Why did you choose your specific health professional career?
When I was growing up, my parents told me, “Don’t be like us (being sheepherders), go to school and become a doctor.” That stuck in my head and has been a motivator for me to pursue a career in the healthcare profession.
What experiences did you have to make sure this profession was right for you?
I always enjoyed science, technology and helping people, so it seemed natural to pursue a healthcare profession, such as dentistry.
Describe any obstacles or barriers to success that you encountered along your health professional career path. How did you overcome them?
Some of my obstacles were similar to the obstacles facing most Navajos, as can be seen in the 2000 Census of the Navajo Reservation: the average per capita income for a Navajo person residing on the Navajo Reservation is $6,217; 56% of Indian persons on the Navajo Reservation live below the poverty level and 43% of labor force on the Navajo Reservation is unemployed. Looks like not much has changed since 1992 when I was admitted to University of Louisville School of Dentistry. In my book, hard work is the only thing that can beat these overwhelming odds.
What do you do in your current job?
Currently, I work at a dental clinic in Dilkon, Arizona as a Commander in the US Public Health Service. I am the Deputy Chief of a complex dental unit, supporting the Dental Chief with the dental program. Providing dental care to the Navajo people makes me proud every day.
What advice do you have for American Indian/Alaska Native students who are interested in health careers?
Most students get discouraged when they focus on the amount of time and commitment that is needed for school or training in a health career. My advice to students would be to not let that deter them from achieving their dreams. Looking back, getting an education was worth every challenge. Why? Because the only thing better than looking forward to going to work each day is knowing that I am making a difference in other people’s lives.
What would you like to see for your tribe’s future?
I would like to see the quality of care to continue to improve, and to see the Indian Health Service become a national model of comprehensive healthcare service delivery.
Do you practice traditional medicine? If you do, then how does traditional medicine interact with conventional medicine?
No, I don’t.