Frank Grubbs, Empowering Our Shareholders

Shareholder Attaining Nursing Degree

Storyknife, January/February 2025 edition

Frank Grubbs with ties to Emmonak is a Calista Shareholder attaining his Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska Anchorage (UAA) with a goal to provide medical services for Shareholders through work at the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage. He receives scholarships through Calista Education and Culture and other organizations, which helps prioritize his education.

“These scholarships from Calista and sources have allowed me to pay for my books and focus on school,” he says. “With the amount of studying for a nursing degree, I don’t think I’d be able to work and complete this degree in the time I have.”

INTERNSHIP EXPERIENCE

Grubbs has gained work experience through two separate internships with Calista and its companies. Last year Grubbs worked for the Calista Land & Natural Resources department and the year before with Tunista Services at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson.

“The internships have provided an opportunity to communicate with different villages and speak with the Yup’ik people, of which I am a part of, and is the same patient population I will be serving as a nurse,” Grubbs says.

Grubbs was born and raised in Anchorage and expects to graduate by May 2025. He plans to work as a detox nurse at ANMC once he attains his bachelor’s degree. Later he may look towards working on a post-graduate degree to become a nurse anesthetist and eventually work in the operating room.

Grubbs began his career as a combat medic in the U.S. Army. When he completed his time of service, he joined the Army Reserve and started his nursing degree.

SUPPORT FROM FAMILY

Grubbs paused his education to work in Anchorage and serve at a local church where he met his wife. They have one young daughter with another child on the way. Some of his favorite subsistence activities are dipnetting and berry-picking, and his favorite cultural food is salmonberry akutaq.

Grubbs started up his education again and is now close to graduating. He says his wife is very supportive of his educational goals and even dreamt about it.

“My wife had a dream where she saw me nursing in Alaska villages, and we were helping at the church at the same time,” Grubbs says. “That dream felt like an extra push to get back into school.”

When asked for any words of advice for those who are looking to further their career, Grubbs says a post-secondary education can help you provide for your family and beyond.

“Your parents and the church can help you build a moral foundation. Getting a degree can help open doors to different economic opportunities,” Grubbs says. “A degree may bring blessings, increased wages, and opportunities to contribute to your own community.”