HealtheConnect Alaska

05/21/2026

Did you know that our HIE Portal includes a tool that provides near real-time visibility into patient encounters across participating facilities?

Population Explorer is an encounter notification tool that supports healthcare teams in managing follow-ups, discharge planning, and care coordination more efficiently.

To help users get started, we created a comprehensive training video and companion PDF guide that walk through:

🔹 The purpose and benefits of Population Explorer
🔹 How to access and configure it
🔹 How to navigate it
🔹 How to use filters to prioritize follow-up work
🔹 How to use downloads or the built-in tracking tool to manage follow-up activity

Our video condenses a full 1-hour training into just 10 minutes, making it a quick and practical introduction for both new and existing users.

🔗 Learn more about Population Explorer: tinyurl.com/pop-exp

🔗 View more healthEconnect Alaska resources: healthEconnectAK.org/resources

05/14/2026

We’re proud to serve as Alaska’s state-designated Health Information Exchange (HIE) and to partner with the State of Alaska in advancing secure, connected health information sharing across our healthcare system.

This legislation helps modernize Alaska law to better support how healthcare providers securely exchange health information today, helping care teams access the information they are already permitted to use under HIPAA more efficiently and comprehensively.

At healthEconnect Alaska, we remain committed to safeguarding patient information while supporting more coordinated, informed, and effective care for Alaskans across the state.

The original law establishing digital health records in Alaska was enacted in 2009, and state legislators are updating it.

05/05/2026

Mark your calendars!

healthEconnect Alaska and the Alaska Department of Health will host the 2026 Alaska Health Information Exchange Summit on October 7, 2026. This annual event will once again be offered both online and in person in Anchorage.

Join us for a day of connection, learning, and conversation around health information exchange in Alaska.

Stay tuned for more details and registration in the coming months. In the meantime, take a look back at a few highlights from last year’s Summit.

04/16/2026

Health Information Exchange in action:

Alex’s story is an example inspired by real situations experienced by patients and care teams across Alaska. It illustrates how Health Information Exchange can support whole-person care by helping providers identify health-related social needs and connect individuals to resources like food and housing.

The story is fictional. The impact is real.

Learn more about healthEconnect Alaska’s Health Information Exchange network at healtheconnectak.org

04/06/2026

Board Spotlight: Garret Spargo
healthEconnect Alaska’s reach across the state is strengthened by our Board of Directors, whose leadership and connection to Alaska’s health care community help guide our work.

Garret Spargo serves as Board President and Representative of Alaska Tribal Health Organizations and has served on the board for one year.

Garret is the Director of Enterprise Architecture at Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, bringing a strong background in improving access to care for patients across Alaska.

Throughout his career, Garret has focused on expanding access to care. “To me, healthEconnect Alaska and our Health Information Exchange (HIE) lets me bring my professional background into a new HIE context while representing the rural and tribal perspective that is so important to me.”

“I believe care improves when our medical professionals have access to a more holistic view of their patients' health data. This is especially true for our rural and tribal populations who may be jumping between multiple health systems to access primary care at home and specialty care in our urban centers.”

Like many Alaskans, his connection to place runs deep. “My heart is still in the Aleutians, where I spent the first half of my childhood. Every time I step off a plane in one of those communities it instantly feels like home - the smells, the sounds, and yes, even the sideways rain.”

We’re grateful for Garret’s leadership and the perspective he brings to supporting connected care across Alaska, as well as the guidance our board provides in helping shape the direction of healthEconnect Alaska.

To learn more about healthEconnect Alaska or to learn more about our team and board of directors, visit healthEconnectak.org.

03/19/2026

Health Information Exchange in action:

James’s story is a fictional example inspired by real situations experienced by patients and care teams across Alaska. It illustrates how Health Information Exchange supports continuity of care by notifying providers of patient encounters across different locations, helping them recognize patterns and coordinate follow-up care.

The story is fictional. The impact is real.

