Heath Bonsall, Medical Dosimetrist – Peninsula and Juneau Clinics
Heath Bonsall is a dedicated Medical Dosimetrist serving the Peninsula Radiation Oncology Center in Soldotna and the Juneau clinic, alternating monthly between the two. His path to the field of radiation oncology is both inspiring and deeply personal.
Before entering healthcare, Heath served in the U.S. Air Force for six years as an aircraft mechanic, spending four of those years stationed at Eielson Air Force Base near Fairbanks, Alaska. Recognized for his excellence, he received the prestigious Airman of the Year award. As a reward, he earned an incentive ride in an F-16 fighter jet—an unforgettable experience that left him a little airsick just moments after his photo was taken.
In 2003, Heath transitioned from military service to academia, receiving his B.S. degree in Radiation Therapy and then his M.S. degree in Medical Dosimetry. His decision to pursue this field was inspired by his mother’s journey with breast cancer; the very therapists who treated her would later help train him.
Heath began his work with Peninsula Radiation Oncology Center under the guidance of Dr. John Halligan in 2014–2015 and became a permanent part of the team in 2016. He played an integral role in expanding RBS services beyond Alaska, including the development of the Mat-Su Valley Cancer Center in Palmer. Today, he continues to support cancer care throughout the state, traveling regularly between the Soldotna and Juneau clinics.
Heath and his wife Jenni live at the base of scenic Hatcher Pass in Palmer, Alaska, alongside their stepdaughters, Hannah and Malia, and their three dogs—Nova, Molly, and Sophie. Their home sits on a serene seven-acre property with a private lake named Reed (not to be confused with the nearby Reed Lakes in Hatcher Pass).
A devoted yoga practitioner, Heath shares a passion for wellness with his wife. Together, they built a yoga yurt studio with heated floors on their property, recently adding a sauna and cold plunge. Jenni runs Hatcher Pass Yoga, offering retreats and paddleboard yoga on their lake. Heath also enjoys homebrewing and shares a unique love story with Jenni—they met at Bear Paw River Brewing in Wasilla where she taught yoga back in the brewery section of the tap room.
Travel is a big part of their lives, both within Alaska and internationally. Heath finds joy in working alongside compassionate physicians and staff and especially appreciates the dog-friendly atmosphere of the clinics. One of his most memorable moments at work was befriending a patient who was a pilot—and getting the chance to go flying with him. Heath values the daily connections formed with patients and the lasting relationships built over the course of treatment.
In 2017, Heath joined Radiating Hope in Nepal for their trek to Everest Base Camp—a demanding 80-mile round-trip journey—and returned in 2018 to assist with training at the Kathmandu Cancer Center. Both experiences deeply impacted him, and he remains grateful for the opportunity to contribute to such meaningful work.
