Meet the Alaska Premier Health Team
There is a lot of conflicting information out there about weight loss and control. What should you eat? More fat? Less fat? No carbs? Complex carbs? Hi protein, natural protein, plant protein….and on and on and on. No matter what diet trends may come and go, there are definite and indisputable core principles to weight management.
The team at Alaska Premier Health bases all treatment plans on scientific, medical based information that is fine-tuned to the individual patient. For over 25 years, we have worked to set the standard for healthy, achievable, long-term success for our patients. We love helping people recapture their health. We take great joy in reversing disease states. We are so proud of our patients, who know they are like family to us.
All patients are welcomed and treated with great respect. Weight loss is a very private issue, often associated with low self-image and declining health. It’s almost miraculous how changing eating and activity behaviors result in better health and happier people. Our team is on a mission to help each and every patient achieve and sustain their healthy life goals.
Your Medical Team
Our medical experts are experienced, highly-trained, and motivational. They will give you the structure needed to stay on track.
Dr. Whynot is Board Certified in Internal Medicine with interests in Bariatrics and Medical Informatics. He holds degrees from Boston College, Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nuclear Medicine, and the University of Massachusetts Medical Schools, and completed his residency at St. Elizabeth’s Medical Center in Boston. He is a member of the Obesity Management Association.
Dr. Mapes is a 2015 University of Washington Medical School Graduate. She completed her residency in Internal Medicine at the University of Colorado hospital in Denver, Colorado. She has returned to her home state of Alaska and is in practice with The Alaska Hospitalist Group. Dr. Mapes is happy to be back in Alaska. When not working you will find her enjoying the great outdoors and Alaska’s endless opportunities for adventure.
Allen started with Alaska Premier Health in July 1998. He is originally from Birmingham, AL. Allen graduated from the Army Physician Assistant Program with honors and earned a Bachelor’s from the University of Oklahoma with honors. Allen then completed a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies at the University of Nebraska. He is a retired Army Captain with over 20 years of active duty service.
Kevin started with Alaska Premier Health in 2011. Originally from Wisconsin, Kevin entered the United States Air Force in 1984. He graduated in 2000 from the University of Nebraska and completed a Master’s in Physician Assistant Studies in Family Medicine in 2001. He was selected a company grade Physician Assistant of the Year in 2008. He retired at the rank of Major with 27 years of service.
Sally joined Alaska Premier Health in January 1995. Born and raised in Anchorage, she graduated from UAA with a bachelor’s degree (1987) and a master’s degree (1993) in nursing and received her BS in dietetics in 2019. She is board certified as a pediatric RN, Family Nurse Practitioner, Registered Dietitian, and Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM). Sally is active in the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association and serves as Faith Community Nurse at her church. She has a special interest in food allergies and intolerances.
Originally from Homer, Felva “Collie” Leamy received her BA degree in 1993 from United States International University. She worked as a nursing assistant and dental assistant before pursuing an MS in Physician Assistant studies from Southern Illinois University. After graduating in 2009, she worked in a rural farming community with the National Health Service Corps. Collie moved back to Alaska in 2013 and practiced primary care until joining Alaska Premier Health in 2018.
Born and raised in Alaska, Kate graduated from Oklahoma City University with her Masters in Physician Assistant studies. She and her husband enjoyed a decade of living throughout the country before making their way back to Alaska, where they plan to stay and raise their kids. Kate’s passion is in helping people live happier, healthier lives. When she’s not working with her patients, you can find her hiking, biking, drinking coffee, or just trying to soak up some Alaska sunshine!
Your Patient Support Team
Alaska Premier Health is proud to have the best staff in the business. Our office staff will greet you with a smile, cheer you on as you make progress toward your goals, and make your visit as enjoyable as possible!
Laurie started at Alaska Premier Health in 1993. She is a Certified Lifestyle Counselor and has trained at weight loss specialty centers, including the Cooper Institute. She graduated from the University of Washington and has a Master’s in Healthcare Administration from Alaska Pacific University.
Amanda began working at Alaska Premier Health shortly after getting married and graduating from Career Academy Summa Cum Laude in July 2011. Born and raised in Alaska she plans to further her education in the Medical field at UAA. In her free time, she enjoys vacationing and the outdoors.
Tina started with Alaska Premier Health in November 2006. She is originally from Creswell, Oregon. She retired from active Air Force duty in 2005, where she worked in healthcare administration. She has an Associate’s degree in Instructional Technology from Air Force Community College.
Deb has been involved in healthcare for over 20 years. Her prior positions include EMT and Medical Assistant, providing services in urgent care, internal medicine, pulmonology and orthopedics. She is an avid outdoorswoman who enjoys hiking, skiing and mountain biking.
Kerry began working at Alaska Premier Health in 2013. She holds a Masters of Science in Biology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. She enjoys spending time on her mini-farm with her dogs, cats, chickens and saltwater fish tank.
Originally from Idaho, Jami relocated to Anchorage in 2014 and currently attends UAA as an English Lit major. She spends her free time with her Belgian Malinois and together they’ve been nationally certified in Avalanche Search and Recovery and other programs. Jami joined Alaska Premier Health in 2019 and loves seeing patients achieve their goals.
Born and raised in Arizona, Jeanette worked at Scottsdale Weight Loss Center for two years and fell in love with helping clients lose weight. She relocated to Alaska in 2019 and enjoys her free time with family and Solo, her Boxer. She loves the medical field as well and making patients feel welcome! We all go through the same struggle in the weight loss journey.
Originally from Michigan, Kyle chose to make Alaska his home after serving six years in the United States Coast Guard. He’s now a full-time student at UAA studying Aeronautics and continues to investigate ways to combine his love of science with his passion for helping people.
Originally from the border town of Brownsville, TX, Paula moved to Anchorage in 2010. She received her BA in Counseling Psychology from Alaska Pacific University and hopes to finish her master’s in the same field. Paula enjoys movement as a form of play and is a certified instructor for activities ranging from yoga and water aerobics to paddleboarding. She also enjoys biking with her pitbull and trying new cuisines.
Born and raised in Wasilla, Tori’s background is in both patient care and administration. She’s a member of the Alaska National Guard, and when she’s not helping patients you can find her teaching dance lessons. Fun fact about Tori: she has an identical twin who is also her very best friend.
Jennifer was born and raised in Alaska. She grew up in both Anchorage and Bethel and worked with children for 15+ years before deciding to get into the medical field. Jen has her NCMA and currently attends UAA in the pre-nursing program. She has five children, two grandchildren and enjoys traveling (within the state or elsewhere), spending time with grandkids, and learning new things.
Leila relocated from Homer to Anchorage in 2020 and started with Alaska Premier Health a few months later. She has a background in medical administration and plans to continue in that direction, but is passionate about patient care as well. She loves to spend her free time hiking, traveling, and fishing.