Tina Marie Woods facts for kids
Tina Marie Woods is a respected American psychologist and a strong voice, or advocate, for Alaska Native communities. She works to improve the health and well-being of her people.
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Early Life and Education
Tina's family comes from two unique places. Her mother's family is Aleut, a native group from St. Paul, Alaska. Her father's family is Chamorro, from the Island of Guam. This means she has a rich cultural background.
Tina's school journey is very inspiring. She left high school early but later decided to finish her education. She graduated from Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1993.
She then went to college at the University of Alaska Anchorage. In 1999, she earned her bachelor's degree in Psychology. She focused on learning about Alaska Native people and young people in her studies.
Tina continued to learn and grow. In 2013, she earned a Ph.D. in Clinical Community Psychology. This is the highest degree in her field. Her studies focused on helping people in rural and Indigenous communities.
Career in Helping Others
Dr. Woods is a licensed clinical psychologist in Alaska. A psychologist is a professional who helps people understand their thoughts and feelings. For over fifteen years, she has worked to support the Aleut people of the Aleutians and Pribilof Islands.
Supporting Her Community
Dr. Woods has taken on many important roles to help others. In 2002, she was chosen by the governor to be part of a group that helps young people in the justice system. She has also helped guide national health services for tribal communities in Alaska.
Using special methods learned from Tlingit teachers, she leads healing circles. These are gatherings where people can share their feelings and support each other. She has used these circles to help children who have lost a family member to cancer.
Dr. Woods also encourages other Alaska Native students to study psychology. She worked at the University of Alaska Anchorage to help these students succeed in health-related fields.
Improving Health in Alaska
Dr. Woods is a leader in public health. She serves on many boards and committees that work to improve health care in Alaska. These groups include the Alaska Public Health Association and the American Psychological Association.
She has worked on major projects to make health services better and easier for people to access. Today, she is the Senior Director of Community Health Services for the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, a major health organization.
Personal Life
Dr. Woods is married to Daniel Wood, who is Athabascan from Rampart, Alaska. They have a daughter named Jasmine Nicole Woods. The family lives in Anchorage, Alaska, where Dr. Woods continues her important work.
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