Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Native Americans in Medicine
Read about some truly incredible Native American trailblazers in medicine in honor of National Native American Heritage Month (November)!
Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte: the first Native American female physician
She graduated top of her class at Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania and spent many years as the sole doctor of the Omaha and Winnebago Reservations. Dr. Picotte also opened the first privately funded hospital on a native reservation!
Charles A. Eastman, MD: one of the first Native Americans to earn a medical degree in the U.S.
Dr. Eastman completed his degree at Boston University and also helped to found the Boy Scouts of America! His traditionally-received name was Ohiyesa, meaning “the Winner.”
Carlos Montezuma, MD: the second Native American to receive a medical degree in the U.S.
Dr. Montezuma spent the majority of his career advocating for better access to healthcare on Native reservations. He also fought for both land and water rights for the Yavapai people in Arizona.
Susie Walking Bear Yellowtail: a recipient of the President’s Award for Outstanding Nursing Health Care
Susie graduated with honors from Boston City Hospital’s School of Nursing and became the first person of Crow descent to become an RN. She was dedicated to preserving Crow culture and was an appointee to a number of councils focused on Native American education and health.
Dr. Lori Arviso Alvord: the first Navajo woman to become a board-certified surgeon
Dr. Alvord focuses on combining Western and Native American medical practices. She takes a holistic approach with her patients and is a graduate of the Stanford School of Medicine.
Dr. Patricia Nez Henderson: the first Native American woman to graduate from Yale University’s School of Medicine
A member of the Navajo nation, Dr. Henderson’s research into nicotine use in Native Americans helped enhance efforts to reduce smoking nationwide and she is still part of organizations today that focus on reducing tobacco and nicotine use in Native American communities. To commemorate her legacy, Yale created the Patricia Nez Award, which recognizes Yale graduates who work to promote Native American health.
