Finding Hope, Support, and a Way Forward at ANHC

Faalelei Tivao

March 9, 2026

When Faalelei Tivao first came to Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center (ANHC), she was looking for help. 

After moving to Anchorage in 2023, she was managing diabetes while juggling long work hours, financial stress, and caring for her family. She had experienced repeated hospitalizations in the past, during a time when managing her diabetes felt especially difficult. By the time she arrived at ANHC, Faalelei felt overwhelmed and hopeless about her health. 

“I didn’t care anymore,” Faalelei shared. “I thought, if it’s my time, then it’s my time.” 

Care That Looked at the Whole Person 

Faalelei connected to ANHC through her primary care provider, who introduced her to a clinical pharmacist. At first, she was unsure about accepting help. 

“I didn’t want anyone telling me what to do,” she said. “That's just who I was.” 

But instead of judgment, she found encouragement and support. 

“They stood by me,” Faalelei said. “They never made me feel like I was doing this alone.” 

Rather than focusing only on prescriptions, her care team focused on her—her family, her stress, her culture, her relationship with food, and her goals. Her clinical pharmacist reminded her why her health mattered: her husband, her daughter, and the future she still wanted to be part of. 

“They planted a seed. They gave me the tools, and it was up to me how I used them. When I first came here, I didn’t have hope. My A1C was really high and I thought, ‘Why should I care?’ But they never gave up on me. They reminded me that my husband is working hard for our family, that my daughter looks up to me, and that I’m not doing this alone,” she said. “They didn’t force me. They gave me the tools and told me, ‘This is your plan. We’ll support you.’ Today, my A1C is at an acceptable range. No more shots, no more nothing. I can say I’m proud of myself.” 

With consistent care, education, and encouragement, Faalelei began to see changes she once thought were impossible. Her treatment plan became easier to manage. She began to feel stronger, more confident, and more in control of her health. 

One Place for Everything She Needed 

For Faalelei, one of the biggest differences at ANHC was access. 

She uses primary care, diabetes education, behavioral health services, labs, imaging, and specialty referrals—all coordinated by her care team at ANHC. Having care in one place reduced stress and made it easier to stay engaged in her health. 

“They connected me to everything,” she said. “I didn’t even know some of these things were available.” 

She also values ANHC’s night clinic hours, which made it possible to attend appointments even during especially challenging periods in her life.  

“That mattered,” she said. “Not everyone can come in during the day, and everything is right here. I don’t have to run all over town.” 

Affordable Care That Removed Barriers 

When Faalelei first came to ANHC, cost was a major concern. She used the sliding fee discount program and later received help applying for insurance. When coverage challenges arose, ANHC staff worked quickly to connect her with resources so she could continue receiving care. 

“I never felt like I had to choose between my health and my family’s bills,” she said. 

A Message for Others 

Today, Faalelei describes herself as someone who has found hope again. 

“I want people to know there is always hope,” she said. “You just have to find the right people to walk with you.” 

For her, that place is Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center. 

“If you think you can’t afford care, or you don’t know where to start, come here,” she said. “They helped change my life.”