2025 Psychology Award Nominations
Click on the plus sign below the graphic to read the nomination
The Gold Pan Award is awarded to the outgoing board president for their leadership dedication to the association.
Dr. Seth Green served two years as President Elect (2021 to 2023) and two years as President (2023 to 2025) and will serve as Past President this year, providing historical input as needed. He is a licensed clinical psychologist and a Commander in the United States Public Health Service. His clinical work is primarily focused on positive psychology, supervision, training, and education. He worked in a number of states as a psychologist and with two tribal health organizations in Alaska, and he is committed to serving the underserved. He also served as the Co-Director of the Alaska Psychology Internship Consortium, an APA-accredited training site for psychology interns. Before working with tribal health organizations, he worked with the Department of Defense with the US Army Special Operations 75th Ranger Regiment and the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment as an embedded battalion psychologist for a number of years.
Awarded to an AK-PA member for meritorious service to the association.
Hannah Ekstrom first served on the board as the student representative in 2016 -2017. She was then elected to member at large position in 2017. From 2018-2024 she served as the Early Career Psychologist delegate at APA Conferences. She also served as the Ethics Committee chair from 2020-2024.
She is a licensed psychologist and licensed professional counselor. She has worked in community mental health and integrated care settings both in clinical and administrative positions. She currently works as faculty in the Psychology Department at the University of Alaska Anchorage and serves as the Director of the department’s training clinic, the Psychological Services Center (PSC). In her work as an educator, psychologist, supervisor, and director, her areas of interest include health equity, interprofessional and multidisciplinary practice, trauma-informed care, program development and evaluation, and working with vulnerable and underserved populations.
Nominated by the AK-PA Board
Awarded to an AK-PA member for meritorious service to the association.
Sandra Mitchell joined the AK-PA board in 2019 and became the board Treasurer. She served in that position for three two year terms and termed off in 2025 . Her family moved to Anchorage after she completed her post-doctoral fellowship in neuropsychology in 2013 and made Alaska their forever home. In her spare time she enjoys gardening, reading, cooking, and exploring Alaska with her family.
Professionally, she is a clinical neuropsychologist at Psyhchology Services of Alaska and also worked at Fuller Diagostics, and Providence Alaska Medical Center. She earned her PhD in neuropsychology at the University of Florida. She completed a neuropsychology track internship at the Connecticut VA followed by a rigorous two-year post-doctoral neuropsychology fellowship at the New Mexico VA, where she specialized in cognitive aging, dementia, traumatic brain injury, stroke, and a wide range of neurodegenerative conditions. Although her first love was clinical research, she discovered that she loves helping patients understand their cognitive problems and helping them and their families to manage the day-to-day effects of brain dysfunction.
Nominated by the AK-PA Board
Awarded to a Psychologist, mental health provider or educator who has provided distinguished service for their community or in Alaska.
Dr. Hattie Harvey was nominated for her leadership in developing the new Master of Science in School Psychology program at the University of Alaska Anchorage, which will accept its first cohort of students this fall.
Alaska is facing a youth mental health crisis — a situation exacerbated by the lack of services available. Only nine out of 54 school districts in Alaska currently employ a school psychologist, even though the position is federally mandated for every school as part of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Dr. Harvey has led a multiyear effort to establish the first training program for school psychologists in the state. She has collected feedback from schools and families throughout Alaska and collaborated with accreditors, licensing authorities, training experts, university administrators, and state legislators to build a sustainable training program that will meet the unique needs of our communities. In Dr. Harvey’s words, “this program is built by Alaskans for Alaskans.”
Dr. Harvey is a Nationally Credentialed School Psychologist and Licensed Clinical Psychologist whose training and work over the past 20 years has primarily focused on young children and families. She is also the Principle Investigator for Project BLENDS, a federally funded interdisciplinary training program designed to prepare graduates in four related service disciplines to work collaboratively to support infants, toddlers, and preschool-age children with high intensity social-emotional needs and their families.
Submitted by: Kevin Tarlow, PhD
Awarded to a group or person doing outstanding work to advance human welfare in their community or in the state.
Mary Elkins has demonstrated extraordinary leadership and dedication to advancing human welfare in Alaska through her work in founding and developing the PBH Foundation. Recognizing the urgent need to address barriers in receiving counseling in our area she created the foundation to bridge the gap so many face in paying their copay or coinsurance for services. Through her efforts many individuals have been able to obtain or continue counseling with a grant from the organization to pay the clients responsibility.
Mary’s efforts have not only improved individual lives but also strengthened the broader community by fostering resilience, promoting awareness, and encouraging dialogue about mental health. Her approach integrates advocacy, prevention, and direct support services, creating a sustainable model that uplifts the well-being of Alaskans statewide.
