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Sweeping Alaskan tundra visual backdrop

The Nuka System of Care

Nuka — strong, giant structures, living things.

A philosophy of connection, not transaction.

The Nuka System of Care is the name given to the unique whole-system redesign undertaken by SCF in partnership with the Alaska Native community it serves. It is co-owned, co-designed, and co-managed by customer-owners.

It is studied at Harvard, Cleveland Clinic, NHS Scotland, and across Aotearoa — but it began at a kitchen table in Anchorage.

Close detail of traditional Alaska Native weaving

Four principles

Relationships
Care begins with the relationship between customer-owner and provider.
Wholeness
Physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness, together.
Sovereignty
Alaska Native–owned, Alaska Native–led.
Story
We listen first. We learn the whole person, not the chart.

A short history

  1. 1982

    SCF founded

    Alaska Native–led, non-profit healthcare organization established.

  2. 1999

    Customer-owner model

    Patients are renamed customer-owners. Care is co-designed.

  3. 2011

    Baldrige Award

    First Alaska Native organization to win the national quality award.

  4. 2017

    Second Baldrige

    Recognized again for relationship-based, whole-person care.

  5. Today

    Global model

    Studied by health systems on six continents.