Dr. V. Sanoe Harrison is trading his health care job at SEARHC for an independent practice, opening a clinic out of his home.

Rural Island Medical will officially welcome patients on Sept. 1. Work is already underway to convert a section of his residence at 2.6-Mile into a dedicated clinic space, although the search for centrally located commercial property is underway.

Harrison, who will leave his job with the SouthEast Alaska Regional Health Consortium on Aug. 24, after working there for nine years, said the change allows him to focus directly on personalized care.

“I am board certified in pediatric endocrinology, internal medicine and with extensive experience in treating diabetes,” he said. “I want my practice to be more person-centered and to be able to offer the quality of care that I would like with each patient.”

Harrison was raised in Hawaii, earned his undergraduate degree at Brigham Young University–Hawaii, and completed medical school in Honolulu. His wife, Kaelene, studied biology before focusing on raising their seven children and later earning her certified nursing assistant credential.

The couple will run the clinic together, dividing administrative operations and clinical care.

“I’ll be busy with scheduling patients and billing, and things like that,” Kaelene Harrison said. “I’ll be greeting patients and managing the office. I’ll basically do it all.”

Rural Island Medical plans to provide comprehensive family medicine alongside specialized endocrine care. Sanoe Harrison said the clinic will assist patients with diabetes technology, including insulin pumps and continuous glucose monitors, as well as weight-loss management and general primary care.

He also plans to conduct home visits, perform in-clinic procedures, use ultrasound and offer virtual appointments across Southeast Alaska.

“I hope to help people avoid unnecessary travel to specialists,” he said. “I will also be able to treat other patients from other locations in the Southeast through telehealth appointments, which is something I really can’t do much of right now.”

The clinic intends to bill most insurance providers and accept self-pay patients, while exploring a direct primary care subscription option. Under a monthly membership model, patients would pay a recurring flat fee directly to the clinic for routine consultations and basic services instead of navigating traditional insurance claims.

The doctor said the transition fulfills a longtime desire for professional autonomy.

“I have enjoyed working at SEARHC and I love all the coworkers of mine locally. They’ve all been so kind and supportive,” he said. “I wouldn’t be confident enough to try this without their support.”

Patient scheduling has already begun. “We’ve been fortunate because we don’t exactly have to focus so much on advertising, because word has traveled so fast,” he said. “What’s exciting is the fact that this will be so much more patient-driven and patient-focused. There has already been a tremendous response.”

The office phone is 360-217-9392.