Her humanitarian spirit is evident in the countless hours she has invested in developing the PBH Foundation, mentoring other professionals, and ensuring that the voices of those most affected by trauma and adversity are heard and valued. Mary embodies the values of compassion, service, and cultural humility, making her an exceptional candidate for the Cultural Humanitarian Award.
Submitted by Emily Hooyer, MA, LPCS and approved by the AK-PA Board
Awarded to a group or person doing outstanding work to advance human welfare in their community or in the state.
Nicole is nominated for the Cultural Humanitarian Award in recognition of her commitment to advancing human welfare in our community. In her role as a Certified Chemical Dependency Counselor (CDC) and CDC Supervisor (CDC-S), Nicole has shown compassion, professionalism, and a deep dedication to serving underserved populations, particularly Alaska Native people.
Nicole consistently goes above and beyond in her work. She is detail-oriented, committed to doing things right, and willing to put in the extra time to ensure her clients receive the best possible care. She is also passionate about learning and personal growth, constantly seeking new knowledge and skills to strengthen her work.
As a supervisor and team member, Nicole is collaborative, supportive, and respectful. She maintains strong professional boundaries while creating an environment of trust and accountability. Her leadership style encourages growth and teamwork, and she is highly valued by both clients and colleagues.
Nicole has spent several years serving people who have historically faced barriers to care. Her culturally respectful and responsive approach has helped reduce stigma and improve access to treatment, making sure that those she serves feel heard, respected, and supported in their healing journey.
She also models balance in a way that inspires others. Nicole remains kind, steady, and motivated while maintaining her own well-being. This allows her to bring genuine care and reliability to both her clients and her team.
The Cultural Humanitarian Award honors individuals who make a real difference in advancing human welfare. Nicole truly embodies this purpose. She has touched lives through her dedication to clients, her support of colleagues, and her leadership within the field.
She is highly deserving of this recognition, and her work represents the very best of humanitarian service.
Submitted by: Bekah Villalon, PhD
Awarded to a mental health provider in recognition for extraordinary dedication as a rural behavioral health provider.
Teri Forst is for this award because for more than a decade, she has been observed to have a wealth of clinical knowledge, expertise, and insight, and a drive and relentless passion for serving those in rural Alaska. Born and raised in Bethel and currently residing in Juneau, Teri is regularly providing services to and supporting individuals and communities across Alaska.
Via her work at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, where she serves as the Senior Program Manager in the Behavioral Health Aide department, Teri took a lead on the design, development, and delivery of more than fifty courses (totaling more than 575 contact hours) to train village-based Behavioral Health Aides statewide to provide quality behavioral health services within their community. Such a role requires a high level of clinical knowledge and skills, awareness of best practices and evolving practices, and consideration for the rural and remote delivery of services to indigenous populations.
In addition to being a leader in the ANTHC BHA department, Teri is a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor, Master Addiction Counselor, and Certified First Responder Counselor. She is the founder and owner of Anchor Counseling & Consulting, LLC, where she has demonstrated outstanding leadership in establishing and managing a successful private practice, employing seven skilled clinicians to provide telehealth services to individuals, couples, groups, and families throughout rural Alaska. Teri has also pursued and developed clinical specialization in working with first responders; the combination of her expertise and passion for contributing to rural Alaskan communities has resulted in novel partnerships with local and statewide first responder agencies, to ensure that those who are protecting our state, have access to quality mental and behavioral health supports. For example, Teri serves as an Alaska State Troopers Critical Incident Response Team leader and within hours of a critical incident that left an officer fatally wounded by a musk ox attack, Teri was boots on the ground in Nome, coordinating services for those who were affected by such a loss. Additionally, Teri provides invaluable support as the Juneau Police Department employee counselor, mental health trainer, and peer team clinical oversight. Furthermore, Teri also serves as the employee counselor and peer support team trainer for the Anchorage Police Department.
Also worth noting is that while Teri exceeds expectations in her daily work with ANTHC and maintains a caseload in her private practice, she also models a good work-life balance. In her “spare time”, Teri can be found running, hiking, biking, skiing, hunting, fishing, boating, and subsisting with her husband and their children. Even when it is her personal time, Teri is committed to and involved in her community. In recent years she has served as the head coach of her kids’ t-ball team and for the past few years, she has co-hosted Juneau’s “Real Talk Walk/Run” with Bartlett Regional Hospital to provide connection and resources to those who have experienced miscarriage, infertility, stillbirth, and postpartum mental health concerns.
Teri Forst is an exceptional individual whose passion for rural behavioral health and community wellness make her an ideal candidate for the Distinguished Rural Provider award.
Submitted by Xiomara Owens, PhD and approved by the AK-PA Board