Learn more about healthEconnect Alaska’s Health Information Exchange network at healtheconnectak.org

03/05/2026

Team Spotlight: Mary Eckart

If you’ve run into us at conferences, stopped by our table, or attended one of our presentations or demos, chances are you’ve already met one of our engagement team members.

Mary Eckart, Clinical Engagement Specialist, has been part of the healthEconnect Alaska team since 2022.

Mary works with clinics and practices across Alaska to help them connect to the HIE, supporting organizations as they begin sharing and accessing health information to better serve their patients.

One of the things Mary enjoys most about her work is the opportunity to connect with healthcare professionals across the state. “I love getting to meet healthcare providers and staff across all specialties and backgrounds, and hearing about their unique challenges and data needs.”

She’s also passionate about the role healthEconnect plays in improving care across Alaska. “healthEconnect is here to improve the lives of Alaskans and make hardworking healthcare providers' jobs easier. It's a privilege to get to be a part of modernizing health care across our great state!”

Mary is a lifelong Alaskan, and her love for the state extends beyond the work she does in healthcare. “I love the mountains! I was born and raised here, and the scenery never gets old!”

To learn more about healthEconnect Alaska or to connect with our team, visit healthEconnectak.org.

02/26/2026

We’re looking forward to attending the Alaska Behavioral Health Association Spring Members’ and Affiliates’ Conference next week, March 3 to 4.

This gathering is always a meaningful opportunity to connect with partners across the state who are doing critical work in behavioral health. We are especially looking forward to the conversations. We want to hear about your experiences, challenges, and ideas, and explore how we can better support that work together.

Stop by our booth to connect with team members Mary Eckart, Clinical Engagement Specialist, and Chris Sturm, Healthcare Engagement Specialist. Learn more about healthEconnect Alaska's services, explore opportunities for joining the network, and pick up some fun swag!

We are also pleased to host a discussion-based session: “Asking Behavioral Health Providers: What are Your Data Sharing Concerns, Challenges and Success Stories.”

We hope you will join the conversation, and we hope to see you there!

02/19/2026

Health Information Exchange in action:

Alaina’s story is a fictional example inspired by real situations experienced by care teams across Alaska. It illustrates how Health Information Exchange supports access to timely patient information, reducing time spent tracking down records and supporting more coordinated care.

The story is fictional. The impact is real.

Learn more about healthEconnect Alaska’s Health Information Exchange network at healtheconnectak.org

02/05/2026

Many HIE Portal users don’t realize they can adjust their dashboard to better match how they work.

Our new video and PDF guide walk through how to use the My Patient Summary tool to customize your dashboard so the information you rely on most is easier to access, helping reduce extra clicks and streamline your workflow.

View the resource here: https://bit.ly/4bExCPE

You can find additional guides and tools on our website: healthEconnectAK.org

01/29/2026

We’re kicking off our first Team Spotlight by introducing our newest team member, Chris Sturm, Healthcare Engagement Specialist, who has been with us for just over two months.

Chris works closely with our engagement team to onboard hospitals and medical practices with a strong focus on bringing Behavioral Health organizations and programs into the HIE. His role centers on building partnerships and awareness of HIE tools.

What’s stood out most so far is the team’s collaborative spirit. Chris adds, "I love the integrity that everyone shows about sharing health data - it's unquestionable that we are stewards.”

Before joining healthEconnect Alaska, Chris worked as a clinician supporting individuals with complex behaviors. That experience drives his excitement for this work. "One of the biggest challenges was getting additional relevant records of the clients. The amount of follow-up and the time to get records sometimes delayed delivery of the most needed service. I am extremely excited about helping bridge this gap for behavioral health providers."

He’s especially inspired by the HIE’s ability to close care gaps statewide. “If someone is injured on the Kenai and their records from Juneau are available, they’ll receive better and more comprehensive care.”

When he needs to reset, Chris turns to Alaska’s mountains. "They contain so much beauty and are one thing that makes this state great. They're also a reminder of our place in the world."

We’re glad to have you on the team, Chris!

To learn more about healthEconnect Alaska or to reach out to any of our team members, visit healthEconnectAK.org.