Leigh Cooper

Leigh Cooper was born and raised in Las Cruces, New Mexico and is a proud mother to 3 children.

As an undergraduate, she studied medical anthropology, forensics, and biology, which lead to a career addressing childhood hunger along the Mexican-American border and teaching biology. She then shifted gears into healthcare and received her Bachelors of Science in Nursing. She specialized in critical care and hospital administration over her ten-year as a registered nurse. Additionally, she has a Master’s in Biology, where she focused her research on the histology and growth of astrocytoma (brain cancer) in 3D gel matrix. Leigh enjoys researching and plans on incorporating clinical research into her future practice.

She feels fortunate to have attended medical school at Burrell College of Osteopathic Medicine, in her hometown, surrounded by a supportive group of friends and family. Growing up and working in an area that services a watershed of farming, rural towns, she has always known practicing rural medicine was her calling.

Leigh was drawn to Alaska during medical school when her best friend (a nurse practitioner in Alaska) encouraged her to explore medicine in the Last Frontier. She and her children immediately felt at home while exploring the outdoors of Alaska. After spending several months learning medicine in Alaska, she knew this was where she would get the best training to accomplish her future goals of full-scope, rural, family medicine. Her children are equally excited for the adventures to be had in Alaska!

When Leigh isn’t busy running around after her three children she enjoys playing volleyball and piano, and spending time in Fairbanks where she and her partner are raising a small family of donkeys.