Staff


Crystal Casad, BS, CAC, CMC

Eligibility and Outreach Coordinator

Crystal Casad has been the Eligibility & Outreach Coordinator for Anchorage Project Access since 2014. She is a Certified Application Counselor professionally trained to help participants apply for the Affordable Care Act, Medicaid, and Medicare health insurance. Crystal has over 20 years’ experience as a social worker and holds a BS in Child and Family Studies. Crystal has worked as a Case Manager and Caseworker in Community Mental Health, Child Protective Services and Foster Care.

Direct: (907) 743-6610

Text: (907) 931-0056


Melinda Freemon, MS, LPC, CCS

Executive Director

Melinda Freemon has been in health-related leadership positions in Alaska for over 30 years. She has worked as Executive Director in the behavioral health and health care fields, overseeing comprehensive substance abuse and mental health treatment programs, programs for women in transition, permanent supportive housing programs, and public health programs with an emphasis on vulnerable populations. Ms. Freemon has worked extensively in rural and urban Alaska to address health and social service disparities. Ms. Freemon has served as the Executive Director of the Salvation Army Clitheroe Center, the Director of the Supportive Housing Division for RurAL CAP, and the Director of the Anchorage Health Department. She has served on local task forces and statewide commissions working to improve access to health care for all Alaskans. Ms. Freemon began her position at Anchorage Project Access in August 2018.

Ms. Freemon is a recipient of the 2012 YWCA BP Exploration’s Woman of Achievement Award as well as the 2012 Hard-Won Victory Award by the American Planning Association Alaska Chapter. Ms. Freemon has a master’s degree in Counseling Psychology and is a licensed Professional Counselor and a Certified Clinical Supervisor.

Direct: (907) 743-6651


Ashley Garver

Dental Health Coordinator

Direct: (907) 743-6621

Text: (907) 931-0058


Kate Love, CCHW

Program Specialist

Kate Love has worked in leadership in various fields for nearly a decade. She has a background in consultation and administration as a Lead Consultant for FedEx Office. Kate is a nationally certified Community Health Worker (CHW) and worked as a CHW Manager for Alaska Primary Care Association to develop and implement their CHW Apprenticeship Program. Kate joined the team at APA in 2022.

Direct: (907) 743-6603

Text: (907) 931-0222


Gail Schiemann, MPH

Program Manager

Gail Schiemann has worked with non-profit and public health organizations in Alaska for over 20 years. Some of her career highlights include Wellness Educator for the Rural Alaska Community Action Program, Program Manager for the State of Alaska Tobacco Prevention Program, Program Director for the American Lung Association, and Education Director for Alzheimer’s Resource of Alaska. Gail has served on numerous community wellness coalitions and strategic health planning initiatives locally, nationally, and statewide.

Before moving to Anchorage in 1999, Gail was employed by the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), in the Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Health as a Research Associate and Project Manager for the Medical Effectiveness Research Center for Diverse Populations. Gail holds a Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology and a Master’s degree in Public Health Practice. Gail joined Anchorage Project Access in 2020.

Direct: (907) 743-6650


Patient Care Coordinator

Direct: (907) 743-6620

Text: (907) 931-0778

Email: