I AM UAA: Beth Conklin

A.A.S. Nursing '81; B.S. Nursing Science '86; M.S. Nursing Science '00
Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Katmai Oncology Group
Fun Fact: Owns six horses.

After her first year of college studying foreign language in Bogota, Columbia, South America, Beth Conklin, a native of the Big Sky State, decided to move closer to home and enrolled in courses at the University of Montana, Missoula. She continued her studies in languages for another year-and-a-half before putting her education on hold until she had a better grasp of what she wanted to do with her life.

She met her husband Bob, an Alaskan, at the University of Montana. He grew up in Anchorage and chose to study business in Montana for the ski slopes. After earning his business degree in '74, he went on to earn a master's degree from the American Graduate School of International Management in Arizona in '76. The same year, Merrill Lynch opened an office in Anchorage, so Bob took a job in his hometown. The couple moved north with the intention of staying in Alaska for three to five years before deciding on their next move — that was 35 years ago.

After landing in Anchorage, the couple started a family and now has three sons. As a young mother, Beth knew she didn't want to be a full-time stay-at-home mom, so she started thinking about a career that would give her the professional satisfaction she was looking for while allowing her the flexibility to raise a family.

"Nursing was a natural choice," she said. Beth, who came from a medical family and worked as a nurse's aide since she was a sophomore in high school, knew she would make a good nurse. She enrolled in the UAA School of Nursing's A.A.S. degree program, this time knowing that nursing was exactly what she was cut out for.

Between study sessions, lab time and writing up care plans, Beth stayed busy chasing after her growing boys. She admits that managing her home life and balancing school was a challenge, but thanks to her supportive husband and her unwavering persistence, Beth pushed through the challenges and proudly finished her degree. She earned her associate degree in '81 and went to work part-time in a family practice.

After a few years working in the field, Beth opted to continue her education — again at UAA — and earned her B.S. in Nursing in '86. Though she enjoyed working in family practice, Beth was ready to take on a new challenge. She started working in oncology in '87 with Dale Webb, M.D., which later became Katmai Oncology Group, and has been with the group ever since. "I immediately took to it," she said.

As an oncology nurse, Beth provided care to cancer patients, mixing and giving chemo treatments. "It's a real privilege to be involved in peoples' care," Beth said. Sometimes it's curative; sometimes it's end-of-life. But patients really benefit from our guidance. I get as much from my patients as they get from me."

When faced with cancer on a daily basis, it's easy to get depressed, but Beth maintains a positive attitude. "We all have to face death," she said. "Cancer brings out some really interesting family dynamics. It's not just the person with cancer that has to sort things out; it's the whole family, and helping patients and families navigate through what can be a difficult time is very satisfying."

After 12 years in oncology, Beth noticed a need for mid-level care providers to help ease the load of the practice's doctor. She knew she wanted to stay in oncology, but she also knew she wanted to expand her role. After exploring some out-of-state advanced degree programs, Beth decided to stay at UAA for her third degree. She earned her M.S. in Nursing in '00. "I knew the program," said Beth. "Both the two- and four-year nursing programs at UAA have a great reputation, and some of the instructors that I had in my four-year program I had in my master's program. It was the right fit. It was home."

Now with nearly 25 years at Katmai under her belt, Beth continues to work part-time at the clinic. "I've gotten good at my craft," she said. Beth spends the other half of her time hiking, getting outdoors with friends and with her dogs, traveling the globe and spoiling her five grandbabies.

Beth has very vivid memories of her time with the School of Nursing. "Working in the labs was fun," she said. She explained that the camaraderie she developed with her classmates is something she values to this day. "The enduring friendships that I formed are one of the perks of the program." Beth stays in close contact with her former classmates, now her professional colleagues.

With three degrees from UAA in hand, Beth is proof that learning is a lifelong endeavor. She remains connected to her alma mater by giving back financially to the School of Nursing to support student scholarships. "The need is there," Beth said. "It's important." She's also thrilled that the School is getting a new home this fall with the opening of the UAA Health Sciences Building.

With three boys, hockey was a big part of Beth's life for many years, and it still is — Beth's oldest son Ty is a professional hockey player, most recently with the St. Louis Blues. When they weren't watching their own kids on the ice, the Conklins were at the Sully cheering on the Seawolves hockey team as season ticket holders. Beth's middle son, Brice — also an alumnus of UAA — earned a degree in engineering last year and now works for a firm in Anchorage.

Now that their kids are grown, Beth and Bob, a stockbroker, are preparing to move from Alaska to Beth's home state of Montana. The couple owns a second home with several acres of land in the Big Sky State, where they have six horses and two English Setters.

During their many years in Anchorage, the Conklins have developed strong connections to the community and are finding it hard to leave. "Anchorage, and Alaska, has so much to offer," Beth said. She said that she's enjoyed the music groups and great minds that UAA brings to Anchorage. "The University is important for the cultural and intellectual health of our community."