My name is Charles Bischoff but I prefer to be known as “Toney.” I am a senior at University of Alaska Anchorage in human services and have been an intern at Older Persons Action Group for seven months. I received my Medicare Certification in August of this year and will be working with Rita Hatch in the Medicare Counseling and Assistance program at OPAG for another 10 months. I will continue my education with UAA until I receive my Master’s Certificate and plan to work within the Medicare program and possibly join a counseling group in private practice.

My work background includes working as a paramedic for 10 years in Sacramento, Calif. I was trained in advanced life saving skills and scuba diving training for search and rescue.

I have also served in various lab and X-ray tech positions for the Veteran’s Hospital Laboratory Services, and doctor’s medical clinics in Spokane, Wash., where I performed a wide variety of tasks such as preparing specimens for transport and analysis, bone marrow extractions, assisting physicians in assessments of patients, suturing, bandaging and cast removal as well as reports and documentations.

I was also a lab tech and tutor in microbiology at Spokane Falls Community College and received my Alcohol Counseling Certificate as a student at the same university.

I have a passion for helping others and hope to apply my passion and experience to benefit OPAG and Alaska’s seniors during the remainder of my internship.