David Rurik, Director
David moved to Alaska from Washington State in 2013. He and his wife served together with Covenant Youth of Alaska, based out of Anchorage, for over 7 years. David then shifted to The Alaska Community Foundation where he assisted small organizations gain a more stable financial footing as they navigated the pandemic.
David took on the director role with AMM at the beginning of 2022 and continues to be inspired by the many partner organizations that receive supplies and equipment all the way from Alaska. David works to build better healthcare around the world by better resourcing our partners in care while guiding the team in Alaska to carry out this work.
Lauren and David enjoy raising their two young sons in Anchorage with all the outdoor opportunities that present themselves. Lauren entered a career in Speech Language Pathology in 2023.
Jerimiah Grantham, Inventory Manager
Jerimiah grew up in a military family and has worked 20+ plus years in the field of pre-hospital, fire & rescue, and clinical medical experience. Through his experiences, he found his calling in mission work. Jerimiah has used his learned skills to serve in the mission field working in response, as a medic, serving as an instructor, and handling supply logistics.
Jerimiah has been working with Alaska Medical Missions since 2013. He enjoys hanging out with his girlfriend, mountain biking, rappelling, climbing, video games, hiking, crocheting, shooting and most recently has adopted a puppy, two cats, who is clearly becoming the center of attention.
Tom Steigleman, Director
Tom Steigleman came to Alaska in 1986 when his father was stationed at Elmendorf Air Force Base. Tom graduated from Bartlett High School in 1987 and then earned his Associates of Arts degree from the University of Alaska, Anchorage. Since 2002 Tom has been the General Manager of Christian Broadcasting, Inc. which owns and operates four radio stations in South-Central Alaska. Tom is also the General Manager of Alaska Broadcast Television, Inc. which owns and operates KCFT-TV Channel 35/GCI 19. Under his tenure as General Manager, the organizations have constructed KJLP FM, purchased their own building, and purchased KVNT 1020, all while remaining debt free.
Tom served on the National Religious Broadcasters Board of Directors from 2010 through 2013. Tom is a TV director for his church’s TV ministry and he has directed national broadcasts for Fox Sports, Comcast, and the Madison Square Garden Network. Tom has been married to his high school sweetheart since 1988 and has three sons.
Kristin Klingenstein, Director
Dr. Kristin Klingenstein grew up in rural North Dakota and attended Concordia College Moorhead, Minnesota where she completed her undergraduate studies and earned her B.A. in Biology. She attended the College of Podiatric Medicine and Surgery in Des Moines, Iowa. She completed her surgical and clinical training in Denver, CO.
She and her husband had always dreamed of making Alaska their permanent home and they jumped at the chance when the opportunity came along. They moved to Anchorage in 2015 where she started working at Alliance Foot and Ankle. In addition to time in the clinic and in surgery, she is also on staff at Providence Alaska Medical Center, Alaska Regional Medical Center, and treats patients at the Providence Alaska Wound Center.
She and her husband enjoy spending time with their young family, getting outdoors, and exploring Alaska. She is excited about the opportunities through Alaska Medical Mission to reach communities in need throughout the world.
Matt Peterkin, Chair
Matt Peterkin served as a missionary to Far-East Russia. Matt helped foster deep relationships with the original bible school students during the early 2000s. Matt has also been involved in missions to Burkina Faso, Mongolia, El Salvador & Vladivostok.
Matt is a lifelong Alaskan with 40 years working in the construction industry here in Alaska. He first got involved with Alaska Medical Missions while working a construction project in the early 2000s.
Matt has 3 children, and 4 grandchildren who all live in Anchorage. Matt remains involved in missions and deeply cares for those who have need.
Eric Egelan, Chair-elect
Eric was born and raised in Spokane Washington and is the eldest of 4 children. While growing up Eric was blessed to have had a grandfather that invested in his life spiritually.
After high school, Eric attended Seattle Pacific University where he studied religion, history, and physical education. It was at SPU where Eric met his future wife, Joan, of 35 years. Eric and his wife Joan are the parents of three adult children; Brenna (29), Katie (25), and Brett (22).
During his college summers, Eric got his Alaska bug while commercial fishing in Southeast AK. Shortly after college, he worked on two different cruise ship lines in the Caribbean, Pacific, and AK. After his brief time at sea, Eric decided to attend Western Seminary in Portland, OR. While at Western, Eric lived in a professor’s home who was the chair of the Missions department. It was under the influence of this professor that Eric got his taste and vision for Missions.
Eric and his family have attended ChangePoint Church in Anchorage for 29 years. While at ChangePoint Eric was able to serve on the Missions Commission team to advance the message of Jesus in the State of Alaska and across the world. Eric has recently retired from a 30-year career in Bio/Pharma sales and continues to work part-time.
