosmetic and reconstructive patients. It was during this time that her passion for breast cancer care ignited. After completing her physician assistant training, she gained valuable experience in vascular surgery before transitioning into breast oncology — a move that reaffirmed her dedication to serving cancer patients and survivors. She now works as a Breast Care Coordinator at Imaging Associates, where she is committed to improving access to supportive care services, breast cancer awareness through community outreach, patient education, and referrals for mental health and survivorship needs for all Alaskans.
Kelsey’s dedication to breast cancer patients is also deeply personal. She lost her cousin, Becky, to metastatic breast cancer shortly after finishing PA school. Becky’s wish for more supportive and mental health resources for women with breast cancer continues to inspire Kelsey’s work today. That legacy fuels her mission to close gaps in survivorship care, address the emotional and physical challenges patients face, and help survivors reclaim their quality of life.
In addition to her clinical role, Kelsey is pursuing her Doctorate of Medical Science with a focus in implementation science. Her practicum centers on translating evidence-based medicine into everyday practice for breast cancer patients and survivors, with the goal of bridging gaps in care and advancing long-term quality of life.
Outside of work, Kelsey enjoys embracing Alaska’s outdoors through hiking, biking, and snowboarding. She lives in Anchorage with her husband, Kory, and their retriever mix, Sable. In her free time, she enjoys yoga, walking her dog, eating foodie food and spending time with family and friends.