I am a licensed massage therapist and certified end-of-life doula based in Anchorage, Alaska. I’m the founder and sole practitioner of the Alaska Palliative Massage Initiative (AKPMI), where I offer in-home and facility-based massage therapy for senior citizens, individuals with life-limiting illnesses, and those at the end of life, as well as for their caregivers. As the only therapist in Anchorage specializing in touch-based support for this unique demographic, I’m deeply committed to bringing comfort, connection, and peace to individuals and families during life’s most challenging transitions.

My Journey

My work is deeply rooted in personal experience. In 2020, I became the primary caregiver for my mother during her time in hospice. Guiding her through her final days reshaped everything I thought I knew about living, dying, and caring. While I was terrified to massage her due to her pain and my fear of causing harm, I held her in my arms as she took her last breath, a moment that changed me forever. It was then I realized that my empathy, gentleness, and presence were exactly what was needed to provide comfort and safety during life’s most sacred transition.

That experience awakened my calling to end-of-life care. Since my mother’s passing, I’ve volunteered as a hospice companion, served on the board of a local nonprofit that empowers Alaskans to make informed choices at the end of life, and completed a death doula certification through the International Doulagivers Institute. These experiences have deepened my understanding of the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of senior citizens, individuals, and families during this time.

My Mission

Through AKPMI, I aim to restore the healing power of touch for senior citizens, individuals navigating complex medical conditions, life-limiting illnesses, and end-of-life care. Whether I’m providing palliative massage, offering emotional support, or simply holding space, my goal is to bring comfort, dignity, and a sense of peace to those in the later stages of life and their caregivers.

Why I Do This Work

Touch is a fundamental human need, yet for many senior citizens and individuals in medical or end-of-life care, it becomes clinical and impersonal. I believe that compassionate touch can transform lives, alleviating pain, reducing anxiety, and fostering connection. It’s an honor to walk beside individuals and families during this sacred time, and I carry each story with me in the work that I do.

I’d love to work with you

I’m passionate about creating a community where no one faces illness, isolation, or grief without the healing power of touch. If you or a loved one, whether an elder or someone navigating a life-limiting illness, could benefit from my services, or if you’d like to support AKPMI’s mission, I’d love to hear from you.