Wasilla, Alaska— The Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) recently welcomed Keith Kehoe and Lebron McPhail to its board of directors. Board members serve three year terms, and each term may be renewed for two additional three year terms. Some of the nominee qualifying factors used in the board selection process include geographic representation, business experience, employee representation, community service, organization interest, health care background, and legal or financial knowledge and experience.

Keith Kehoe has been a physician assistant in the Upper Mat-Su for almost 20 years. He began working at Sunshine Community Health Center in 1997, providing acute, chronic and preventative medical care. Prior to his employment at Sunshine, Keith worked as a physician assistant in several other Alaska communities, as well as overseas. His previous board experience includes eight years with the Alaska Primary Care Association from 1998-2005, the Jessica Stevens Foundation since its inception in 2007, and with Talkeetna’s local community radio station, KTNA. He also serves as vice president with the Parent Teach Student Association at Susitna Valley Junior/Senior High School. Keith earned his physician assistant certification from the University of Washington, a master of arts degree from Lesley College, and a bachelor of science degree from Illinois Benedictine College. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.

Lebron McPhail worked full-time for the Matanuska-Susitna Borough School District (MSBSD) from 1984 to 2013. During his 29-year career, he served as a teacher, coach, assistant principal, principal and executive director of instruction with an enrollment approaching 18,000 students. Since his retirement in 2013, Lebron has worked for the MSBSD part-time overseeing students who are on long term suspensions. The focus is to help students recover credits that would have otherwise been lost, and provide leadership and structure for them to be successful in life and within their respective communities. He also serves as a commissioner for Serve Alaska which engages Alaskans of all ages and background in community based service and volunteerism through the AmeriCorps Program. Over the years, Lebron has also volunteered his time within the community serving on a number of non-profit organizations, like the Alaska Family Services Board. He has also been involved in the Community Justice Coalition and the Mat-Su Judo Club, where he served as president for five years. Over the past 30 years, Lebron has coached from the little league level up to the high school ranks in football, basketball, wrestling, gymnastics and track and field. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from Eastern New Mexico University and a master’s degree from the United States Sports Academy.

In addition to selecting Kehoe and McPhail as new board members, the MSHF Board of Directors chose officers for 2016/17. Scott Johannes was elected as the board’s chair, Mary Olson as vice chair, and Ken Kincaid was reelected as secretary/treasurer.

About Mat-Su Health Foundation: Mat-Su Health Foundation (MSHF) is the official business name of Valley Hospital Association, Inc., which shares ownership in Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. In this capacity, the MSHF board members and representatives actively participate in the governance of Mat-Su’s community hospital and protect the community’s interest in this important healthcare institution through board oversight. The MSHF invests its assets into charitable works that improve the health and wellness of Alaskans living in Mat-Su. More information is available at www.healthymatsu.org.

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