How can we increase the number of Native American physicians across the nation? That's the question answered by our guest today, Dr. Mary Owen (Tlingit), associate dean of Native American Health at the University of Minnesota’s Medical School. Dr. Owen is also the director of the Center of American Indian Minority Health.  

Dr. Owen talks about the lack of Native nurses and physicians, her professional journey, and her advocacy on behalf of Native communities and practices in healthcare. She also shares her work in developing programs that support Native students through their K-12 education and into healthcare professions.

Don't miss our conversation with one of the most influential women in Native health today.

Please welcome this episode's guest, Heather Sauyaq Jean Gordon from the Iñupiat community in Alaska! As a research scientist, Heather plays a significant role in providing cold hard data to policy teams to drive meaningful change for Indigenous communities. She shared with us the impact on historical trauma on daily interactions in Native life, insights on the Alaskan healthcare system, and the protective role of culture in Tribal health and wellness. Thank you, Heather, for such an insightful conversation on Alaskan Native health.

What does it mean for Tribal nations when health meets philanthropy?

Edgar Villanueva, this episode's guest, is a member of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, a tribe that includes the descendants of the Trail of Tears survivors. Originally involved in health marketing, Edgar developed a passion for philanthropy and began creating programs to empower Native communities. Today Edgar has helped many communities increase their prosperity and health outcomes. Tune into this insightful episode about reclaiming power and wealth in Tribal nations!

Meet Trey Adcock from Cherokee Nation. Trey launched the American-Indian Indigenous program at University of North Carolina in Asheville to build Native representation in academia. Trey explains the origins of the program and why Indigenous students succeed when their cultural identity is recognized.

Tune in to this episode to hear a fascinating discussion of Tribal identity in UNC classrooms.

Mental health can still be a taboo topic in some Tribal nations. Today’s guest knows all about that from her work to destigmatize mental health issues: Dr. Billie Jo Kipp! She talked to us about her experiences in behavioral healthcare, explaining the role of historical trauma in addiction, violence, and mental illness. She also shared why a communal approach is more effective in behavioral care than an individual approach in Native communities, and offered the perspective of dealing with historical trauma from a growth point of view.

Thank you, Dr. Kipp, for such a beautiful episode about community, relationships, and growing from trauma.

Today we talk to Lt. Governor Monica Antone of the Gila River Indian Community. Known as The River People for their 2000 win of a settlement about water rights, the Gila River community is comprised of two tribes: the Akimel O'odham (Pima) and the Pee-Posh (Maricopa). Lt. Governor Antone shares her dreams for Gila River's 23,000 tribal members, the devastating impact of the pandemic, and they persisted through it with the resilience of their forefathers. She also shares her work as a mental health advocate and how she's implemented behavioral health training across different districts.

Tune in for an insightful look at Gila River Indian Community from the inside!

In this episode, Dr. John Molina and Dr. Stephanie Little Hawk-Big Crow talk about the need for the holistic delivery of allopathic and healthcare services in Indigenous communities and behavioral health.  From their own experience with Indigenous identity in reservations and urban settings, Dr. Molina talks about the conflicts urban Indigenous populations face in social, cultural, and spiritual ways  - and how those conflicts impact their healthcare relationships. Stephanie shares her journey with the importance of identity, cultural duality, and intergenerational traditional knowledge for the mind, soul, and holistic care of Native Americans.

Tune in for an insightful conversation with Dr. John Molina and Dr. Stephanie Little Hawk-Big Crow on the spirit of healing and care for Indigenous communities. 

Welcome back to the second part of our interview with the amazing Madhuri Jha!

If you missed our previous episode, here’s a quick recap: Madhuri discussed how the lack of data translates to lack of visibility for vulnerable populations - specifically in the behavioral and mental health spaces. In this episode, she shares her experiences working with children and how new generations have more channels to validate and express their own feelings. She also reflects on how we can collaborate to increase resource access to enhance people’s mental and overall health. It's an incredible conversation that touches on housing, missing women and children, health equity, and other issues. 

Tune in to this two-part special with Madhuri Jha, where she emphasizes that if there’s no evidence, people will not see the problem.

"If there's no data, there's no problem." When it comes to health equity, it can be tough to tackle physical conditions that often affect communities of color without adequate research - or without acknowledging mental health, environment, identity, and other factors integral to well-being.

In this episode, we talk to Madhuri Jha, director of the Kennedy-Satcher Center for Mental Health Equity, part of the Satcher Health Leadership Institute at Morehouse School of Medicine. She speaks about her work in advancing the visibility and equity of vulnerable populations, specifically in behavioral care and mental health spaces. Research and data collection play a critical role in working toward health equity for Indigenous communities - and can provide a roadmap toward culturally appropriate care. Madhuri also discusses the importance of allyship and community partnerships in creating stronger healthcare systems. 

Please join us in Part I of this fascinating conversation!

Access to healthcare and being culturally responsive are two missions that today’s guest has been working on for quite some time.

We are happy to host Holly Figueroa, a Hopi/Ohkay Owingeh Tribe member, in this episode. Holly shares how she’s working with 17 different tribes across Arizona and how access and cultural responsiveness have challenged her to become a better health worker. Communities have several options from where to choose, but obstacles come in not knowing how to see a doctor, schedule an appointment, or simply understand the system. She also shares her thoughts on power, knowledge, and how to create culturally safe spaces for Tribal individuals to feel comfortable talking about their health.

Holly is constantly working to give everyone and anyone access to healthcare. Tune in to this episode to listen to her journey!