Martina Ekada has 33 years of service to Nulato. In the early 1990’s, when she started as a health aide, Interior Alaska did not have formal medevac services. After talking with the doctor, the health aide would prep the patient and jump on whatever plane would come and headed to town with them.
There was no electronic health record on a computer.The community health aide manual was a single edition paper book, not an app on an iPad. There may or may not be running water at the clinic.The clinic supplies needed for patient care may or may not have arrived by the time they were needed.
Despite all the challenges, Martina has been vital to the health and wellbeing for the community of Nulato. She is the embodiment of Ch’eghwtsen’ through her commitment, dedication, sacrifice, and compassion.
365 days a year over 33 years divided across 3 health aides, she has spent 1/3 of her adult life on-call, waiting to respond to someone else’s emergency. She has responded to medical emergencies involving neighbors, family, and friends.
She regularly travels throughout the TCC region to provide clinic coverage where it is needed most. One more than one occasion, she has dropped everything on a moment’s notice – traveling to another community to provide help after a traumatic event or death.
She retired from being a full-time health aide in February of 2023, but even in what is supposed to be her retirement; she continues to serve the region working now as a part-time itinerant health aide. Beyond her role as a Health Aide, she is a Tribal Court Judge and a foster parent. She has an unconditional love and willingness to support the youth. She has adopted and fostered over 10 children. Her heart is so big, she cares so deeply for the health of her community and for everyone that lives there. She is more than an employee of the year – she is a hero.