Celebrating ANHC’s 2025 APCA Rooted in Care Health Center Super Stars
December 8, 2025
Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center (ANHC) is proud to celebrate six extraordinary team members who have been recognized by the Alaska Primary Care Association (APCA) as 2025 Rooted in Care Health Center Super Stars. These statewide honors are awarded to individuals who exemplify the compassion, innovation, teamwork, and dedication that define Alaska’s Community Health Centers.
This year’s awardees represent a range of roles across ANHC—but what they all share is a profound commitment to our mission and to the patients and communities we serve. Their contributions strengthen not only their departments, but the health of Alaskans every day.
Melynda Bottorff
Melynda Bottorff — Dental Practice Manager
Rooted in Compassion – Heart of the Health Center
For nearly 15 years, Melynda has been the radiant, grounding presence at the heart of ANHC’s Dental Department. She is the embodiment of warmth, compassion, and dedication, touching every patient and colleague she encounters with kindness and unwavering support.
Her infectious laugh and bright, joyful personality put patients at ease—children, adults, and elders alike—creating a space where they feel safe, heard, and genuinely cared for. Melynda goes above and beyond every day: listening deeply to patients’ concerns, guiding them through treatment options, helping them access resources, and even following up personally to make sure they receive the care they deserve.
Among the team, she is equally remarkable. Melynda notices when someone is struggling, steps in without fanfare, and ensures that no one feels alone in their work. Her empathy, professionalism, and thoughtfulness have helped build a culture of trust, respect, and support within the Dental Department and beyond.
Theresa Lingo
Theresa Lingo — Senior Phlebotomist
Rooted in Experience – Wisdom Keeper
For more than 31 years, Theresa has been the steady, comforting heartbeat of our Laboratory. She embodies the spirit of continuity and trust, caring for multiple generations of families with a gentle touch, unmatched skill, and an unshakeable commitment to service.
Theresa is often called upon for the most challenging blood draws, approaching every patient with calm confidence and compassion. Her professionalism is second to none, but it’s her warmth and sincerity that have built lasting relationships across three decades of care.
As a true Wisdom Keeper, Theresa holds deep institutional knowledge that strengthens not just the Laboratory team, but the entire organization. Her leadership, mentorship, and lived example of dedication reflect the very best of ANHC.
Shiva Marupudi — Director of Revenue Cycle
Shiva Marupudi
Rooted in Innovation – Innovator
As ANHC’s first Director of Revenue Cycle, Shiva has reshaped how the organization approaches efficiency, accuracy, and patient-centered financial processes. His leadership has sparked innovation at every level of ANHC.
Shiva has spearheaded numerous enhancement projects that have significantly improved workflows and productivity across the organization. One of his most impactful contributions has been redesigning how ANHC provides enrollment services—an overhaul shaped by federal changes, community needs, and the goal of maximizing access for patients.
His leadership of the Outreach, Enrollment & Eligibility (OEE) team has been transformative. Through Open Enrollment, he guided his team through extensive changes, developed self-guided enrollment materials for the public, and implemented new workflows to support a community facing fewer Navigators due to funding cuts. His work has not only improved ANHC’s processes—it has had statewide impacts.
Beyond OEE, Shiva has strengthened financial workflows throughout the entire organization. His dedication, innovation, and community-focused mindset have elevated ANHC’s operations and helped ensure patients receive the support they need. Shiva demonstrates that innovation is not limited to clinical spaces—his work has truly reshaped how ANHC delivers care behind the scenes.
Lamond Venning
Lamond Venning — Information Technology Manager
Rooted in Support – Behind-the-Scenes Hero
Lamond exemplifies what it means to be a behind-the-scenes hero. As ANHC’s IT Manager, he is the steadfast force ensuring that every system, device, and digital workflow operates seamlessly—often without anyone realizing the magnitude of what is happening in the background.
Lamond’s operational excellence and reliability allow staff to do their jobs with confidence. Whether it’s responding to urgent technical issues or planning long-term improvements, he is the person ensuring ANHC’s network, hardware, and software remain secure, stable, and ready to support high-quality care.
He has played pivotal roles during complex transitions, system outages, and recovery efforts—working long hours, often unnoticed, to minimize disruptions and maintain business continuity. His solution-oriented mindset, calm leadership, and dedication to ANHC’s mission have made him an indispensable member of the organization.
Hannah Hill
Hannah Hill — Executive Assistant to the Chief Medical Officer
Rooted in Teamwork – Team Glue
Hannah is the quiet, steady force that binds teams together. She brings people together effortlessly, notices when someone needs support, and steps in with grace, empathy, and positivity.
Her ability to lift morale, create trust, and foster connection makes her a central part of ANHC’s collaborative culture. Whether she is coordinating complex schedules, supporting team initiatives, or simply offering a timely word of encouragement, Hannah creates the stability and cohesion that allow her team to thrive.
She is the person people rely on, the one who keeps everything running smoothly—and she never seeks the spotlight for it. Her presence is felt in every part of the medical team’s work, making her a true “Team Glue.”
Dr. Ruth McGovern
Dr. Ruth McGovern — Medical Physician
Rooted in Potential – Rising Star
Dr. Ruth McGovern joined ANHC right out of residency, but from day one, she has demonstrated the maturity, judgment, and composure of a seasoned clinician. She cares for some of our most medically complex patients with a balance of confidence, gentleness, and calm professionalism that builds instant trust.
Ruth learns quickly, takes initiative, and brings a thoughtful, patient-centered approach to every interaction. Her colleagues admire her steady presence, her hunger to grow, and the compassion she brings to her work.
She is already an all-star—and it’s exciting to imagine the future she will help shape at ANHC.
Honoring Excellence Across Alaska
APCA’s Rooted in Care awards celebrate individuals who go above and beyond to strengthen the network of Alaska’s Community Health Centers. This year’s ANHC awardees demonstrate the powerful impact of compassion, innovation, teamwork, and dedication—the qualities that make community health centers essential to the health and well-being of the communities they serve.
We are deeply proud of each of our 2025 Super Stars. Their contributions reflect the very best of ANHC and continue to advance our mission of providing accessible, high-quality, patient-centered care.
Please join us in congratulating these incredible honorees—and thanking them for the work they do every day for Alaska.