‘A steady and trusted advocate’

Published 1:30 am Thursday, May 7, 2026

A Lifetime Achievement Award recently bestowed upon Meg Mitchell, South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services case manager, highlights not only her decades-long career dedicated to service, but a legacy of compassion, consistency and belief in others.

Selected from more than 30 nominations statewide, Mitchell was honored with the Spirit of Full Lives Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual Full Lives Conference, held in Anchorage on April 16. The conference has been presented for more than 25 years by the University of Alaska Anchorage Center for Human Development’s Alaska Training Cooperative in collaboration with the State of Alaska Senior and Disability Services, the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, and the Stone Soup Group.

Mitchell began her career with SPBHS in 1991 as a direct service provider and now serves as a case manager. According to a press release from The Center, over the past 35 years Mitchell has supported hundreds of individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and become a steady and trusted advocate.

“When Meg Mitchell started at South Peninsula Behavioral Health Services (The Center) in 1991, she didn’t know that 35 years later she would still be working as hard as ever to support the people who rely on her. But here she is — still advocating, educating and rooting for those who come to The Center for help,” SPBHS Development Director Ashley Moore wrote in the release.

Mitchell’s decades of service and impact were highlighted by Heidi Hedberg, Commissioner of the State of Alaska Department of Health, during the award presentation at the Full Lives Conference. Shane Kilcher, Mitchell’s supervisor at The Center, also spoke to her passion for advocacy in the press release.

“Meg has gone from learning what advocacy meant, to actively advocating, and to teaching others to advocate for themselves and each other. It has been her joy to walk alongside them as they grow,” he said.

In her acceptance speech at the conference, Mitchell reflected on the mindset that has guided her work and emphasized the ongoing need for advocacy.

“The secret to my longevity is ‘API’ — Assumed Positive Intent. It’s a positive mindset where I assume that everyone is doing their best intentions. This helps improve relationships, increases happiness, and reduces stress and conflict,” she said.

“Advocacy and self-advocacy are some of the most important actions we are tasked to do. Do not think that the fight for disability rights is done … we must continue the fight together to find solutions and funding.”