Alaskan Prospectors Society

Join us for an inspiring and eye-opening evening with Dr. Jack Hickel and Todd Hardesty, the driving forces behind the Alaska Health Project South Sudan (AHPSS), as they share their remarkable journey of transforming lives in one of the world’s most remote and impoverished regions. This Anchorage-based nonprofit, founded in 2008, is dedicated to bringing hope and health to the people of South Sudan through clean water, food security, healthcare, and sustainable community empowerment.

Operating in Fangak County, a roadless and flood-prone region along the Nile River in South Sudan—a country ranking second-to-last on the global Human Development Index—AHPSS has made extraordinary strides. To date, they have drilled 107 boreholes (water wells) across dozens of villages, providing clean drinking water to thousands where 59% of the population previously lacked access. They’ve supported over 1,200 small family farms, with more than half led by women, supplying seeds, tools, and training to combat severe food insecurity affecting over 8 million South Sudanese. Additionally, AHPSS has constructed two medical clinics in Old Fangak—one for primary care and another for tuberculosis treatment—delivering critical healthcare in an area devastated by conflict, flooding, and preventable diseases like cholera.
Dr. Jack Hickel, AHPSS co-founder and board president, brings a wealth of experience as a family physician who worked 22 years at Southcentral Foundation in Alaska and 16 years in Eswatini, Africa. His firsthand encounters with preventable suffering in South Sudan inspired him to rally Alaskans to address the region’s dire needs. Todd Hardesty, executive director and filmmaker, captures the resilience and spirit of the South Sudanese through projects like his documentary The Village, showcasing AHPSS’s impact. Together, they’ll share stories of local South Sudanese trainees taking ownership of these initiatives, the challenges of working in a region plagued by war and environmental crises, and their vision for sustainable progress.

Join us for an unforgettable evening as we commemorate the 100th anniversary of the heroic 1925 Nome Serum Run, a pivotal moment in Alaska’s history! Our special guest, Laurel Downing Bill, acclaimed author of the Aunt Phil’s Trunk Alaska history book series, will bring to life the inspiring story of Emily Morgan, a courageous Red Cross public health nurse who played a critical role during the diphtheria epidemic in Nome, Alaska.

In January 1925, Nome faced a deadly diphtheria outbreak that threatened to decimate the town and surrounding communities. Emily Morgan, a 47-year-old nurse from Kansas, was instrumental in saving countless lives. Having survived diphtheria herself, she recognized its symptoms early and worked tirelessly to administer life-saving antitoxin. As described in historical accounts, “Dressed in woolen underwear, a woolen dress, a heavy sweater, two pairs of woolen hose, a fur parka, and high-top mukluks, she braved minus 50-degree temperatures as she made her way across Nome searching for the most ill and giving shots of serum while it lasted.” Her bravery and dedication earned her the title “Angel of the Yukon” and a place in the Alaska Women’s Hall of Fame.
Laurel Downing Bill, a born-and-raised Alaskan with a passion for preserving the state’s rich history, will share Emily’s remarkable story with her signature storytelling flair. A graduate of the University of Alaska Anchorage with a degree in journalism and a minor in history, Laurel inherited a treasure trove of newspaper clippings and rare historical materials from her aunt, Phyllis Downing Carlson, which inspired her popular book series. Expect Laurel to captivate us while dressed in a vibrant historic costume, adding an authentic touch to this immersive experience!