This Native American Heritage Month, we are highlighting Native students from the school’s Physician Assistant program. This year, the program matriculated its largest class of incoming PA students ever. Four first-year students and one second-year student bring the program’s total to five.
We spoke with the students and shared some responses about their heritage, experience as part of the school’s Native American Center for Health Professions and why they chose to pursue a career as a PA.
- Gabby James: Navajo (Diné)
- Jozie Arenz: Citizen Potawatomi Nation
- Marina Melby: White Earth Ojibwe
- Taylor Kellam: Sokaogon (Mole Lake) Chippewa
- Joseph Shervey: Mother is member of Lac Courte Oreilles Tribe
What does your heritage mean to you?
Jozie:
Growing up, my family would attend annual Potawatomi tribal meetings, which is where I began to learn about my heritage. I was always told I was Native but didn’t have the opportunity to embrace the community since my family lived far from our tribal land in Oklahoma. I was hesitant to be bold about my Potawatomi identity. In undergrad, I participated in the Potawatomi Leadership Program and was fully immersed in my culture. This is when I truly claimed my identity as a Potawatomi woman. Building community within my tribe and learning about my ancestors opened my eyes to the importance of representing the Native population today. As Dr. Bret Benally Thompson has told us, “We are the answer to our ancestors’ prayers.” As we become health care providers, we are responsible for caring and advocating for the Native people!
Why the PA profession?
Marina:
Growing up, I lived just a few minutes away from my Tribal clinic where my mom worked. So I was somewhat familiar with health care. I do remember when I found out that my health care provider was not a doctor with an MD but actually a PA. She was a huge inspiration to me and as I learned more about the profession. I found it was a path I could follow to be a primary care provider, which became my goal. I shadowed her and was able to see what it’s like to work in a Tribal clinic and take care of other Native patients. It made it clear to me that it’s what I wanted to do. It also showed me the health disparities that exist in the Native community.
How does NACHP foster your academic journey?
Taylor:
There are so many resources within NACHP and so many connections that you can build with others. No matter what your interests or passions are, they are going to have connections for you to help you on your journey. Having a place and group of amazing people to go to for that kind of help and information is invaluable. Knowing there is a place where we can go be Native and be around other Native people has been incredible.
What does Native American Heritage Month mean to you?
Joseph:
Having November labeled and recognized is very important and meaningful. It can build awareness of Indigenous cultures and practices, as well as the disparities and issues in our health care system. For example, on the reservation, the rapport you have with your patients is vital for a trusting relationship. Having Native representation in the health professions is so important.
What do you hope we learn from history as we build our future regarding a celebration of Native American Heritage Month?
Gabby:
I feel like anytime I talk to someone about being Native American, people have a set idea of what that is and that it is something in the past. People think of it as something historical and celebrations and traditions from the past. But the really cool thing I’ve started to celebrate is that no matter what a Native person does, that’s what it is to be Native. Yes, it’s acknowledging and embracing our traditions and past but also promoting the awareness that we are all here as PA students as Indigenous people. And we can celebrate that Indigenous joy in all we do.
This year’s UW–Madison Native November theme is “Laughter is Medicine.” How does this theme resonate with you?
Taylor:
This theme ties in so well with NACHP and how that group helps us find joy in any situation. I don’t think I’ve ever walked into the NACHP office and not immediately heard laughter. It does fill you with joy and is healing.
Jozie:
A lot of the conversation about Native Americans is around historical trauma and the past and it can become a large part of our identity, but there is also so much joy and pride in being Native, which is what NACHP embodies.
Gabby:
The health inequities come up for me as well. And how that historical trauma shows up in day-to-day medicine and care. We learn about it every single day but many others are not aware. It can be a bit overwhelming sometimes to hear about these topics. But having NACHP there to show us the beauty in our culture is really important.
Joseph:
We often do talking circles in NACHP and the laughter portion can often be just as important as the parts where someone shares what is troubling them. Both are healing in their own ways. It helps us form a bond and community.
Anything else you would like to add?
Jozie:
While the National Day of Awareness for Murdered and Missing Indigenous Persons is in May, I want to call attention to this issue as well during Native American Heritage Month. This work seeks to increase the awareness and action toward the disproportionately high case number of missing or murdered Indigenous persons, particularly women. It does not get discussed enough.