Recently, Eric was able to travel to Thailand and Burma with Dr. Bob Arnold and serve with the medical team with Burma Vision. Eric has served on the Alaska Medical Missions board for the past two years and is looking forward to seeing what God does to impact the world through this awesome group and effort.
Rosalyn Singleton, Director
Rosalyn was raised on a bee farm in Napa, CA by hard-working God-loving parents. Her parents showed love to people of all backgrounds and they gave to charities even when it hurt. She went to Biola University and then to Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago. Ros worked as a pediatrician in the 1980s in a Navajo hospital. Since 1988 she has worked as a clinical pediatrician, immunization consultant, and researcher with the Alaska Native tribal system.
Ros and her husband have 2 grown boys and 2 grandchildren. They are active in their church and have participated in Senior Center music ministry, Alaska Correctional Ministries, and AWANA. They have also participated in numerous medical missions trips, including partnering with Proyecto Fe.
Byron Perkins, Director
Dr. Byron Perkins is a graduate of the University of Health Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine in Kansas City, MO, 1984. He interned at Oklahoma Osteopathic Hospital in Tulsa and completed a residency in Osteopathic Family Practice at Doctor’s Hospital in Columbus, Ohio. Board-certified in Osteopathic Family Medicine, his current practice focuses on primary care, mental health, wellness, musculoskeletal injuries, and Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment. He maintains hospital privileges at both Providence Alaska Medical Center and Alaska Regional Hospital.
Dr. Perkins grew up in Japan, where his parents were missionaries. He moved to Alaska in 1974 after graduating from High School in Tokyo. His lifelong desire has been to facilitate and participate in Medical Missions. He began his medical practice at the Norton Sound Health Corporation in Nome and practiced at the Alaska Native Medical Center in Anchorage before co-founding Cornerstone Clinic Medical and Counseling Center. Alaska Medical Missions has grown out of that endeavor. He has traveled extensively as an ambassador for Osteopathic Medicine, training, and doing medical missions in Africa, Europe, Japan, and Mongolia.
His current affiliations include the Alaska Osteopathic Medical Association, the Alaska State Medical Association, the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians, the American Fascial Distortion Model Association, the American Academy of Osteopathy, and the American Osteopathic Association. He served on the Board of Directors of the Northwest Osteopathic Medical Foundation in Portland, OR, and Northwest University in Kirkland, WA. He is the Past-President of Alaska Medical Missions. He was a founding member of Anchorage Project Access and serves on the Case Management and Board Recruitment Committees. He maintains teaching appointments with several Osteopathic Colleges of Medicine, and precepts medical students in Osteopathic Principles and Practice at Cornerstone Clinic. He is the founder and Medical Director of Cornerstone Clinic: Center for Osteopathic Research & Education. He also serves as a Board Member at Muldoon Community Assembly of God Church.
Dr. Perkins is passionate about treating the whole person, mind, body, and spirit. He is thankful for the opportunity to practice medicine, and the gift he has received in the osteopathic profession. In his words, “helping others is one of life’s greatest blessings and most meaningful rewards”.
Eric gustafson, Treasurer
Eric’s Bio is coming soon.
Kathy Stewart, Secretary
Kathy has lived in Alaska since 1985. She is married and has a son, stepdaughters, 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grands. She is a registered nurse, who also volunteers at Anchorage Remade and Birchwood Behavioral Health.
Kathy became interested in AMM while serving on medical missions trips with her church in Liberia, and became more involved, as a board member, when they set up a formal board in 2011. She currently serves as the secretary of the board and co-chairs the annual fall benefit. “I love the humanitarian focus of AMM and also the fact that AMM keeps thousands of pounds of surplus medical supplies and equipment out of the landfill each year”.
She enjoys bicycling, quilting, being outdoors and spending time with family and friends.
George Stewart, Director
George was born in Massachusetts, graduated from Resselaer Polytechnical Institue, and obtained his medical degree at Syracuse University. He first came to Alaska with the Indian Health Service in 1967 and served in Bethel, Alaska. He developed a deep respect for the Eskimo people and a love for Alaska – he knew this was where he wanted to settle down.
George went back to Seattle for 3 years of specialty training. He practiced intensive care and pulmonary medicine in Anchorage from 1971 to 2005 when he retired. He went on his first medical education mission trip to Liberia in 2006 and returned with a huge “shopping list” of needed medical supplies—Liberia had suffered over 30 years of civil war. He began looking for a resource for the supplies and was introduced to AMM – he has been a member of the AMM Board since it was started. He has now been on 16 medical education mission trips.