Breaking Barriers Together: Reflections on Our First PBH Foundation Board Meeting

On May 16, 2025, the PBH Foundation held its first official board meeting—marking a pivotal milestone in our mission to break barriers to mental health care in Alaska. As board members gathered over Zoom from across the state, the energy was unmistakable: a shared passion to build a stronger, more equitable mental health infrastructure for providers and the communities they serve.

A Vision Fueled by Purpose

We began with introductions and confirmations of board leadership. Mary Elkins was affirmed as Board President, with Cory Farrow continuing as Vice President, Emily Hooyer as Secretary, and Liz Tracy stepping into the role of Treasurer. Brandy Pennington and Liz were both formally approved as new voting board members after sharing personal reflections that grounded the meeting in purpose.

Brandy captured the emotional gravity of our mission when she said:

“Mental health is a lot more than sitting in a room, talking about your problems… Sometimes you just need someone to talk to—and the people who can afford it are either on Medicaid or rich. It’s the middle that gets left behind, and the middle is who keeps this society moving.”

Her words echoed throughout the session as we revisited the core goals of the PBH Foundation: to increase access to care, reduce barriers, and support infrastructure for mental health providers throughout Alaska—especially in underserved and culturally diverse communities.

Infrastructure: The Unseen Barrier

One of the most passionate and pressing topics was the difficulty clinicians face in breaking away from the overworked-underpaid cycle of community behavioral health. Mary explained the harsh startup realities for new clinics: high infrastructure costs, lack of office space, and the steep expenses required just to begin billing Medicaid.

“Before you even have a chance to make any money, you have to rent a place and hire staff,” Mary noted. “It’s just not realistic for most people. We need to bridge that gap to make it easier for people who have a passion—not just those who want a cushy retirement—to serve Alaskans.”

The board explored ideas like the PBH Foundation owning and leasing buildings at below-market rates to behavioral health agencies and facilitating access to donated or fleet vehicles for case management and outreach. These efforts aim to remove logistical barriers that prevent high-quality clinicians from reaching the people who need them most.

Serving Alaska’s Diverse Communities

Liz Tracy brought deep insight from her work with Native youth and rural populations, highlighting the importance of cultural understanding and the lack of stable mental health services in Native health systems:

“I’ve had students go through counselors every 3–4 months. That’s horrible with the trauma some of these kids face,” Liz said.

The board discussed potential partnerships with Native-led organizations and individuals already serving on cultural advocacy boards to expand the reach and impact of our services.

Committees Formed to Spark Change

To move from ideas to action, two foundational committees were created:

• Fundraising Committee – Chaired by Liz Tracy, this group will research successful community-supported models to help fund everything from therapy grants to vehicle acquisitions.

• Board Development Committee – Led by Brandy Pennington, this team will focus on identifying new board members who reflect the communities we serve and bring valuable skills to help us grow sustainably.

As Mary said during the discussion:

“As much as I want to, I can’t do the work of six people. We need the right people in the right places to move this from vision to reality.”

Looking Ahead

Our next meeting is scheduled for June 20, 2025, from 10 AM to 1 PM. Between now and then, the board will continue refining governance documents, improving website visibility, and preparing committee goals.

In closing, it’s clear that this board is driven by more than policy—it’s powered by personal commitment and professional insight. We see the pain points of the system from every side: client, clinician, and community. And we’re united in the belief that breaking barriers isn’t just a tagline—it’s a responsibility.

Want to get involved or support our mission?

Visit www.pbhfoundationak.org or reach out to learn how you can help us build a better future for mental health in Alaska.