Andrew Martinez MLS, MBA Microbiology/Molecular Laboratory Manager, Alaska Native Medical Center Anchorage/Relief Laboratory Manager, Maniilaq Health Center, Kotzebue, Alaska Hometown: Las Vegas, N.M. Current City: Eagle River Education: Bachelors of Science in medical laboratory science, University of New Mexico; Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in healthcare management, West Texas A&M University Community Work: The Children’s Lunchbox - Bean’s Café. Support the community response to the COVID-19 pandemic by testing samples from across the state and overseeing all clinical and operational aspects of COVID-19 for the Alaska Native Medical Center Laboratory. Family: Wife, Meghan; daughters, Farrah (10), Carmen-Lucía (6), Moira (3) and Paloma (1) What is your favorite place in Alaska and why? The town of Homer, Alaska, is a family favorite. The blue waters of Kachemak Bay and the natural beauty of the Kenai Mountains are spectacular. My best Alaska memories are those spent with family, enjoying an oceanfront campfire on the beach after a long day of exploring. It doesn’t matter if you like to fish, hike, shop or enjoy great food; Homer has you covered. Name the person you respect and why My wife, Meghan. She has a pure heart, is always graceful under pressure and is overall a fantastic person. I’m impressed with her tireless work in raising our four daughters and helping them to become happy and confident girls. She is a great role model and teaches them the importance of community work. All in all, my success wouldn’t be possible without her support and encouragement. What is your favorite pastime or hobby away from work? I enjoy small stream fishing. Watching the motion and hearing the sound of the water is relaxing. It’s a great way to recharge. What was your first job? At 14, I started working at my neighborhood bakery and donut shop that I frequented every day when I was a kid. What has been your most rewarding community service? I frequently volunteer at Anchorage’s The Children’s Lunch-
34
39
box program, a nonprofit organization that delivers meals to schools, other local programs and families in need. Inspired by my daughters’ participation in American Heritage Girls, an organization that strives to cultivate a heart for service, I began looking for other ways to support the community outside healthcare at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. I quickly became aware of the growing need to feed hungry families and children in Anchorage, with children out of school and parents unable to work. I started volunteering to pack and donate breakfast, lunch and/ or dinner pantry boxes, each containing enough food to feed a family of four. Assembling and donating these pantry boxes allowed me to find another meaningful way to contribute to the community outside of work. In your professional life, what has been a project or achievement you have found to be the most fulfilling? Leading a dedicated team of microbiologists at ANMC, who have worked tirelessly to ensure accurate and timely COVID-19 PCR test results from the very start of the pandemic to the present day, has been a meaningful achievement. Diagnostic testing has been a significant part of the states’ response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The collaborative work done at ANMC has touched the lives of thousands of Alaskans in Anchorage and across the state by providing for diagnosis of COVID-19 in symptomatic patients, screening of asymptomatic carriers and contributing to effective epidemiological surveillance. The execution of a coordinated testing strategy has given Alaskans valuable and necessary tools to be successful in their efforts to combat the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. Based on your own experiences, what advice would you give on maintaining a good work-life balance? My experience has taught me that there is no perfect balance. Instead, there are times when work will demand more time and instances where your personal life will need more attention. Constantly be aware of how your time is spent and ensure your most important goals and priorities are met. If feeling out of balance, reassess and decide where to invest your time and energy. What is your favorite quote? “In your actions, don’t procrastinate. In your conversations, don’t confuse. In your thoughts, don’t wander. In your soul, don’t be passive or aggressive. In your life, don’t be all about business.” - Marcus Aurelius
