Local Family Medicine Provider Joins Solstice Family Care

5/28/2020

Family medicine provider Valerie Krozel, M.D., joined the medical staff of Solstice Family Care in Wasilla, on Monday, August 12.

With the addition of Krozel, Solstice now has three primary care providers on staff: Barbara Doty, M.D., family medicine with obstetrics and pediatrics, and Paul Forman, M.D., family medicine and pediatrics. Also on staff is Kayleen Hetrick, LPC, who supports patients with mental health needs.

An Alaskan by birth, Krozel grew up in Texas and attended medical school in Houston. She returned to Alaska to complete her residency training with Alaska Family Medicine at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage.

Krozel puts a lot of effort in getting to know her patients. Her philosophy of care is that a patient is the expert of themselves. Her job is to bring her knowledge and medical expertise to the table to work as a guide in the process.

“I know a lot, but mostly I know my patient,” Krozel said, adding that the relationships she builds with patients help in decision-making.

Her first job after completing her formal education was in Wrangell, AK. Krozel said she took the position to experience the unique element of rural medicine.

Krozel and her family lived in Wrangell for a year, where she was one of only three physicians on the island. Working as a rural physician is all-encompassing, Krozel said. Her time was often split between the emergency room, nursing home, long-term care, clinic, and urgent care.

Medical care was limited in Wrangell. Giving birth meant not having access to a cesarean section operation or anesthesia, if necessary. But when low-risk births did occur, the whole town celebrated.

“I remember walking out of a delivery and the hallway was lined with probably 35 people. It was a really special thing to be born there,” she said.

Krozel considered it a challenge to work in Wrangell – one she welcomed. She admired the small community environment. Sometimes she would work with an emergency patient and two days later see a thank you note written to her in the newspaper.

After leaving Wrangell, Krozel moved to the Valley and went to work at Providence-Matanuska Healthcare. Most recently, Krozel worked at Capstone Family Medicine in Wasilla.

As a family medicine physician who delivers babies, Krozel feels a special connection to the obstetrics and women’s health side of her job as a healthcare provider. She still makes delivering “fresh” babies a regular part of her medical practice.

“There’s nothing like that very beginning of helping a baby into the world,” Krozel said.

Her hobbies include fishing, kayaking being a mom and generally spending time doing Alaskan things with her husband and four children. She is excited to join the Solstice Family Care team, and looks forward to bringing her unique specialties to the table – especially in terms of obstetrics and her experience with younger families.

Krozel said she is pleased that Solstice is making an investment in the community by providing access to primary care. She noted that many patients don’t have a primary care provider or that they are part of an underserved group. “That’s always been where I felt most comfortable,” she said.

“Dr. Krozel is a terrific addition to the team at Solstice,” said Debra Brannon, Physician Services Associate Administrator at Mat-Su Regional Medical Center. “She brings a community-minded, patient-focused approach to the care she provides. We’re thrilled to have her join our staff.”

Krozel’s start date will also coincide with Solstice’s location move to the Mat-Su Regional Outpatient building at 950 E. Bogard Road, Suite 233. Learn more about Solstice or schedule an appointment online at www.SolsticeFamilyCare.com, or call the clinic at 352-1300.

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