Valerie Nurr’araaluk Davidson was president and CEO at one of the nation’s largest tribal health organizations and was esteemed for her groundbreaking contributions to Native healthcare. However, Davidson has stepped down from her role as president and CEO of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium (ANTHC).
ANTHC, through a statement on its website, announced Valerie Davidson’s departure from the organization without providing specific reasons except to mention that she was “transitioning” out of her role overseeing over 3,000 employees. As Alaska’s second-largest healthcare employer, ANTHC plays a significant role in the state’s healthcare landscape.
Those acquainted with Davidson’s impressive history find her sudden departure perplexing, describing it as surprising and unexpected. Former Governor Bill Walker, currently traveling in London, swiftly learned of the news and expressed surprise and disappointment.
“It’s quite an uncomfortable situation, to say the least, considering her exceptional talents,” remarked Walker, who initially appointed Davidson as the Health and Social Services commissioner.
Walker highlighted her effective leadership in Alaska’s efforts to expand Medicaid, resulting in substantial savings for the state.
“I’ve seen her overcome significant obstacles in healthcare initiatives that greatly benefited Alaska,” Walker noted. “She was always willing to go above and beyond to improve healthcare access in the state.”
Valerie Davidson, who hails from Southwest Alaska and is of Yup’ik heritage, earned the nickname “Kuspuk Commissioner” due to her preference for wearing kuspuks, traditional Yup’ik overshirts.
These vibrant garments, often handcrafted by loved ones, made her a distinctive presence in the governor’s office and the corridors of the state Capitol. Davidson’s playful remarks about the practicality of kuspuk pockets, such as their usefulness for carrying items like baby diapers, added to her unique charm.
Davidson’s distinctive humor often overshadowed her shrewd lawyer and negotiator abilities. She was instrumental in securing victories for tribal organizations in Congress.
Later, Walker appointed Davidson as his lieutenant governor following Byron Mallott’s resignation amidst the scandal.
A parallel situation arose when Valerie Davidson assumed leadership of the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium after the sudden disappearance of its president, Andy Teuber, in a solo helicopter crash in March 2021. Tragically, Teuber’s fatal flight coincided with impending allegations of sexual harassment.
While the tribal consortium’s statement does not provide reasons for Davidson’s replacement, it commends her for steering the organization through a “leadership crisis.”
According to the board of directors’ statement, Davidson’s tenure saw numerous accomplishments, including significant investments and meaningful enhancements that contributed to what it termed the “remarkable transformation” of the organization.
Davidson’s former colleague Gary Ferguson praised her as a unique leader, stating, “She has consistently demonstrated strong leadership wherever she has served and has been instrumental in driving positive change.”
Ferguson, a Unangan researcher at Washington State University, holds a naturopathic doctor’s license and spent a decade at ANTHC during Davidson’s tenure as the consortium’s attorney.
He expressed his enduring admiration for her integrity and commitment to integrating traditional Native values into healthcare.
“Val has been a trailblazer, fearlessly speaking her truth,” Ferguson remarked, “a feat that I believe is quite challenging in such influential roles.”
Ferguson noted that while the health consortium pursues an admirable mission and achieves remarkable outcomes, it operates within a complex and demanding environment. This dynamic often pits Native values against financial considerations, contributing to frequent turnover in executive leadership.
“Political pressures and disparities in resources among different regions and populations create significant hurdles in achieving healthcare equity statewide,” Ferguson explained.
Natasha Singh, a lawyer like Davidson renowned for her advocacy within tribal governments, has assumed the role of interim president and CEO and is responsible for navigating these challenges.
Based on the ProPublica Non-profit Explorer database’s analysis of tax forms covering the fiscal years 2012-2022, the statewide tribal health organization reported revenues close to $840 million. Davidson’s salary was recorded at $806,000 during this period.
Despite multiple attempts to obtain comments from ANTHC, Davidson, and Singh, responses were not received. As of now, the underlying political factors driving this leadership transition remain uncertain.
