How AI is Helping Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center Transform Patient Care and Support Providers
Originally published by the Alaska Primary Care Association on April 23, 2025
At Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, providing high-quality, patient-centered care has always been a top priority. Now, with the integration of artificial intelligence (AI), ANHC’s providers are enhancing care even further – saving time, reducing burnout, and strengthening their connection with patients.
Dr. Casey Gokey, family physician and Chief Medical Officer at ANHC, shares how AI is helping improve both the provider and patient experience.
What AI Looks Like in a Clinical Setting
With patient permission, ANHC providers now record clinical visits using an AI-powered tool that transcribes and formats the conversation into comprehensive clinical notes. Instead of spending time typing after each appointment, providers simply review and edit the notes, allowing more meaningful time with patients.
Dr. Casey Gokey is ANHC’s Chief Medical Officer
“Before, I’d spend 10 minutes charting after a 20-minute visit,” Dr. Gokey explains. “Now I can spend 25 minutes with my patient and five minutes reviewing the note. It’s not just more efficient – it’s more meaningful.”
More Presence, Less Burnout
AI is helping ANHC providers stay more focused during patient visits, with less multitasking between documentation and patient interaction. According to Dr. Gokey, patients have noticed the difference – and many say they feel more heard and connected during appointments.
And for providers? Dr. Gokey explained how it’s helping them keep up with their workload more efficiently.
“There’s a high mental load in primary care,” she said. “AI lightens that. It helps with retention because it makes the day-to-day work more sustainable. It reduces what we call ‘pajama time’ – that after-hours charting so many of us have done for years.”
Saying Yes to the Right Things
While AI helps providers work more efficiently, Dr. Gokey makes it clear that the goal is not about fitting in as many patients as possible into the schedule. Instead, it allows providers to say yes to urgent, same-day appointments without feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
“When you’re not constantly behind, you’re more likely to say, ‘Sure, I’ll see that extra patient,’” she said. “It happens naturally, not because you have to.”
Why Retention Matters in Alaska
In a state where recruiting healthcare providers is especially challenging, retention is critical. Dr. Gokey believes using tools like AI can help providers stay longer in their roles, which strengthens patient trust and delivers long-term cost savings to the health center.
“Patients don’t want to start over with a new doctor every two years,” Dr. Gokey said. “Long-term provider relationships mean fewer unnecessary tests and referrals – and that’s better for patients and the system.”
More than Just Notes: How AI Supports Better Care
Beyond note-taking, AI helps create clear, patient-friendly after-visit summaries, and by accurately capturing providers’ words, can prompt valuable self-reflection, helping clinicians recognize opportunities to communicate more clearly or intentionally in future visits.
“You don’t become a doctor because you love writing notes. You do it because you want to help,” Dr. Gokey explained. “This technology helps us do more of what we love – and less of what burns us out.”
Exploring AI in Community Health
As interest in AI continues to grow across the healthcare field, APCA invites health centers to explore how it could improve care and support teams. The Elevate National Learning Forum, hosted by the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), offers resources, insights, and opportunities for engagement for interested health centers. Learn more about upcoming forums here.