The Nuka System of Care
Nuka is an Alaska Native word used for strong, giant structures and living things. Southcentral Foundation’s Nuka System of Care is the whole health care system created, managed, and owned by Alaska Native people to achieve physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellness.
A Globally Recognized Model of Excellence
Recognized as one of the world's leading examples of healthcare redesign and a two-time recipient of the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, Southcentral Foundation offers health care organizations value-based solutions for data management, integrated behavioral health, workforce development, and innovation.
The 5 Core Principles of Nuka
Driven by the voices of customer-owners
Customer-Ownership
Sovereign tribal ownership where customer-owners drive all individual and systemic health care decisions.
Culturally-Respectful Care
Strict emphasis on cultural respect, traditional values, and relationship-based wellness at the center of every decision.
Compassionate Care
Interpersonal communication and storytelling tools to encourage deep, accountable trust between clinicians and customer-owners.
Same-Day Access
Pioneering same-day clinic scheduling to eliminate wait lines and ensure healthcare matches the speed of family life.
Team-Based Care
Designation of an entire integrated team (providers, RN case managers, midwives, behavioral specialists) dedicated to your family.
The History of Nuka System of Care
Trace the chronological timeline of sovereign Alaska Native health management and healthcare innovation:
1982: Sovereign Takeover
Alaska Native leaders legally claim self-determination, initiating transition of health operations from federal oversight directly to local tribal management.
2000: Same-Day Redesign
Pioneered a system-wide overhaul of primary care family networks, eliminating wait-times and establishing integrated customer-owner care teams.
Malcolm Baldrige Quality Honors
Awarded national medical and operational honors, establishing Nuka as the golden global benchmark for patient-driven clinical design.