Senate committee advances slate of health‑related board nominees after confirmation hearings

The Senate Health and Social Services Committee convened April 16 in Butrofit's Room 2 05 to hear statements from nominees to multiple professional licensing boards and to question them on qualifications and issues facing their professions. After hearing each appointee, the committee recommended the nominees be forwarded to a joint session for consideration.

The nominees included appointees to the Board of Dental Examiners, Board of Optometry, Board of Pharmacy, Board of Professional Counselors, Board of Certified Direct‑Entry Midwives and the Board of Chiropractic Examiners. Chair Dunbar opened the hearing and said the plan was for each appointee to make brief remarks, respond to committee questions and then allow public testimony at the end of the meeting.

Several candidates emphasized rural access to care. Dr. Michael R. Sanders, nominated to the Board of Dental Examiners, described 53 years as an Alaska resident, military service and longtime private practice in Eagle River, and told the committee he supports examining regulatory steps that could improve access in rural communities “as long as we can keep it safe.” Dr. Travis Perkins, also a dental board nominee, said a shortage of dentists and hygienists is a primary challenge for dental care in Alaska.

Pharmacy nominees highlighted clinical roles for pharmacists. Dr. Rebecca Balmes and Lillian Akpauleke (as recited in the committee report) described work in infusion and rural pharmacy settings and said they support expanding pharmacists’ scope where it improves access. Balmes told senators that pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) can create administrative hurdles for small pharmacies, delaying access and adding costs.

Crystal Herring, a reappointment to the Board of Professional Counselors, faced extended questioning about past pandemic‑era work by a company she co‑led. Senator Tobin summarized reporting that the company operated a COVID treatment site at the Golden Lion Hotel and alleged premium patient charges alongside waivers of fees and use of public dollars. Herring responded that she was not involved in political decisions that authorized use of the hotel site, said the operation was a private company providing services and asserted fees and insurance billing were disclosed to patients before treatment: “we were absolutely disclosing the fee structure,” she said, and added that she has learned to “trust and verify” and to ensure disclosures and complaint processes are available to vulnerable patients.

Other nominees described board priorities and experience. Charles Rudstrom, a public member of the optometry board, discussed balancing quality training with access and the board’s recent work on licensing and remote learning. Drs. Edward Don Barrington and Walter Campbell detailed chiropractic board responsibilities around qualifications, investigations and scope‑of‑practice questions. Stacia Miller, a direct‑entry midwives nominee, said she will prioritize licensure standards that protect patients.

The committee closed public testimony after hearing no speakers in the room or online and, citing AS 39.05 0.08, reported it “recommends the following list of appointees be forwarded to a joint session for consideration”: Stacia Miller (Board of Certified Direct‑Entry Midwives); Dr. Edward Don Barrington and Dr. Walter Campbell (Board of Chiropractic Examiners); Dr. Travis Perkins and Dr. Michael R. Sanders (Board of Dental Examiners); Charles Rudstrom (Board of Examiners in Optometry); Dr. Rebecca Balmes and Lillian Akpauleke (Board of Pharmacy); and Crystal Herring (Board of Professional Counselors). Chair Dunbar noted that signing the committee report does not reflect individual members’ approval or disapproval of nominations. The committee adjourned at 4:30 p.m.

What’s next: the committee said confirmations will likely proceed to a joint session and a final confirmation vote could occur in May; the committee scheduled a follow‑up meeting for April 21 to hear a second round of confirmations.