Southcentral Foundation (SCF) is an Alaska Native healthcare organization established by Cook Inlet Region, Inc. (CIRI) in 1982. Its objective is to improve the health and social conditions of Alaska Native and American Indian people by promoting cultural values and empowering individuals and families to lead healthier lives. SCF operates under the ownership, management, and guidance of Alaska Native and American Indian communities, emphasizing their direct involvement in decision-making processes.^[1]

Under the leadership of former President and CEO Katherine Gottlieb, Southcentral Foundation grew to become one of Alaska’s largest federally-recognized tribal health organizations, serving a geographical area of 107,413 square miles (278,200 km²). The Foundation offers a diverse array of medical and human services to Alaska Native and American Indian people living in the Municipality of Anchorage and Matanuska-Susitna Borough.

In 1998, SCF assumed ownership and management of the primary care program of the Alaska Native Medical Center (ANMC) in Anchorage, Alaska, United States, and, in January 1999, began jointly managing and operating ANMC, along with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.

The Nuka System of Care, established by Southcentral Foundation (SCF) in the late 1990s, serves approximately 65,000 individuals. This system integrates health and social services using a holistic approach that focuses on enhancing the well-being of families and communities, consistent with indigenous traditions. The initiatives within this system encompass education, training, and community engagement programs aimed at addressing issues such as domestic violence, abuse, and neglect. The Nuka System of Care has been noted for its reductions in hospital activities, effectiveness in healthcare as measured by U.S. healthcare data, and high levels of patient satisfaction.^[2]