Our Providers

Rachel Walden, M.D.

Specialty: Pediatrics

Primary Location: Soldotna

Not Currently Accepting New Patients

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Christine Babcock, ANP

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Kenai

Not Currently Accepting New Patients

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Jason Wallentine, MD

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Soldotna

Not Currently Accepting New Patients

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Michael Visick, MD

Specialty: Pediatrics

Primary Location: Kenai

Secondary Location: Soldotna

Currently Accepting New Patients

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Jefferson Wasson, DO

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Kenai

Secondary Location: Soldotna

Currently Accepting New Patients

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James Bauman, DO

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Kenai

Secondary Location: Soldotna

Currently Accepting New Patients

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Nissa Kisler, FNP

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Kenai

Not Currently Accepting New Patients

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Emily Saliga, MD

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Soldotna

Currently Accepting New Patients

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Ryan Saliga, MD

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Soldotna

Currently Accepting New Patients

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Heather Hays, FNP

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Kenai

Secondary Location: Soldotna

Not Currently Accepting New Patients

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Rachelle Blanc, DO

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Kenai

Secondary Location: Soldotna

Currently Accepting New Patients

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Stacy Newbern, FNP

Specialty: Family Practice

Primary Location: Soldotna

Not Currently Accepting New Patients

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Rachel Walden, M.D.

Rachel Walden, MD received her undergraduate degree at Texas A&M University. She attended medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio, where she also completed her pediatrics residency. She then completed a fellowship in neonatology at Brown University/Women and Infant’s Hospital in Providence, Rhode Island. After completion of training, she worked for five years as a critical care physician with Pediatrix Medical Group in Dallas, TX. She then practiced general pediatrics for four years with John Peter Smith Pediatrics in Fort Worth, TX prior to joining the group at Central Peninsula. Outside of work, she enjoys running, knitting, gardening, and camping with her husband and two children.
painting.

Christine Babcock, ANP

Christine Babcock, ANP (Advanced Nurse Practitioner) earned her Master in Adult Health in 1986 at the University of Portland in Portland, Oregon and her Post-Master Certificate in Pediatrics in 2002 at St. Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri. Prior to moving to the Kenai Peninsula in 2003 and joining Central Peninsula Family Practice, she lived in the Bristol Bay Region of Western Alaska. She initially moved to Bristol Bay in 1989, where she worked for the Bristol Bay Area Health Corporation. While with BBAHC, she initially worked in Togiak and later at their hospital in Dillingham. In 1997, she was the proud recipient of the State of Alaska Award for Excellence in Healthcare from the American Academy of Nurse Practitioner’s. Christine enjoys traveling the world and learning about new cultures and countries.

Jason Wallentine, MD

Jason Wallentine, MD is excited to be joining the community and medical team at Central Peninsula Family Practice. He is originally from Idaho, where he received his Bachelor of Science in exercise science and physiology from Boise State University. He went on to complete medical school through the University of Washington’s regional WWAMI collaborative as one of Idaho’s five Targeted Rural and Underserved Track (TRUST) scholars. He has personally placed a special focus on community medicine during his education. 

After completing medical school, he moved to Muncie, Indiana and completed his training in Family Medicine at Indiana University’s Ball Memorial Hospital Family Medicine Residency. Dr. Wallentine developed skills both in outpatient and inpatient medicine across all age groups, and gained a passion for inpatient medicine and pediatrics. Dr. Wallentine is an avid outdoorsman, is married and has three children who enjoy camping and fishing, biking, and building new experiences with each other. They are all thrilled to be building a life on the Peninsula!

Michael Visick, MD

Michael Visick, MD is excited to be joining the community and medical team at Central Peninsula Family Practice. Dr. Visick has been a practicing Pediatrician in Logan, Utah for over 20 years. He attended Medical School at the University of Utah School of Medicine and completed his residency in Pediatrics at the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, New York before settling down to see babies and kids of all ages in Utah. Dr. Visick enjoys traveling, running, reading, and hiking. He and his wife Liz love spending time with their kids and two little grandsons. Dr. Visick and Liz spend much of their free time volunteering to help doctors and midwives save mothers and babies in Africa and Asia.

Dr. Jefferson Wasson

Dr. Jefferson Wasson is a dedicated Family Medicine Physician who will begin practicing at Central Peninsula Family Practice in Kenai May 2024. He previously worked at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. Originally from the Seattle area, Dr. Wasson spent each summer at his family’s cabin in Eagle Village, Alaska. Seeking sunnier skies, he went to the University of Arizona where he obtained his undergraduate degree in Physiology. He attended medical school at Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in Middletown, New York. Dr. Wasson completed his postdoctoral training at Kaiser Permanente Family Medicine Residency in San Diego with an emphasis on geriatrics.

Dr. Wasson’s commitment to healthcare and community service extends beyond borders. During his education, he volunteered to assist with medical care to underserved communities abroad in Africa, India, and Jamaica. In his free time, he enjoys hiking, fishing, woodworking, and traveling.

