Physician of the Year 2025

We are honored to recognize a lifelong Alaskan for her unwavering dedication, compassion, and outstanding contributions to family medicine in Alaska.  

Our Family Physician of the Year grew up in Eagle River and pursued her medical education at the University of Washington School of Medicine, and completed Family Medicine Residency in Spartanburg, South Carolina, before returning home to serve her community. As a medical student, she spent six months in Soldotna as a WRITE student under the mentorship of Dr. Katy Sheridan and Dr. Kristin Mitchell, an experience that helped shape her deep commitment to rural family medicine.  

She practiced in Wasilla before settling on the Kenai Peninsula, where she has become a beloved and respected physician. She is known for her dedication to cradle-to-grave care, treating her patients with the same kindness and generosity she extends to her friends and colleagues. She not only provides outstanding clinical care at Upstream Family Medicine but is also deeply involved in hospital administration, previously serving as Chief of Staff, and continues to shape the future of family medicine as a WWAMI faculty member, preceptor and mentor and Board Member of The AKAFP.  

Her colleagues describe her as the kindest, most sincere, and generous person they know—someone who treats patients, staff, and friends as family. She serves with a big heart, always willing to go above and beyond to support those around her.  

When she’s not caring for her community, she enjoys knitting, sewing, hiking, and spending time with her family.  

Please join us in celebrating Dr. Kristen Lee, an exceptional physician, mentor, and leader, as the 2025 Alaska Family Physician of the Year!