NAYABONY GAT
Health Education Coordinator, Southcentral Alaska Area Health Education Center/Alaska Primary Care Association; Peer Leader Navigator Program COORDINATOR, ALASKA LITERACY PROGRAM
Education: Bachelor’s degree, Health Sciences, UA Anchorage Community work: Volunteer for various community-based efforts such as GIFT holiday program through Salvation Army. I have been a mentor for other first generation college students. I do crosscultural projects with Keys to Life and many others. I am willing to help in anyway for anyone who needs assistance or guidance. Family: I have a total of seven siblings, four live in Alaska; William Riek, father Hometown: I was born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and moved to the U.S with my family when I was very young as refugees. My family is from South Sudan. I grew up across several different states, but spent the past 10 years in Alaska where I went to East Anchorage High School and UAA. I would call the beautiful Alaska my second home! Current city: Anchorage Name the person you most respect and why. Each of the individuals have shaped me into who I am today, they have mentored, inspired, and poured great wisdom both professionally and personally. All have been humble, patient, persistent, and are very passionate about what they support and how they serve. These people I have great respect for, and I am sure I am missing some names: Constance Carlisle, Mari Selle, Linda Shepard, Polly Smith, Rhonda Johnson, Lori Pickett, Travis Hedwig, Tracey Burke, Shirley Mae Staten, Shannon Kuhn, Tania Rowe and TRiO and many others!! And of course, above all are my parents who have always been supportive and have been through tremendous hardships but have been able to persevere.
Favorite quote: “I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” — Mother Teresa What was your first job? Program Aide with Camp Fire Alaska 12
What is the book you most often recommend? Nothing comes to mind at the moment. But I would recommend anything written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. She also has some amazing TED Talks. The most recent I’ve listened to is “The danger of a single story”. In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling? My achievement is continuously working with the im-
migrant community in various capacities. Health care for the underserved community is a priority. I have witnessed first-hand the disparities in Health where families with limited English language and financial abilities have not received excellent care or have not had the full ability to achieve health and well-being as they see fit. My achievement is lending my voice to speak out. Guiding and creating pathways for individuals to create more opportunity, diversify the workforce, and most importantly create space for those most impacted by health inequities to co-create solutions. Recently my efforts were concentrated on making sure the immigrant and refugee communities and others facing similar barriers were able to receive COVID information in plain language and increase access to the vaccine. And I am so excited and look forward to the Community Health Worker initiative that has expanded this year. This is strongly done in partnership with the community, and I truly believe in the power of mobilizing the community to work through the challenges faced in health and more broadly day-day life that ultimately impact health. My early involvement with UAA Center for Community Engagement ignited this passion. The work I do has been fulfilling because every day am inspired, I get to empower, and I walk away knowing we are making a difference. While working on my degree in Health science, which is among my achievements and one, I am so honored to having being a first-generation college graduate. This experience became the catalyst to open the portal for a broader scope of how I could make a difference. My achievements are grounded in service to my community.
During the past year, what has been your biggest pandemic-related challenge either personally or professionally and how have you worked to overcome it? Like many, a challenge during this pandemic was trying to find a balance and a new way of doing everyday things. Trying to maintain connections to those things and people that remind us of the goals, the things that bring us joy, and that help us to find a way forward. The most heartbreaking things, though not a surprise, were the gaps in services spanning from education, information to housing and food for many in the Anchorage community. Seeing how far we still have to go to make sure that everyone is being served in an equitable way. The pandemic has lead to many losses, but it also has forced us to look at things differently and have those honest and needed discussions on how to address disparities in our city. Ways I have overcome these challenges is having a supportive network and being able to bring diverse voices to the table. And most importantly, recognizing and practicing the importance of disconnecting occasionally.
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What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work? I appreciate the urban and wilderness adventures Alaska provides for all of us. Anchorage diversity gives me a place to reach into cultures and different ethnicities. I have an amazing group of women friends from all over the world. We spend our time eating amazing foods and learning about each other’s life journey. This is a rare opportunity for me to learn and grow in the sweetness of these women’s energy. I love exploring the wildness of Alaska and long road trips. I love hiking, camping, and walking along the trails enjoying the beauty of this state.
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