November 6, 2025, by Seward Folly Staff

The Seward Community Health Center has greeted a new face this fall: Certified Physician Assistant Gibson Gamel, whose deep roots in small-town Alaska and a background in emergency care are expected to make him a strong addition to the local healthcare team.

Gamel, who grew up in Girdwood, brings a familiarity with the unique demands and rhythms of coastal Alaska life. It was this sense of close-knit community that attracted him to Seward — a town, he says, where people know each other by name and look out for one another. It’s a quality that reminds him of home.

His professional journey is grounded in Emergency Medicine Services, and he holds a Doctor of Medical Sciences degree with a Physician Assistant focus, giving him extensive experience not only in treatment but also in teaching and research in the emergency medical field. For his doctoral research, Gamel explored pain management strategies, with a special interest in chronic pain. His work focused on using virtual programs that blend physical therapy and strength training exercises as pain management tools.

While he’s trained in a variety of disciplines, Gamel’s focus is on adult medicine — managing a wide range of acute and chronic conditions. Like all physician assistants, he keeps his skills sharp through 200 hours of continuing education every two years.

Gamel first joined Seward Community Health Center last year, before accepting a six-month position in Eureka, California. Missing Alaska, he waited for the right opportunity to come home. That opportunity came in September, when he took over as PA at SCHC. He currently works Monday through Thursday, primarily seeing patients with immediate or urgent medical concerns. Starting in December, he’ll alternate Saturday workdays with Dr. Collins, who recently stepped into the role of medical director.

For Gamel, the quiet winters present the biggest adjustment. An avid skier, he’s hoping for heavy snowfall and good days in the backcountry. If he had it his way, he admits, he’d take more winter over summer any day. He looks forward to settling in Seward for at least the next decade, accompanied by his Australian Shepherd, who thrives on routine and stability.

As he settles in, Gamel says it’s the friendly, complex patients and the camaraderie among SCHC’s providers that make his new role especially rewarding. He’s eager to serve Seward, hoping to make the town his long-term home.