19-year-old homeschool graduate appointed to State Medical Board

The Alaska Senate Health and Social Services Committee heard testimony Tuesday from Hannah Milkey, a 19-year-old homeschool graduate appointed to the State Medical Board one week before her confirmation hearing.

Milkey has no medical training, no CPR certification, and no experience with investigative or disciplinary processes. The board regulates physicians and physician assistants, examining whether they practice within accepted scope of practice and standards of care.

Senator Loki Tobin asked Milkey to describe a time when she had engaged in investigative practices that resulted in disciplinary action. Milkey said she had not been in that situation before. She said the board's next meeting is next week and she has reviewed detailed documents about doctors who will be discussed.

"I was appointed to the board one week ago, so I haven't had the opportunity to walk through information gathered and make decisions based off of the information," Milkey said.

Tobin pressed further, asking how Milkey would evaluate information about scope of practice and standards of care when those dynamics are not outlined in statute and are often established by medical academies and associations.

"I think one benefit that I have is I do love to work hard, and when I set my mind on something, I do work hard to accomplish it," Milkey said. "So I look forward to reviewing all the documents and just working hard to making sure I'm looking at all sides of the issues and all the information gathered."

She added that listening to the insight of other board members would be helpful.

Senator Cathy Giessel clarified the board's role for Milkey. "The service on the board is in regulating physicians, physicians and physician assistants. So you're not really advocating for Alaskans," Giessel said. "What you're doing is examining the clinical practice of physicians and physician assistants, and determining if they are practicing within the accepted scope of practice and standards of care."

Tobin noted that scope of practice and standards of care are sometimes unclear and asked how Milkey would evaluate whether a physician was operating within appropriate scope of practice.

Milkey said she would rely on detailed documents provided to the board. "It's pretty black and white," she said. She emphasized her willingness to work hard and said she would make decisions based on the information gathered and what the law says.

Senator Clayman asked whether Milkey had a CPR card. She said no. One of the requirements to be a public member of the Medical Board is not being affiliated with the medical industry, she said, so she does not have any medical training.

Milkey said she sees her age as an advantage. "I am required to not be affiliated with the medical industry, so that already gives me an advantage in advocating for Alaskans," she said. She added that she can look to the interests of younger Alaskans and that she will be the only woman on the board.

Tobin noted during the hearing that outside of the public member position, there are no other women who have been appointed or are up for confirmation. She also observed that the current membership of the board appears concentrated within the south-central corridor, while state statute directs the board to have geographic diversity as much as possible.

Milkey graduated high school in 2025 and was homeschooled. She has volunteered for three years with TeenPACT Leadership Schools, a nonprofit Christian government organization that teaches youth to understand the political process and engage in government. She helped facilitate classes in Alaska and traveled to other states where the organization met in state capitals.

Chair Forrest Dunbar asked what Milkey sees as the primary challenges for the board going forward. She said maintaining a full board and stability of members has been an issue. "If you don't have a full board, it's hard to make sure that we're helping Alaskans," she said.

The committee forwarded Milkey's nomination to a joint session for consideration. Signing the committee report does not reflect individual members' approval or disapproval of the nomination.