James Bauman, DO

James Bauman, DO, is ecstatic to return to his home state of Alaska, where he is fulfilling his dream of working as a family physician in small town Alaska. Born and raised in Anchorage, Dr. Bauman completed his undergraduate studies at UCLA, followed by medical school at Touro University in Henderson, Nevada. He finished his residency training at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, and is now board-certified in Family Medicine. A passionate fisherman, Dr. Bauman has always returned to Alaska during the summers to fish for himself and his family. Now excited to lay down permanent roots, he looks forward to embracing the Alaskan lifestyle. In addition to fishing, he enjoys hunting, gardening, hockey, biking, weightlifting, traveling, and is a strong advocate for healthy eating and exercise. Dr. Bauman encourages his patients to make positive lifestyle changes and is grateful for the opportunity to guide them in taking control of their health.

Nissa Kisler, FNP-C

Nissa Kisler, FNP-C is dedicated to delivering comprehensive primary care services to patients at every stage of life. She prioritizes the establishment of positive connections with patients, aiming to grasp their health needs and aspirations. With a focus on preventive medicine, Nissa is committed to addressing chronic conditions like obesity, hypertension, and diabetes. Her approach involves providing continuous support, encouragement, and educational guidance to her patients.

Before transitioning to a nurse practitioner role, Nissa accumulated ten years of experience as a registered nurse, primarily working in the emergency room and urgent care settings. Settling on the peninsula after her husband’s military retirement, Nissa and her family have embraced the community, raising their two children. They take pleasure in exploring the diverse outdoor activities that Alaska has to offer, with a special fondness for cross-country skiing.

Dr. Emily Saliga

Dr. Emily Saliga is delighted to join the community and team at Central Peninsula Family Practice|Pediatrics! Originally from Missouri, she earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology from Truman State University before attending medical school at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, where she met her husband, Ryan.
After medical school, she completed her Family Medicine residency in Waco, Texas, where she enjoyed caring for patients of all ages. Throughout her training, Dr. Saliga focused on global health, women’s health, and community health initiatives, including programs like food as medicine. Passionate about serving underserved populations, she has volunteered to provide medical care in Africa, South and Central America, Asia, and in local communities. Dr. Saliga is fluent in Spanish and certified by the CCLA.
Drawn to Alaska’s stunning landscapes and wild spaces, she and her husband decided to make the Kenai Peninsula their home. In her spare time, she loves hiking, backpacking, fishing, gardening, foraging, and painting.

Dr. Ryan Saliga

Dr. Ryan Saliga is thrilled to join the community and care for patients of all ages at Central Peninsula Family Practice|Pediatrics. Originally from Massachusetts, he completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and went on to earn his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, where he met his wife, Emily. They both completed their training at Waco Family Medicine Residency in Waco, Texas. Dr. Saliga chose family medicine to provide continuous, comprehensive care to families, supporting them in their journey to healthier lives.

After enduring the intense Texas heat, he and his wife decided to seek opportunities in Alaska. They wanted to settle in a rural community with access to outdoor activities, so the Kenai Peninsula was perfect! As an enthusiastic hiker and skier, Dr. Saliga is excited to explore the natural beauty of the Peninsula.

Heather Hays, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, FNP-BC

Heather Hays, MSN, APRN, FNP-C, FNP-BC received her graduate degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner from Walden University. A lifelong Alaskan, she first joined Central Peninsula Hospital in 2006, where she discovered her passion for healthcare and began her journey in the medical field.

Heather earned her Associate of Applied Science in Nursing and her Bachelor of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska before completing her master’s degree at Walden. She spent seven years working as a Registered Nurse, primarily in the Medical/Surgical setting, while furthering her education and advancing toward her longtime goal of becoming a Nurse Practitioner.

She is overjoyed to begin her career as a Family Nurse Practitioner with Central Peninsula Hospital and to join the Central Peninsula Family Practice & Pediatrics team. With her strong background in Medical/Surgical nursing, Heather has had the privilege of caring for patients of all ages and is committed to being a dedicated and trusted provider for the families of the Kenai Peninsula.

In her free time, Heather enjoys gardening, painting, photography, and traveling with her husband and their children.

Dr. Rachelle Blanc

Dr. Rachelle Blanc is a compassionate Family Medicine Physician who began practicing at Central Peninsula Family Practice Kenai in May 2024. Prior to this, she worked at Capstone Clinic in Kenai. Dr. Blanc is originally from southern Arizona, where she earned her undergraduate degree in Biological Sciences at the University of Arizona in Tucson. She received her medical degree from Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine in New York and completed her Family Medicine residency at the Kaiser Permanente in San Diego, with a focus on women’s health and pediatrics.

Dr. Blanc was drawn to Alaska’s vast wilderness landscapes and lifestyle after visiting the state numerous times. After residency, she and her husband knew Alaska would be the next place they would call home. During her free time, she enjoys a wide range of outdoor activities including kayaking, hiking with the family dog, ice fishing, and berry picking. She maintains a succulent garden that has traveled with her from Arizona, has a passion for cooking, and always enjoys a competitive game of Scrabble.

Stacy Newbern, MSN, FNP-C

Stacy Newbern is a Board-Certified Family Nurse Practitioner. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing from the University of Alaska in 2018 and has six years of experience in wound care, family practice, urgent care, and surgical care.

She has also had the opportunity to serve underserved populations in rural Alaska through her work with Indian Health Services and the Eastern Aleutian Tribes. Stacy is dedicated to providing compassionate, patient-centered care, with a focus on health education and empowering individuals to participate in their healthcare in ways that work best for them.

Outside of work, Stacy enjoys spending time with her family and dogs and is actively involved in her local church and community activities.