Born and raised in Alaska, Ms. Kasmar obtained her Bachelors of Science degree in Nursing from Seattle University in 1981, and her MBA from Alaska Pacific University in 1993. 

Ms. Kasmar has served as the CEO of the Alaska Primary Care Association (APCA) since 1996.  APCA is a not-for-profit organization founded in 1995 working to promote, expand and optimize primary care access so that all Alaskans will have that access, including the underserved. The 50+ APCA members include safety-net primary care providers such as Community Health Centers (CHCs), rural health clinics, tribal health corporations, community clinics and others with a similar mission.   APCA provides vital services and technical assistance to support members in offering quality,-cost-effective care- so they can serve more patients for less.  APCA also provides community, Board and health systems development, particularly in the area of developing new CHCs. 

From 1991 to 1996, Ms. Kasmar served as the Operations Director of the Anchorage Neighborhood Health Center, a 10 clinician, 60 employee Community Health Center providing primary health care and related services to 12,000 persons per year.  She also managed the Special Programs and Case Management Services including the Comprehensive Perinatal Care, Ryan White Title IIIb, Health Care for the Homeless and WIC programs. Additionally, she was responsible for facilities management of the 15,000 square foot facility, and managed a multi-million dollar capital expansion project.

From 1982 to 1998, Ms Kasmar worked at the Providence Hospital in Anchorage, where she was a clinical staff and charge nurse in both the Labor and Delivery and Neonatal Intensive Care units.  During this time, she also served as the Deputy Unit Manager of the NICU for three years, and as a flight nurse for six. 

Ms. Kasmar is a licensed Registered Nurse, and maintains an NCC specialty certification in Neonatal Intensive Care Nursing.  She is currently working towards her Certified Association Executive status through the ASAE.   She is involved in numerous professional Boards, coalitions and workgroups at the national, regional, state and local levels.   Ms. Kasmar is also the mother of two great kids.