My name is Jeni DeSmith. I moved to Unalaska from Colorado in 2016, after a brief, 8 months, stay in Big Lake Alaska. I am the mother of 6 children, 2 of which graduated from Unalaska City School and still have 2 here with me. We plan to remain in Unalaska for many years to come.
I started my career as a US Navy Corpsman, serving more than 9 years’ active duty. Total I have worked in medicine for nearly 30 years, everything from Orthopedics to family medicine. I started working for Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association in Nov 2017, as their case manager/public health educator and back up Community Health Aide (CHA). A CHA is a medical provider for our Native community members and Veterans. I thoroughly enjoy my job and being able to help the members of our community. APIA has given me the opportunity to expand on my education and training, obtaining and maintaining many different certifications. In 2020, I completed my degree in Public Health, which assisted me while contributing to the vaccine effort for our community.
Since I decided to run for city council, I have been asked by many people what my agenda is, or what I am trying to accomplish. The simple answer is I want to contribute and make a difference, there are no specific issues I want to address or change. I believe I can bring a different perspective to the council, having a Public Health degree, and I am not sure of the last time a medical professional served on the council. I have lived here for over 5 years and am raising children here, so I feel like I have an interest in the future of our community. However, because it has only been 5 years, I also may have a different view than those who have lived here for many more years.
Statements were submitted by candidates and have not been edited.