Recent High School Graduate Appointed to Alaska State Medical Board

The Alaska House Health and Social Services Committee heard testimony Tuesday from Hannah Milkey, a 19-year-old appointed to the State Medical Board one week earlier, raising questions about experience and qualifications for overseeing physician licensing and discipline.

Milkey graduated from high school in 2025 and currently manages the reception desk at the governor's Anchorage office. She acknowledged being unfamiliar with board issues and unable to answer questions about rehabilitation versus license revocation for incompetent physicians.

"I was appointed to the board one week ago, so I have not had time to review all of the information for our upcoming board meeting," Milkey said. "I am new to the board, so I am not familiar with all of the issues that the board has."

When asked about the role of rehabilitation versus license suspension or revocation for incompetent physicians, Milkey said she would review the facts and make decisions based on the information provided. She emphasized her role as a public member without medical industry affiliation.

"I think that is the benefit of being a public member, is that I do not have affiliation with the medical industry," Milkey said. "And so I see this as more of an advantage being a younger female board member."

Milkey is the only woman on the State Medical Board. She told the committee she has no current plans for college education but remains open to the option in the future.

"While an education is very important, and I am open to the option of going to college in the future if I need to, I think that what also is very important is just having the ability to learn and grow and view all sides," Milkey said.

The State Medical Board licenses and disciplines physicians in Alaska, including decisions on license revocation and rehabilitation of incompetent practitioners. Public members are appointed to provide perspectives outside the medical industry.

Milkey described her interest in the appointment as an opportunity for public service. She said she wants to help ensure healthcare is accessible across Alaska's vast geography and sparse population of just over 700,000 people.

The committee also heard from Dr. Robert Scala, a board-certified family medicine physician appointed to the board the same week as Milkey. Scala has practiced in Eagle River since 2002 and earned his DO from Chicago College of Osteopathic Medicine, completing his internship and residency at Doctors Hospital in Columbus, Ohio.

The committee took no action on either appointment Tuesday. Under Alaska law, committee signatures on confirmation reports do not reflect an intent to vote for or against confirmation in future sessions.