Carol Goltz is a retired educator and current studio potter with a deep commitment to her community and the values of accessible healthcare. With a professional career rooted in education, Carol has served in various roles, including high school English teacher, high school librarian, technology coordinator, cooperative learning consultant, and curriculum designer. She also taught at both the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) and Alaska Methodist University (AMU). Additionally, Carol coordinated a statewide career exploration program for GCI via videoconference, helping bridge educational opportunities across Alaska.
Carol and her husband have lived in Alaska since the late 1960s. They initially resided in Juneau, raised their family in Anchorage, and ultimately found a peaceful home in Willow, where they enjoy lakeside living in retirement. This peaceful setting allows Carol to focus on her passion for pottery, where she dedicates her time to her craft.
Her journey with Sunshine Community Health Center (SCHC) began as a volunteer board member, where her interest in healthcare in rural communities grew. Carol values the importance of accessible medical services and has gained a deep appreciation for the team’s dedication to serving the mission of SCHC. She believes in the holistic approach to healthcare and asks, “What brings the best healthcare, accessible to all, to the most people in the area?” This perspective is shaped by her own limited experience with medical terminology, which allows her to identify communication gaps that others with more medical backgrounds may overlook.
Through her time on the board, Carol has gained valuable insight into the complexities of providing healthcare in rural Alaska. She has witnessed firsthand the challenges of hiring and retaining skilled medical providers and staff, as well as the critical importance of teamwork, respect, and trust in creating a successful organization. Carol values each role within SCHC, understanding that the collective efforts of everyone—regardless of job title—are essential to providing quality care to the community.
Carol also recognizes the significant positive impact SCHC has on the Northern Valley of the Mat-Su Borough, and she continues to contribute as a listener, questioner, and advocate for clear, accurate communication within and beyond the organization.
Outside of her work with SCHC, Carol remains deeply involved in her pottery studio and enjoys spending time with her supportive husband. Her advice to others considering serving on a healthcare board is simple: “Try it. You may like it, you may not, but you will never know without being on a board for a while.” She believes that through volunteer work, one can meet hardworking individuals who share a common goal of making communities better places to live.
Carol's dedication to improving her community, along with her unique perspective on healthcare, continues to make her a valued member of the Sunshine Community Health Center Board.
Centro Comunitario de Salud Sunshine
1-907-376-2273 (ATENCIÓN)
*This article was written with the support of AI*