Tina Marie Woods facts for kids
Tina Marie Woods is an American psychologist and a strong supporter of Alaska Native communities.
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Early Life and Education
Tina Marie Woods was born to Maria Shaishnikoff and Juan Duenas Leon-Guerrero. She is part Aleut, a Native group from St. Paul, Alaska. She is also part Chamorro, from the Island of Guam.
Even though she left high school early, Tina Marie Woods later graduated from Bartlett High School in Anchorage, Alaska, in 1993. She then went to the University of Alaska Anchorage. In 1999, she earned her bachelor's degree in psychology. Her studies focused on helping Alaska Native people and young people.
In 2005, she completed special training to become a leader through the Indian Health Services. She continued her education, starting her Ph.D. in 2007. She finished her Ph.D. in 2013. Her advanced degree focused on how to help people's minds and communities, especially in rural Native areas.
What Does a Psychologist Do?
Tina Marie Woods is a licensed clinical psychologist in Alaska. This means she is trained to help people understand their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. She helps people deal with challenges and improve their mental well-being.
Helping Communities
For more than 15 years, Woods worked as a wellness program director for the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association. In this role, she helped the Aleut people living in the Aleutians and Pribilof Islands.
She also joined the Alaska Juvenile Justice Advisory Committee in 2002. This committee helps guide how the justice system works for young people in Alaska.
Woods learned about "peacemaking" or "healing circles" from Tlingit teachers Harold and Phil Gatensby. These circles are a way for people to come together, share their feelings, and find ways to heal. In 2007, she used these healing circles at Camp Coho. This camp helps Alaska Native children who have lost a family member to cancer.
Also in 2007, she worked at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She encouraged Native students to study psychology and other health programs. She helps make sure that more Native students become mental health professionals.
Woods is also part of several important groups. She helps with the HEALTHH Study, which focuses on improving heart health for Alaskans. She serves on boards for the University of Alaska Anchorage Psychology Department, the Alaska Public Health Association, the Alaska Psychological Association, and the American Psychological Association.
She helped write a plan called the 1115 Behavioral Health Waiver Demonstration Project. This project helps people get more access to mental health treatment. She has worked with the Alaskan Tribal Health System for over 15 years. Currently, she is a Senior Director at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. She helps lead community health services for Alaska Native people.
Personal Life
Tina Marie Woods is married to Daniel Wood. He is an Athabascan from Rampart, Alaska. They have a daughter named Jasmine Nicole Woods. Tina Marie Woods lives in Anchorage, Alaska.
See also
