Staff Bio

Tonya started her career as a caregiver in a nursing home. She loved working with the elders and she loved hearing their stories. She learned that the quality of life for each person differs, and she wanted to help improve the quality of life for each of her patients. Tonya graduated from UAS in 2006 with her BLA. She has spent that last 18 years engaged in regional work throughout Southeast Alaska working in multiple positions for State of Alaska including: DOA -Office of Public Advocacy Public Guardian Unit, DHSS - Division of Public Health EMS and Preparedness Unit, DOH - Division of Senior and Disabilities Services Adult Protective Services Unit. Her prior private sector employment experience includes working with agencies that support vulnerable populations in roles such as Residential Counselor, Case Manager I, II; Training Facilitator; Quality Assurance and Compliance, Chemical Dependency Counselor I; and Certified Nursing Assistant. "We all age and the quality of one's life is important. I am passionate about elder care for many reasons, but mostly for each of us to be able to live life to our fullest".