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. James WhynotMedical Director

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. Casey MapesConsulting Physician

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 ChapmanPhysician Assistant

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 KublyPhysician Assistant

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 CoburnAdvanced Nurse Practitioner

Sally started with Alaska Premier Health in January 1995. She was born in Anchorage and graduated from UAA with a Bachelor’s and a Master’s in Nursing. She has been a CPR / First Aid Instructor for 31 years. She is active in the Alaska Nurse Practitioner Association and serves as Site Coordinator for the annual continuing education conference. She has a special interest in food allergy nutrition. Sally also holds a certification of Specialist in Obesity and Weight Management (CSOWM).

Collie LeamyPhysician Assistant

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.

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 MapesCEO

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 DayManager

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 PiercePatient Care Coordinator

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 WawryzniakMedical Assistant

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 GarveyAssistant Manager

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.

Brayden Van BeverMedical Assistant

Originally from Rhode Island, Brayden joined Alaska Premier Health in January 2019. He formerly worked as a substance abuse counselor in the US Air Force and is now studying Health Sciences, with the goal of becoming a PA. Brayden’s favorite pastimes are snowboarding and hiking with his dog.

Adam LooneyEMT, Certified Personal Trainer

Adam started with Alaska Premier Health at the beginning of 2018. An EMT and former downhill mountain bike patroller, Adam graduated from the University of Wyoming with a BS in Molecular Biology. He is working on his Nursing degree from the University of Alaska Anchorage and is a Personal Trainer certified by the American College of Sports Medicine.

Jami ShawMedical Assistant

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.

Mike DickersonMedical Assistant

Mike started with Alaska Premier Health in 2018. He lived in Iowa and North Carolina while serving in the Navy until 2012. He is currently a nationally certified Medical Assistant student at Charter College and enjoys video games and playing the guitar.

Jeanette VallesPatient Care Coordinator

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.